Chipset spectre rattles Intel's P4

Erratumnotbug still needs fixing

By Mike Magee • Get more from this author

Posted in Channel, 10th January 2001 13:38 GMT

Free research: Application platforms, the state of play

Our old buddy Mike Kanellos is reporting on both Cnet and ZD Net that Intel still hasn't fixed a problem with the 850 chipset that caused the launch of the Pentium 4 to be delayed earlier this year.

But, quoting Intel, the report suggests that although this erratum not a bug caused the delay to the original schedule of the Pentium 4, it is unlikely to pose serious problems for users of the spanking new microprocessor.

A new rev of the chipset is on the way, reports Cnet.

However, another report on Tech Web suggests the problem may be more serious than initially suspected, with the 850 chipset glitch creating delays on the PCI bus of systems, with consequently poor performance on DVD drives and the like. PC manufacturers will have to re-test elements of their systems, this report says.

Bugs (errata) are common in new chip architectures but Intel must be holding its breath and hoping that the 850 does not have any other unpleasant surprises in store. Chipsets seem to currently be something of an Achilles' heel for the semiconductor giant. ®