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

To: Jeffrey P who wrote (10465)	2/2/1999 10:17:00 AM
From: Scott Garee	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 16960

"more robust and better performing" This certainly doesn't imply that the architecture somehow magically gained a feature. What it likely means is that the silicon design has resulted in a very good part at rated speeds and possibly has enough margin to be rated higher than original targets. I guess the design software purchase is really paying off. :) I doubt there's much use in going very far beyond the 183MHz target, since memory prices are prohibitive above that, but it's nice to see room for the V3/4k to gain performance.

To: Jeffrey P who wrote (10465)	2/3/1999 7:44:00 AM
From: Joseph Hoane	Respond to of 16960

Jeffrey P -- <<more robust and better performing" than initially indicated>> No, no, it's not going to have 32bit. They meant that they are 1. Getting better yield than expected --> cheaper cost/more supply or 2. Runs cooler than expected --> cheaper board cost or 3. Runs faster than expected for given voltage/temperature --> better advertising value, perhaps or 4. All of the above. Joe Hoane no position.

To: Jeffrey P who wrote (10465)	2/3/1999 9:04:00 PM
From: Michael Madden	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 16960

TDFX/STBI has a good shot at winning OEMs. There was one thing in the CC summaries I have read here that has gotten me thinking. Ballard implied that Creative dropped the ball on the OEM deal with Gateway but that TDFX's relationship with Gateway was still good. In other words, Creative failed to supply Gateway with sufficient boards. But, Gateway was still impressed with the Banshee's performance. Too often, we focus on who has the best technology. But OEMs have other concerns that are equally if not more important: supply, stability, and support. What good is selecting a card if you can get enough for all the computers you ship? Why take chances on a new technology whose stability is untested? After all, end-user support is a large and sometimes unpredictable cost in money and reputation. Is the supplier going to help you integrate the graphics card into your product and will they help you solve customer complaints in a timely manner? One of the reasons that STBI and ATI have been so successful in the OEM market place, particularly with large OEMs, is that they pay attention to supply, stability, and support. If given a choice between selecting a TNT card from Creative and selecting a Voodoo3 card from STBI, which do you think Dell would pick? Unless the technology gap between the graphics chips or their price was large, Dell will go the supplier they trust. (This is not to say I expect Dell to start using TDFX cards; they also have a good relationship with ATI and could easily select the Rage128.) STBI has a good reputation in the industry and that will guarantee OEM wins. I'm more worried about the future of NVIDIA than of TDFX. Whose going to champion their chip in the OEM market now that STBI is gone?