NVIDIA GPP: Meet ASUS AREZ Radeon Series

Megalith

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ASUS has told VideoCardz that it will be launching a new brand for Radeon cards dubbed “AREZ.” These would not carry the ROG branding, and there is a possibility that the ASUS branding could be dropped, too.

The ROG series simply do not exist under AREZ brand. That said there are no AREZ ROG STRIX series, but AREZ STRIX. Same applies to other sub-series, such as Phoenix, Expedition and so on. These are called AREZ Phoenix or AREZ Expedition respectively.
 
how can they use STRIX in AREZ STRIX? are they planning on not selling STRIX nvidia cards anymore? or does the STRIX part not matter? odd.

also im pretty sure idiot is just trolling.
 
With the exception of the entire Nvidia GPP being revoked in a major manufacturer / consumer backlash, what Asus is doing is perhaps the second best way to handle things. I'd much rather that they as one of the 800lb gorilla brands say "Know what, Nvidia? We're not going to play that game, so if you want some of this delicious ROG branding, you put an end to that garbage". However, the second best thing would be to create a basically "filler" brand; its too bad however that AMD gets the new AREZ instead of the name recognized ROG - Nvidia should have been stuck with AREZ. No matter what it is imperative that Asus cards and other hardware under the AREZ line be the equal or better of ROG in every way AND interoperable.

ROG is a known brand from over a decade of making top-of-the-line gaming and overclocking hardware. ROG motherboards and GPUs often have the best primary (ie electrical, PCB etc) and tertiary (RGB lighting etc) features, as well as a ton of tweaking software/firmware adjunct programs. I don't want to hear that the AREZ version of the card doesn't offer the same quality of cooler, or a thinner PCB, less phases, or less lighting, or can't be sync'd controlled with other Asus ROG branded software for instance. It is bad enough that ROG has a legacy that Nvidia just gets to take over, including branding for things like streaming, competition, and Esport, but I can only hope they don't also ask for impediments for AREZ because "Well, they aren't part of the ROG family so....".
 
not surprised nvidia would do this, i am surprised at how ok with ppl are with this though. Then again, society in general seems to be ok with being milk/played by any company nowadays..

How are people "ok" with it? People have no choice. AMD has no cards that compete on the top end. The only solution with something like this will be decided by the courts, or the FTC.
 
However, the second best thing would be to create a basically "filler" brand; its too bad however that AMD gets the new AREZ instead of the name recognized ROG - Nvidia should have been stuck with AREZ. No matter what it is imperative that Asus cards and other hardware under the AREZ line be the equal or better of ROG in every way AND interoperable.

Here's the thing- there's been no evidence presented that shows ASUS couldn't have moved Nvidia to AREZ (or other) instead of AMD. That was their call, and it makes sense: AMD isn't releasing products that are 'equal or better', which means that it makes more sense to reserve ROG for Nvidia. I honestly wish that wasn't the case, but if AMD was keeping up or exceeding Nvidia in the GPU market, then Nvidia wouldn't have been able to pull off GPP in the first place.
 
Its going to be a mess. But was already a mess to begin with, it just got worse for now. Hopefully branding will become clearer in the long run.

BTW, I'm ok with AMD not being ROG, (which IMO shouldn't have been in the first place)
 
Here's the thing- there's been no evidence presented that shows ASUS couldn't have moved Nvidia to AREZ (or other) instead of AMD. That was their call, and it makes sense: AMD isn't releasing products that are 'equal or better', which means that it makes more sense to reserve ROG for Nvidia. I honestly wish that wasn't the case, but if AMD was keeping up or exceeding Nvidia in the GPU market, then Nvidia wouldn't have been able to pull off GPP in the first place.

Don't make baseless assumptions. There is no evidence to support your statement either. Given this and Gigabyte's change I'd argue that there is more evidence in favor of it not being the AIBs call to make. Didn't MSI also pull AMD card from their Gaming X/Gaming G line?
 
Here's the thing- there's been no evidence presented that shows ASUS couldn't have moved Nvidia to AREZ (or other) instead of AMD. That was their call, and it makes sense: AMD isn't releasing products that are 'equal or better', which means that it makes more sense to reserve ROG for Nvidia. I honestly wish that wasn't the case, but if AMD was keeping up or exceeding Nvidia in the GPU market, then Nvidia wouldn't have been able to pull off GPP in the first place.

I consider this a problem regardless of AMD's current standing. From an ethical standpoint, "We should put up with the guy with the biggest stick at the moment waving it around like an asshole and doing whatever he wants!" is the lowest sort of thing we should not be justifying. Secondly, AMD offers competitive (equal or better) Asus cards at most tiers - recent reviews showcasing 1080s vs Vega show them to be competitive and in many cases the crown goes to AMD . It is only at the ultra-high end, 1080Ti / Titan level that AMD has no answer for Nvidia. Asus makes lots of ROG Strix cards, including AMD cards along the rest of the line and they are not invalidated; in fact, I would suggest more gaming happens on cards below that strata than on it at this point and. Lastly, the ROG decision affects not only the current layout of hardware, but future generations. We're even forgetting the past, when most enthusiasts bought AMD 290X, as it was known to be the top card for awhile. Even if AMD comes out with a Vega refresh soon or a Navi offering that puts them on top next year, it won't get the benefit of ROG branding because of this deal happening now.

Overall, its a shitty, anticompetitive thing for Nvidia to do and the industry should not make it easy for them, especially if they won't outright contest it and refuse to play by said rules.
 
This whole thing is a double edged sword. The fuckfaces are loosing market shate to AMD and if the rumors are true intel will enter this market by 2020. They would be foolish not to. Nvidia will do anything to protect its income that will be constantly taken away from them.
Shit is realy going to hit the fan when intel really enters the AI / Gpu market.
 
Am I the only one who gives exactly 0 fucks about branding? I care about what a product can do and who makes the product. How the manufacture names a product or product line is irreverent to me. I still think what Nvidia is doing is bullshit as I know a lot of people care about branding, just I am not one of those people.
 
I consider this a problem regardless of AMD's current standing. From an ethical standpoint, "We should put up with the guy with the biggest stick at the moment waving it around like an asshole and doing whatever he wants!" is the lowest sort of thing we should not be justifying. Secondly, AMD offers competitive (equal or better) Asus cards at most tiers - recent reviews showcasing 1080s vs Vega show them to be competitive and in many cases the crown goes to AMD . It is only at the ultra-high end, 1080Ti / Titan level that AMD has no answer for Nvidia. Asus makes lots of ROG Strix cards, including AMD cards along the rest of the line and they are not invalidated; in fact, I would suggest more gaming happens on cards below that strata than on it at this point and. Lastly, the ROG decision affects not only the current layout of hardware, but future generations. We're even forgetting the past, when most enthusiasts bought AMD 290X, as it was known to be the top card for awhile. Even if AMD comes out with a Vega refresh soon or a Navi offering that puts them on top next year, it won't get the benefit of ROG branding because of this deal happening now.

Overall, its a shitty, anticompetitive thing for Nvidia to do and the industry should not make it easy for them, especially if they won't outright contest it and refuse to play by said rules.

Yes, AMD finally offers video cards that are competitive to Nvidia's offerings that came out over a YEAR earlier. Keep in mind that Polaris was supposed to be AMD's answer to Pascal, not Vega. Polaris was revamped to be a "mid-range" update to save face. If AMD was competent to put out video cards that are competitive to Nvidia's offerings in the same time frame then Nvidia wouldn't be in a spot to shove a stick up AMD's ass with this program. Is this GPP program "unethical"? Sure, maybe. But that's what happens when your competition is weak.

I've had my 1080 Ti since last July and AMD still does not have anything to compete with it nearly a year later.
 
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Lets beat a dead horse again....:D
 
Here's the thing- there's been no evidence presented that shows ASUS couldn't have moved Nvidia to AREZ (or other) instead of AMD. That was their call, and it makes sense: AMD isn't releasing products that are 'equal or better', which means that it makes more sense to reserve ROG for Nvidia. I honestly wish that wasn't the case, but if AMD was keeping up or exceeding Nvidia in the GPU market, then Nvidia wouldn't have been able to pull off GPP in the first place.
You're basically saying it's OK to kick the downed person, or even virtuous. This is not ancient rome, and this is not a gladiator fight where the caesar shows a thumbs down at the end and tomorrow there'll be two new fighters.
I really don't get it why are people so content with this. A one player market is not good for anyone, even rabid nvidia fanboys will loose on it.
 
Headline should read: "Asus announces to the world that they are cuckolded by Nvidia"

So BetaAsus has worked hard on the ROG name brand and now only Nvidia can be branded ROG?
Nice.

Not buying another product from them.
Looks like MSI or Gigabyte get my money this year.
 
You're on [H] you arent like the other 95+% of the market. Advertising works (and is a huge money maker..) advertising works. No brands = no money = no buying.

How many people actually know what ROG is?

I won't deny that branding and flashy product design is important, but hell, I thought 'Republic of Gamers' was pretty stupid when ASUS pushed it out.
 
I'm agnostic on the AMD/Nvidia brands... Check my sig. I try to alternate.

However, I haven't purchased anything (GPU related) in a while. Prices, heat, no improvement in the resolutions I run, etc. Lately, I've been jonesing for a 1070.

I do have a serious need to upgrade.

I will not buy Nvidia. AMD needs to bring some serious TDP improvements. If they do, and they price their card somewhat realistically, I'll be buying two. Or three. No, this will not break Nvidia. But it I will do what I can.

GPP. Hmmm. See ya.
 
So let's see what old adages come to mind here:

- if there is a will, there is a way (around anything)
- necessity is the mother of invention
 
You're basically saying it's OK to kick the downed person, or even virtuous. This is not ancient rome, and this is not a gladiator fight where the caesar shows a thumbs down at the end and tomorrow there'll be two new fighters.
I really don't get it why are people so content with this. A one player market is not good for anyone, even rabid nvidia fanboys will loose on it.

No, I'm saying that I understand the business angle.

And I don't see a 'one player market' unless AMD's GPU division shits the bed. Even then, we'd likely see it get absorbed into Intel. At least they can actually execute products on a regular basis!
 
dudes chill. everyone knows using z at the ends of words makes them have much better appeal to gamers. watch:

NVIDIA GPP -> NVIDIAZ GPPZ - totally palatable now!
ARES -> AREZ - whoooaaaa!!!!!
 
That's annoying now I'll have to figure out all the new brands I don't won't to buy (Asus's lack of updating the bios on my ROG motherboard has made me blacklist them). Thanks, NVidia.
 
...No matter what it is imperative that Asus cards and other hardware under the AREZ line be the equal or better of ROG in every way AND interoperable...
I don't want to hear that the AREZ version of the card doesn't offer the same quality of cooler, or a thinner PCB, less phases, or less lighting, or can't be sync'd controlled with other Asus ROG branded software for instance..

There's no reason either of those things should happen. Nvidia cannot tell Asus or anyone, "make the competitor product cheaper.." hell it's essentially a different brand.

I think the initial impression that it is anti-competitive ignores this simple solution that Asus has done, and I'm sure all the others will do as well. Just separate the brands.

It seems anti-competitive, perhaps in some way it is. Nvidia doesn't want AMD selling GPU's by riding on the coat-tails of their reputation. 'Thier' being both nvidia as well as the asus etc. and other brands, which nvidia probably feels they have helped build. Their GPU's have been pretty dominate for years, because they tend to be better, and better supported (Quality, timely drivers, developer support, etc). There is probably some reality to this (thinking that their competitor has sold GPU's based on Brand rep that in some way nvidia helped build), for the average Joe consumer buying parts at a Fry's or a BestBuy. People like us who frequent [H] get a better picture, it is not going to matter to us that Asus now has a separate brand for AMD GPU's called AREZ. It's already established in our minds by now anyway. Separating the brands out could actually be good for AMD as well. Their parts will have their own brand, which can build its own rep based on its merits. I really hope this works out for AMD in the long run as well.

AMD is selling GPU's as fast as they can make them at the moment due to the mining craze, which means now is the perfect time for a new brand to be launched that separates the GPU manufacturers out. By the time the mining craze settles down (please fucking settle down soon you crazy ass miners!), these new brands will hopefully be established. In fact them being separated out, means they could even be targeted towards miners with certain model cards... seriously, this is actually an opportunity to seize upon. And if AMD can use the current market boost due to mining to actually engineer some better, competitive GPUs for the coming years, then we all benefit. I prefer nVidia cards (currently) but I really do not want a single Overlord in unchallenged control of the GPU market.

Back to the GPP program in general. Companies wanting their products separated out, separate marketing for brand protection, has been around for a very long time. And as I said before, there are probably valid arguments that can be made that justify them. When was the last time you went into a restaurant and had the choice to pick between Pepsi or Coke? For me, never. Brand exclusivity which maybe is or isn't comparable to what nvidia wants GPP to accomplish (I'm no brand lawyer or specialist). Thinking of technology related comparison, first obvious one is Intel cpus vs AMD cpus... Intel gets their Intel Inside sticker, which obviously doesn't go on anything with an AMD processor in it. Whether there are separated out sub brands (Like from Dell or HP) I don't really know. But they did do something that distinguishes between the two. Nvidia probably could have chosen this path as well, and likely achieved at least something to separate the brands out for the average joe.

Someone with more knowledge on the brand exclusivity practices that are accepted could give better insight, just making educated guesses :) I think if AMD is smart, they can use this to their advantage, and basically do the same thing nvidia GPP is wanting to do for themselves.

As long as Game Developers are not also being coerced, the program is probably legal. Game dev's shouldn't be forced to only optimize for one or the other. Not sure they are or not, though I think some only bother to go one way or the other with optimizing as it is. Purposely slowing down a competitor GPU would absolutely be anti-competitive, anyone doing that should be seriously fined out the ass...
 
I'm agnostic on the AMD/Nvidia brands... Check my sig. I try to alternate.

However, I haven't purchased anything (GPU related) in a while. Prices, heat, no improvement in the resolutions I run, etc. Lately, I've been jonesing for a 1070.

I do have a serious need to upgrade.

I will not buy Nvidia. AMD needs to bring some serious TDP improvements. If they do, and they price their card somewhat realistically, I'll be buying two. Or three. No, this will not break Nvidia. But it I will do what I can.

GPP. Hmmm. See ya.

Amd needs to actually make enough Vega cards so that they could ever at any point, other than for one week right before black Friday last year, sell them for anything close to their totally fake msrp. Unlike nvidia, who prior to the memory chip collision (that Samsung has been doing that have driven up prices), amd has never ever been able to make enough Vega cards that they were sold for msrp.

I had the money to buy a Vega 56 for $400 last year. I missed getting one for the one single week that they have ever been sold at the completely fake msrp. I got sick of waiting and used that money to buy another gun before the totalitarian left makes self defense illegal.
 
were it up to me, i probably would've gone with ARES instead of spelling it with a Z.
Maybe they want to use that branding with Nvidia?

I wonder what would happen if they still used ROG, but referred to it as Republic of GamerZ or Republik.. or something like that. That would really be an FU to nvidia.
 
Here's the thing- there's been no evidence presented that shows ASUS couldn't have moved Nvidia to AREZ (or other) instead of AMD. That was their call, and it makes sense: AMD isn't releasing products that are 'equal or better', which means that it makes more sense to reserve ROG for Nvidia. I honestly wish that wasn't the case, but if AMD was keeping up or exceeding Nvidia in the GPU market, then Nvidia wouldn't have been able to pull off GPP in the first place.

Which part of "gaming brand must be exclusively aligned with Nvidia" did you not understand? Reading is fundamental.
 
... People have no choice. AMD has no cards that compete on the top end. The only solution with something like this will be decided by the courts, or the FTC.

BULLSHIT!

If some one put you in front of two identical high end systems, whose only difference is that one has a 1080Ti and the other has a Vega 64, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference while playing most games.

I'm tired of this old " it gives 5 FPS less in a game so it's junk and non-competitive", when the FPS is in the 100+ range.

If you are one of those whose epeen is based on a few FPS difference you are a sad, sad creature.

In any event, I play GAMES, I don't play BENCHMARKS, and I make my decisions on more than just benchmarks. I also consider the corporate ethics, and morals. Guess who fails badly in that?
 
Guess we'll all be learning a new line of branding for the AIB's soon. I don't know offhand how many others had a prexisting name to fall back on with this kind of strategy.
 
That’s cool now people will know Arez=AMD and ROG=high performance NVIDIA. Such is life when you barely cling on to 20% marketshare like AMD, you become irrelevant to the average consumer. Go ask the average gamer what they think of AMD, the response is usually “eew AMD” or “lol”. I play with several gaming communities with younger gamers in the 18-25+ range and that’s how they view AMD regardless of whether or not ROG is on the box.
 
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