AMD Considers Dropping Low-end Discrete Graphics

[poloytisoy]

it really seems that if AMD is being ?, a lot of people ?...

 

[jimmysmitty]

[citation][nom]jonpaul37[/nom]I believe this is a good move, though, they may want to wait a little while before doing so, perhaps like a year or so to let the dust settle with Fusion.[/citation]

I think its a bad move. Some people will buy a Intel system and upgrade to a low end discrete ATI GPU. Thats a loss of sales if the person does not want a Llano based CPU but rather a Intel one with ATI graphics.

 

[Guest]

A8-3850 + HD 6670 'Dual Graphics' Dirt 3 benchmark-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-RilSRCSwU

I think Dual Graphics works just fine personally. I should know, that's my test rig. Ok, so it can't play older games so well, but meh, DX11 is the future, and in that respect, it rocks. Frankly.

 

[gm0n3y]

Sounds more like a win-win-lose for the consumers-vendors-Nvidia.

 

[Miharu]

I don't think they should stop low end... but they must restrict theirs models. What's the point to have 40+ low-end cards? Seriously?

Llano seem replace 98% of those low-end cards.
From AMD point view, if STOP low-end will turn out having 1-2 low end cards at the end. This is the greatest scenario ever for AMD.

 

[Onus]

There's another market for low-end cards out there, businesses who are adding second monitors to [older] systems, many of them with a single-VGA out IGP. Matrox has a lot of that market, and I think AMD needs to stay in it as well, just not with a half-dozen different models. Find something apt yet cheap such as a HD4350 or HD5450 and keep churning them out for businesses.

 

[eddieroolz]

In the long run, the field pioneered by AMD Fusion would indeed render low-end discrete graphics obsolete; however I suggest AMD hold off for another few years before making the move. There are still many people with desires for a cheap upgrade.

 

[hannibal]

I am sure that they are reading sale numbers very closely! So I don't expect any sudden moves. But if you know that you will be needing low end replasement to your old rig, it may be better to get replasement before the suply dryes out. But it will take many years, so no hurry at this time. It is like WHS recorder at this moment, you can get one, but it is cheaper to buy recordable dvd-player instead...

 

[bustapr]

Im okay with this. there are way too many cards out. I just bought an A4 laptop(desperately needed cheap laptop with good battery), and it plays UE3 games, dead space, and valve games on high/max settings pretty well. And thats the cheapest APU. With IGPs likes that theres no need for the other dozen low end cards. And this is a good PR move to make their APUs more noticable in the lowend market.

 

[11796pcs]

I don't like this because as soon as you stop putting even low-end discrete cards in, manufacturers decide it's okay to start using boards without PCI-e ports and your computer becomes basically unupgradeable.

 

[liveonc]

They should integrate these low-end GPU's into the mainboard & offer Onboard hybrid Crossfire at a lower price or higher profit margin.

 

[caskachan]

im tired of the market flooded by shit cards like the 4460 5360 5460 and other stupid 1GB card variations that only fool people into thinking that "hurdur 1gb is gonna make me play all games"
i say 5750 and 5770 should be considered the new "low end" and take it from there

 

[tbq]

Even if all of the OEMs decide to use the Fusion chips and drop the low end discrete cards, there would still be a huge demand for them by people with Intel systems who need to double or triple their graphics power.

 

[runswindows95]

The thing you have to realize, caskachan, is not everyone needs a 5770 graphics card. The majority of people only really need a 5450. The only thing I do agree with is yes, there are too many choices at lower end. They should really just stick to at most three or four models, and remove the rest.

 

[belardo]

[citation][nom]liveonc[/nom]They should integrate these low-end GPU's into the mainboard & offer Onboard hybrid Crossfire at a lower price or higher profit margin.[/citation]

Uh... they already do that. The older 700 and 800 series mother boards have on-board video. Some allow crossfire with another low-end card... which is a little silly in the end. Eye-infinity is also not a big deal for built-in or bottom end video cards - as anyone who need power-user abilities can afford to buy such features.

With Intel's systems finally having OKAY built-in graphics and Fusion, the need for 4350 / 5450 type cards is no longer needed... unlike Core2 with intel IGP.

[citation][nom]caskachan[/nom]im tired of the market flooded by shit cards like the 4460 5360 5460 ~ i say 5750 and 5770 should be considered the new "low end" and take it from there[/citation]

Why by tired? You don't need them - some people do... but the need for bottom end cards will go away, it will take about 2 years to empty the market and they would simply sell OLD tech for those with OLD tech who may need such cards. Look at the GF5200, mX4000 (its a GF2mx really) which have lasted 7 years longer than they should have. Yep, on NewEgg you choose from 10 GF5200 cards (AGP & PCI).

The 6450 (or future 7350) will most likely remain on the market for 5+ years.

Still - even intel's i5 IGP don't compare to an old 4670 or 5650 card.

The bottom end modern cards go for $30.. should go away, the profit margins are tiny. The most bottom end card should go for $50~70... with $100 being THE mainstream card... like the 6770 are already starting at $100.

 

[Yargnit]

The problem with the low end market is there are to many products with only a $5-10 price difference. Give a single $30 range card for people with older systems they want to convert to HTPC's and stuff. One model at $50, one at $75, and then start the midrange cards at $100. We don't need a $65, $70, $75, $80, etc card. It just confuses people, and a $25 step is plenty small enough.

 

[bustapr]

[citation][nom]caskachan[/nom]im tired of the market flooded by shit cards like the 4460 5360 5460 and other stupid 1GB card variations that only fool people into thinking that "hurdur 1gb is gonna make me play all games" i say 5750 and 5770 should be considered the new "low end" and take it from there[/citation]
you also have to consider the shear amount of people who go to a tech with a broken pc and say "i want the cheapest option". a $130 5770 wouldnt look really appealing to that person, especially if he/she doesnt to any kind of hd. AMD will never let go of the low end market, they most definitely will thin the production, but there will always be at least a $50 card for those people who dont care.

 

[silverblue]

Most of AMD's graphics sales are of the lower to mid-range sort. I'm not sure Llano and Brazos can sell enough to offset this. Also, you can't just buy an APU to fit in the motherboard you currently own if it's an Intel board - you'd need to buy a new one.

 

[WR2]

If AMD is thinking about dropping the low end because it will save AMD money in the long run it's probably best for AMD.

If they're missing out on a market segment where they can compete and make money, increasing overall profitability, it would be a bad move.

 

[legacy7955]

They should definitely retain a couple of lower end models. Why concede the entire low end market to Nvida?

Like most other posts correctly and logically said they need to reduce the overall number of products streamlining is a good idea. Keep the best offerings you have in every category and build on that.

Also like many of my friends think AMD is the "friendly alternative"
to Intel and Nvida. Good product, good durability, at a reasonable price! Don't move away from that too far.

 

[Guest]

No low-end cards for Intel-based mobos?

 

[liveonc]

[citation][nom]belardo[/nom]Uh... they already do that. The older 700 and 800 series mother boards have on-board video. Some allow crossfire with another low-end card... which is a little silly in the end. Eye-infinity is also not a big deal for built-in or bottom end video cards - as anyone who need power-user abilities can afford to buy such features.With Intel's systems finally having OKAY built-in graphics and Fusion, the need for 4350 / 5450 type cards is no longer needed... unlike Core2 with intel IGP.Why by tired? You don't need them - some people do... but the need for bottom end cards will go away, it will take about 2 years to empty the market and they would simply sell OLD tech for those with OLD tech who may need such cards. Look at the GF5200, mX4000 (its a GF2mx really) which have lasted 7 years longer than they should have. Yep, on NewEgg you choose from 10 GF5200 cards (AGP & PCI).The 6450 (or future 7350) will most likely remain on the market for 5+ years.Still - even intel's i5 IGP don't compare to an old 4670 or 5650 card.The bottom end modern cards go for $30.. should go away, the profit margins are tiny. The most bottom end card should go for $50~70... with $100 being THE mainstream card... like the 6770 are already starting at $100.[/citation]

I'm talking about APU hybrid Crossfire with an On-Board discrete GPU especially for m-ITX mainboards to either do away with the PCI-e slot, allow a slot for internal TV tuners, or maybe just so that it can fit in a smaller chassis, but still have the ability to allow decent graphics...

 

[jdwii]

they should always make their lowest end card on-par or better then intel's best graphics