Intel’s signed a deal to provide chips for DreamWorks, as well as working on ‘revolutionizing 3D filmmaking technology’. Part of that deal involves swapping out AMD Opteron chips for Intel ones.

The official release on Intel’s site doesn’t mention the AMD chip replacement deal, though the AP did. What Intel did mention – one of the first projects from the alliance will be the upcoming film Monsters vs. Aliens film. The film is due out next March 27.

DreamWorks Animation’s deal with Intel is part of its push to produce all its future films in stereoscopic 3-D from 2009 onwards. Intel will provide multi-core chips as well as have its software engineers work on optimizing DreamWorks’ applications for said processors.

"Our objective is to significantly heighten the movie going experience using DreamWorks Animation’s ground-breaking 3-D filmmaking tools," said Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of DreamWorks Animation. "Technology plays a significant role in enabling our artists to tell great stories. By utilizing Intel’s industry-leading computing products, we will create a new and innovative way for moviegoers to experience our films in 3-D."

DreamWorks Animation’s co-president of production, John Batter, said that the studio had already begun reassessing its needs as its AMD contract neared expiry. He said that the studio’s recent offering, Kung Fu Panda, had its final touches done on computers using both Intel and AMD processors.

AMD’s dual-core Opteron processors will be replaced over the next 18 month – a move involving some 1,000 workstations and 1,500 server units. DreamWorks has agreed to buy Intel’s Nehalem 8-core processor for the high-end workstations, and Larrabee processors for the servers. Larrabee processors will have between 10 and 100 cores, according to Intel.

Losing such a high-profile client will certainly be a blow to AMD, losing hard-won ground to its biggest competitor. Despite the healthy demand for processors, AMD’s production delays and questionable business moves (like, say, triple-core processors) are hurting its ability to compete with Intel.

Related:

Paramount, Dreamworks Dump Blu-Ray, Go HD-DVD Only

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HD-DVD vs Blu-ray camps both try to woo Warner Brothers to exclusivity

Verizon and Google strike deal to co-produce Android phones

Paramount prepares to deal killing blow in HD DVD vs Blu-ray war

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Entry was posted on Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 at 10:09 pm under Intel.

Read more entries by Erna Mahyuni.
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