Intel comes clean over i820 delay

Intel today confirmed the indefinite delay of its i820 chipset, while launching the i810 chipset and two new Pentium III processors. Chipzilla came clean this morning -– when everyone had been expecting the i820 to put in its first appearance -– saying there were errors in the memory configuration. Reports of the delay started to leak out on Friday. In a statement, Intel said: "[Intel has] delayed the introduction of its Intel 820 chipset due to platform validation issues that may result in memory errors. "Intel is working to identify and validate solutions to these issues and will introduce this chipset after they have been resolved," it added. An Intel spokeswoman said the issue involved the three memory slots in the chipset. Faults, discovered late last week by Intel, occurred when all three slots were at full capacity. According to the Intel Insider, root of the problem is proving elusive: "We are working round the clock to fix the problem," she said. She then came out with one of the year's best under statements: "This happened at the very last minute -– which we weren't expecting." "We don't know the cause of the errors. But we want to resolve the problem as soon as possible." Some systems builders in the UK have been warned the delay could last for months, sources told The Register. Intel was unable to give a date when the chipset would start shipping. It would not confirm if the delay would extend beyond Christmas. However, The world's favourite chipmaker, today launches two new Pentium III processors, the 600MHz and the 533MHz., each supporting the 133MHz bus. Intel also launches a new chipset, the i810E. This features built-in, better graphics performance. It supports 133, 100 or 66 MHz front side bus. And it runs on PC100 SDRAM for main memory. The two microprocessors, priced in 1,000-unit quantities at $615 for 600MHz and $369 for 533 MHz, and the 810E Chipset are now shipping in production volumes. The Intel 810E chipset is priced at $39.50 in 10,000-unit quantities. ® Related stories Cam in no 820, your time is up What the hell is...Camino and Rambus all about i820 derailed as Intel goes Rambust UK system builder in a right Mesh over i820 delay