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To: Paul Engel who wrote (94384)	12/20/1999 8:19:00 PM
From: Mihaela	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 186894

Paul, I have read that the initial latency for the first word of memory from RDRAM will be cut in half by putting the Rambus memory controller on-chip on Timna and Willamette arch. Is this true? Do you think Intel could use SDRAM PC133 on Timna with MTH and compete with the Sony PS2 in the "value" segment? The memory vendor MU continues to drag out ramping RDRAM volumes and keeps saying/advertising/pitching DDR SDRAM as a better solution over RDRAM that one starts to think they are not using the 0.5 billion dollars from Intel in Oct. 1998 for ramping Rambus RDRAM. Seems like a long time for MU to not be in production yet, since Intel has released the 820 and 840 chipsets and OEM's are shipping systems. Here's my prediction. When Intel introduces TIMNA, the price of RAMBUS memory will start to take a sharp drop and then continue to decline at a healthy pace. TIMNA will be targeted at the "value" segment, and its use of RAMBUS memory will allow it to use the SLOWER speed grades with exceptional performance - due to the on-chip RAMBUS controller. Hence, TIMNA will sop up all the 600 and 700 MHz (300/350) RAMBUS chips that are TODAY essentially non-useable because of their inferior performance in Camino/820 or 840 systems. With RDRAM makers able to sell their slower RDRAM units into the TIMNA PC space, they can then spread their income across their entire production of RDRAM speed distributions, allowing faster price drops on all speed grades. Paul

To: Paul Engel who wrote (94384)	12/20/1999 8:44:00 PM
From: Tenchusatsu	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 186894

Paul, <When Intel introduces TIMNA, the price of RAMBUS memory will start to take a sharp drop and then continue to decline at a healthy pace.> Of course, if that doesn't happen, Timna can always use the MRH-S component (formerly known as MTH) and support el-cheapo PC100 SDRAM. Performance will take a big hit, but the focus of Timna is cost-reduction, not breakthrough performance. However, I'd love to see low-cost, high-volume platforms from Timna-based PCs to Playstation 2 consoles really drive Rambus' acceptance into the mainstream in mid-2000. If that happens, and the prices of RDRAM fall to a few notches above SDRAM, then we may see Rambus thrive after all! <TIMNA will be targeted at the "value" segment, and its use of RAMBUS memory will allow it to use the SLOWER speed grades with exceptional performance - due to the on-chip RAMBUS controller.> Yeah, the use of the slower-speed RDRAM chips in Timna-based PCs crossed my mind as well. This should be much better than the MRH-S interim solution. Speaking of which, did you know that Playstation 2 will require PC800 RDRAM? That's right, full-speed RDRAM chips used in the most anticipated game console arriving in 2000. Let Sony drive demand for PC800 RDRAM along with vendors of 820 and 840-based PC workstations, and let Timna mop up the PC600 and PC700 supply. Tenchusatsu

To: Paul Engel who wrote (94384)	12/21/1999 1:03:00 AM
From: Jdaasoc	Respond to of 186894

Paul: Hence, TIMNA will sop up all the 600 and 700 MHz (300/350) RAMBUS chips that are TODAY essentially non-useable because of their inferior performance in Camino/820 or 840 systems. I don't know where you have been but Dell, IBM, HP and Compaq are using 700 MHz speed RDRAM in 820 systems. If for some crazy reason RDRAM is cheap in 6 months it will also be in high yields of 800 MHz as well. Conversely, if RAM manufacturers are still having to classify RDRAM by speed 6 months form now they will also be charging an arm and leg for it too. john