Patrick,
I have not sold all my TDFX...but I think more than just a few of us had a little more TDFX than we wanted in our port's...and hitting 17 was good enough for me to "lighten the load"...I am sleeping better :)
But, the story has changed. TDFX is not a generation ahead of anybody. They are an innovation behind. They released a product that will not peacefully co-exist with another TDFX product (Banshee and any Voodoo). They exist, but not peacefully. And the fact that a "switcher" was not released with the drivers, but rather a lousy week or two later was upsetting.
ATI, a power in OEM distribution, finally seems to have a decent 3D part. It is superior, if the reviews are true, to everything out there. V3 is an excellent chip, but it is not what I hoped V3 would be- even though I know it is Banshee 2. Throw a 6 cyl 160 HP engine in an Escort and its awesome- put it in a Ferrari, and it ain't the same.
TDFX does not seem to be responding to developers like it used to. I believe that this is because they are focusing on OEM parts- leaving their gaming heritage behind a bit. I don't yet know if this is a good thing or not, but I would rather them handle both ends well.
WHQL certification is indeed a good thing, but my god, it took long enough. And the announcement was comforting, but since we knew about GTW deal, we knew that they had to have WHQL. Glide is dead. When games come out with Glide and DX6 CONSISTENTLY, I think it is clear that the market is going through a transition to DX6 only. Perhaps Rampage will include features, and perhaps Glide will kick again...
TNT2 will be big competition.
Investor relations not so hot lately.
I don't think we'll see the days of selling a million $300 graphics cards again- and the standard non-tdfx 3D part that comes with a Dell or other system just isn't begging for an upgrade the way they used to.
And lets not forget that this baby has run up and fallen down many times before. $40 for TDFX? Maybe someday. Thats why I am keeping some. But I think I can get there more quickly with some other stocks...
I am still long TDFX, and like the company a lot- but a sold a bit...no biggee. |
