Update - 03:26: CNET just published an update, they got word from Intel that contradicts their whole story:
Intel released an additional statement after this blog was posted. "We are not seeking any SLI concession from Nvidia in exchange for granting any Nehalem license rights to Nvidia," the company said.
Word is out on the streets that NVIDIA is having a lot of trouble to get a license from Intel that they need in order to be able to make chipsets for the Nehalem processor. NVIDIA needs a license from Intel to support the Nehalem processor's integrated memory controller but Intel is withholding the license because NVIDIA refuses to give them a SLI license in return:
The story is that Intel and Nvidia are currently negotiating technology licenses for Nehalem, Intel's next-generation desktop CPU due out at the end of this year. As we were told from multiple desktop vendors who wish to remain nameless, Intel wants to license SLI from Nvidia for its Nehalem chipsets, and if Nvidia won't, Intel will withhold the license that would enable Nvidia to support Nehalem's memory controller, and thus Nehalem, on its own chipsets.
CNET writes a statement from Intel PR manager Dan Snyder partly confirmed the licensing issue:
We have no official confirmation from Nvidia on this, and Intel's statement from PR manager Dan Snyder is vague, but it lends credence to the story:
"There is a disagreement between Intel and Nvidia as to the scope of Nvidia's license from Intel to make chipsets compatible with Intel microprocessors. Intel is trying to resolve the disagreement privately with Nvidia and therefore we will not provide additional details. It is our hope that this dispute will be resolved amicably and that it will not impact other areas of our companies' working relationship."
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Re: Intel wants SLI, refuses to give Nehalem license to NVIDIA (Score: 0) by Anonymous on Saturday, May 31 2008 @ 04:48:55 CEST
This is exactly what Intel should have done a long time ago. What's fair for one should be fair for the other. Nvidia is literally the company it is today because of gpu's for Intel platforms.
There is NO way SLI should be limited to Nvidia chipsets only. And frankly, Nvidia is out of time. Even if they get the license now, Nvidia's first chipset will be a disaster, much like their first 775 chipset, because they will have to rush the design to get it done.
No more mucking around, and no more being nice while Nvidia tells everyone what they can and can't do using someone else's technical know how.
You want to play Nvidia? Then time to be fair to everyone else, just like they have been fair with you for years.
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