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Intel’s 2015 purchase of Altera was announced at approximately $16.7 billion, not exactly $17 billion. Intel completed the acquisition on December 28, 2015. A decade later, Intel sold a 51% stake to Silver Lake; after that deal closed on September 12, 2025, Silver Lake held 51% and Intel retained 49%.
How much did Intel pay for Altera?
On June 1, 2015, Intel and Altera announced a definitive agreement under which Intel would acquire Altera for $54 per share in cash. Intel valued the transaction at approximately $16.7 billion. The “$17 billion” headline is a rounded version of that announced value, not a separate or exact figure. Intel’s 2015 announcement gives the deal terms.
When did Intel buy Altera?
Intel announced the agreement on June 1, 2015, and said the acquisition was complete on December 28, 2015. Intel’s completion release confirms the closing date.
Why did Intel acquire Altera?
Altera developed field-programmable gate arrays, or FPGAs: semiconductor chips that can be configured for particular tasks after manufacturing. Intel’s stated rationale was to combine its manufacturing and product capabilities with Altera’s programmable-chip business. This was a business-to-business semiconductor acquisition, not a purchase of a consumer electronics brand. In 2024, Intel described Altera as a standalone FPGA company and cited an addressable market opportunity of more than $55 billion. Intel’s 2024 description provides that characterization and market estimate.
#1 Best Overall
- Next‑Gen Platform Support: Compatible with Intel 800 Series Chipset‑based motherboards with LGA1851 Socket enabling PCIe 5.0/4.0 and high‑speed DDR5 memory (up to 7200 MT/s).
- High‑Performance Core Configuration: Features up to 24 cores (8 P‑cores + 16 E‑cores) for demanding gaming and creator
- Ultra‑Fast Boost Clocks: Reaches up to 5.5 GHz max turbo frequency for top‑tier responsiveness and performance
- Built for Enthusiasts: Unlocked for performance tuning when paired with Intel Z‑series chipsets, making it ideal for overclockers and power users.
- Robust Power & Thermal Design: Engineered with 125W base power and 250W max turbo power to sustain high‑intensity
Did Intel sell Altera, and who owns it now?
Yes. On April 14, 2025, Intel announced an agreement to sell a controlling stake in Altera to Silver Lake. Intel reported that the transaction closed on September 12, 2025: Silver Lake acquired 51%, while Intel retained 49%. Intel’s 2025 announcement and closing filing document the agreement and completed transaction.
Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan said the announcement reflected Intel’s “commitment to sharpening our focus, lowering our expense structure and strengthening our balance sheet.” The 2025 transaction was a sale by Intel, not a new Intel acquisition.
Rank #2
- Game Without Compromise. Play harder and work smarter with Intel Core 14th Gen processors
- 20 cores (8 P-cores plus 12 E-cores) and 28 threads. Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 770 included
- Up to 5.6 GHz with Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 gives you smooth game play, high frame rates, and rapid responsiveness
- Compatible with Intel 600-series (with potential BIOS update) or 700-series chipset-based motherboards
- DDR4 and DDR5 platform support cuts your load times and gives you the space to run the most demanding games
How the 2015 acquisition compares with the 2025 stake sale
| Detail | Intel acquisition, 2015 | Stake sale to Silver Lake, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Announcement | June 1, 2015 | April 14, 2025 |
| Closing | December 28, 2015 | September 12, 2025 |
| Ownership involved | Intel acquired Altera | Silver Lake acquired 51%; Intel retained 49% |
| Published valuation | Approximately $16.7 billion for the acquisition | $8.75 billion implied enterprise value |
| Consideration structure | $54 per share in cash | Not stated in the cited Intel announcement |
| Stated strategic purpose | Combine Intel’s manufacturing and product capabilities with Altera’s programmable-chip business | Intel said the announcement reflected a focus on sharpening priorities, lowering expenses, and strengthening its balance sheet |
The valuations describe different things and should not be treated as a like-for-like change in Altera’s price. The 2015 figure was Intel’s approximate value for acquiring the whole company; the 2025 figure was the implied enterprise value in a transaction in which Silver Lake bought a controlling stake.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Game without compromise. Play harder and work smarter with Intel Core 14th Gen processors
- 24 cores (8 P-cores plus 16 E-cores) and 32 threads. Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 770 included
- Leading max clock speed of up to 6.0 GHz gives you smoother game play, higher frame rates, and rapid responsiveness
- Compatible with Intel 600-series (with potential BIOS update) or 700-series chipset-based motherboards
- DDR4 and DDR5 platform support cuts your load times and gives you the space to run the most demanding games
Rank #4
- Game Without Compromise. Play harder and work smarter with Intel Core 14th Gen processors
- 20 cores (8 P-cores plus 12 E-cores) and 28 threads. Discrete graphics required
- Up to 5.6 GHz with Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 gives you smooth game play, high frame rates, and rapid responsiveness
- Compatible with Intel 600-series (with potential BIOS update) or 700-series chipset-based motherboards
- DDR4 and DDR5 platform support cuts your load times and gives you the space to run the most demanding games
Rank #3
- Get ultra-efficient with Intel Core Ultra desktop processors that improve both performance and efficiency so your PC can run cooler, quieter, and quicker.
- Core and Threads 24 cores (8 P-cores plus 16 E-cores) and 24 threads. Integrated Intel Graphics included
- Performance Hybrid Architecture Integrates two core microarchitectures, prioritizing and distributing workloads to optimize performance
- Performance Unlocked Up to 5.7 GHz unlocked. 40MB Cache
- Compatibility Compatible with Intel 800 series chipset-based motherboards
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