Intel leaps into 'system on a chip' fray

Intel has entered the "system on a chip" fray and is developing a device called Timna, which should be out in the third quarter of next year.

The chip will be manufactured with 0.18-micron technology and include a Pentium II class processor, a graphics controller, 128KB of L2 cache and a Direct Rambus memory controller.

This is a suprising move for the company, which, in the past, has been reluctant to combine graphics with other functions on a chip. It is also controversial because Rambus memory has had many detractors.

Peter Glaskowsky, senior analyst with Cahners MicroDesign Resources, said Intel decided to rethink integrating functions on a PC chip for one of two reasons. "Either Intel thinks it's a good idea or Intel thinks others think it's a good idea," Glaskowsky said. He added: "Big companies can afford to spend the money to develop technology to see if it's worthwhile. I wouldn't read too much into the fact that Timna is being developed."

Glaskowsky said the product might never reach the market. "I think Intel will continue to develop Timna until they figure out what it will cost to make and what customers will be willing to pay," he said. "Then they'll make a decision."

Although Intel is keen on Rambus, the cost and the problems Rambus has had this year make others less enthusiastic about the technology. Product delays and technical glitches have delayed the release of Rambus-based PCs from the middle of the year until the to the end of the third quarter and Rambus memory costs about $45 more per chip than standard 64MB memory.