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Nvidia CEO denies buyout of Via

Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang says he has no interest in buying out or participating financially in Via Technologies.

Brooke Crothers Former CNET contributor
Brooke Crothers writes about mobile computer systems, including laptops, tablets, smartphones: how they define the computing experience and the hardware that makes them tick. He has served as an editor at large at CNET News and a contributing reporter to The New York Times' Bits and Technology sections. His interest in things small began when living in Tokyo in a very small apartment for a very long time.
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Brooke Crothers
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Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang said he has no interest in buying out chip supplier Via Technologies, dispelling rumors--at least for now--that had been circulating back in March.

Nvidia, Via--not going to happen (for now)
Nvidia, Via--not going to happen (for now)

"They don't need our money. I don't need theirs," Huang said, referring to Via. "They're doing fine. People want to create drama," he added.

Previous reports cited a number of scenarios including Nvidia's acquisition of the entire company. Via makes processors and chipsets for x86-based computers. Via reported revenue of about US$87.5 million in the first quarter of 2008.

The company competes with Intel and Advanced Micro Devices for processor sockets inside low-cost PCs. Recently, Hewlett-Packard selected Via's C7 procesor for the HP 2231 Mini-Note PC.

Rumors were fueled some more when Nvidia said it was teaming up with Via to build a low-cost PC platform to compete with Intel. The two companies touted the design last month as "the world's most affordable Vista Premium PC" that will combine Via's upcoming Isaiah processor with an integrated Nvidia graphics chipset.

But Huang clarified why he isn't interested in buying out any general-purpose processor makers. "Our shtick is that we just focus on one thing. We said we're a visual computing technology company and we're completely focused on this."

"Wherever their processor capabilities intersect with our visual computing focus, we will support them. We support ARM, we support Power PC in the game console world, we support Hitachi SH in the automobile industry, we support Via in low-end PCs," he said.

But he did paint a scenario where alternatives may be considered. "The reason why we don't do that is because I happen to believe visual computing is still innovating very quickly. Now, if it turns out that things don't change anymore. If peanut butter and bread--neither of which are innovating anymore. Then they ought to put it together. Peanut butter and bread, mix it right into the dough."