Report raises concerns over Nvidia GeForce Partner Program

[Xlucine]

I see where you're coming from, but I think nVidia do counter that when they say


And the example Kyle gives is specifically about brand:

Which would mean asus would need a new, separate "non-gaming" brand for gaming laptops with AMD GPUs. And dell would need to duplicate alienware. Nvidia is promising free advertising "across the web, on social media, at events and more" to anyone that keeps their top brands unsullied by competitors hardware, which is an outright bribe to not bother selling high-end AMD GPUs (since the partner would need to shell out for advertising to compete with the free adverts nvidia is providing for their other brand)

[utopic]

This is what happens when there's not enough regulation and one gets too big. If the situation was reversed, I think AMD would try the same thing.

[DanceswithUnix]

If the situation was reversed, I think AMD would try the same thing.

That's a pretty bold statement that could really do with some evidence, I can't think of any.

[Wolfclaw]

Isn't this the same type of monopolistic event that got Microsoft and Intel in to trouble, you do as we say or you don't get your kick backs, we strangle your supply and you become a 2nd rate customer. Time for the watchdogs to take a long hard look at the GPP.

[Kanoe]

Time for the watchdogs to take a long hard look at the GPP.

That's all well and good but as we have seen previously when this happens that it takes so long for them to step in and take action that even if they are found to be doing something dodgy and fined the other business in the market is virtually destroyed by that time.

[Gunbuster]

Casts quite a different light on the Asrock announcement. If Asus/MSI/Gigabyte all or partially scale back their AMD range this would shift the market in favour of the AMD exclusives. Sapphire is usually seen as a premium brand, but I am not sure XFX or Powercolor have the same presence. Asrock might see it as the opportunity to be the other big fish in the smaller pond. Also allows them to offer the matching motherboard and GPU option Asus etc seem to like selling.

Thats just my speculation.

[ETR316]

there are two sides to every story, this is only one.

[Millennium]

Just skimming this at the moment but it really seems like some anticompetitive move. Shouldn't AMD take NVIdio t to court? Couldn't they win this?
Having said that I'm sure Nvidia ran this through their legal team a few times. I am scared for PC gaming. This is a death knell. Coupled with the rumoured 2080 prices - ouch.

[chinf]

This is what happens when there's not enough regulation and one gets too big. If the situation was reversed, I think AMD would try the same thing.

Though this in no way should excuse anyone from doing it. Just because it's tempting and logical, doesn't make it acceptable.

[utopic]

That's a pretty bold statement that could really do with some evidence, I can't think of any.

Though this in no way should excuse anyone from doing it. Just because it's tempting and logical, doesn't make it acceptable.

I probably wasn't specific enough. I'm NOT making excuses for Nvidia (Intel/Microsoft/Monsanto/Bayer/Luxottica/Unilever), damn right it's not acceptable.

As for evidence specific to AMD, I can't think of any either. But how many more examples of human nature, greed, monopolistic corporations, etc. do you actually need?

[DanceswithUnix]

As for evidence specific to AMD, I can't think of any either. But how many more examples of human nature, greed, monopolistic corporations, etc. do you actually need?

Different companies have different cultures. Intel and Nvidia are among the most aggressive, you really can't tar everyone else with the same brush.

[DaMoot]

FUD. Stupid FUD, too.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

It looks like MSI and Asus have apparently signed up:

https://hardforum.com/threads/geforc...ost-1043529143

Also,it looks like the "perks" were already there,so the GPP is now an additional agreement to keep getting them,but with the "new" conditions:

https://hardforum.com/threads/geforc...ost-1043529847

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

NVIDIA is now approaching sites with a rather negative message if they give this GPP story any coverage other than to paint our reporting in a negative light, dismissing it as nonsense and not worth the coverage.

From more than one source as well.

Worth noting, not one single site has contacted me about this except PCWorld. Doing a live interview with them at 12:30pm CDT today.

https://hardforum.com/threads/geforc...ost-1043530836

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Interview with Kyle Bennett regarding the situation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=ZpBcsaGgaEM



They have contacted Nvidia from the 22nd of February regarding some of the concerns and apparently they have not answered them. They do have copies of the documents but are worried if they release them,it would cause problems for their sources.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Looks like its actually happening:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Amd/comment..._first_victim/

HardOCP is mentioning that all partners have closed ranks about GPP:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Amd/comment...ntact_we_have/

It seems not even distributors cannot talk about GPP:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Amd/comment...utor_in_sa_is/

Gigabyte tries to worm itself out of what it has done when questioned by computerbase.de:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Amd/comment...80_gaming_box/

German website ComputerBase asked Gigabyte why their RX 580 eGPU box is not branded "Aorus". Their reply:

ComputerBase hat bei Gigabyte nachgefragt, warum das Modell mit Radeon RX 580 als einziges der Serie nicht unter Gigabytes Marke für Spieler „Aorus“ läuft. Der Hersteller erklärt, der Fokus liege in diesem Fall nicht auf Spielern. Mit der Produktseite ist das allerdings nicht in Einklang zu bringen, deren erste Überschriften „Turn Your Ultrabook to Gaming Platform“ und „Upgrade the Game Experience“ lauten.

https://www.computerbase.de/2018-03/...x-580/#update1

Rough translation:

ComputerBase asked Gigabyte why the model with Radeon RX 580 is the only in the series which does not come with the "Aorus" gaming branding. The manufacturer states that the product is not gamer focused. This however is inconsistent with the product page, whose headings are "Turn Your Ultrabook to Gaming Platform" and "Upgrade the Game Experience".

Forbes,is one of the first big news sites to pick up on the recent events:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonev.../#c030d404c6a1

When viewing the MSI products page for AMD GPUs, however, their "Gaming X" branded Radeon cards are conspicuously absent. All that remains are reference versions of Polaris 500 series and Vega cards, or MSI's "Armor" lineup. That's beyond interesting.

This was mentioned a few days ago too:

https://hothardware.com/news/nvidia-...artner-program

We have to remember, however, that these are allegations surrounding GPP at this point, and none of NVIDIA's partners have officially gone on the record just yet, whether out of fear for backlash or other reasons. However, we'll add that we have reached out to a handful of board partners, OEMs, and ODMs, and -- off the record -- some do share Bennett's concerns. We also reached out to NVIDIA for comment and were pointed to the blog post referenced earlier for guidance on what the GeForce Partner Program entails, and also that the company doesn't comment on "rumors." We will of course update this story should NVIDIA decide to offer further commentary.

Linus made some very strong hints about how his contacts have all close ranks too,a few days ago.

Edit!!

This was posted on OcUK forums:



It looks like Newegg has de-listed ALL the MSI Radeon Gaming and Gaming-X cards.

Edit!!

Gigabyte ones are still up though,so will wait and see if this is a "glitch" or not.