Well, it looks as if SiS’ attempts to find a chipset manufacturer, which could help them solve their production problems had finally led to some positive results. As we learned from Digitimes, SiS has already placed the first chipset orders with CSM (Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing), the third largest Singapore manufacturer. Although the agreement between the companies doesn’t touch upon the system chipsets so far, but deals with the production of 0.13micron graphics and communicational chips. The mass production also hasn’t been started yet: CSM plans to begin fulfilling the order in mass quantities in early next year when they complete the re-equipment of their production lines. However, this is anyway better than nothing, because SiS will be able to involve the free production lines into mainboard chipsets manufacturing, as they are also in great shortage currently.
By the way, more rumors about SiS negotiating possible outsourcing with TSMC have cropped up. We don’t know what may come out of it in the end, but one thing is undoubtedly clear: VIA (SiS’ competitor and one of TSMC’s largest customers) will not be happy about a positive outcome of these negotiations.