This is a somewhat veiled announcement, because they have not even given concrete figures of the operation, and have simply said that the objective is to improve the catalog of solutions provided by Intel in terms of networking. However, as we will all assume this may also mean that we will stop seeing motherboards for AMD processors equipped with Killer network cards.
Rivet Networks had been with Intel for years
Rivet Networks' history has been a roller coaster in recent years. They started in 2006 with their first Killer network card when they were still called Bigfoot Networks, and interestingly enough the company was already bought by Qualcomm in September 2011. Curiously, that purchase suited Rivet well, as they were able to use much of Qualcomm's technology to improve their network cards, and coincides with the rise to fame of Killer network cards among gamers.
Especially important are network cards Killer Doubleshot Pro, the first outside the professional environment that allowed teaming, combining the wired network with WiFi to create a single, more solid, stable and fast connection. In addition, the brand's software stands out, which has a QoS component that allows prioritizing network packets destined for games, with the aim of reducing lag in online multiplayer sessions.
Continuing with the topic that concerns us, in 2015 Intel already made an approach to Rivet with the aim of creating a combined solution between both companies, since they did not have much experience manufacturing hardware and according to Intel it was better to collaborate than to compete. In 2016 Intel introduced already defined Roadmaps to the company and they got down to work.
The surprise jumped in 2018, when it emerged that Rivet had partnered with Intel to create the chips. Killer Wireless AC 1550, which were directly manufactured by Intel.
So, really, this acquisition by Intel does not take anyone by surprise, although the brief announcement seems a little murky simply to say that Rivet Networks is now part of Intel Corporation and nothing else, without figures, without objectives, without giving importance to the matter.
Will it be the end of AMD boards with Killer network card?
Obviously they have not said anything, but it seems obvious that it will be so. If Intel now owns Rivet Networks' technologies, why should they leave them to the competition? It is not known whether AMD or any of the plate manufacturers (Gigabyte, ASUS, ASRock, etc.) had a stipulated contract with Rivet for the exploitation of their Killer technology on network cards, but if so, it would be for a limited time and now that Rivet is from Intel, it is questioned if there would be a renovation.
Although the future of Killer network cards is still to be decided, it is most likely that they will take advantage to have exclusivity on their technology, but we will have to wait for them to make an official statement about it … or wait to see if the next generations of AMD boards do or do not have a Killer network card.
