What's the cost of doing a PCIe design these days?

[Oliver_I_Sedlacek]

I've been tasked with migrating an existing PCIe design from a Cyclone IV GX to something we can actually buy these days, e.g. Cyclone 10 GX. Wheras previously device support was free in Quartus Lite, I now seem to need to buy a Pro license for $4000. Do I also have to pay for the PCIe IP? Adding a suitable development board at $1000+ means we're looking at $50 per unit when amortized over a couple of years of production. I can add quite a lot of silicon for $50!

[FvM]

Notice that Quartus Prime Pro has free license for Cyclone 10 GX. Cyclone 10 PCIe hard IP supports Gen2 x4 without additional license fee.

[Oliver_I_Sedlacek]

Good to know the IP is included but Quartus Prime Pro is expensive

[Wincent_Altera]

Hi Oliver,

You may contact Intel Distributor for that.

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/partner/showcase/partner-directory/distributor.html#sort=relevancy

Regards,

Wincent_Intel

[FvM]

"but Quartus Prime Pro is expensive"
??? As stated, costs you $ 0 for Cyclone 10GX development.

[Oliver_I_Sedlacek]

I really, really must be missing something. A Pro license at nearly $4,000 is expensive. If there really is not cheaper way of doing PCIe these days then I can add a micro with Ethernet for $20.

[FvM]

"I really, really must be missing something."

See download zone: "Intel® Cyclone® 10 GX device support (FREE, no license file required)"

[Wincent_Altera]

Hi Oliver,

As mention

You may contact Intel Distributor for that to discuss about the license package that Intel is offer.

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/partner/showcase/partner-directory/distributor.html#sort=relevancy

Let me know if you have any further question

Regards,

Wincent_Intel

[Oliver_I_Sedlacek]

Not having any joy on this at all. I'm trying to sign up with the FPGA Self-Service Licensing Center but by the time the activation codes arrive by email they've time expired. Alernatively if you're saying I need to buy a license off a distributor I'm back to it not being a cost effective way forward for the project.

Very frustrated.

[Wincent_Altera]

Hi Oliver,

I understand your concern.

But the price is fixed and fair to all of our customers so that we can continue to develop and provide a good platform for all the designers/engineers who working at FPGA all around the world. It includes all of our fees such as debugging and new features development that full fill the fast acceleration of technology.

As a technical specialist, I do not have any access to product purchases/discounts.

Also, there might have a free trial license for Quartus Pro (if I am not mistaken)

If your needs are really strong, I would like to suggest you work with Intel's authorized distributor to get the best price and package that suit your current needs.

We are trying our best to help you and all of our customers. Let me know if you have any further concerns.

Regards,

Wincent_Intel

[Oliver_I_Sedlacek]

Charging for support and IP makes complete sense, but I just don't get why Intel charges for Cyclone 10 GX support when you're in the business of selling chips. You've never charged for Cyclone IV GX or Cyclone V GX support, but we haven't been able to buy those for getting on for 4 years. As customers we're feeling really screwed over now. During the chip shortage we could make allowances but we need help digging out of the hole you've dropped us in.

[FvM]

Still don't understand what you are talking about. Quartus Prime Pro can be used for Cyclone 10 GX development without a license. You may additionally request a free license for Questa Intel Starter Edition simulator.

[Oliver_I_Sedlacek]

One question, how? Installed Pro and it wants me to buy a license or go for the 30 day trial.

[FvM]

I'm installing QPP 23.1 with Cyclone 10 GX support only.
Setup is never asking me for a license.

Menu Tools/License setup is showing Current License: Free

[FvM]

In addition, if you see the License Setup Required Dialog on Quartus Opening and you want to use the installation in free mode,
select "Enter free mode".

[Wincent_Altera]

Hi Oliver,

Can you run the free mode ?

Regards,

Wincent_Intel

[Oliver_I_Sedlacek]

Is free mode any use to me? I'll give it a go when my PCIe development board turns up.

[Wincent_Altera]

Hi Oliver,

You can enter the free mode as it is supported Intel Cyclone 10 GX device. (what you are using)

Detail you may refer to link below

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/docs/programmable/683472/21-4/evaluating-the-software.html

Regards,

Wei Chuan

[Wincent_Altera]

Hi,

I wish to follow up with you about this case.

Do you have any further questions on this matter ?

​​​​​​​Else I would like to have your permission to close this forum ticket

Regards,

Wincent_Intel

[Wincent_Altera]

Hi

We have not hear from you and this Case is idling. It is not recommended to idle for too long.

Therefore following our support policy, I have to put this case in close status. My apologies if any inconvenience cause

Hence, This thread will be transitioned to community support.

If you have a new question, feel free to open a new thread to get support from Intel experts.

Otherwise, the community users will continue to help you on this thread. Thank you

If you feel your support experience was less than a 9 or 10,

please allow me to correct it before closing or let me know the cause so that I may improve your future support experience.

Regards,

Wincent_Intel

[Oliver_I_Sedlacek]

It's taken me a couple of days to get through the login lottery. I've only just received my GX development board, so I'll be checking I can target the GX next week. I'm not idle, I'm very, very busy.