Chuck, re:<My understanding was that AMD was outsourcing these things from the beginning (q2).>
I thought so too, but I wasn't sure before reading this article. Here is another article for you. Please, let us know what you think about it -
Motherboards with Intel's 810 Chipset Gain Popularity
October 20, 1999 (TAIPEI) -- The market has reacted coldly to Intel Corp.'s 810 chipset since its debut, but the situation seems to have changed since the beginning of October.
Motherboard manufacturers in Taiwan now estimate around 30 percent of overall shipments are equipped with 810 chipsets, higher than the previous figure of 10 percent. The market has even begun to report a tight supply of these chipsets.
One reason behind this phenomenon is that there has been a shortage of Intel's BX and ZX chipsets since July. The massive earthquake that hit Taiwan in late September also caused a tight supply of chipsets in Taiwan. The major reason, however, is that market attitude has altered to prefer the so-called "all-in-one" motherboard, as DRAM price fluctuations adversely impacted sales of graphics cards.
For example, prices of even the lowest level of accelerated graphic port (AGP) cards have soared from below US$30 to US$35 per unit. With a BX motherboard selling for between US$70 and US$80, a consumer must pay at least US$110 for the two products. But if he or she buys the 810 chipset, which costs about the same as a BX motherboard, the purchase costs are significantly lowered because he or she does not have to buy a display card. This is the major reason why 810 chipsets have gained in popularity since October, according to local manufacturers.
Chaintech Computer Co., Ltd. reports that 810 chipset models accounted for just 10 percent of its shipments in September. Diamond Flower Electric Interface Co., Ltd. reported only a slightly higher 10 to 20 percent. In October, the shares rose to 30 percent and 35 percent, respectively, for the two companies, and Diamond Flower's BX motherboard shipment was surpassed for the first time by the 810 series. The 810 model of Holco Enterprises Co., Ltd. also accounted for nearly 20 percent of overall output, up from the previous level of below 10 percent.
(Commercial Times,Taiwan)
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