TSMC sources quoted in Taiwan's Commercial Times claim that VIA has slashed orders as a result of falling demand from mobo makers.

VIA refused to comment on the speculation but said that any adjustment was purely temporary. The company expects the mobo market to return to normal next year and says its chipset product strategy would not be affected, despite delays in shipments of Intel's 815 chipset that was expected to have moved into mass production in the fourth quarter.

As Intel's leading chipset competitor, VIA should have profited both from the 815 delay and discontent amongst Taiwanese motherboard manufacturers becoming increasingly frustrated with Intel's constantly-changing chipset strategy.

Intel has also cut IC foundry orders to TSMC, claimed the source. Interestingly, VIA appears to be prepared to confirm the cut in Intel orders but has remained tight-lipped over its own problems. ®