Compaq, Dell take VIA on board

The delay of Camino and Whitney chipsets is pushing major vendors, including Dell and Compaq, into using the alternative VIA chipset. But Intel is responding to the small Taiwanese firm's challenge by saying it will support both PC-133 and AGP in a new BX-2 chipset, a reliable source tells us. However, Intel is denying this story. A spin paramedic in the UK said: "We're still 100 per cent committed to Rambus technology." Ahem. We said this would happen. (Story: Intel forced to support PC 133 SDRAM) Our normally reliable source said: "Camino and Whitney are late because of Rambus delays. In anticipation of that, people are getting ready for PC-133 and Small Rambus. "At the same time, graphics guys are going mad to get four speed AGP. "Into this vacuum comes AGP. The industry, including Compaq and Dell, is saying the VIA chipsets are looking good. "RAM vendors want to sell Rambus because they've invested millions of dollars in the technology. "Intel's solution is the new BX-2 chipset. That means it will support PC-133". ®