Microprocessor
Headline News

Top Stories for October 29, 1999 (details below)
ZD Net News	Intel developing new integrated chip
SiliconValley.com	Intel sees strong demand, plans PC-on-a-chip
C/Net	Increased focus on consumer electronics, Intel execs say
C/Net	Intel execs say faster Pentium plans on track
Semiconductor Business News	Intel to manufacture almost entirely at 0.18-micron a year from now, company says
PC Week Online	Next-generation server architecture gains support
The Register Files
The Register	Chipzilla to spill beans on Willamette later today
The Register	Athlon no threat to Intel World dominance
The Register	AMD set to capitalise from Intel mobile embarrassment
The Register	AMD vs Intel -- our readers write
The Register	AMD runs out of K6-III/400s

Microprocessor Headline News

Collected By Robert R. Collins

Week of October 24, 1999

Older News

October 29, 1999
Intel developing new integrated chip By John G. Spooner October 28, 1999 ZD Net News	Intel Corp., despite early indications to the contrary, expects 1999 to be the best year for the PC business since the mid-1990s. But the company is shifting its focus away from PCs and PC chips -- and developing a new integrated processor code-named "Timna." Intel (Nasdaq:INTC) told analysts Thursday during a Webcast that it weathered the stormy PC market in 1999 -- escaping, for example, the Taiwan earthquake relatively unscathed.
Intel sees strong demand, plans PC-on-a-chip By Reuters October 28, 1999 SiliconValley.com	Intel Corp., the world's largest computer chip maker, said Thursday that it sees very strong demand with tight supply this quarter, but that it intends to meet all the customer demand for its chips. Speaking to analysts in a Webcast conference call conducted over the Internet, Intel executives on Thursday also talked about a new chip in development, code-named Timna, its first ''system-on-a-chip'' product for very low-end PCs or devices.
Increased focus on consumer electronics, Intel execs say By Michael Kanellos October 28, 1999 C/Net	Consumer electronics will begin to occupy more of Intel's time, even though the chipmaker has worked hard to associate itself with the personal computer. Chips for cell phones, set-top boxes, high-speed modems, and Internet devices will all become a larger part of Intel's business plan, company executives said today during a Webcast. "Our principal aim here is to make sure that access is synonymous with Intel processors," Andy Grove, Intel chairman, said during the presentation.
Intel execs say faster Pentium plans on track By Reuters October 28, 1999 C/Net	Intel executives today reiterated their stance on Y2K issues and said plans to release new, faster Pentium III chips were on track. "We see little or no impact, based on a careful study of business conditions, on backlog and inventory" from year 2000 concerns, said Sean Maloney, Intel's senior vice president of sales and marketing. Intel first released its prognosis on Y2K issues during its third-quarter conference call earlier this month.
Intel to manufacture almost entirely at 0.18-micron a year from now, company says By Jack Robertson October 28, 1999 Semiconductor Business News	By the third quarter of 2000, Intel Corp. will have converted 90% of its microprocessor manufacturing capability to 0.18-micron processing. That was the declaration of Paul Otellini, executive vice president of the Intel architecture business group to investment analysts here today. He said the 0.18-micron feature-size die shrinks will allow Intel to produce 30% more chips on each 8-inch wafer. He claimed 0.18-micron processing will be a major factor in reducing the production cost of Pentium III processors in the fourth quarter of 2000 by 50% from the current cost.
Next-generation server architecture gains support By Sonia R. Lelii October 28, 1999 PC Week Online	Even before it was born, the new I/O architecture was christened with four names. It was called Future I/O and Next Generation I/O, when a schism erupted between Intel Corp. and some of its major OEMs over the direction the new standard should take. Then this summer it was renamed System I/O after the two sides declared a truce.
The Register Files
Chipzilla to spill beans on Willamette later today By Peter Sherriff October 28, 1999 The Register	Intel appears to be about to come clean on the early launch of the 'Athlon killer' Willamette, as exclusively revealed here a couple of weeks back. Chipzilla is holding a web briefing for analysts only (don’t want any of those nasty press animals listening in, do we?) later today and CNET reports that Willamette will be high on the agenda. Andy Grove is expected to reveal a Q4 launch for Willamette at 800MHz, going up to 1100MHz in Q1 ’00.
Athlon no threat to Intel World dominance By Peter Sherriff October 28, 1999 The Register	It's awfully hip and trendy these days to spout on about how great it is that AMD has finally got its act together with a credible threat to Intel's dominance. Athlon is winning plaudits from reviewers and Intel has shot itself in the foot yet again (how many feet does Chipzilla have? -- Ed) with the Caminogate cockup. And yes, it is good that Chimpzilla has a good product. It is also vastly amusing that the top banana has fallen flat on its face (that's enough metaphors -- Ed) with the i820.
AMD set to capitalise from Intel mobile embarrassment By Mike Magee October 28, 1999 The Register	The lack of ability of Intel to supply .18 micron Pentium IIIs to its channel dealers and distributors in volume until next year has given AMD a rare window of opportunity to sell its products. AMD officially released its 25th October prices yesterday but the prices of its mobile processors are unchanged. That demonstrates its products are holding solid compared to the extremely volatile desktop processor market.
AMD vs Intel -- our readers write By Peter Sherriff October 28, 1999 The Register	So far almost 100 readers have given me a piece of their mind on yesterday's piece concerning Athlon posing no real threat to Intel. Some of the pieces of mind have been returned to their owners as they obviously need all the pieces they can lay their hands on, but the overwhelming view seems to be that AMD isn't a threat to Intel, this is a shame, and Athlon is great.
AMD runs out of K6-III/400s By Mike Magee October 28, 1999 The Register	Chip company Advanced Micro Devices has hit its target of selling 1.3 million K6-III/400s this quarter and is now out of stock of the devices, sources close to the company claimed. While that's good news for AMD in one sense, the reports highlight the vulnerable nature of chip production.


October 28, 1999
Intel's RDRAM strategy: Let the market decide By Jack Robertson October 27, 1999 Semiconductor Business News	After holding much of the PC industry in a nelson while it dictated the use of Direct Rambus DRAM in next-generation platforms, Intel Corp. now appears to be loosening its grip. The chip giant's strategy now is to let the market decide the winners in the next-generation memory chips, according to several sources. Sherry Garber, semiconductor analyst with Phoenix-based Semico Research Inc. and a Rambus skeptic, said she was hearing from her key contacts that Intel was preparing to support whatever type of memory chips the market demands, without trying to dictate Direct Rambus.
New Name For Unified I/O Standards Group By Marcia Savage October 27, 1999 Computer Reseller News	Two groups of industry heavyweights that battled for months over a new I/O specification for next-generation servers came together Wednesday to formally kick off their recently unified effort. Previously known as System I/O when the two camps initially announced their compromise Aug. 31, the organization now is called the InfiniBand Trade Association. The group, led by Intel Corp., IBM Corp. and others, announced the new name and eight new sponsoring members at an industry event held here.
October 27, 1999
Intel, Microsoft become first Nasdaq stocks in Dow October 26, 1999 SiliconValley.com	Intel and Microsoft are being added to the Dow Jones industrial average, becoming the first Nasdaq stocks ever chosen by The Wall Street Journal for the market's best-known measure and another sign of the economic shift away from smokestacks to technology. Shares of the retailer Home Depot and the telephone company SBC Communications are also being added to the Dow, replacing Sears Roebuck, Goodyear Tire & Rubber, Chevron and Union Carbide.
Intel, AMD lower prices with chip introduction By Michael Kanellos October 26, 1999 C/Net	Intel and AMD cut processor prices up to 24 percent with the introduction of 15 new chips from Intel, a combination of events that will likely lead to cheaper high-end PCs for the holidays. The cuts, which coincided with the release of the "Coppermine" Pentium IIIs from Intel, largely took place at the performance end of the processor segment. The new processors, which contain architectural enhancements, run at various speeds from 450 MHz to 733 MHz and are aimed at more deluxe PCs and notebooks.
Coppermine bug is a false alarm says Intel Intel dismisses Coppermine motherboard tests By Will Knight October 26, 1999 ZD Net UK	German computing magazine c't has according to Intel erroneously reported a possible flaw in the 733MHz Coppermine chip after testing the chip with the notoriously faulty i820 motherboard, which has since been withdrawn by Intel. The magazine's review of the chip hinted at possible flaws in the compiler optimisation as well as the new level one/level two cache. As Intel is keen to point out, however, this can all be dismissed as a false alarm after it has emerged that tests were carried out on the i820.	(See Below)
The Register Files
Huge shortages, technical problems hit Intel Coppermine debut By Mike Magee October 26, 1999 The Register	Internal Intel documents have revealed a massive shortage of Coppermine parts, just a day after Chipzilla beat its chest to the world's press, and bellowed: "Look how well I've done". The mobile Pentium III is in particularly short supply, with distributors and dealers being told that boxed units are now unlikely to arrive in volume until Q1 of 2000, with availability still very limited in Q4.
Bug in 733MHz Coppermine? No one has stocks anyway... By Mike Magee October 26, 1999 The Register	Authoritative German magazine c't is reporting that there could be a bug in Intel's latest flagship desktop chip, the 733MHz 0.18 micron Pentium III. But Intel says that the problem is down to the defect in the i820 chipset the magazine used to test the Coppermine chip. In the latest printed edition of the magazine, which reviews the Coppermine processor, the magazine reports compiler optimisation errors using both Intel and Microsoft software.
Today's Related Stories
AMD cuts Athlon prices up to 18 percent By John G. Spooner October 26, 1999 ZDNet News	Advanced Micro Devices Inc. has dropped prices on its flagship Athlon processor by as much as 18 percent. The Sunnyvale, Calif., chip maker wasted no time in responding to arch-rival Intel Corp.'s (INTC) Pentium III chip launch on Monday and corresponding price reductions. For customers, AMD's (AMD) price cuts make the Athlon chip somewhat more affordable than Intel's (INTC) latest Pentium III chips, running at the same clock speed.
October 26, 1999
Intel launches family of 15 new processors By Reuters October 25, 1999 SiliconValley.com	Intel Corp. Monday unveiled 15 new Pentium processors, including a lightning-fast 733 megahertz version in a bid to reclaim its position as the maker of the world's fastest microprocessors from rival Advanced Micro Devices Inc. Earlier this month, AMD scored an unusual coup against its Silicon Valley rival by launching a 700 megahertz version of its new Athlon chip family, unseating Intel whose fastest processor on the desktop was a 600 megahertz Pentium III.
Intel rolls out RDRAM chip set along with Coppermine By Will Wade October 25, 1999 EE Times	Intel Corp. has finally brought out the last pieces of the puzzle required to support a Rambus DRAM-based system, unveiling Coppermine, a faster version of its Pentium III microprocessor using a 0.18-micron manufacturing process, and the 840 chip set designed for workstations and servers. This is not to be confused with the 820 chip set, code-named Camino, which was scheduled to launch last month but was pulled back in the face of an embarrassing last-minute technical glitch.
IBM promotes adoption of DDR memory designs through new Web site October 25, 1999 Semiconductor Business News	Hoping to establish double data rate (DDR) memory technology in the mainstream, IBM Corp. today announced a Web site designed to help chip, module and system designers to develop DDR-based products and systems. The site will contain detailed technical information and memory module design files, readily available to registered users. "IBM is committed to the success of DDR as a mainstream memory solution," said James Karl, memory marketing and applications manager at IBM Microelectronics in Fishkill. "As we have previously done with PC100 and PC133 registered dual in-line memory modules, we are continuing to provide industry support for the development of system solutions using the latest industry standard memory technology."
D-Day for Intel's Pentium III By John G. Spooner October 25, 1999 ZDNet News	Intel Corp.'s launch of Pentium III chips Monday morning will be its largest single processor launch ever. For end users, the new chips mean systems with more bang for the buck when it comes to price and performance. Intel (INTC) is rolling out 15 new Pentium III chips -- including nine new desktop Pentium III processors ranging from 500MHz to 733MHz and the first mobile Pentium III chips. The new chips offer higher clock speed performance for comparatively low prices. The 733MHz desktop Pentium III, for example, will cost $776.
PC makers roll out powerful PIII notebooks By John G. Spooner October 25, 1999 ZDNet News	PC makers on Monday let fly a number of fast notebook computers based on Intel Corp.'s new Coppermine chips. The notebooks, from IBM (IBM), Hewlett-Packard Co. (HWP), Gateway Inc. (GTW) and Dell Computer Corp. (DELL) have one thing in common: They are all based on mobile Pentium III processors released by Intel (INTC) on Monday. The mobile chips, which are available at 450MHz and 500MHz as well as 400MHz for mini-notebooks, are important to notebook users because they will generally offer greater performance for the same, or even slightly better, battery life.
ATI aims Rage 128 graphics chip for mobile use By Will Wade October 25, 1999 EE Times	ATI Technologies Inc. has used its Rage 128 graphics accelerator core as the basis for a mobile chip that the company claims is now the fastest graphics accelerator in the laptop market. While the desktop marketplace is focusing on low cost, ATI is attacking the notebook market with high-end devices, the same strategy that has boosted its market share for the past two years. "This product will absolutely be the fastest mobile graphics chip available in the year 2000," said Bill Henry, director of mobile component marketing for ATI. He said that internal testing shows the Rage Mobility 128 is some 60 percent faster than competing products in 3-D applications, and 20 percent faster for 2-D applications. "This means that a mobile user can get the same performance as a desktop user, with no compromises," Henry said.
The Register Files
Caminogate: the plot thickens like caramel By Mike Magee October 25, 1999 The Register	Sources close to Intel's technologies have taken time to sift through the i820 debacle (Caminogate) and have pointed to fundamental flaws in the chip firm's validation plans. (We didn't think it was long before we started writing about this stuff again -- see yesterday's Strange Whiff story). The reliable source points to an Intel developer page dealing with RDRAM validation and says that the validation process is statistically meaningless, given the number of components (from two to five) that were tested.
Intel Coppermine chips: now the goldmine is official... By Mike Magee October 25, 1999 The Register	Intel has now confirmed the introduction of a total of fifteen Pentium III and Pentium III Xeons using its .18 micron (Coppermine) technology and supplied prices. At the same time, it has cut prices on its existing .25 micron parts (tinmine?) which will be phased out as soon as it can convert its factories to the newer and faster process. It's something of a relief to all of us here at The Register, because it means we won't have to write about it for a while. But that's probably only for a short while...
AMD intros $666 700MHz Athlon, cuts prices By Mike Magee October 25, 1999 The Register	AMD introduced its 700MHz Athlon processor today, as expected, and quietly trashed the big surprise Chipzilla was hoping for with the introduction of its Coppermine PIII chips by cutting prices on others in the range. And AMD scored a further feather in its anti-Intel cap, as chipset company SiS has just announced it will support Athlon processors too. The top of the range Pentium III killer, the 700MHz Athlon, costs $666 in quantity. The 650MHz part now costs $510, the 600MHz part $406, the 550MHz Athlon $269 and the 500MHz Athlon price remains the same.
Today's Related Stories
Intel Debuts 15 New Pentium III Chips Reclaims megahertz lead By Marcia Savage October 25, 1999 Computer Reseller News	Targeting everything from desktops and mobile PCs to workstations and servers, Intel Corp. Monday launched 15 new Pentium III chips. "This is the largest launch in terms of products in Intel's 31-year history," said Paul Otellini, executive vice president and general manager of the Intel Architecture Business Group, at a press event held here. With its new 733MHz Pentium III, Intel reclaimed the lead in the megahertz race with Advanced Micro Devices Inc. AMD, Sunnyvale, Calif., introduced a 700MHz Athlon processor earlier this month.
October 25, 1999
Coppermine launch to spark servers, Rambus workstations By Stephen Shankland October 21, 1999 C/Net	Major computer manufacturers will unveil high-end systems Monday based on Intel's new Pentium III and Pentium III Xeon processors, but the debut won't be a total victory for the chipmaking giant. The enhanced Pentium III chips, code named "Coppermine," and the new "Cascades" Xeon processors will bring dramatic performance improvements of more than 10 percent beyond the performance of existing designs, analysts and manufacturers say. But in many leading computer makers' systems, the phrase "Intel Inside" will apply only to the central processing unit (CPU).
PC makers struggle with Coppermine strategy By Joe Wilcox October 22, 1999 C/Net	PC makers face hard decisions as they prepare new PC systems around Intel's Coppermine processor. Coppermine, an enhanced version of the Pentium III processor that will run at speeds from 600 MHz to 733 MHz, is set to breathe new life into notebooks, workstations, and servers. But Coppermine's impact on desktop systems is tarnished by the delay of Intel's 820 chipset, leaving gapping holes in many PC maker's product lines. The 820 was delayed at the last minute, which forced PC makers to scramble.
Pentium III notebooks set to debut By Brooke Crothers October 22, 1999 C/Net	Plenty of new notebook computers, powered for the first time by Intel's improved Pentium III processor, will hit the market on Monday, while for desktops Intel will take back the speed title from AMD with a 733-MHz version of the chip. Next week's debutants are centered around the "Coppermine" processor, an enhanced version of the Pentium III that was originally due in September. The Coppermine Pentium IIIs--which will be seen in notebooks, desktops, workstations, and servers--will run faster than current Pentium IIIs and contain modifications that will boost performance.
Carmel chip set may reveal future of Intel's Rambus memory program By Jack Robertson October 22, 1999 Electronic Buyers' News	When Intel Corp. takes the wraps off its next-generation Intel 840 (or Carmel, as it is code-named) workstation/server chip set Monday, evidence of the chip maker's long-awaited high-speed memory program could finally be made clear. Like its sister chip set, the Intel 820, or Camino, the high-performance Intel 840 has long been known to use Direct Rambus DRAM as its preferred memory flavor. The last-minute postponement of the Camino project last month, however, brought Direct RDRAM's longevity into question and has left Carmel as Intel's only chip set capable of supporting its new 700-MHz Coppermine processor, which will be introduced Monday with both a 133-MHz frontside bus and a high-speed AGP 4X interface to external graphics chips.
Vendors grumbling over Intel's 820 chip set delays By Ephraim Schwartz October 22, 1999 InfoWorld Electric	The delay in Intel's shipping of its 820 chip set for Pentium III processors is the subject of much grousing within the industry. Although few vendors would address the issue on the record, most appeared to be unhappy with this turn of events. "We don't expect to sell the new 733-MHz Pentium III desktop until the 820 is ready," said one vendor, who requested anonymity.
Intel to draw even with AMD? By John G. Spooner October 21, 1999 ZDNet News	Direct Rambus Dynamic RAM will finally make its debut Monday -- along with Intel 840, a new chip set for workstations and low-end servers. Rambus, Intel Corp.'s new memory technology, has been controversial, suffering setbacks in June and again in September when the chip maker delayed the introduction of its 820 chip set for high-performance desktop PCs.
AMD opens Dresden fab, ramps production for shipments in early 2000 October 20, 1999 Semiconductor Business News	Advanced Micro Devices Inc. today dedicated Fab 30, its advanced wafer fab in Dresden, Germany. Activity is currently focused on characterization and qualification of the facility. The Sunnyvale, Calif.-based chip maker expects to begin production of Athlon processors with copper interconnect technology later this quarter, with first shipments planned for the second quarter of next year.
For PC makers, `tis the season to be worried By Mark Hachman October 15, 1999 Electronic Buyers' News	Shortages of critical components, price hikes, and product delays are sowing uncertainty in the PC industry, forcing almost weekly supply re-evaluations through the end of the year. In a normal season, PC makers would be putting the finishing touches on their holiday models. But the Oct. 25 introduction of Intel Corp.'s Coppermine processor, the delay to its Camino/Direct Rambus DRAM platform, and the possible launch later this year of Windows 2000 will force some OEMs to redesign their PCs at least twice as they gear up for the holidays.
The Register Files
Copper Athlon hits 900MHz, AMD cranks 1GHz-plus production By John Lettice October 20, 1999 The Register	AMD says it has already produced a copper interconnect Athlon running "at speeds in excess of 900MHz" at its Dresden Fab 30, which formally opened today. The chip was a pre-production version, but AMD intends to bring copper Athlon production fully on-stream at Dresden later this year. This however will be the qualification process, and from today's announcements it's clear AMD intends to keep users gagging for 1GHz Athlons for a while longer yet. Full scale production will commence over the next few months, and the company doesn't expect "revenue shipments" (i.e. real, live product on sale) until the second quarter of next year.
Russian Merced killer firm confirms Transmeta link By Mike Magee October 24, 1999 The Register	The Russian microprocessor startup firm which claims its E2K chip could give Intel's Merced-Itanium a run for its money, is claiming links with Transmeta, Cygnus, Avant! and Sun. Boris Babayan, scientific head of Elbrus, used to work for the Soviet Government and claims his team of architects pioneered a number of developments in architecture design. Those claims are hotly disputed by many senior chip architects in the US.
Intel i820 update leaks By Mike Magee October 20, 1999 The Register	An internal Intel slide has revealed more details about the Rambus memory problem which scuttled the launch of the i820 Camino chipset, causing angry flushed faces at Chipzilla Central. And an Intel customer, who does not wish to be named, has now told us that he is expecting his two-RIMM mobos to arrive in late November.
Strange whiff surrounds Intel's great i820 shambles By Mike Magee October 24, 1999 The Register	Dell, Samsung and Intel have their own related reasons for the delay of the i820 Camino chipset, it has emerged. Technical mistakes that were announced just a few days before the release of the i820 and Intel's own Vancouver motherboard are more to do with the chip giant's inability to design working circuit boards and with its relationship with Dell and Samsung, according to well placed sources close to the companies' plans.
USB Bug found with fast AMD chips, Win98SE By Mike Magee October 24, 1999 The Register	People with AMD microprocessors running at clock speeds over 350MHz and who use Windows 98 Second Edition need a workaround if they're using USB devices. The Microsoft support site, which has a specific page on the problem here, is offering a downloadable file which it claims will solve the problem. According to the site, people with PCs that use a Via USB controller and an AMD processor clocking at 350MHz or faster, could have problems making their USB peripherals works.

Microprocessor Headline News

Week of October 24, 1999

October 29, 1999

The Register Files

October 28, 1999

October 27, 1999

Coppermine bug is a false alarm says Intel Intel dismisses Coppermine motherboard tests

The Register Files

October 26, 1999

The Register Files

Intel Debuts 15 New Pentium III Chips Reclaims megahertz lead

October 25, 1999

The Register Files

Microprocessor
Headline News

Coppermine bug is a false alarm says Intel
Intel dismisses Coppermine motherboard tests

Intel Debuts 15 New Pentium III Chips
Reclaims megahertz lead