AMD said to have secured priority access to SK Hynix's HBM2 chips

[watercooled]

It's not just patents that matter though, look at the x86/AMD64 cross-licensing between Intel and AMD64 - both are licensed to produce x86 and AMD64 compatible processors and besides VIA (I'm not exactly sure of the terms with VIA but they've been in the game a long time and don't directly compete with Intel), no-one else. Nvidia tried to get a license from Intel a few years ago, likely for Denver, but wasn't able to.

Unless patents are considered critical and hence given FRAND status, companies aren't necessarily obliged to license technology.

[Tabbykatze]

It's a distinct possibility, Hynix could hold the patent of which AMD has sole usage of through co-development and shares the IP (not the Patent). Allowing them to be the only company on the market with HBM until Nvidia go "well wait a frackin minute" and then it has to become FRAND. If it even extends that far, track record of patents being forced to be released on FRAND to the public (people who are better qualified and informed, please correct me if i'm wrong) are because they're a global enhancement in the technological sector in orientation to that area. Is HBM a global enhancement? Could be, is GDDR5 still sufficient? Maybe.

But AMD and Hynix have made a deal for priority so they've gone "hey Nvidia, we've advanced and evolved down the GPU evolutionary line and we will let you reap the benefits as well, but you'll have to wait."

In a business sector and R&D competition, that's like me sharing my bank account with my next door neighbour who's only on 20k and i'm on 120k and he gets to play around with what's left in it after i've bought my Pettabyte of pornography. This is a bold move cotton, lets see if it works out for them!

[anubis44]

Could be AMDs final bad move if they try and leverage that to stifle competition. Do they have the funds to buy it all up and let it sit in a warehouse gathering dust?

After some of the comments about nVidias business practices recently, not one of them come close to trying to prevent a competitor from making a new product like this seems to imply.

I guess this could get interesting and may force nVidia to throw it's weight around a bit more.

Frankly, I'd enjoy seeing AMD stick it to nVidia for a change by reserving all the HBM2 memory. They worked with Hynix, shared some of the development costs, so why shouldn't they make nVidia wait in line. It would serve them and all their fanboys right for always justifying nVidia's cheating tactics as 'just business.' Well, starving nVidia of HMB2 memory would also then be 'just business.'

[Lenny_Nero]

Did not read anywhere that AMD were going to buy up everything and stash it away.

Sounds more like two companies willing to get behind a new tech, (as nothing has changed in memory for years, up clocking the same types is nothing big) and allowing AMD first pic of ..."initial production capacity as possible,"

[eugenius]

Could be AMDs final bad move if they try and leverage that to stifle competition. Do they have the funds to buy it all up and let it sit in a warehouse gathering dust?

After some of the comments about nVidias business practices recently, not one of them come close to trying to prevent a competitor from making a new product like this seems to imply.

I guess this could get interesting and may force nVidia to throw it's weight around a bit more.

AMD developed HBM together with Hynix. They have a much better track record than NVidia in both business practices and open technologies but even AMD can't be expected to immediately deliver their advantages to NVidia because somebody on the internet isn't happy.

[Metro]

I am not sure we will get it next year though

[whatif]

Can't understand what all the grumbles are about when it comes to AMD getting first priority. They spent the time and money to help develop it, so it is only fair that they should have first pick, I am just happy to see forward progress.
My problem is that when tech and software is developed to improve things for the consumer, some companies take their bat and ball and go home (they try to totally restrict others from ever doing similar things or try to sue everyone like a fruity product we all know - And they still use a ******* proprietary charging cable??!!??). It always comes as a disadvantage to the consumer, who looses out with cost and reduced usability.
If there was only one video card producer, there would be no competition and not a lot of impetus for major innovations. Just look at how slow car engine development went while fossil fuel was the only major player, until the recent push to find alternatives. Example- I once owned (until I was T-boned by a truck) a 4 cylinder, normally aspirated, car which was developed in the late 1950's and first produced in the early 1960's, capable of over 40MPG when cruising, had a eight speed gear box (plus a 2 speed reverse) and did over 150mph when pushed.
Besides, why badmouth one company for (possibly) doing what it's competition already does.
In the end, I hope that no matter what the outcome or brand you prefer, that we consumers are the final winners.
Personally, I just look for whoever has the best value for the money for what I require - no real preference for either brand.

[loyal986]

I wish all the best to AMD, I hope they buy the entire stock of HBM2 and let NShidia starve, they deserve, at least they are playing dirty more than a decade. I am AMD fan and would like to see amd shine.