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Dull question - did ATI ever make their own cards?

They used to, i dont know whether they still do. If they cut out the middle man and done it themselves they would definately struggle with supplies, so they need other companies really.
 
IIRC, ATi-branded cards were/are only available in North America. I have a feeling that Sapphire cards are essentially just ATi cards anyway though.
 
Yeah Sapphire etc are just the people who slap a different sticker or cooler on the card then throw in some software :)
 
There was a time when the _only_ place you could get your ATi graphics card was from Ati. They used to do everything from design to production. At some point in the past, they then brought in outside manufacturers like Sapphire and co to manufacture cards for them.

nVidia did things the other way round. The only cards they make are the reference designs. Otherwise all nVidia cards are made by outside manufacturers.

(Anyone remember the days of 3dFX? These guys used to let other manufacturers make the cards. Then they made a fatal decision to try and make cards themselves... and it ended up being on of the last straws that broke the camels back...)

I think Matrox are probably the only major graphics company who have never let anyone else make their cards for them. :)
 
Yup, ATI branded cards are only sold in North America.
They are still being sold. They even offer a step up program.
Sapphire currently make all ATI branded cards, they are probably ATI's largest partner.
 
Zefan said:
Does AMD count?
Click to expand...

In a manner of speaking but technically as owner they aren't really a partner in the conventional sense, unless we are talking about fairly messed up relationships ;)

Just to re-iterate ATI branded cards are now made by a major OEM partner, most likely Sapphire it would seem but Connect3D have made cards for them in the past I believe.
 
ATi's first tier partners are Sapphire, Connect3d and powercolour... as stated above ATi still do make full graphics cards and they also produce all the reference cards for the tier manufactuars.

another company who makes there own graphics cards and doesnt supply reference boards to manufactuars is Volari...
 
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