• Welcome to TechPowerUp Forums, Guest! Please check out our forum guidelines for info related to our community.

Qualcomm Said to Have Approached Intel About Takeover Bid

TheLostSwede

News Editor
Joined
Nov 11, 2004
Messages
17,777 (2.42/day)
Location
Sweden
System Name Overlord Mk MLI
Processor AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Motherboard Gigabyte X670E Aorus Master
Cooling Noctua NH-D15 SE with offsets
Memory 32GB Team T-Create Expert DDR5 6000 MHz @ CL30-34-34-68
Video Card(s) Gainward GeForce RTX 4080 Phantom GS
Storage 1TB Solidigm P44 Pro, 2 TB Corsair MP600 Pro, 2TB Kingston KC3000
Display(s) Acer XV272K LVbmiipruzx 4K@160Hz
Case Fractal Design Torrent Compact
Audio Device(s) Corsair Virtuoso SE
Power Supply be quiet! Pure Power 12 M 850 W
Mouse Logitech G502 Lightspeed
Keyboard Corsair K70 Max
Software Windows 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores https://valid.x86.fr/yfsd9w
This is not an April fool, as Qualcomm has apparently approached Intel with a takeover bid, according to the Wall Street Journal. The news follows earlier rumours about Qualcomm having eyed the opportunity to buy parts of Intel's client PC business, especially the parts related to chip design. Now it looks like Qualcomm has decided it might as well give it a go and take over Intel entirely, if the WSJ's sources can be trusted. It's still early days though and no official offers appear to have been proposed by Qualcomm so far and it doesn't appear to be a hostile takeover offer at this point in time. As such, this could turn out to be nothing, or we could see a huge change in the chip market if something comes of it.

It's worth keeping in mind that Intel's share price has dropped by around 57 percent so far this year—not taking into account today's small jump for Intel—and Qualcomm's market cap stands at over twice that of Intel's at 188 vs 93 billion US dollars. Even if Intel was to agree to a takeover offer from Qualcomm, there are several antitrust hurdles in multiple countries to get around for the two giants as well. This is despite the two not being direct competitors, but with Qualcomm recently having entered the Windows laptop market, the two are at least competing for some market share there. It's also unclear what Qualcomm would do with Intel's x86 legacy if it acquired Intel, as Qualcomm might not be interested in keeping it, at least not on the consumer side of its business. Time will tell if this is just some advanced speculation or a serious consideration by Qualcomm.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source
 
Joined
Apr 12, 2013
Messages
7,563 (1.77/day)
Well let's hope Intel doesn't accept/deal isn't allowed in the first place! QC's probably going to trash their CPU division first with a wrecking ball if they ever got their greedy paws on x86:nutkick:
 
Joined
Mar 16, 2017
Messages
2,161 (0.76/day)
Location
Tanagra
System Name Budget Box
Processor Xeon E5-2667v2
Motherboard ASUS P9X79 Pro
Cooling Some cheap tower cooler, I dunno
Memory 32GB 1866-DDR3 ECC
Video Card(s) XFX RX 5600XT
Storage WD NVME 1GB
Display(s) ASUS Pro Art 27"
Case Antec P7 Neo
The problem with rumors in this regard is that they are usually quite true once they get to the public. If the execs say something like "we don't talk about rumors" then it's high-to-likely there's a deal on the table.

That said, good luck getting this one through all the regulatory hoops. Hard to believe where Intel sits these days. They went from dominant and untouchable to possibly being bought up by someone bigger. And Qualcomm could just keep working patents and licenses on x86 and not even keep it going, but that would be really foolish. Their entrance into the Windows world is such a small blip in available marketshare, and obviously x86 is still a very important architecture for everyday life and business.
 
Joined
Dec 12, 2016
Messages
1,955 (0.67/day)
This was bound to happen with Intel's stock price so low. I don't see Intel turning around the company all by themselves (management has proven to be incompetent). But it would be better for the industry if the chip design and foundry business were split into separate companies. All companies having access to all the world's fabs without worrying about conflict of interest is good for everyone.
 
Joined
Jul 3, 2019
Messages
322 (0.16/day)
Location
Bulgaria
Processor 6700K
Motherboard M8G
Cooling D15S
Memory 16GB 3k15
Video Card(s) 2070S
Storage 850 Pro
Display(s) U2410
Case Core X2
Audio Device(s) ALC1150
Power Supply Seasonic
Mouse Razer
Keyboard Logitech
Software 22H2
I don't see how any regulator would allow this. Even in the US, let alone EU and China.
 
Joined
Dec 12, 2016
Messages
1,955 (0.67/day)
The problem with rumors in this regard is that they are usually quite true once they get to the public. If the execs say something like "we don't talk about rumors" then it's high-to-likely there's a deal on the table.

That said, good luck getting this one through all the regulatory hoops. Hard to believe where Intel sits these days. They went from dominant and untouchable to possibly being bought up by someone bigger. And Qualcomm could just keep working patents and licenses on x86 and not even keep it going, but that would be really foolish. Their entrance into the Windows world is such a small blip in available marketshare, and obviously x86 is still a very important architecture for everyday life and business.
Even AMD can purchase Intel through stock shares alone. AMD stands at $250B market cap.
 
Joined
Apr 12, 2013
Messages
7,563 (1.77/day)
And Qualcomm could just keep working patents and licenses on x86 and not even keep it going, but that would be really foolish.
Won't get through probably due to their cross license with AMD, unless you meant just the x86 part?
 
Joined
Mar 16, 2017
Messages
2,161 (0.76/day)
Location
Tanagra
System Name Budget Box
Processor Xeon E5-2667v2
Motherboard ASUS P9X79 Pro
Cooling Some cheap tower cooler, I dunno
Memory 32GB 1866-DDR3 ECC
Video Card(s) XFX RX 5600XT
Storage WD NVME 1GB
Display(s) ASUS Pro Art 27"
Case Antec P7 Neo
Even AMD can purchase Intel through stock shares alone. AMD stands at $250B market cap.
Imagine Intel going through a hostile takeover. They need to get their share price up!
 
Joined
Jul 3, 2019
Messages
322 (0.16/day)
Location
Bulgaria
Processor 6700K
Motherboard M8G
Cooling D15S
Memory 16GB 3k15
Video Card(s) 2070S
Storage 850 Pro
Display(s) U2410
Case Core X2
Audio Device(s) ALC1150
Power Supply Seasonic
Mouse Razer
Keyboard Logitech
Software 22H2
Last edited:
Joined
Dec 24, 2010
Messages
580 (0.11/day)
Location
mississauga, on, Canada
System Name YACS amd
Processor 5800x,
Motherboard gigabyte x570 aorus gaming elite.
Cooling bykski GPU, and CPU, syscooling p93x pump
Memory corsair vengeance pro rgb, 3600 ddr4 stock timings.
Video Card(s) xfx merc 310 7900xtx
Storage kingston kc3000 2TB, amongst others. Fanxiang s770 2TB
Display(s) benq ew3270u, or acer XB270hu, acer XB280hk, asus VG 278H,
Case lian li LANCOOL III
Audio Device(s) obs,
Power Supply FSP Hydro Ti pro 1000w
Mouse logitech g703
Keyboard durogod keyboard. (cherry brown switches)
Software win 11, win10pro.
Won't get through probably due to their cross license with AMD, unless you meant just the x86 part?
I Agree.
Does AMD have a perpetual license to the X 86 instruction set, similar to Apple’s perpetual non-revocable license to the ARM instruction set?
 

TheLostSwede

News Editor
Joined
Nov 11, 2004
Messages
17,777 (2.42/day)
Location
Sweden
System Name Overlord Mk MLI
Processor AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Motherboard Gigabyte X670E Aorus Master
Cooling Noctua NH-D15 SE with offsets
Memory 32GB Team T-Create Expert DDR5 6000 MHz @ CL30-34-34-68
Video Card(s) Gainward GeForce RTX 4080 Phantom GS
Storage 1TB Solidigm P44 Pro, 2 TB Corsair MP600 Pro, 2TB Kingston KC3000
Display(s) Acer XV272K LVbmiipruzx 4K@160Hz
Case Fractal Design Torrent Compact
Audio Device(s) Corsair Virtuoso SE
Power Supply be quiet! Pure Power 12 M 850 W
Mouse Logitech G502 Lightspeed
Keyboard Corsair K70 Max
Software Windows 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores https://valid.x86.fr/yfsd9w
Glitch. I've seen it happened many times.
You might be right, some really odd stuff going on right now.

1726867946932.png
 
Joined
Apr 12, 2013
Messages
7,563 (1.77/day)
I Agree.
Does AMD have a perpetual license to the X 86 instruction set, similar to Apple’s perpetual non-revocable license to the ARM instruction set?
Based on most reports, yes, but it could be tested in court if this does go through. And if I were QC, I wouldn't bet on winning; they're already in a similar (worse?) situation with ARM over Nuvia ~ don't want to try their luck here!
 

TheLostSwede

News Editor
Joined
Nov 11, 2004
Messages
17,777 (2.42/day)
Location
Sweden
System Name Overlord Mk MLI
Processor AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Motherboard Gigabyte X670E Aorus Master
Cooling Noctua NH-D15 SE with offsets
Memory 32GB Team T-Create Expert DDR5 6000 MHz @ CL30-34-34-68
Video Card(s) Gainward GeForce RTX 4080 Phantom GS
Storage 1TB Solidigm P44 Pro, 2 TB Corsair MP600 Pro, 2TB Kingston KC3000
Display(s) Acer XV272K LVbmiipruzx 4K@160Hz
Case Fractal Design Torrent Compact
Audio Device(s) Corsair Virtuoso SE
Power Supply be quiet! Pure Power 12 M 850 W
Mouse Logitech G502 Lightspeed
Keyboard Corsair K70 Max
Software Windows 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores https://valid.x86.fr/yfsd9w
I Agree.
Does AMD have a perpetual license to the X 86 instruction set, similar to Apple’s perpetual non-revocable license to the ARM instruction set?
Who cares about x86, AMD owns x86-64 (previously amd64).
By now, x86 is largely obsolete in terms of the instruction sets that are being used by a modern computer and what's left could most likely quite easily be emulated by a modern CPU if needed.

If this is anything to go by, x86 kind of died with Windows 8.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Jun 18, 2021
Messages
2,570 (2.00/day)
Imagine Intel going through a hostile takeover. They need to get their share price up!

Just goes to show markets can be absolute nonsensical at times. Just the fab business could be worth double the current market cap of Intel, heck it posted almost double the sales than Qualcomm last year but here it is valued at half with a rumoured merger.

I'm surprised something like this didn't happen sooner but with Nvidia at the helm, unlike qualcomm they're really swimming in money and a takeover would be easy if they were able to pass the regulators part - probably why they didn't go for it after the failed attempt with ARM.
 
Joined
Sep 9, 2022
Messages
106 (0.13/day)
Just the fab business could be worth double the current market cap of Intel...

Yep. The magic word here is "could" :D . The fabs COULD be worth double the market cap IF they would produce more than degraded, inefficient and underperforming trash.

This is not the case. The fabs are completely worthless at the moment. If Intel would receive a symbolic $1 offer then Intel would be well advised to take it. $1 is better than more billions down the shitter with naught to show for it.
 
Joined
May 19, 2009
Messages
1,868 (0.33/day)
Location
Latvia
System Name Personal \\ Work - HP EliteBook 840 G6
Processor 7700X \\ i7-8565U
Motherboard Asrock X670E PG Lightning
Cooling Noctua DH-15
Memory G.SKILL Trident Z5 RGB Black 32GB 6000MHz CL36 \\ 16GB DDR4-2400
Video Card(s) ASUS RoG Strix 1070 Ti \\ Intel UHD Graphics 620
Storage 2x KC3000 2TB, Samsung 970 EVO 512GB \\ OEM 256GB NVMe SSD
Display(s) BenQ XL2411Z \\ FullHD + 2x HP Z24i external screens via docking station
Case Fractal Design Define Arc Midi R2 with window
Audio Device(s) Realtek ALC1150 with Logitech Z533
Power Supply Corsair AX860i
Mouse Logitech G502
Keyboard Corsair K55 RGB PRO
Software Windows 11 \\ Windows 10
Unlikely to happen and frankly Intel IS too big to be swallowed that easily regardless of all recent troubles. I really do not think Qualcomm realistically can do that.
Sharks are drawn to blood in the water but Uncle Sam has a final say regarding Intel for what should be obvious reasons to everyone.
 
Joined
Sep 1, 2009
Messages
1,237 (0.22/day)
Location
CO
System Name 4k
Processor AMD 5800x3D
Motherboard MSI MAG b550m Mortar Wifi
Cooling ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240
Memory 4x8Gb Crucial Ballistix 3600 CL16 bl8g36c16u4b.m8fe1
Video Card(s) Nvidia Reference 3080Ti
Storage ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro 1TB
Display(s) LG 48" C1
Case CORSAIR Carbide AIR 240 Micro-ATX
Audio Device(s) Asus Xonar STX
Power Supply EVGA SuperNOVA 650W
Software Microsoft Windows10 Pro x64
Unlikely to happen and frankly Intel IS too big to be swallowed that easily regardless of all recent troubles. I really do not think Qualcomm realistically can do that.
Sharks are drawn to blood in the water but Uncle Sam has a final say regarding Intel for what should be obvious reasons to everyone.
I don't think uncle Sam will let Intel fall or be sold. This goes double after they released funds for the CHIPS Act and has unofficially stated that Intel is the USA's chip manufacture of choice.
 
Joined
Feb 21, 2006
Messages
2,240 (0.33/day)
Location
Toronto, Ontario
System Name The Expanse
Processor AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Motherboard Asus Prime X570-Pro BIOS 5013 AM4 AGESA V2 PI 1.2.0.Cc.
Cooling Corsair H150i Pro
Memory 32GB GSkill Trident RGB DDR4-3200 14-14-14-34-1T (B-Die)
Video Card(s) XFX Radeon RX 7900 XTX Magnetic Air (24.12.1)
Storage WD SN850X 2TB / Corsair MP600 1TB / Samsung 860Evo 1TB x2 Raid 0 / Asus NAS AS1004T V2 20TB
Display(s) LG 34GP83A-B 34 Inch 21: 9 UltraGear Curved QHD (3440 x 1440) 1ms Nano IPS 160Hz
Case Fractal Design Meshify S2
Audio Device(s) Creative X-Fi + Logitech Z-5500 + HS80 Wireless
Power Supply Corsair AX850 Titanium
Mouse Corsair Dark Core RGB SE
Keyboard Corsair K100
Software Windows 10 Pro x64 22H2
Benchmark Scores 3800X https://valid.x86.fr/1zr4a5 5800X https://valid.x86.fr/2dey9c 5800X3D https://valid.x86.fr/b7d
I don't think uncle Sam will let Intel fall or be sold. This goes double after they released funds for the CHIPS Act and has unofficially stated that Intel is the USA's chip manufacture of choice.
This and regulatory approval would never happen.

The US government needs someone inside the US to make their chips for the military etc.
 
Joined
Jan 3, 2021
Messages
3,612 (2.49/day)
Location
Slovenia
Processor i5-6600K
Motherboard Asus Z170A
Cooling some cheap Cooler Master Hyper 103 or similar
Memory 16GB DDR4-2400
Video Card(s) IGP
Storage Samsung 850 EVO 250GB
Display(s) 2x Oldell 24" 1920x1200
Case Bitfenix Nova white windowless non-mesh
Audio Device(s) E-mu 1212m PCI
Power Supply Seasonic G-360
Mouse Logitech Marble trackball, never had a mouse
Keyboard Key Tronic KT2000, no Win key because 1994
Software Oldwin
Who cares about x86, AMD owns x86-64 (previously amd64).
By now, x86 is largely obsolete in terms of the instruction sets that are being used by a modern computer and what's left could most likely quite easily be emulated by a modern CPU if needed.

If this is anything to go by, x86 kind of died with Windows 8.
Both were patented, and the patents have long expired. They expire in 20 years, and that's after filing the application.
What's still valuable are the extensions, SSE3 (which is to expire soon) and newer. This article tells more, even if it's rather old:

Apple’s perpetual non-revocable license to the ARM instruction set
That applies to the existing ARM instruction set. Sooner or later ARM will put ogether a new version, or rather a new extension for matrix math/security/whatever. I don't think Apple, Samsung, QC and others will just automatically get the license without paying again.

But it would be better for the industry if the chip design and foundry business were split into separate companies. All companies having access to all the world's fabs without worrying about conflict of interest is good for everyone.
That's how it seems right now, yes. Should any company buy the entire Intel, they would inherit the issue, and the issue is that you can't offer your fab services to your competition and hope they'd trust you.
 
Joined
Feb 17, 2010
Messages
1,679 (0.31/day)
Location
Azalea City
System Name Main
Processor Ryzen 5950x
Motherboard B550 PG Velocita
Cooling Water
Memory Ballistix
Video Card(s) RX 6900XT
Storage T-FORCE CARDEA A440 PRO
Display(s) MAG401QR
Case QUBE 500
Audio Device(s) Logitech Z623
Power Supply LEADEX V 1KW
Mouse Cooler Master MM710
Keyboard Huntsman Elite
Software 11 Pro
Benchmark Scores https://hwbot.org/user/damric/
They need to ditch those foundries ala GLFO 2.0.
 
Joined
Dec 12, 2016
Messages
1,955 (0.67/day)
Unlikely to happen and frankly Intel IS too big to be swallowed that easily regardless of all recent troubles. I really do not think Qualcomm realistically can do that.
Sharks are drawn to blood in the water but Uncle Sam has a final say regarding Intel for what should be obvious reasons to everyone.
These are all publicly traded companies. No one is immune to buyouts. Of course, all mergers and acquisitions are subject to regulatory approval but just because it's Intel doesn't mean Intel is somehow special. It's just another corporation on the good ole stock market, available for purchase.
 
Joined
Nov 20, 2021
Messages
122 (0.11/day)
WOW!!! Intel is not doing good to a point QUALCOMM of all companies can purchase Intel? That's crazy to think about and really shows where Intel is at. if you have told me this 10 years ago, I would laugh in the face of the person who told me and and never stop laughing...

And Intel IS STILL cleaning out their closet and paying back for all they did back in the day. I hope their journey ends on a good note. I don't want Intel gone and sure as hell don't want Qualcomm to get them..
 
Joined
Dec 26, 2006
Messages
3,862 (0.59/day)
Location
Northern Ontario Canada
Processor Ryzen 5700x
Motherboard Gigabyte X570S Aero G R1.1 BiosF5g
Cooling Noctua NH-C12P SE14 w/ NF-A15 HS-PWM Fan 1500rpm
Memory Micron DDR4-3200 2x32GB D.S. D.R. (CT2K32G4DFD832A)
Video Card(s) AMD RX 6800 - Asus Tuf
Storage Kingston KC3000 1TB & 2TB & 4TB Corsair MP600 Pro LPX
Display(s) LG 27UL550-W (27" 4k)
Case Be Quiet Pure Base 600 (no window)
Audio Device(s) Realtek ALC1220-VB
Power Supply SuperFlower Leadex V Gold Pro 850W ATX Ver2.52
Mouse Mionix Naos Pro
Keyboard Corsair Strafe with browns
Software W10 22H2 Pro x64
Joined
Jan 3, 2021
Messages
3,612 (2.49/day)
Location
Slovenia
Processor i5-6600K
Motherboard Asus Z170A
Cooling some cheap Cooler Master Hyper 103 or similar
Memory 16GB DDR4-2400
Video Card(s) IGP
Storage Samsung 850 EVO 250GB
Display(s) 2x Oldell 24" 1920x1200
Case Bitfenix Nova white windowless non-mesh
Audio Device(s) E-mu 1212m PCI
Power Supply Seasonic G-360
Mouse Logitech Marble trackball, never had a mouse
Keyboard Key Tronic KT2000, no Win key because 1994
Software Oldwin
Who Qualcomm is owned by:
1726873801907.png

Who Intel is owned by:
1726873855231.png

(Of course it doesn't end here. The list is very similar for AMD. Also Nvidia, except for a certain individual who owns ~3.8%)

The huge operation known to the public as "Qualcomm buys Intel" would actually boil down to "accountants at mutual funds update some records", more or less.
 
Top