News & Analysis
Is Nvidia devising x86 processor?
Mark LaPedus
11/3/2009 12:30 PM EST
For some time, there have been reports that Nvidia would enter the x86-based fray to protect its bread-and-butter graphics chip business. Advanced Micro Devices Inc. and Intel Corp. are separately developing processors with graphics capabilities.
''We believe Nvidia could enter the x86 CPU business,'' said analyst Doug Freedman of Broadpoint AmTech. ''Nvidia could become a supplier of x86 CPUs by necessity to preserve both GPU and chipset revenue.''
Nvidia (Santa Clara, Calif.) has been quietly hiring former employees of Transmeta, a now-defunct, x86-based processor supplier.
''We believe internally developed x86 solutions are more likely than external acquisitions (i.e. Via Technologies),'' he said in a new report, referring to rumors that Nvidia would acquire Taiwan's Via.
''We believe that Nvidia has hired former Transmeta staff extensively, and that instruction code "morphing" requirements have declined as more x86 instructions have come off of patent coverage,'' he said.
Nvidia is also set to report its results. ''For October, we expect revenue and GAAP EPS (for Nvidia) to beat our estimates of $846.4 million and $0.06, in-line with the Street at $835.2 million and $0.06,'' he said in the report. ''We believe revenue growth expectations may be as high as up 14 percent quarter-over-quarter, or close to $885 million given the strong sales reports from both Intel and AMD.''
Graphics chip vendor Nvidia has halted development of chipsets for next-generation Intel processors that feature the direct media interface (DMI) bus, pending the outcome of current litigation between the two companies.
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CharlieCL
11/3/2009 8:47 PM EST
Nvidia can implement X86 instruction set as emulation in its GPU. But is this necessary? Someday when GPU can run Linux or OpenBSD, developers can directly design game console by using GPU to replace XBox and PS3. Today the importance of X86 has fade off.
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RobDinsmore
11/4/2009 9:45 AM EST
? What? Replacing an entire console with just a GPU? That's insane. A console will still need storage, io and a myriad of other components including some locking mechanism to ensure licensing revenue. Also why would anyone want to have to run Windows on top of some software emulator?
I think you meant to say nVidia can integrate X86 instructions into their GPU design to provide a competitive solution to those that will be offered by AMD and Intel in about 2 years. They are both leaning towards CPU and GPU on the same die which would effectively eliminate the need for nVidia unless they adapt. And that would need to be done asap, not in some hypothetical someday when everybody and their brother runs linux.
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Rick Merritt
11/4/2009 3:38 PM EST
Does Nvidia need x86 now that it has ARM with Tegra?
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CharlieCL
11/4/2009 3:39 PM EST
To RobDinsmore: The other components of a console like storage can be done by a south bridge. That is not difficult. NVidia's Fermi has its own instruction set PTX. It is impossible to merge both x86 and PTX. And there are no good reasons for NVidia to build an X86 core inside GPU like AMD's Fusion. Look at all the game consoles: XBox, PS3, Wii, nobody needs x86.
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