NVIDIA Ends Controversial GeForce Partner Program (GPP)

[silentbogo]

I guess some dumbasses fresh outta college had a meeting in some pot smoke filled room thinking that we couldn't tell the difference between a GPU from AMD or nVidia?

You'll be surprised. The majority of my customers only look at obvious "what's on the box" stuff, so they can be duped into buying an old GT740 with 4GB DDR3 over a 2GB GTX1050 thinking that it's a better and cheaper option. Or chosing a PC with a quad-core Celeron N3150 versus a dual-core Celeron G3930 for office work, and then complaining that it's too slow.

Though, I don't think that "preventing confusion amongst customers" was on the top of NV priority list when they've created GPP.

 

[tnn500aff]

Bad NVIDIA, bad NVIDIA !

 

[csgabe]

Rest in pieces GPP!

 

[kruk]

"AMD is an underdog in graphics, so let's hate NVIDIA because it's so cool", right? Not a single piece of reliable information has leaked in regard to GPP, yet suddenly NVIDIA is the worst offender of its market position.

People hate nVidia because they are anti-consumer and anti-competitive (I won't go into details about their vendor lock-ins, they are well known). If a company acts like an --snip-- then it should expect to be treated like an --snip-- ...

And if GPP was so transparent, nVidia could easily dismiss every misinformation about it and emerge as a big winner. The fact that they axed it, just confirms that everything about the program was shady.

And don't get me started on NVIDIA trying to monopolize the GPU market. They have done nothing akin to what Intel exercised in the AMD K8 days. NVIDIA just wanted to be featured as a brand.

No! They hijacked the best Gaming brands to get an advantage (that they don't really need) over their competitor and push their market share even higher. It doesn't matter if this is worse or better than Intel vs AMD, consumers should not support this!

 

[Countryside]

You'll be surprised. The majority of my customers only look at obvious "what's on the box" stuff, so they can be duped into buying an old GT740 with 4GB DDR3 over a 2GB GTX1050 thinking that it's a better and cheaper option. Or chosing a PC with a quad-core Celeron N3150 versus a dual-core Celeron G3930 for office work, and then complaining that it's too slow.

Though, I don't think that "preventing confusion amongst customers" was on the top of NV priority list when they've created GPP.

The sad thing is that an regular person who just knows how to use the pc, without knowing the real value of the hardware is unfortunately wrapped in a thing called big company's lullaby and it is i quote

"The manufacture, packaging, distribution and marketing of bullshit. High-quality, grade-A, prime-cut, pure bullshit."

 

[cucker tarlson]

A load of bullocks. This entire GPP program and all the vapid accusations in regard to it.

"AMD is an underdog in graphics, so let's hate NVIDIA because it's so cool", right? Not a single piece of reliable information has leaked in regard to GPP, yet suddenly NVIDIA is the worst offender of its market position.

I find those NVIDIA/AMD sub brands (MSI GAMING, ASUS ROG, Gigabyte AURUS, etc.) completely useless for all intends and purposes.

I don't buy GPUs because they are funnily branded. I buy GPUs based solely on their performance (cooling, oc'bility)/price/specs.

I couldn't care less about an additional moniker of the GPU in my computer.

It's a moniker. No one has ever stopped ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, EVGA, Palit, etc. from creating an additional brand for AMD GPUs. Nothing.

And don't get me started on NVIDIA trying to monopolize the GPU market. They have done nothing akin to what Intel exercised in the AMD K8 days. NVIDIA just wanted to be featured as a brand. Intel actively bribed (in one way or another) OEMs, system integrators and whole sellers, so that they didn't sell AMD CPUs.

What the GPP required would not be so harmful to AMD in the end, but it's better to nip such monopolistic practises in the bud before they go too far.

 

[IceScreamer]

A load of bullocks. This entire GPP program and all the vapid accusations in regard to it.

"AMD is an underdog in graphics, so let's hate NVIDIA because it's so cool", right? Not a single piece of reliable information has leaked in regard to GPP, yet suddenly NVIDIA is the worst offender of its market position.

I find those NVIDIA/AMD sub brands (MSI GAMING, ASUS ROG, Gigabyte AURUS, etc.) completely useless for all intends and purposes.

I don't buy GPUs because they are funnily branded. I buy GPUs based solely on their performance (cooling, oc'bility)/price/specs.

I couldn't care less about an additional moniker of the GPU in my computer.

It's a moniker. No one has ever stopped ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, EVGA, Palit, etc. from creating an additional brand for AMD GPUs. Nothing.

And don't get me started on NVIDIA trying to monopolize the GPU market. They have done nothing akin to what Intel exercised in the AMD K8 days. NVIDIA just wanted to be featured as a brand. Intel actively bribed (in one way or another) OEMs, system integrators and whole sellers, so that they didn't sell AMD CPUs.

See that bolded part, the whole GPP ordeal was not mean for the likes of you, or most users of this (or any other) tech forum. It was meant to "trick" the average user to buy the "gaming" brand.
Forum goers know what kind of performance/cooling/power consumption will they get when they buy a GPU, but an average consumer won't, they'll buy a shiny gaming box and that's it.
That was the whole issue with GPP on the consumer side, and, as others said, it might have been a move to stop Vega M from creeping into the OEM gaming territory.

 

[HD64G]

Good riddance! But I doubt they will stop trying manipulating the market, although they won't dare make it so profound again soon. They didn't dare to make an official press announcement though but just a blog post. For something non-existant eh?

 

[birdie]

What's really interesting (aside from all the vapid accusations without any hard evidence on each and every online forum) is this (source):

NVIDIA told me I would be cut off if I published the GPP story. Since I did that, they will not reply to any of my emails, so I suspect that bridge is burned forever.
AMD is obviously happy over it, as you would expect.
As for AIBs, we are not into new video card season yet, but I would guess that it is very possible that NVIDIA will forbid them from sampling HardOCP with NV GPU cards.
It will be interesting if NVIDIA pushes the AIBs to pull advertising from my site, which I figure will happen too.
So all in all, it is likely this will put an end to HardOCP, but I knew that when I published the story. Not crying over spilt milk here, just discussing the facts around the situation.

Kyle is the HardOCP editor who spilt the story.

I do understand why NVIDIA might got offended but this gesture might indicate that something is inherently wrong about the GPP, 'cause otherwise they wouldn't have a reason to react in a such a mean way.

I for one will wait until the investigation into the GPP is over and we get some hard evidence of what the GPP really was and what it stipulated. Unlike all NVIDIA/Intel/insert_your_brand_here haters I prefer to work with facts, not emotions and conjectures.

 

[Tsukiyomi91]

well that escalated quickly. But, it was expected that OEMs won't sign up for such controversial program, no matter how sweet it may sound. That'll teach Nvidia a lesson on how to NOT piss everyone off. AMD may be laughing their asses off by now, considering how bad the community responded to the green camp's program...

 

[Xzibit]

What's really interesting (aside from all the vapid accusations without any hard evidence on each and every online forum) is this (source):


Kyle is the HardOCP editor who spilt the story.

I do understand why NVIDIA might got offended but this gesture might indicate that something is inherently wrong about the GPP, 'cause otherwise they wouldn't have a reason to react in a such a mean way.

I for one will wait until the investigation into the GPP is over and we get some hard evidence of what the GPP really was and what it stipulated. Unlike all NVIDIA/Intel/insert_your_brand_here haters I prefer to work with facts, not emotions and conjectures.

Funny enough Nvidia doesnt want to give us or anyone any facts on this "transparent program". They could have easily cleared things up if they wanted at anytime throughout this ordeal.

They could of layed the facts out as to why this program is so great, Instead they....

A lot has been said recently about our GeForce Partner Program. The rumors, conjecture and mistruths go far beyond its intent. Rather than battling misinformation, we have decided to cancel the program.

Guess it wasn't so great or even worth being transparent about it after all.

 

[Tsukiyomi91]

@Xzibit guess the "transparent" part of their program isn't all that crystal clear after all...

 

[birdie]

If I were in the administration of this forum, I'd delete most of the replies in this discussion. People keep on speculating that the GPP was anticompetitive without any real data. All I see is, "NVIDIA is bad, the GPP is bad". Such a "constructive" discussion, guys. More like a BS discussion.

One of the reasons the GPP was ended is because it's a PR disaster even if there was nothing anticompetive about it.

 

[the54thvoid]

Funny enough Nvidia doesnt want to give us or anyone any facts on this "transparent program". They could have easily cleared things up if they wanted at anytime throughout this ordeal.

They could of layed the facts out as to why this program is so great, Instead they....



Guess it wasn't so great or even worth being transparent about it after all.

I had no major beef with a company leveraging their brand advantage but your point is absolutely correct. Their lack of transparency did no good at all, leading to the reaction it received.
If you dont want to appear monopolistic, you need to be really honest about your practices.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

I for one will wait until the investigation into the GPP is over and we get some hard evidence of what the GPP really was and what it stipulated. Unlike all NVIDIA/Intel/insert_your_brand_here haters I prefer to work with facts, not emotions and conjectures.

I suspect NVIDIA burned the trail and made sure everyone that saw the contract did too under observation. The only evidence will be testimony by people that saw it--the same people that Bennett questioned.

One of the reasons the GPP was ended is because it's a PR disaster even if there was nothing anticompetive about it.

They likely issued the retraction while admitting no guilt via their blog because blogs are opinion pieces and the timing of it (after NASDAQ closed for the weekend) is very, very typical of corporations publishing bad news. If they retracted it via a press release (official corporate dealings), forget the FTC, the Department of Justice and a dozen states would be filing suit within a week. Lying on a press release, because NVIDIA is a publicly traded company, instantly turns it into a securities fraud investigation on top of anti-trust. Huang would likely end up with a prison sentence on securities fraud charges. Considering that, would any company in NVIDIA's position not sweep it under the rug and pretend it never happened? This goes far beyond PR. I expect NVIDIA's stock to dive on Monday. The only reason why it wouldn't is if investors don't believe the threat of anti-trust investigation is real.

 

[BiggieShady]

even if there was nothing anticompetive about it

Anti-Competitive? I want to sell you something you need to make your product and I also want to dictate what can and what you cannot do with the thing you just bought from me. How would you feel about it?
... aaand Anti-Competitive part is in the demand itself - they wanted to reserve already popular and established aib brands to themselves and force creating new ones for competition

 

[Devon68]

I'm glad they ended GPP. It really was not fair to ask other manufacturers to choose a side and say it's better for gamers this way. Now the only thing I'm interested is what will ASUS do with the AREZ lineup.

 

[Aldain]

https://www.reddit.com/r/Amd/comments/8h3msl
And now they could be gunning for hardocp

 

[Fluffmeister]

Our hearts bleed for poor Kyle.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Only if it's all defamation. If what Bennett published is all factual, NVIDIA can't do anything except cut ties to Bennett. If the FTC presses anti-trust charges against NVIDIA, Bennett and AMD can sue NVIDIA as damaged parties referencing the FTC suit. I think Bennett could likely find employment with someone else. It will no doubt be a rough patch for HardOCP though.

 

[championrat]

Lets all just use Intel UHD iGPUs. Then we won't have to worry about GPP

 

[john_]

Are Radeon cards under the same brands as the Geforce cards again? If not then the whole program fulfilled it's purpose and continues unofficially.

 

[Vya Domus]

Hit and run. Nvidia knows very well what they are doing.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Amd/comments/8h3msl
And now they could be gunning for hardocp

And that's how review sites end up being manipulated by Nvidia/AMD/Intel to give favorable reviews and such because otherwise you get jack shit from them and can't do your job properly anymore. These guys aren't bribing anyone , instead they put pressure on everyone to keep their mouths shut and if you don't...

So, whenever you see sites not picking up controversial news or they refrain from giving their own opinion , it's not by mistake.

 

[Aldain]

Are Radeon cards under the same brands as the Geforce cards again? If not then the whole program fulfilled it's purpose and continues unofficially.

AMD ROG is back on asus site

 

[oxidized]

Our hearts bleed for poor Kyle.

ROFL