Going to war with NVIDIA

[Mr Fox]

The United States Department Of Justice Antitrust Division is Investigating NVIDIA and ATI for price fixing.

In addition there are activities that suggest a deeper investigation on NVIDIA relating to their drivers, and software and feature support on other vendors core logic chipsets.


Excerpted from my letter to USDOJ-ATD:

Tying - The practice of making the sale of one good conditional on the purchase of a second distinctive good

By forcing the purchase of NVIDIA Core Logic Chipsets in order to maintain features in their Graphics Cards as well as locking out competitors Core Logic Chipsets in their Graphics Card Driver Software.
Also by denying Driver support of certain features on competitors Core Logic Chipsets.

Vendor lock-in - Is a situation in which a customer is so dependent on a vendor for products and services that he or she cannot move to another vendor without substantial switching costs, real and/or perceived

By forcing the purchase of NVIDIA Core Logic Chipsets in order to maintain features in their Graphics Cards as well as locking out competitors Core Logic Chipsets in their Graphics Card Driver Software.
Also by denying Driver support of certain features on competitors Core Logic Chipsets.


“The changing definition of “SLI” (Scaleable Link Interface)

Newer supporting graphics card drivers “Lock-Out SLI Functionality on Competitors Core Logic Chipsets.” (IE: Intel 975x)

On the rear panel of the boxes, there is product information collateral that NVIDIA Corp.
feeds to the partners, that manufacture, and distribute NVIDIA-based PCI Express graphics cards.

In the Personal Computer industry it is routine for AMD, Intel, ATI etc. to provide verbatim collateral that their partners must use in all forms of advertising and product information, provided during the sales phase to the potential/prospective customer.

This explanation of what SLI is appears on the rear panel of my product box:

“What is SLI ? How does it Work?
An NVIDIA SLI system requires a PCI Express motherboard that supports two physical connectors that are capable of having two NVIDIA-based PCI Express graphics cards plugged into them. Joined by the NVIDIA SLI connector, the two graphics cards power one monitor, delivering earth shattering PC performance. SLI requires a PCI Express motherboard, and both graphics cards must be the exact same model number and from the same vendor. For example, two GeForce 7800 GT OC PCI Express cards from BFG Technologies.”

NVIDIA produces GPU chips, and does proof of concept development that the partners use in the development of their product. The consumer depends upon NVIDIA for graphics driver software.

(See Scanned Box Images Below)

http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/9237/whatisslikf4.jpg


http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/5627/systemrequirementsmk2.jpg


PCI/SIG http://www.pcisig.com/home is the PCI Express interoperability specifications consortium that assures add-on card communications protocols are compatible thru all PC platforms.

All PCI Express motherboards and Graphics Cards are built to be compliant to that specification regardless of core logic chipset, or manufacturer.

My graphics cards will not function in SLI mode with this (Intel 975x)Core Logic Chipset with current NVIDIA Graphics Drivers.

NVIDIA has changed the definition of SLI since the purchase of my graphics cards, and locked out competitive compliant Core Logic Chipsets in their Graphics Drivers software. It now requires NVIDIA Core Logic Chipsets only.

This is not a hardware issue, as in the past with older video card drivers,(pre 88.55) you could edit your Windows XP registry to enable the second graphics slot.

NVIDIA in their drivers beyond 88.55 have enabled aggressive overwriting to not allow the user to alter the Windows XP registry in this manner. Editing the registry in this manner does not infringe upon NVIDIA software intellectual property, as you are editing the Windows XP registry.


Per below:

Step 1. Click the Windows' "Start" button, click on "Run", type "regedit" and click the Ok button.

Step 2. Navigate to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Curr entControlSet\Control\Video\" where you'll find a list of keys identifying all the installed so far video cards.

Step 3. Find which are the two keys representing the currently installed 2 video cards in your system (look for "Device Description" in the \0000 under the display id key).

Step 4. Now you have to insert the following keys under the main display key (or modify their values if they are already present):

\0000
MB_Capable REG_BINARY 01 00 00 00
MB_Enable REG_BINARY 01 00 00 00

\0001
MB_Enable REG_BINARY 01 00 00 00




http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/8622/reg1pe4.jpg



http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/8844/reg2xw5.jpg



• In the above product information collateral no where is the phrase “NVIDIA SLI READY” this change came later in the game, and the proper information, was never communicated properly during the sales phase, to the potential/prospective customers.

“An NVIDIA SLI system requires a PCI Express motherboard that supports two physical connectors that are capable of having two NVIDIA-based PCI Express graphics cards plugged into them.”

• This collateral came from NVIDIA and BFG tech. as a partner was required to use this collateral verbatim as supplied by their supplier.

• Because of this issue, I have no official SLI support and can only use older drivers; this limits me from upgrading to Windows Vista as I will lose SLI functionality.

• NVIDIA has effectively shielded itself from the end users, thru their manufacturing, and distribution partners that they can then ignore, as they are in effect the partners revenue source.

• BFG Technologies has attempted in good faith to influence NVIDIA but at this point this is a political issue, and BFG Technologies hands are tied.

• I personally am at a dead end from NVIDIA’s actions when it comes to something as simple as Driver Support for SLI on anyone else’s Core Logic Chipsets.

• This issue effects thousands of NVIDIA’s Partners Customers and some form of relief is needed from NVIDIA’s unscrupulous business practices.

• I have paid for the hardware and all associated rights, and am being denied proper ongoing product support and usage based upon information that was not made available during the sales phase.

• Intel developed and is the primary supporter of PCI Express

• NVIDIA Quaddro Graphics cards are not affected by the SLI Lockout on Intel Core Logic Chipsets. These are used in Enterprise CAD workstations primarily.

• NVIDIA has chosen to operate in a monopolistic fashion, and is sacrificing it’s partners’ customer relationships for simple greed.

• At this point because of the Major Issues that exist with NVIDIA Core Logic I must request relief in the form of forced driver support for my Graphics Cards.



What SLI is was clearly defined in open statements on the product boxes in black and green. NVIDIA produced that collateral, and should be held responsible for the support of their products, within that clearly defined definition. The trademarked phrase “SLI Ready” were absent from this collateral.

By attempting to subjugate that after the fact is a deplorable act, and shows total disregard for their customers, and partners.

Because of NVIDIA’s poor Core Logic Chipsets for Intel Core 2 Duo CPU’s it puts the end user in a very tough position to either buy their poor product, or loose feature support buying a competitor. Intel, pioneered and drove PCI-Express their Core Logic Chipsets are fully compliant with the specifications.

[ziggo0]

What the...

[deathman20]

*scratches head*

Ok in dumb terms what the does that mean?

[BlitzPuppet]

*scratches head*

Ok in dumb terms what the does that mean?

It means Nvidia is getting a lump of coal this year :(

[Mr Fox]

*scratches head*

Ok in dumb terms what the does that mean?


The chipset is fully Compatible... that is what the PCI/SIG spec is all about.... this is a software lock out of compatible hardware.

Attempting to force purchase of NVIDIA Core Logic Chipsets.

Unfortunately the NVIDIA Intel supporting core logic chipsets suck badly and carry over the issues that have plagued them for the last 4 years.

And the game has been changed mid-stream to further attempt to jam them down your throat, or loose features.

[deathman20]

The chipset is fully Compatible... that is what the PCI/SIG spec is all about.... this is a software lock out of compatible hardware.

Attempting to force purchase of NVIDIA Core Logic Chipsets.

Unfortunately the NVIDIA Intel supporting core logic chipsets suck badly and carry over the issues that have plagued them for the last 4 years.

And the game has been changed mid-stream to further attempt to jam them down your throat, or loose features.

Ah :) Ok now that makes more scense. Sorry work just rots your brain, stay far away from it. :beer:

[El<(')>Maxi]

Good work Mr Fox, if everyone got on board with this we could maybe take back a little control from the companies limiting our choices due to greed. If I can help at all please let me know.

[One Bull]

Ah :) Ok now that makes more scense. Sorry work just rots your brain, stay far away from it. :beer:

Roger that! I was planning on buying a lottery ticket after my exams, win the lottery and go live in Hawaii :beer:

Anyway, if nvidia made sli accesible for other chipsets we wouldn't need cracked drivers anymore :)

[Mr Fox]

Good work Mr Fox, if everyone got on board with this we could maybe take back a little control from the companies limiting our choices due to greed. If I can help at all please let me know.


I can only hope that I get this much support as I spread the word of this.

I hate what NVIDIA has done and they are structured to protect themself from the end user.... and try to call all the shots .

C.E.O./ President. of NVIDIA Jen-Hsun Huang must wake up and smell the coffee.

[nd4spdbh2]

FINALLY someone is doing something about this.... i emailed nvidia about sli on intel chipsets and the guy told me is was entirely impossible because of the HARDWARE... then i linked him to a place that was using hacked drivers to run sli on a INTEL CHIPset board... they guy replied by telling me he could talk no further about the subject...

I AM GLAD someone is taking nvida out on this.


btw what is that registry stuff there for... is that how i can run sli with my current setup :-p

[El<(')>Maxi]

Mr Fox,

Please post this on XS News.

[Mr Fox]

Mr Fox,

Please post this on XS News.


I am unable to do such.... I will be posting in their forums though.

[darkcow]

if you create a online partition ill sign.

[damarble]

So if I get the gist of it, all motherboards with dual PCI-E slots should, and are supposed to (by law?), support SLI? But NV has interfered at the software level to prevent this.

Well heck this sounds like a worthwhile fight.

[knightwolf6543]

i am still lost so does this mean that their will be a unified duel card setup?
coss-sli
sli-fire
or sislocsirfe :P
or nvidia is just being forced to make it so intel chipsets are sli certified?
me tinks intel is behind this.....

I LIKE COOKIES
my brain hurts i go lie down now :D

[WonderingSoul]

nVidia, you've broken my heart :(

[Spoudazo]

Basically, AMD, ATI, and Nvidia (well, I guess AMD = ATI) are going to be in court for a while. ;)

[WonderingSoul]

Basically, AMD, ATI, and Nvidia (well, I guess AMD = ATI) are going to be in court for a while. ;)

Looks like they can shower together :beer:

[tyler_bishop]

It means Nvidia is getting a lump of coal this year :(

They got my money for an 8800GTS and Im using the 7xx chipset.. Who cares about sli its really useless. Thanks nvidia for taking the market you guys disurv it!


i am still lost so does this mean that their will be a

I LIKE COOKIES
my brain hurts i go lie down now :D

Still laughing! :D Great post :D

[MarkS]

I still do not understand the reasoning behind these types of suits. A company makes a product and states, quite clearly, that said product is only compatable with their support products. What's the issue here? Why should nVidia cards run on ATi chipset and vise versa? Are Intel's chipsets any better than nVidia's or Ati's? I understand the overclocking issues, but those aside, does it really make a difference?

All I know for sure is that if I am making a product, I sure as hell don't want my competitors to profit from it in any shape, form or fashion. Right now users have a choice. They can buy an Ati-based MB and use ATi cards to their full potential, they can buy a nVidia-based MB and do the same or they can buy an Intel-based MB and run either card to a limited extent. Crossfire is an ATi technology that requires ATi chipsets to work properly. SLI is a nVidia technology that requires nVidia chipsets to work properly. Cards from either manufacturer will work on Intel chipsets, i.e, you'll get video, but there is no guarantee that you'll get anything more. I cannot see why this is a problem. It's not like consumers do not have a choice in the matter. That was the premise behind the government's suit against Microsoft. It really does not apply here.

[OCnewbee]

I say monopolysoft i mean microsoft is behind this.:rolleyes:

[dpellio]

I still do not understand the reasoning behind these types of suits. A company makes a product and states, quite clearly, that said product is only compatable with their support products. What's the issue here?

The thing is, Nvidia DOES NOT state quite clearly that the SLI is only compatible with their support products. They make it sound as though SLI will work on any board with dual PCI-E slots. And then to make matters worse, they INTENTIONALLY make the drivers so that SLI will not work with certain chipsets. So Joe BLow goes out and buys a couple of Nvidia cards for his intel motherboard, thinking that he can use SLI only to discover he has to buy a new motherboard too. That's not business, that is underhanded and deceptive.

[Spoudazo]

Looks like they can shower together :beer:

They better bring soap-on-a-rope! :p

[Mr Fox]

We were too Xtream for Xtreamsystems They tugged the post as soon as posted....






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Re: going to war

Please dont launch attacks against companies from XS, if you had news then that would have been the correct section to post in.
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Your thread about nvidia
Who on OC asked you to put this up here? njkid told me that someone there told you to post it here.
Mind letting me know?
The thread is not gone, just moved for the time being. It may be put back at a later time. We need to look into this a bit ourselves.
Sorry, but as it sits, it looks like you are trying to bash them.
I am not accusing you of anything, we just need more facts before we let something like this have a free for all on here.

IFMU




I almost think they are AEG Agents.........


Nah !

[ChinStrap]

I bet they wouldn’t have pulled it had you been wearing a detroit shirt :p

[speed bump]

So Nvidia writes new drivers that lock down enabling SLI on other peoples boards big deal.

There vendors decide after this to change what the box says.

Intel wouldn't pay to allow SLI on there chipsets so Nvidia did what you would do if the business across the street wanted to use your tools but wouldn't pay the price you asked, they said no you won't be allowed to use our tools with your company.

I can't run CF on my Nvidia chipset, I can't run SLI on my motherboard even if it has 2 slots that it is possible to plug PCI-e x16 graphics cards into it. Why becuase it isn't SLI compatible which a quick search on google would let me know that.

I'm sorry Mr. Fox but what you are saying is roughly the equivelent of the people that said "well it didn't say the Coffee was hot" and so I want some money.

[T'wolves]

I still do not understand the reasoning behind these types of suits. A company makes a product and states, quite clearly, that said product is only compatable with their support products. What's the issue here? Why should nVidia cards run on ATi chipset and vise versa? Are Intel's chipsets any better than nVidia's or Ati's? I understand the overclocking issues, but those aside, does it really make a difference?

All I know for sure is that if I am making a product, I sure as hell don't want my competitors to profit from it in any shape, form or fashion. Right now users have a choice. They can buy an Ati-based MB and use ATi cards to their full potential, they can buy a nVidia-based MB and do the same or they can buy an Intel-based MB and run either card to a limited extent. Crossfire is an ATi technology that requires ATi chipsets to work properly. SLI is a nVidia technology that requires nVidia chipsets to work properly. Cards from either manufacturer will work on Intel chipsets, i.e, you'll get video, but there is no guarantee that you'll get anything more. I cannot see why this is a problem. It's not like consumers do not have a choice in the matter. That was the premise behind the government's suit against Microsoft. It really does not apply here.

Agreed...so the Intel chipset said "Nvidia SLI Ready" and there is no support, or the Intel chipset didn't say "Nvidia SLI Ready" and wonder why there is no support? If anything is price fixed, it's the cost of video cards over the last several years.

The thing is, Nvidia DOES NOT state quite clearly that the SLI is only compatible with their support products. They make it sound as though SLI will work on any board with dual PCI-E slots. And then to make matters worse, they INTENTIONALLY make the drivers so that SLI will not work with certain chipsets. So Joe BLow goes out and buys a couple of Nvidia cards for his intel motherboard, thinking that he can use SLI only to discover he has to buy a new motherboard too. That's not business, that is underhanded and deceptive.

I think there is a difference between poor marketing and mis-leading a consumer, and cornering the market in a monopoly and price fixing it with ATI. I could believe the marketing scam with more evidence, but I don't see a price fixing trust problem which is what the jist I got from the original post.

"well it didn't say the Coffee was hot"

No kidding...sometimes consumers have to protect themselves, too.

[MarkS]

The thing is, Nvidia DOES NOT state quite clearly that the SLI is only compatible with their support products. They make it sound as though SLI will work on any board with dual PCI-E slots. And then to make matters worse, they INTENTIONALLY make the drivers so that SLI will not work with certain chipsets. So Joe BLow goes out and buys a couple of Nvidia cards for his intel motherboard, thinking that he can use SLI only to discover he has to buy a new motherboard too. That's not business, that is underhanded and deceptive.

One thing it's not is price fixing. The large header in the first post mentioned price fixing. The rest was Mr. Fox's tirade against nVidia and ATi about the driver issue. My problem is with Mr. Fox trying to find a legal solution to this, when it is clearly the right of both nVidia and ATi to allow their technology to operate in full only on their technology.

Apart from that, anyone doing SLI or Crossfire knows or should know the limitations of that technology. This is advanced stuff that the average computer user would not understand or see the need for. Those that want to do SLI or Crossfire and are ticked off, are so because they insist on using MB's with incompatable chipsets. That's their problem, not ATi's or nVidia's problem. I cannot believe that anyone would spend the money on two graphics cards and a mother board without finding out every little detail. We're talking a grand easy for the bare mininum SLI set up, including RAM, CPU MB and graphics cards. Then there is the price for the case, drives, Windows, PSU, etc. If you are going to spend that kind of money on a computer, you had better know something about computers.

[Valk]

I agree with marks on this one.
I must be missreading this thread, but ive never seen nvidia or intel mislabel motherboards like the 975x as being sli compliant. SLI is specific to nvidia core logic and requires an Nvidia chipset supporting it to work. Using hacked drivers is a breach of nvidia ULA and they will just tell you to bugger off with that.

[El<(')>Maxi]

The deception is as we already know SLI or CF does not require the parent chipset to work correctly. They are lying to the consumer and to many including me, it's something I don't think should be left alone. The bottom line is they are pushing the legal envelope even when they know they do not have precedent, and they will only re-think something if they are challenged. It's a risky game, just as Microsoft.

[Mr Fox]

I agree with marks on this one.
I must be missreading this thread, but ive never seen nvidia or intel mislabel motherboards like the 975x as being sli compliant. SLI is specific to nvidia core logic and requires an Nvidia chipset supporting it to work. Using hacked drivers is a breach of nvidia ULA and they will just tell you to bugger off with that.



They are all Certified to PCI/SIG PCI-E v1.0a ... that is the applicable PCI-E Spec... and the PCI-E lane Programability is covered under that spec.


975x is fully compliant... remember that PCI-E is an INTEL tecknology.... the First SLI was run on Intel Tumwater Core Logic.

[Valk]

Ah, thank you for clearing it up then =) I have been teh educated. I still think its a lot of needless effort and money to sue them about it though.

[SeasonalEclipse]

eee finally some action in the tech world again.

[Audioaficionado]

The deception is as we already know SLI or CF does not require the parent chipset to work correctly. They are lying to the consumer and to many including me, it's something I don't think should be left alone. The bottom line is they are pushing the legal envelope even when they know they do not have precedent, and they will only re-think something if they are challenged. It's a risky game, just as Microsoft.
They are all Certified to PCI/SIG PCI-E v1.0a ... that is the applicable PCI-E Spec... and the PCI-E lane Programability is covered under that spec.


975x is fully compliant... remember that PCI-E is an INTEL tecknology.... the First SLI was run on Intel Tumwater Core Logic.Perhaps you might have some legal ground based on prior ad copy, however they might just win on the grounds that they have a right to lock out competitors because of DRM issues.

Microsoft does this with its Office suite by constantly changing the code just enough to break file compatibility with other office apps. Don't think the Windows OS hasn't and isn't breaking competitor software compatibility in the guise of critical updates.

Now I wonder if nVidia will sue all the guys who write cracked/modified drivers to restore SLI functionality. They legally could do this as the drivers are their intellectual property and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 gives them the teeth.

BTW DRM is what Vista is all about. The pretty UI is just the candy coating on the pill to make it easier to swallow.

[MarkS]

They are all Certified to PCI/SIG PCI-E v1.0a ... that is the applicable PCI-E Spec... and the PCI-E lane Programability is covered under that spec.


975x is fully compliant... remember that PCI-E is an INTEL tecknology.... the First SLI was run on Intel Tumwater Core Logic.

What's you're point? Intel created a faster card interface technology. Its up to the card manufacturer as to how they use it. SLI is not a critical technology and SLI graphics cards will run just fine on Intel chipsets. SLI on the other hand is not guaranteed, but then SLI is not a critical piece of technology, is it? I think your argument would have merit if nVidia completely disabled the graphics card on any chipset not their own. That is clearly not the case.

nVidia clearly needs to update the wording on their cards, but you needs to prove intent. How do you know that its not a detail that was forgotten? What makes you think nVidia is doing this with malicious intent?

[hitbyaprkedcar7]

Bah. i dont know whats going on. ill attempt to read it tomorow morning.

[speed bump]

They are all Certified to PCI/SIG PCI-E v1.0a ... that is the applicable PCI-E Spec... and the PCI-E lane Programability is covered under that spec.


975x is fully compliant... remember that PCI-E is an INTEL tecknology.... the First SLI was run on Intel Tumwater Core Logic.

Actually the first SLI was run on any chipset by a company that also brought us such great technologies such as glide and shortly afterward was bought by Nvidia.

They could of run SLI on AGP 8x but no one ever worked on developing that.

Also Nvidia put the work into developing and working out how to make SLI work, how to make the cards work, and how to make the chipset talk to the two GPUs at the same time. Nvidia did the work which at the chipset wasn't a gigantic amount becuase Intel didn't have to much problem releasing the 955x a couple of months later. The problem comes that SLI is intellectual property, and they just invested alot of money into that intellectual property and they wanted Intel to pay to use it. Intel said no and thus Nvidia disabled Intel support in there drivers. That is perfectly legal even if Intel does a 100% better job of supporting SLI on there chipsets. Simplest way to do this is get enough people to Intel we wont buy your motherboards becuase you can't get them SLI certified. Then Intel might change there minds becuase NV won't unless something there is a very compelling reason to.

[Burninate]

I kind of thought the issue was that Nvidia is locking down the ability to change the windows registry and allowing users to use SLI on non-SLI certified Mobos. Isn't that a big chunk of the issue here? It's not hacked drivers that are the issue (as I think we're in general agreement that that may be a violation of the EULA) but the fact that Nvidia is locking down access to parts of my operating system that they have no business locking down for the sole purpose of excluding me the ability to use SLI on non-SLI certified boards and saying that its a hardware issue. Or am I missing the point?

[Audioaficionado]

I kind of thought the issue was that Nvidia is locking down the ability to change the windows registry and allowing users to use SLI on non-SLI certified Mobos. Isn't that a big chunk of the issue here? It's not hacked drivers that are the issue (as I think we're in general agreement that that may be a violation of the EULA) but the fact that Nvidia is locking down access to parts of my operating system that they have no business locking down for the sole purpose of excluding me the ability to use SLI on non-SLI certified boards and saying that its a hardware issue. Or am I missing the point?As long as the registry keys were written by the driver installation, nVidia can prevent overwrites. As long as they don't lock down or prevent non nVidia keys,they are within their DRM rights.

They had better allow those registry keys to be deleted and the registry returned to the pre-install condition when the driver is uninstalled.

[RJARRRPCGP]

At least, Nvidia never attempted to block OC'ing.

[-_{MoW}_-Assasi]

And here i am thinking SLI's core logic is in the nforce chipset and the cards only contain half the equation............



...Im more confused now

[kpdzboy]

Price fixing, eh? I knew these 2 companies had a little bit of evil in them.

[IAmMoen]

with all the drm crap I am keeping xp64 for as long as i can.

[Mr Fox]

UPDATE : The Anti-Trust Price Fixing Littigation that started this overall investigation:

http://www.theinquirer.net/images/articles/nvidamd.pdf


If these companies conduct buisness in this manner nothing is beyond them.

Between the AEG/HR Viral marketing schemes. (pyramid marketing for the new millenium)

The price fixing at 400/500 Dollars.

The vendor Lock-in, feature lock out, this is an industry that is in for a wake-up call.

They have gone unchallenged for too long.

[T'wolves]

UPDATE : The Anti-Trust Price Fixing Littigation that started this overall investigation:

http://www.theinquirer.net/images/articles/nvidamd.pdf


If these companies conduct buisness in this manner nothing is beyond them.

Between the AEG/HR Viral marketing schemes. (pyramid marketing for the new millenium)

The price fixing at 400/500 Dollars.

I hope this lawsuit falls through to some extent, or Nvidia, ATI and AMD have no reason to pioneer technology just to give it away, which is the whole point Intel doesn't support SLI, they won't pay for it. But I don't mind if it keeps thier hands out of my OS.


The vendor Lock-in, feature lock out, this is an industry that is in for a wake-up call.

If you read the other posts, everyone has explained how Nvidia has some limited rights to do this.

They have gone unchallenged for too long.

You can choose between SLI, Crossfire, and single video card solutions. That is three choices, hardly unchallenged I would say.

I wish I could have SLI for the cost of only one video card, but I can't. High performance means high cost. If you can't afford that Mr. Fox, then stick to single card systems, and that is a does of reality for all of us.

[brakezone]

If nvidia actually did something unethical, than I am happy that they will be taken to court; however, I also think that they should be able to draw up the terms and conditions under which they support a product.

I think that the issue is that a driver lockout may have actually been a strategic move in order to entrench nvidia in the chipset business. The real question is if it is ethical for nvidia to monopolize on the nvidia SLI technology. There isn't anything nvidia has done to stop intel or ATI from creating competitive graphics cards that can operating in duel and quad modes.