Microprocessor
Headline News

Top Stories for May 5, 2000 (details below)
C/Net	Intel workers indicted in alleged software piracy ring
ZDNet News	Intel's 'Timna' aims to kick-start low-end PCs
The Register Files
The Register	AMD sold out of Flash well into 2001
The Register	AMD Thunderbird hits mobo problem
The Register	Intel changes core on mobile Coppermines

Microprocessor Headline News

Collected By Robert R. Collins

Week of April 30, 2000

Older News

May 5, 2000
Intel workers indicted in alleged software piracy ring By Reuters May 4, 2000 C/Net	Prosecutors today announced the indictment of a global ring of suspected software thieves and five workers at chipmaker Intel who allegedly exchanged hardware for access to an array of pirated software. A federal grand jury in Chicago indicted 17 people, including a former Microsoft employee and two Europeans, for allegedly infringing the copyrights on more than 5,000 computer software programs. Of those indicted, 12 allegedly were members of the group known as "Pirates with Attitudes" (PWA), a software piracy ring that was infiltrated by government investigators last year.
Intel's 'Timna' aims to kick-start low-end PCs By John G. Spooner May 4, 2000 ZDNet News	Intel Corp.'s forthcoming Timna chip could revitalize the stalled market for sub-$600 PCs -- or prove to be another expensive stumble in attempts by chip makers to jam more features on a single chip. The issue: Are PC buyers willing to accept lower clock speed and overall expandability in exchange for a lower price tag? Timna, it was revealed last week, will be introduced at a clock speed of at least 600MHz in the second half of the year. Designed for low-cost desktop PCs, the chip will integrate a processor core, graphics engine and memory controller with the aim of reducing cost.
The Register Files
AMD sold out of Flash well into 2001 By Mike Magee May 4, 2000 The Register	Chip company AMD confirmed today that it has sold out of its entire Flash capacity not just for the year 2000, but for next year too. AMD has a joint venture with Fujitsu, dubbed FASL, which has five fabs around the world producing product. Peter Heinrich, director of marketing of AMD's memory group in Europe, said, however, that it was unlikely consumers will be affected by the shortages, caused by a vast increase in demand for mobile phones.
AMD Thunderbird hits mobo problem By Andrew Thomas May 4, 2000 The Register	A big welcome please, for... Thunderbirdgate. Or should that be ThunderVIAbirdgate? AMD users hoping to update to the next slot A version of Athlon, the Thunderbird, are in for a disappointment. Our friends at Tecchannel in Germany have a story here detailing timing problems with the Slot A version of the chip (the socket A version is OK, apparently) and VIA's KX-133. The upcoming KZ-133 and AMD's own Irongate chipsets are reported to work fine. More than 30 Slot A motherboards currently use the KX-133.
Intel changes core on mobile Coppermines By Mike Magee May 4, 2000 The Register	Chip giant Intel has issued one of its now infamous Product Change Notification (PCN) documents, alerting distributors and system integrators to changes in the core of Pentium III mobile processors which will happen on the 5th of June next. The PCN document, dated the 27th of April, and numbered #968, tells customers that stepping on the processors, used in notebook PCs, will change from cA2 to cB0.
May 4, 2000
Acer's first-quarter revenue hurt by Intel chip shortage By James Niccolai May 3, 2000 Infoworld.com	Acer's after tax profit soared more than 400 percent in its first fiscal quarter, but the company's revenue dipped more than 10 percent mainly due to a shortage of processors from Intel, the Taiwanese PC maker announced Tuesday. Acer's after-tax profit reached $90 million, up more than 400 percent from the $17.29 million reported a year ago. Earnings per share after taxes were 29 cents, up from 6 cents a share in the same period last year, Acer said in a statement issued Tuesday.
CPU roadmap: Intel and AMD's new chips A raft of new chips is on the way from Intel, with AMD in hot pursuit By Matthew Broersma May 3, 2000 ZD Net UK	By the end of the year, the picture will have changed dramatically for consumer and high-end PCs. Intel and AMD are both planning to release a raft of new processors, bringing new capabilities, greater simplicity and lower prices to consumers. The next chips to appear will probably be AMD's Duron and "Thunderbird" chips, respectively for the value and mainstream PC markets (Thunderbird is a code name). Both are derived from the Athlon architecture introduced last autumn. The chips will be AMD's first high-end processors to integrate the L2 cache onto the die, allowing the cache access speed to keep up with the processor speed. AMD says both chips will have more L2 memory than Intel's rival Celeron and Pentium III processors.
VIA: Past, Present & Future May 3, 2000 Chick's Hardware	Back in the days when AMD was a laugh to Intel, VIA was making "low cost" chipsets for Intel and AMD CPUs. They were early supporters of the Super Socket Seven Standard, forcing OEM's and Consumers to buy from either VIA or just a handful of other smaller companies chipsets. All of which were plagued with hardware and software compatibility problems. Today, VIA is regarded as a company with a definite future. Instead of making products for entry level computers, they now make chipsets that even meet even the high standards of hard core gamers and overclockers (and you know they have the highest standards). How did VIA make this jump?
Intel considers Israeli expansion By George Leopold May 3, 2000 EE Times	Intel Corp. is considering an expansion of its chip-making operations in Israel that would include a new 0.13-micron fabrication facility, according to Israel's Ministry of Finance. The investment in new manufacturing facilities could total as much as $3.5 billion, the ministry said, and would make Intel one of the largest foreign investors in the Middle Eastern state. Intel officials met on Monday (May 1) with Abraham Shohat, the Israeli finance minister, and are reportedly seeking government aid to help finance the expansion project. The Israeli government plans an immediate review of Intel's request, Shohat said.
The Register Files
Supplies of Intel, AMD chips improving By Mike Magee May 3, 2000 The Register	Shortages of both Athlon and Coppermine Pentium III processors are decreasing, according to PC vendors close to the companies' plans. But there is still lack of supply on some parts, while smaller system integrators are likely to suffer the most across all processor speed ranges. Supplies of Intel Celerons at 500MHz and 600MHz processors are still constrained, according to one major PC vendor, but Pentium III 600MHz and 733MHz Coppermines are now widely available, the firm said.
May 3, 2000
Start-up change of heart derails AMD plans May 2, 2000 C/Net	In a blow to Advanced Micro Devices, HotRail has decided to focus on the networking market and shelve plans to develop chips that would have helped AMD get into servers. HotRail had been working on a chipset, a collection of chips that connects the processor to the rest of the computer, that would have allowed computer makers to build six and eight processor servers using Advanced Micro Device's (AMD) Athlon chip. Servers remain one of the most profitable markets for processor manufacturers. To date, Intel has experienced virtually no competition from its leading rival.
HotRail cools on chip sets, switches to I/O By Craig Matsumoto May 2. 2000 EE Times	Chip vendor HotRail Inc. has dropped its product development plans for the PC chip set arena in favor of what it sees as a more promising market: transceivers and switch fabrics that push higher bandwidth out of parallel buses. Formerly named Poseidon Technology, HotRail (San Jose, Calif.) had developed core logic for four- and eight-processor servers based on Advanced Micro Devices Inc.'s Athlon chip. But as AMD's attention shifted away from high-end servers, HotRail dropped that project and applied the technology to networking.
The Register Files
HotRail quits chipset biz, AMD flummoxed By Mike Magee May 2, 2000 The Register	Semiconductor firm HotRail quietly announced at the end of last week that it would bale out of the high end PC chipset market, throwing AMD's six-way and eight-way server plans into some confusion. The firm was developing a high end server chipset for AMD and it is certain that it will now be forced to hunt around for another solution. Reliance, now called ServerWorks, could provide the necessary support for up and coming offerings targeting Intel's iron grip on the lucrative six way and eight way market.
DDR vs Rambus: the saga never ends By Mike Magee May 2, 2000 The Register	A report on a Taiwanese wire that double data rate (DDR) memory will ship to the tune of seven million chipsets in the second half of this year has, once more, forced us to return to the hoary (or is it hairy) old subject of how well chipset based on this type of memory will do against Rambus memory. The report, which you can find at Ace's Hardware, is a lot of DDR memory and cannot be totally accounted for by sales of workstation and high-end servers. Intel, and a number of its main PC customers, have committed to using DDR in a wide range of up-and-coming products.
Intel Pentium II best thing since, err, Pentium III By Mike Magee May 2, 2000 The Register	Earlier this year, The Register reported that large European distributors were being offered Pentium II chips in a bid by Intel to bridge a shocking shortage of its Coppermine Pentium III processors. At the beginning of the year, they were told of widespread availability of the Pentium II 400MHz processor, although their jaws dropped at the idea of actually trying to persuade their system builders and resellers to use it, rather than Pentium IIIs or AMD Athlons.
May 2, 2000
Intel outlines how it's changing itself in long-range vision for analysts By Richard Doherty May 1, 2000 EE Times	Intel Corp.'s annual analysts briefing here last week was short on technology details but long on vision and product sneak peeks. The world's largest semiconductor company is broadening its portfolio of semiconductor, services, software and funding solutions to empower Internet growth at all levels. "The environment is changing in a very profound fashion," warned Andy Grove, chairman of the Santa Clara, Calif.-based company. "The key factor that is motivating us is the realization that the Internet runs on silicon. Our strategy . . . is simply to follow the bits as they traverse from computer to computer, to the Internet structure and back again."
Intel: Caught with its PIIIs down By John G. Spooner April 27, 2000 ZDNet News	Company admits it underestimated chip demand when switching to .18-micron process, but blames continuing boom in PC and related hardware demand. Reports of the death of the PC have been grossly exaggerated, Intel officials told analysts here Thursday at the company's annual New York Analysts Meeting. In fact, demand for PCs has been so strong, it's been the root of Intel's problems in delivering enough processors, top-level company officials said.
Phoenix throttles CPU power PowerSuite BIOS tool regulates processor speed to keep notebooks humming By Ken Popovich May 1, 2000 PC Week Online	New software will enable notebook PC users to control the speed of a laptop's processor; if used properly, that could translate into extended battery life. PowerSuite 4.0 from Phoenix Technologies Ltd., which makes BIOS software that is integrated into about 70 million PCs annually, is designed to optimize power management and extend a laptop's battery life.
Rambus module prices fall by 35%, but premiums still apply By Jack Robertson May 1, 2000 Semiconductor Business News	Direct Rambus DRAM module (RIMM) prices dropped last week by as much as 35%, according to a leading module manufacturer, but a gaping four- to five-fold open-market premium still hangs over the would-be successor to SDRAM. And with double-data-rate (DDR) SDRAM coming later this year at a performance level more in line with the Rambus architecture, industry purchasers say the price differential--as with virtually all commodity products--will play a large role in determining which memory will prevail in the market.
May 1, 2000
Intel to phase out serial number feature By Michael Kanellos April 27, 2000 C/Net	Intel will phase out its practice of stamping serial numbers on its processors with the next generation of chips, the final chapter in a public relations fiasco. Intel spokesman Howard High confirmed today that the company will not include serial numbers on the next generation of its processors, code-named Willamette, that will be released later this year. The identification numbers will continue to be used in the Pentium III.
Intel's Willamette Will Not Have Controversial Security Feature By Marcia Savage April 27, 2000 Computer Reseller News	Intel Corp.'s upcoming Willamette chip will not include the controversial processor serial number, a move applauded by privacy advocates. The security feature sparked a storm of controversy when it was introduced last year in the Pentium III processor. An Intel spokesman confirmed Thursday that Willamette, scheduled for introduction later this year, will not include the serial number.
AMD, Intel to exchange barbs with rival strategies By Michael Kanellos April 26, 2000 C/Net	Intel and Advanced Micro Devices will take their long-running feud to New York City tomorrow, when Intel holds its semiannual analysts' meeting and AMD conducts a meeting for its stockholders. High-level executives from each company will discuss both short- and long-term strategies and no doubt will take the opportunity to throw veiled barbs at each other. Intel is expected to discuss its ongoing plan to expand beyond computer processors, and AMD will talk about Thunderbird, Spitfire, Corvette and other Athlon processors coming later this year.
Intel's New Strategy: 'Follow The Bits' By Eric Hausman April 27, 2000 Computer Reseller News	Much of the discussion at Intel Corp.'s financial analyst meeting Thursday focused on what the company is doing to help build the Internet infrastructure. Intel unveiled new offerings and provided a road map for how the company is working with new e-business players to meet their needs. Intel Chairman Andy Grove kicked off the conference in New York by telling the audience that Intel's strategy is to "follow the bits" in the new technology age.
Intel to undergo major reorganization By Ken Popovich April 27, 2000 PC Week Online	In a dramatic move to address some of the problems that have plagued the company over the last year, Intel Corp. is undergoing a major reorganization, an Intel official confirmed today. Pat Gelsinger, vice president and general manager of Intel's desktop products group, discussed the changes in an interview following his keynote address at Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) in New Orleans.
Intel merges processor, architecture groups to increase offering in Internet applications April 27, 2000 Semiconductor Business News	In a move to strengthen its platform and chip offerings for Internet applications, Intel Corp. today announced the merger of its microprocessor and architecture business groups. The new group, called Intel Architecture Group, will oversee development of microprocessors, chip sets, motherboards, systems and related software at the platform level. The group will also will handle Intel's platform activities in the enterprise segment (servers and workstations), desktop PCs and mobile computing markets. Research and technology laboratory activities in the two groups have been combined under one organization.
AMD readies new processor for market By Will Wade April 28, 2000 EE Times	Advanced Micro Devices Inc. is preparing to launch a new microprocessor aimed at the low-cost desktop market: the Duron chip. Previously known by its code name Spitfire, the device features on-die L2 cache and will be produced with 0.18-micron line widths. Duron was designed to compete against arch-rival Intel Corp.'s Celeron line, and will utilize a new packaging the company is calling Socket A. AMD is moving away from the slot infrastructure demanded by off-die caches, partly because the smaller, 0.18-micron process allows integration of L2 cache onto all of their processors.
AMD names low-end processor Duron By Michael Kanellos April 27, 2000 C/Net	Advanced Micro Devices has named its upcoming low-end processor Duron, and now the debate has shifted to how much the chip will actually cost. In its shareholders' meeting in New York City, AMD announced that Spitfire, the code name for a low-cost version of its Athlon chip, will be called Duron when it hits the market in June. The chip, a competitor to Intel's Celeron processor, will go into sub-$1,000 PCs and effectively replace AMD's K6-2 line.
AMD's new Duron processor is an 'instant classic' By Mark Hachman April 27, 2000 Electronic Buyers' News	Advanced Micro Devices Inc. today rolled out its new low-cost processor family, dubbed the "Duron," proving once again that you should have paid attention in Latin class. While the details may be of secondary importance to OEMs, AMD's latest branding strategy is a classicist's dream.
AMD readies mobile Corvette processor for 2H launch By Mark Hachman April 26, 2000 Electronic Buyers' News	Advanced Micro Devices Inc. has disclosed that a mobile version of its Athlon microprocessor called Corvette will ship in the second half of the year. The company declined to reveal the Corvette's introductory speed grade, but did say the chip will complement the Mustang, a desktop version of the same processor that also is due in the second half.
Intel offers long vision for analysts By Richard Doherty April 28, 2000 EE Times	Intel's annual analysts briefing here this week was short on technology details but long on vision and product sneak peeks. The world's largest semiconductor company is broadening its portfolio of semiconductor, services, software and funding solutions to empower Internet growth at all levels. “The environment is changing in a very profound fashion,” warned Intel chairman Andy Grove. “The key factor that is motivating us is the realization that the Internet runs on silicon. Our strategy . . . is simply to follow the bits as they traverse from computer to computer, to the Internet structure and back again.”
Intel inside isn't just for PCs anymore By Michael Kanellos April 28, 2000 C/Net	Intel inside isn't just for PCs anymore. In its semiannual meeting with financial analysts yesterday in New York, the chipmaking giant's executive team reiterated a product strategy that calls for the company to manufacture components and provide services for as many crucial segments of the Internet as possible. "The Internet runs on silicon, and you want to follow the bits," said CEO Craig Barrett. "Our intent is to have all those bits run on Intel products."
Intel retrains sights to target Internet economy By Andrew MacLellan April 28, 2000 Electronic Buyers' News	Intel Corp. Thursday enacted a major policy shift in an ongoing effort to recast itself as something more than the world's leading supplier of microprocessors and chipsets. Speaking to financial analysts at a semi-annual meeting in New York, Intel executives said the company will shed its product-driven focus for one led by end markets -- part of its evolution to a provider of “building blocks” for the Internet.
The Register Files
Intel plays for legal time with Via By Mike Magee April 26, 2000 The Register	Chip giant Intel appears to have taken fresh legal action against chipset and CPU manufacturer Via. The latest action, which was filed in the US on the 13th April, was filed against Via US and Via Taiwan, and scant details are at present available about the nature of the latest suit. According to a Via representative, the action is not a fresh legal move, but an attempt by Intel to gain extra time in its continuing tussle. Intel was unable to clarify the position.
Via roadmap found on road to Damascus By Mike Magee April 27, 2000 The Register	Hard details are beginning to emerge about the shape of Via's CPU roadmap, although some of here at The Register are scratching our heads about some of the elements of its CPU future. Meanwhile, German site Tec Channel has a photograph of a Socket A motherboard Via is touting.
Price drops don't mean Intel prices dropped By Mike Magee April 27, 2000 The Register	On the 23rd of April last, Intel dropped its prices on a range of microprocessors, including Xeons, Pentium IIIs and its low end Celeron range. But a change in the published prices of chips does not necessarily mean that you will be able to buy any of these products cheaper, particularly given the level of shortages mainstream PC companies, as well as the distribution market, are currently suffering.
So farewell then, Intel PSN By Andrew Thomas April 28, 2000 The Register	Intel, that most famously-paranoid of organisations, has made a major U-turn thanks in part to paranoia from its customers and apathy from software firms. A year ago, the chip behemoth's monstro PR department was pouring supertanker loads of oil on troubled waters in a bid to quell public unrest over the processor serial number (PSN) introduced with the Pentium III. PSN would be part of all future Intel processors; it offered security benefits and helped IT departments in asset management.
Intel dampens down Willamette fever By Mike Magee April 28, 2000 The Register	Heavyweight Intel executives told Wall Street financial analysts yesterday that Willamette is likely to arrive in the last quarter of this year, thus putting a more realistic spin on expectations aroused by senior executive Pat Gelsinger earlier this week. At the same time, Intel re-iterated its push to take advantage of opportunities offered by the Internet, and said that it would invest further money in ventures aimed at growing this side of the firm's business.
AMD unveils Celeron basher By Andrew Thomas April 27, 2000 The Register	AMD's rival for Celeron in the sub-$1,000 segement, previously codenamed Spitfire, has been badged Duron, which we are assured is derived from the Latin words for "to last" and "unit". Our research reveals the sordid truth: Duron was a composer who died of TB in 1716 after being accused by the Catholic Church for the decadence of Spanish music.

Microprocessor Headline News

Week of April 30, 2000

The Register Files

CPU roadmap: Intel and AMD's new chips A raft of new chips is on the way from Intel, with AMD in hot pursuit

The Register Files

The Register Files

Phoenix throttles CPU power PowerSuite BIOS tool regulates processor speed to keep notebooks humming

The Register Files

Microprocessor
Headline News

CPU roadmap: Intel and AMD's new chips
A raft of new chips is on the way from Intel, with AMD in hot pursuit

Phoenix throttles CPU power
PowerSuite BIOS tool regulates processor speed to keep notebooks humming