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Well, Intel had a strategy and a CEO. The CEO was forced out by the board, but we don't know why. All we've heard is the board wasn't happy with the direction I

Well, Intel had a strategy and a CEO. The CEO was forced out by the board, but we don't know why. All we've heard is the board wasn't happy with the direction Intel was taking. How long have they been unhappy? How much infighting has there been on the board? What happens to Intel's CHIPS award? What happens to the foundries whose construction was already underway? Is Intel really in a complete disarray? There are a lot of questions!

janice1999 2y ago
I think there's some deep seated cultural issues in Intel and Gelsinger wasn't the person to fix them. I have friends who work there and it sounds like a different planet to the semiconductor company I work at. Intel does have the bonus of being 'too big to fail' from a US security point of view so I imagine those fabs will get finished one way or another. Also, it's very laid back, but Bryan Cantrill's podcast touches on some of these issues. Interesting to see the perspective of an Intel customer [1]. [1] https://oxide.computer/podcasts/oxide-and-friends/2218242 https://oxide.computer/podcasts/oxide-and-friends/2218242
- osnium123 2y ago
  What are some differences that you have observed between your experiences and those of your friends?
segmondy 2y ago
The board wants to split the company, the CEO didn't. That's what the fight was about. Should Intel become a design company? And have TSMC do everything? IMHO, nope. The rot in Intel happened a long time ago, the smart people left a long time ago, and the culture changed for the worse. They would have to spend ridiculous amount of money to lure smart folks from Nvidia & AMD, etc. Then the difficult battle of building a winning culture. I was long intel for a while. I unloaded all my stocks this year. I don't believe anymore, and I'm not even convinced with the CEO change.
- djmips 2y ago
  Have they announced a new permanent CEO? The two headed marketing/finance interim co-CEOs didn't give me any warm and fuzzies.
- JumpCrisscross 2y ago
  > would have to spend ridiculous amount of money to lure smart folks from Nvidia & AMD, etc. Versus competing with TSMC and potentially ASML?
  - segmondy 2y ago
    they and TSMC don't compete with ASML. If you have the time, read "Chip wars" that will definitely convince you that USA needs a local chip maker and a Fab if the wish to retain their superpower position. Prior to reading the book, I'll agree and say to hell with the fabs. Just design and let TSMC make it. After reading the book, USA needs a miracle.
    - Iulioh 2y ago
      On the top end ASML have no competition, on the lower end (45nm node and bigger) it has Canon and Nikon. That's all.
      - throw3827364 2y ago
        There's SMEE.
        deleted 2y ago
        [deleted]
    - JumpCrisscross 2y ago
      > they and TSMC don't compete with ASML Competing with TSMC using ASML’s kit means beating them on input costs, operations and/or distribution. That’s doable but tougher and more ephemeral than having a technological moat. (It’s Herculean given TSMC’s scale.) If someone wants to take on TSMC, they should be looking at leapfrogging or sidestepping ASML in a differentiating way. Not out of the gate. But in a PA Semi sort of way.
njtransit 2y ago
I don't understand the focus on Intel's board. Intel released a new processor back in October (Arrow Lake) and it was a total flop. That is why Pat Gelsinger was fired.

janice1999 2y ago

I think there's some deep seated cultural issues in Intel and Gelsinger wasn't the person to fix them. I have friends who work there and it sounds like a different planet to the semiconductor company I work at. Intel does have the bonus of being 'too big to fail' from a US security point of view so I imagine those fabs will get finished one way or another. Also, it's very laid back, but Bryan Cantrill's podcast touches on some of these issues. Interesting to see the perspective of an Intel customer [1]. [1] https://oxide.computer/podcasts/oxide-and-friends/2218242 https://oxide.computer/podcasts/oxide-and-friends/2218242

osnium123 2y ago
What are some differences that you have observed between your experiences and those of your friends?

segmondy 2y ago

The board wants to split the company, the CEO didn't. That's what the fight was about. Should Intel become a design company? And have TSMC do everything? IMHO, nope. The rot in Intel happened a long time ago, the smart people left a long time ago, and the culture changed for the worse. They would have to spend ridiculous amount of money to lure smart folks from Nvidia & AMD, etc. Then the difficult battle of building a winning culture. I was long intel for a while. I unloaded all my stocks this year. I don't believe anymore, and I'm not even convinced with the CEO change.

djmips 2y ago
Have they announced a new permanent CEO? The two headed marketing/finance interim co-CEOs didn't give me any warm and fuzzies.
JumpCrisscross 2y ago
> would have to spend ridiculous amount of money to lure smart folks from Nvidia & AMD, etc. Versus competing with TSMC and potentially ASML?
- segmondy 2y ago
  they and TSMC don't compete with ASML. If you have the time, read "Chip wars" that will definitely convince you that USA needs a local chip maker and a Fab if the wish to retain their superpower position. Prior to reading the book, I'll agree and say to hell with the fabs. Just design and let TSMC make it. After reading the book, USA needs a miracle.
  - Iulioh 2y ago
    On the top end ASML have no competition, on the lower end (45nm node and bigger) it has Canon and Nikon. That's all.
    - throw3827364 2y ago
      There's SMEE.
      - deleted 2y ago
        [deleted]
  - JumpCrisscross 2y ago
    > they and TSMC don't compete with ASML Competing with TSMC using ASML’s kit means beating them on input costs, operations and/or distribution. That’s doable but tougher and more ephemeral than having a technological moat. (It’s Herculean given TSMC’s scale.) If someone wants to take on TSMC, they should be looking at leapfrogging or sidestepping ASML in a differentiating way. Not out of the gate. But in a PA Semi sort of way.

njtransit 2y ago

I don't understand the focus on Intel's board. Intel released a new processor back in October (Arrow Lake) and it was a total flop. That is why Pat Gelsinger was fired.