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Technology Stocks : Intel Corporation (INTC) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Mary Cluney who wrote (54198)	4/22/1998 9:27:00 PM
From: Paul Engel	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 186894

Mary - Re: "What is your assessment of this announcement. What will the impact of this be on the small, specialized chip makers like TDFX?" This is an interesting dilemma. Intel will be integrating the i740 2D/3D graphics accelerator into its Whitney chip set - along with the 440BX plus audio functions. The driving force here is to provide an "integrated solution" to compete with Cyrix's MediaGX and upcoming PCOAC. The initial intention was NOT TO COMPETE AT THE HIGH end with 3DFX and their VooDoo product line. However, assuming Intel incorporates ALL of the i740 features in the Whitney Chip set, the already very good graphics performance will get BETTER - due to a better process - 0.25 micron - and close-coupling to the chip set/AGP logic. But...3DFX VooDoo boards are HIGH END GAMER boards - used by the serious game enthusiast, and this is NOT A MEDIA-GX type PC buyer. These guys generally spend the money to get the best performance. So, it will depend on Intel's marketing and where they target this product. Intel is also at work on a follow on product to the i740 and this will definitely compete with 3DFX's VooDoo 2 product line. Another advantage for Intel is that the i740 is a full blown 2D and 3D graphics accelerator. The current 3DFX VooDoo boards REQUIRE A standard PCI graphics adapter to handle normal 2D stuff - like Windows and all normal applications. Intel's graphics effort will eventually make them a standard product for many PC purchasers. That will narrow down the market for 3DFX to Really Serious Gamers - not casual ones, since the Intel products will be ubiquitous and fairly low priced. On another interesting note, Intel is an investor in BOTH 3DFX and 3D LABS! Paul