RUMOR: mS may buy AMD

[XtremelyBaneful]

In a bid to revive its chip design operations, Microsoft Corp. may acquire Advanced Micro Devices, according to a source familiar with the matter. The software giant approached AMD several months ago, the source indicated. The result of the talks is unclear.

http://www.kitguru.net/components/a...erested-to-buy-advanced-micro-devices-source/

 

[Tron Bonne]

It may have been better to post more of the article, so we can know why this is significant to the gaming world. I was about to close this, since it seemed irrelevant to games, but skimming the article I saw why it was:

The battle for video game console space is very strong. If Microsoft bought AMD, then Sony would be faced with a bad set of choices: put money in Microsoft’s pocket every time it sells a PlayStation, or try to create an entirely new platform by using technologies from Intel, Nvidia, ARM or Imagination Technologies.
Since game consoles is an important business for Microsoft, the company naturally wants to make sure that its technology provider does not go bankrupt or is acquired by a competitor. For example, if Samsung takes over AMD and builds-in its APUs into its TVs, it will automatically become a major player in the market of video games.
AMD and Microsoft did not comment on the news-story.

Not sure if many are aware that AMD was the one behind the PS4's chip. I didn't anyway.

 

[Iceman]

AMD is important for pc gaming too. Wonder if anything will happen.

 

[Poetic Chaos]

I'm an Nvidia guy. My 970 has been treating me great this gen.

 

[Iceman]

AMD are good value but they don't have a chip that competes at the top end at the moment. They do have a really well priced dual card that can get you 4k with decent frame rates. I'd be interested to see what might happen if Microsoft did take them over in terms of realigned costs and economies of scale.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

rumors getting fuel again now

http://hexus.net/business/news/corporate/86423-amd-shares-spike-due-rumours-microsoft-will-buy/

 

[hippie_hunter]

Don't see it happening and it doesn't make sense. Buying AMD just doesn't fit into Microsoft's overall strategy. AMD's chips really aren't designed for smartphones and tablets like Microsoft's Lumia and Surface lines, Microsoft doesn't make PCs the way Lenovo, HP, Acer, and Dell do, and their core business strategy and acquisitions seem more focused on strengthening their cloud and productivity abilities along with giving them a foothold in the mobile sector.

Any near-future Microsoft acquisitions I see would be more along the lines of Evernote, Dropbox, Adobe, etc. In regards to games, they would probably focus more on acquiring IPs and developers. Acquiring hardware just makes little sense.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

does it seem more likely now that mS bought havok?