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The industry’s top two chip makers are betting big
on revolutionary new architectures that combine CPU
and GPU capabilities on a single piece of silicon. But
Intel and AMD will need more than just cutting-edge
technology to win over channel partners.
Despite the hiccup Intel announced last month with its flawed Sandy Bridge chipset, code-named Cougar Point, the company has moved toward major new performance improvements throughout its Core lineup and now looks to win over solution provider and system builder partners. Intel’s Channel Chief Steve Dallman says the chip maker saw disappointing channel sales figures for its Clarkdale and Arrandale products last year, but with the recent release of the company’s new Sandy Bridge architecture, he expects Intel’s channel partners will turn the corner in 2011.
Meanwhile, rival AMD’s Vice President of Worldwide Channel Marketing David Kenyon says system builders are essential to the success of AMD’s Fusion platform in the integrated graphics space, as the world’s second-largest chip maker tries to stage a comeback and regain momentum in the channel.
Which leads to these key points for system builders and solution providers:
• Some believe the combination of more powerful processing, and a stronger economy, will lead to a significant boost for both AMD and Intel platforms;
• Other channel partners of both companies, while optimistic about Sandy Bridge and Fusion, say they are waiting before jumping in because they need to hear more specifics from the vendors and see a stronger need by their own customers;
• Even though new form factors -- including new tablets -- have caused a significant disruption in the market, Intel still has opportunity with its Atom platform in an industry grappling with new computing models and designs.
NEXT: Change Comes To Intel
