Intel Unveils Working Prototype Of Next-Generation Microprocessor
Dow Jones Online News, Wednesday, September 01, 1999 at 00:14
(Published on Tuesday, August 31, 1999 at 21:13)
By Dean Takahashi, Staff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. -- Intel Corp. demonstrated the first working
prototype of its next-generation microprocessor at a technical
conference here, seeking to reassure the industry about its chip-design
capability.
Craig Barrett, Intel's chief executive officer, said in a keynote
address Tuesday that the long-awaited chip, code-named Merced, is on
schedule for mass production in the middle of next year. He didn't
quantify its processing speed but demonstrated that the chip could
handle complex three-dimensional animations.
Merced is Intel's first chip that processes 64 bits of data at a
time, rather than 32 bits, which should greatly boost its power when
using specially designed software. Significantly, the prototype was
shown running an early 64-bit version of Microsoft Corp.'s Windows 2000
operating system, another long-delayed product expected to be crucial to
both companies' success in high-end computers. The Merced chip also ran
a 64-bit version of the Linux operating system, the free program that is
growing in popularity.
Intel's slow progress in finishing the long-delayed Merced has been a
source of frustration in the personal-computer industry.
"I was impressed that in the course of two weeks they were able to
get that software up and running on a sample chip," said Richard
Doherty, an analyst at Envisioning Group in Seaford, N.Y. "It shows that
they haven't slipped further."
Intel made some other announcements that will have broad impact in
the PC industry. For instance, Mr. Barrett said that Intel and computer
makers resolved a dispute over the future technical specifications for
moving data within a computer. The dispute over the so-called
next-generation input-output technology in the computer, commonly known
as a bus, ends a fractious debate that pitted Intel and ally Dell
Computer Corp. against three companies that came up with a rival
technology, Compaq Computer Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co. and International
Business Machines Corp.
"Cooler heads prevailed and, while we have a lot of work to do, we
should see the technology arrive in 2001," Mr. Barrett said.
Intel, Samsung Semiconductor and other companies also agreed to work
together to lower the cost of memory chip technology that Rambus Inc.
licenses for use in powerful computers. Computer makers have voiced
concerns about prices associated with adopting the Rambus approach.
Despite the issues, Mr. Barrett said Rambus remains Intel's long-term
choice to improve memory speed.
Lastly, Mr. Barrett said that Intel in October would launch its
newest microprocessors, faster versions of its Pentium III chips running
at 600 megahertz and 667 megahertz speeds. By the end of the year, he
said, Intel will offer a chip running at over 700 megahertz. On stage,
Mr. Barrett demonstrated a working 800-megahertz Pentium III but
declined to say when it would be available.
Michael Feibus, an analyst at Mercury Research, which tracks the chip
industry, said he expects Intel to temporarily take back the speed crown
from Advanced Micro Devices Inc. as it launches the new chips. But he
said he believes that buyers will have to wait until after Christmas for
the 800-megahertz Pentium III.
Copyright (c) 1999 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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