From MSDW, FWIW:
Asia/ Pacific Semiconductor: Brookdale 845B (P4 chipset support DDR SDRAM) Ellen Tseng
Local newspapers alleged that Intel (INTC-$29-N, covered by M. Edelstone) may pull-in the launch schedule of 845 chipset /DDR version to C4Q01 in order to prevent motherboard makers adoption of VIA's P4X266.
We checked our industry contacts and it appears that the pull-in of 845-chipset/DDR is unlikely as the launch schedule of INTC 845/DDR depends on how well the market accepts its 845/SDRAM version. So far, INTC is satisfied with current widespread adoption of 845/SDRAM in the market.
Given that the initial adoption for 845 chipset/SDRAM version for P4 processor is better-than-expected, INTC is not in a hurry to launch DDR version to accelerate P4 transition. Also, VIA's roll-out of the P4X266 chipset could be slower-than-expected as the unsolved legal issue with INTC had affected the motherboard maker's willingness to adopt the VIA P4X266 solution.
Although some tier-2 motherboard makers, without INTC direct chipset support, have better incentives to promote VIA P4X266, ahead of tier 1 motherboard makers, we think this is still not enough to provide sales momentum for the VIA P4X266 chipset. It's important to differentiate between launch schedule, mass production, and demonstration. INTC will demonstrate its 845/DDR chipset in Computex fall show, and mass production of 845/DDR could fall in late C4Q01. However, the official launch of INTC's 845/DDR remains unchanged (C1Q01). Motherboard makers may start to build 845/DDR based motherboards in late C4Q01, but 845/DDR motherboards sales to end users will not take place until INTC's official launch in C1Q01.
We reiterate our Neutral rating on VIA (2388.TW-NT$228), as we believe the market situation has not yet change to favor the VIA/DDR platform. |
