X-bit labs

Mainboard Makers Complain Over Intel Chipset Shortage Again.

Category: Chipsets

by Anton Shilov

[ 09/21/2005 | 11:36 PM ]

Mainboard makers are still not satisfied with supplies of Intel Corp.’s core-logic sets, according to reports in Asian media. In addition to shortage of entry-level chipsets, tight supply for high-end lineup has also occurred, which may potentially slowdown migration to DDR2 memory as well as Intel’s modern central processing units.

Mainboard makers are reported to have claimed about insufficient supplies of both Intel 915-series as well as Intel 945G core-logic products, according to DigiTimes web-site. Silicon Integrated Systems (SiS) and VIA Technologies have not offered equivalent chipsets to Intel’s integrated 945G series, though their equivalent chipsets to Intel’s 915 line are now available, according to the publication. Both chipset designers are expected to produce their next-generation chipsets for Intel Pentium processors in Q1 2006.

Earlier Intel said it refocused production capacities of entry-level chipsets to higher-margin products, which eventually resulted in boosted chipset shipments by VIA Technologies.

Intel 915-series chipsets support mainstream Intel Celeron as well as Intel Pentium 4 processors 500- and 600-series. They also feature dual-channel PC2-4300 memory controllers, a memory type that is gaining popularity among system designers. The Intel 945 chipset family is capable of supporting both high-end Pentium 4 600-series chips as well as dual-core Pentium processors.

Intel declined to confirm or deny the report.

“We don’t confirm or deny speculative stories... we are also in the quiet period before earnings now so we cannot say anything about supply now. The next public words from Intel on all financial issues will come our earnings release and comments in a few weeks,” Intel representative Daniel Snyder told X-bit labs.

Earlier rumours emerged claiming that Intel was buying ATI Technologies’ chipsets with integrated graphics to make mainboards for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).