Willy to use DDR!
Apparently Intel actually did something smart by designing (or using Foster's DDR implementation) a back-up Willy DDR capable chipset. This is good for Intel...and more competition for AMD... They probably won't go with dual DDR channels (I hope!) so max memory bandwith should be equal to AMD's solution at the time (PC2100 DDR SDRAM). But Willy will still have a faster fsb - 400MHz vs. 266MHz.
If Intel goes through with this, say bye bye to DRDRAM's chance to get a foothold in the desktop market in 2000 and a good part of 2001, if not the whole year (forever?). Once the DDR momentum gets going in Intel PCs it will tough to stop DDR, even if Intel makes the chipsets.
From Ace's -
"Armador - DDR For Willamette (INTEL)
Posted By Brian Neal
Saturday, May 20, 2000 - 1:46:39 PM
A bit earlier, I posted a bit of news that rumored the existence of a DDR platform solution for Willamette. Now, this article indicates that Intel does indeed have a backup plan, and it goes by the name of Armador. Read on:
Intel's Pentium IV - Codenamed Willamette - will officially support only Rambus memory. A chipset for the Pentium IV, which would work with SDRAM, will not exist, according to Intel.
But in a secret strategy paper from intel, is a chipset with the name "Armador" mentioned. This chipset should support 133MHz SDRAM and the brandnew !DDR-SDRAM!
Intel has got good reasons to keep silent about Armador: Intel puts pressure on motherboard, memory and PC manufacturers to push the expensive and much argued about technology into the market by emphasizing the fact that the Pentium IV will be only available together with Rambus.
At the same time, the processor giant obviously wants to keep a back-door open, in case the strategy doesn't work. If at the time of the Pentium IV introduction the price of Pentium IV Rambus memory doesn't clearly approach that of SDRAM, Intel has a problem. PC manufacturers won't have the ability to offer Pentium IV systems at competitive prices - and would increase emphasis on alternative platforms."
Click here to see a chipset roadmap which shows that Armador could debut the same time as Tehama (Intel's Rambus chipset for Willamette).
Now, let me take a moment to thank today's heroes, who sent it word the second the article went up and translated it: Marty, Andreas, Stephan, Martin, Ben, and Aryan. Thank you all!"
aceshardware.com |
