Intel to Unveil 820 Chipset in 2 Weeks, Barrett Says (Update1)
(Adds more on Intel's plans for new chips and comments on
lawsuits against computer makers.)
Seoul, Nov. 3 (Bloomberg) -- Intel Corp., the world's
largest computer chipmaker, said it will unveil its delayed 820
chipset in the next two weeks, a move that will help producers of
memory chips that use Rambus Inc. technology.
``We plan to introduce the 820 in the next couple of
weeks,' Intel Chief Executive Craig Barrett told reporters after
attending the opening of an Internet training center in Seoul.
A chipset is a collection of semiconductors that work in
conjunction with a computer's microprocessor to enable it to talk
with the main memory and other devices.
The delay in releasing the 820, which is designed for
personal computers, along with delays of other new processors and
chipsets has hurt shares of Intel and Rambus and slowed
production at memory chipmakers such as Korea's Samsung
Electronics Co.
Intel already unveiled its 840 chipset designed to enable
workstations and servers to use Rambus technology, which speeds
the flow of information from computer memory, improving the
machine's performance.
Rambus, a US chip designer, gets fees from memory chipmakers
when they sell products that use its technology.
Intel's third-quarter net income fell 6.5 percent as its
chip sales lagged some forecasts because of lower prices and
delays in getting out its higher-priced Pentium microprocessors.
Barrett said Intel plans to continue enhancing its top-of-
the line Coppermine processor, which uses the same micro
architecture as the current Pentium III models, only until the
first half of next year, when it will be capable of processing
speeds of up to 800 megahertz.
In the second half of 2000 Intel plans to use an entirely
new architecture design to develop a microprocessor capable of
speeds of 1 gigahertz.
The speed of the processor, measured in hertz, determines
how fast the computer can perform basic calculations, which
direct all other functions, and ultimately determines its
performance. Intel's fastest processor now runs at 733 megahertz.
Barrett said he was ``surprised' at recent lawsuits such as
one aimed at Toshiba Corp. The Toshiba suit, which alleged that
the computer maker had sold personal computers with defective
floppy disk controllers, led to the Japanese company's decision
last week to take a $1 billion charge against earnings.
``I am surprised firstly at the lawsuit and secondly at the
settlement,' said Barrett. ``In my understanding no one was
harmed and no one was damaged by any corruption of data or any
other problems.'
Shares of Santa Clara, California-based Intel rose 1 1/2 to
77 1/2 yesterday. Rambus shares rose 1/8 to $66 1/2.
--Ian King in the Seoul newsroom (822) 3702-1603/ca/adbm |
