Intel Releases 810 Chip Set, Delays 820

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September 28, 1999 (8:44 AM EDT)

Intel released on Monday two Pentium III microprocessors and its 810E chip set, while saying memory-related problems have further delayed the release of its 820 chip set.

The new Pentium III processors operate at 600 MHz and 533 MHz, and both support Intel's 133-MHz system bus. The Intel 810E chip set builds upon the performance of the 810 chip set for PCs with Celeron processors, adding support for Pentium III processors and enhanced graphics performance. Using PC100 SDRAM for main memory, the 810E is designed to offer integrated graphics as well as support for either a 133-, 100-, or 66-MHz side bus.

The highly touted 820 chip set was bumped from its Sept. 27 debut as engineers from Intel, Rambus, and several OEM partners attempt to determine the "root cause of the issue," according to an Intel spokesman. During the validation process, a memory-related problem was discovered in the 820's three-RIMM socket configuration. The Intel spokesman said it's hard for the company to determine how long the 820's release will be delayed until the cause has been determined.

Houston-based Compaq had scheduled a new workstation based on the 820 technology, to be introduced Oct. 25, but the company is unsure whether or not the product will be delayed. Similarly, Dell, in Round Rock, Texas, has been developing desktop and workstation products that will use the 820 chip set, but the company will not release those products until all the bugs have been worked out.

"We still believe in Rambus technology," a Dell spokesman said. "It's what our customers will use moving forward for their desktops and workstations."