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MSI VP Predicts that a Major Motherboard maker will Drop Out in Coming Years

Posted 01/12/09 at 10:10:15 AM  by Paul Lilly

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As the memory market can attest, it's become a tough proposition to try and sell computer components for a profit. But it's not just memory; motherboards and videocards have been on the decline since Q3 2008, and according to Henry Lu, VP of products at MSI, the market won't see any further expansion.

It gets even worse. Lu contends that a top four motherboard maker -- Asus, Gigabyte, ECS, or MSI -- will drop out of the market within the next few years due to the inability of the market to support the growth of all four. It may seem inconceivable that one of the industry's stalwarts should ultimately exit stage left, but one only need look back at Abit's recent fall from grace as a grim reminder of how quickly the game can change.

And speaking of Abit, it's because of them and other second-tier mobo makers exiting the market that the big four can scrape by for the next three years, Lu says, but then something has to give. If Lu's prediction comes true, the question is, who will be the one to leave? Ironically, it's MSI who seems poised to fall if looking strictly at motherboard shipments. In 2008, Asus shipped around 21 million mobos, the same amount as ECS. Gigabyte trailed slightly behind at 19 million, and MSI was the least active shipping around 16 million.

COMMENTS:7
TAGS: motherboard, Peripherals, msi, build a pc, business
COMMENTS
avatarOkay lets get this out of

Submitted by Keith E. Whisman on Tue, 01/13/2009 - 9:10pm

Okay lets get this out of the way.... Eenie meanie mynie moe catch a motherboard manufacturer by the chipset toe. on and on and on and on and MSI you are it... Okay msi you gotta go.

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avatarECS gotta go

Submitted by AttilaTheHunk on Mon, 01/12/2009 - 8:45pm

But I hope Gigabyte and ASUS stay.

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avatarIt sounds like common sense,

Submitted by atomaweapon on Mon, 01/12/2009 - 1:12pm

It sounds like common sense, but if these guys would focus on quality and support, I think they should be ok. I had some serious issues with one of my MSI board (a p6n diamond) from crummy sata drivers to the occasional pop in sound with creative drivers. I realize these are driver issues, but it relfects badly on the board maker. I was pulling my freaking hair out for weeks trying to get everything set up with vista. I'm still not sure I will buy another MSI board and not try a GIGABYTE.  I hear too many negatives about ASUS and don't need the cheapy parts from ECS.

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avatarhmm

Submitted by farlo on Mon, 01/12/2009 - 11:32am

it'd be a shame to see a company like msi go. ive never had any bad parts from msi or ecs, but i've had a decent amount of both asus and gigabyte boards arrive DOA or fail under normal non-oc usage.  could just be bad luck, but i usually wont go back to a company after 2 or 3 failures, well unless its the first part i get from a company then its never again(stupid rosewill psu).

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avatarIt won't be ECS. Their

Submitted by VoodooChicken on Mon, 01/12/2009 - 9:39am

It won't be ECS. Their products are too cheap compared to the other 3 to be as affected by the downturn. In fact, they might even see an uptick as system builders look to save a dime. While the MSI argument is a likely as anything, Gigabyte might spend themselves into a hole they can't get out of whilst trying to keep up with ASUS. ASUS isn't going anywhere except into new machines. 

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Look behind you! A THREE-headed monkey!!!!!!!!

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avatarI vote for ECS!

Submitted by Syntax on Mon, 01/12/2009 - 9:13am

I vote for ECS!

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avatarNot a very good sign

Submitted by Bravo_18 on Mon, 01/12/2009 - 8:47am

still hoping for changes in the coming years for this company to survive and make some profit. Its true memories (rams) are a lot cheaper these days. you can easy get a 4gb in the market..

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