Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : 3DFX -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Patrick Grinsell who wrote (5997)	8/4/1998 5:57:00 PM
From: Jeff Lins	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 16960

Patrick: regarding Simon's comments as to why we should not make our own cards, we disagree to a "t". I think that all of the arguments carry water EXCEPT number 1 ("1) If one company's product is poor, another's might be better. People/reviewers will measure 3Dfx by the best of many board manufacturer's products." Lets face it, virtually everybody uses the reference design. Nobody really makes a significant difference. So point #1 really is moot. -- Read the "interview with CFO" and noticed that it mentioned his opinion that they will no longer be doing 3D only cards...this was not what he told me, though I may have had my lines crossed. I will try to find out for sure... -- Regarding all of the PR from various cardmakers...I am waiting for one in particular...Banshee and STB! Why? Dell and Gateway, baby...this is the announcement I am waiting for, and it will surely precede any design wins... Jeff PS: Congrats Patrick! Look forward to seeing your posts...without having to wade through the Yahoo crapola! PPS: Have spent a good chunk of the day cleaning up my dogs "undigested breakfast" off of the carpet. She normally just sleeps during the day, but she wandered downstairs and I think she saw the Dow bug on CNBC...

To: Patrick Grinsell who wrote (5997)	8/4/1998 11:05:00 PM
From: Simon Cardinale	Respond to of 16960

RE: Chipset or board manufacturer debate: I was going to attack your arguments point by point but after Robert's comments, I'll stay "succinct". Actually I was trolling for point-by-point disagreement (tho maybe not argument). I'm interested in what people think of each of the points. The problem is they aren't doing the same thing anymore. They are going after the OEM market. In 1997 and the #1 and #2 OEM players were Matrox and ATI. Guess what their model is? That's an extremely persuasive point, but it defines success a little narrowly. ATI and Matrox aren't going for the mindshare that 3Dfx is. I think having numerous board manufacturers with all the press releases, shelfspace, advertising, and experimentation that goes with it is valuable in ways that ATI and Matrox wouldn't profit from, but 3Dfx can. 3Dfx is top dog. With so many partners who don't mind if they stay on top they're sitting pretty. If they compete with the board manufacturers the manufacturers need only start referring to their next products as "TNT killers" to start taking mindshare away from Voodoo and 3Dfx. You are right to point out that ATI and Matrox are doing well with OEMs. So did S3 for a long time (before their product line got hopelessly obsolete). Let's see how 3Dfx does on its own terms before we ask them to go through the pains of an acquisition. If Banshee doesn't bring in the money as well as I think it will, I may be converted. opx PS - Don't worry, I don't take disagreement personally. I'm invested in the stock, not my opinions. :) I hope you'll consider addressing each of my points because I'd be interested to hear your thoughts. Some of the points are definitely a bit shaky.