1980s
A Japanese memory maker's sales memo told staff to undercut Intel and AMD by 10% and repeat until they won the contract.
“Quote 10% below their price. If they re-quote, go 10% again. Don't quit until you win.”
Topic
Advanced Micro Devices
7 facts from 4 episodes, in date order. These are what speakers said on the shows, each linked to the moment it was said. They aren't independently verified.
1980s
AMD co-founder and CEO Jerry Sanders said in the mid-1980s that 'real men have fabs', reflecting the view that serious chip companies built their own factories.
“Jerry Sanders, who was the co-founder and CEO of AMD. And he famously said in the mid-1980s that, quote, real men have fabs.”
1984
Jensen Huang graduated from Oregon State University in 1984, his future wife Lori graduated in 1985, and he then joined AMD in Silicon Valley.
“So he graduates in 1984. She graduates in 1985. They move down to Silicon Valley and Jensen joins AMD”
1991
AMD needed until 1991 to bring a competitive 386-class chip to market after Intel ended second sourcing.
“It takes until 1991 before AMD can get a competitive product out there.”
2006
The hosts say AMD tried to buy Nvidia before buying ATI, but the deal failed.
“But AMD's first choice was actually NVIDIA. So AMD tried to buy NVIDIA to make that their graphics line”
Undated
Second sourcing, in which a winning manufacturer shares its designs with competitors, originated in military contracts to guarantee supply.
“It's a byproduct of military contracts where the military, they needed to ensure that they would be able to get enough of what they wanted to buy.”
Undated
Jensen Huang worked as a microchip designer at Advanced Micro Devices after graduating from college.
“He is working for a microchip company, it's AMD, Advanced Micro Devices.”
Episodes