Old Rumors Surface again - Cyrix AND Socket 370 plans.
Paul
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techweb.com
April 05, 1999, Issue: 836 Section: Sourcing
Cyrix Eyes 370-Pin Socket For Upcoming Processors
Kristen Kenedy
Special from Computer Retail Week -- As Intel Corp. sharpens its low-end offering, centering around the proprietary 370-pin socket, Cyrix Corp. also is evaluating that design for its forthcoming processors, industry sources said.
Intel, Santa Clara, Calif., conceived the 370-pin socket, which accepts processors directly to the motherboard rather than requiring a more costly Slot 1 module to help PC OEMs cut costs. Intel prices its Plastic Pin Grid Array 370-pin format about $10 less than the Single Edge Processor Package (Slot 1) in low quantities, and 370-pin motherboards also are less costly than their Slot 1 cousins.
Executives familiar with the plans of microprocessor makers said Richardson, Texas-based Cyrix, a subsidiary of National Semiconductor Corp., could move to the 370-pin socket at the end of the year because it offers a higher-performance solution than the current Super Socket 7 design and distinguishes its processors from competitor Advanced Micro Devices Inc., Sunnyvale, Calif.
No architectural announcements have been released, said National Semiconductor, although it does have a cross-licensing pact with Intel, a spokesman said. Whether Cyrix moves to the 370-pin socket will depend on the life span of the Super Socket 7 motherboard design, currently used for AMD's K6 line and the Cyrix MII and MediaGX CPUs, he said.
Cyrix said it will ship this month the fastest MII processor to date, a performance-rated 366MHz CPU. Cyrix intends to ship a PR400MHz part this year and the next-generation CPU, dubbed Gobi, is on schedule to ship next quarter, said executives.
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