nVidia buying 3dfx - hoax??

I've been getting inquiries about this and can't find proof of it. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places, but before I tell anyone it's a hoax I want to be sure. I think it started on the 3dfx gamers forum where a lot of nVidia users also hang out (no doubt to chaff or deride the 3dfx users). Since this rumor started, another one saying that nVidia is going to buy out ATI has also cropped up which further discredits the first one. Still, with 3dfx's recent gains in it's lawsuit against nVidia, an nVidia offer to buy out the company can't be ruled out. Does anyone have a definitive answer on this? -- Slot Tweaks & Reviews www.slottweak.com

On Fri, 20 Oct 2000 10:20:39 -0400, "GTX_SlotCar" <[email hidden]> wrote:

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>I've been getting inquiries about this and can't find proof of it. Maybe I'm >looking in the wrong places, but before I tell anyone it's a hoax I want to >be sure. I think it started on the 3dfx gamers forum where a lot of nVidia >users also hang out (no doubt to chaff or deride the 3dfx users). Since this >rumor started, another one saying that nVidia is going to buy out ATI has >also cropped up which further discredits the first one. >Still, with 3dfx's recent gains in it's lawsuit against nVidia, an nVidia >offer to buy out the company can't be ruled out. >Does anyone have a definitive answer on this?

Hmm... wouldn't that be insider information...? :) The *speculation* started from some wall street analyst that *speculated* that nVidia *could* buy out 3dfx, and that nVidia had summoned $400M recently. $400M is then well enough for buying 3dfx @$10/share(it's trading @$3 now). Not exactly overwhelming evidence, but it's definately possible at any rate. It's also a reminder of exactly how deep the shit is for 3dfx at this moment. They started digging into their credit this quarter, amongst other things. The next chip positively _has_ to be a _resounding_ success, or it's curtains, finito, fat lady singing, early next year. /Magnus GPLRank hcp: -21.30

On Fri, 20 Oct 2000 10:20:39 -0400, "GTX_SlotCar" <[email hidden]> wrote: Btw, here's the origin of this hoopla: http://www.businessweek.com/2000/00_44/b3705153.htm /Magnus GPLRank hcp: -21.30

Thanks Magnus, I found some other things on msnbc and a couple other places. It looks like either the 3dfx or ati buyouts are possible, but not more than speculation at this time. They are 'poised' to buy out ati. That's probably the one they're really after, and they just passed ati in oem market share. Buying out 3dfx would probably be cheaper than paying for the patent infringements. 3dfx does own gigapixel (I think), if they could get the x-box contract back they could pull out of their slump. If nVidia buys both ati and 3dfx, Matrox would probably fall. That would leave S3 and nVidia. Anyone else? I thought video card prices were high now, without competition they'll be even higher. -- Slot Tweaks & Reviews www.slottweak.com "Magnus Svensson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > On Fri, 20 Oct 2000 10:20:39 -0400, "GTX_SlotCar" <[email hidden]> > wrote: > > Btw, here's the origin of this hoopla: > > http://www.businessweek.com/2000/00_44/b3705153.htm > > > > /Magnus > GPLRank hcp: -21.30

www.3dchipset.com -- Racehard on WON and OLR G_Major on TEN www.hotdeals.at/raceshop for products

On Fri, 20 Oct 2000 17:21:32 +0200, Magnus Svensson <[email hidden]> wrote: >It's also a reminder of exactly how deep the shit is for 3dfx at this >moment. They started digging into their credit this quarter, amongst >other things. The next chip positively _has_ to be a _resounding_ >success, or it's curtains, finito, fat lady singing, early next year. Remember how crappy the first NVidia cards were, and how great the first Voodoo cards were? My brother bought a Gateway with the first NVidia AGP card in it (standard Riva), and I couldn't believe how badly it sucked. At that time, I expected Rendition and 3Dfx to be the ones going at it, with NVidia bankrupt. Just goes to show you what standing still will get you, I guess. Tim

On Fri, 20 Oct 2000 13:07:48 -0400, "GTX_SlotCar" <[email hidden]> wrote:

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>I found some other things on msnbc and a couple other places. It looks like >either the 3dfx or ati buyouts are possible, but not more than speculation >at this time. They are 'poised' to buy out ati. That's probably the one >they're really after, and they just passed ati in oem market share. Buying >out 3dfx would probably be cheaper than paying for the patent infringements. >3dfx does own gigapixel (I think), if they could get the x-box contract back >they could pull out of their slump.

I think that's well beyond possible right now. Developer kits is already shipping from M$... with nVidia chips. > If nVidia buys both ati and 3dfx, Matrox >would probably fall. That would leave S3 and nVidia. Anyone else? S3 is presently owned by VIA, I don't think nVidia could touch them without VIA's sayso. Matrox is private, so hostile takeovers are out for obvious reasons. > I thought >video card prices were high now, without competition they'll be even higher. Ain't that the truth! However, I don't think it's quite that bad yet. /Magnus GPLRank hcp: -21.30