Intel hit by delay on Merced chip

The chip giant will focus on Deschutes as Merced date looks set for 1999

The future of Intel and Hewlett Packard?s relationship on Merced technology took a knock last week as it emerged that the chip is likely to be delayed until 1999.

An internal marketing document leaked by one of Intel?s customers shows that the introduction of Deschutes technology is now delayed beyond its original date of January 1998.

Intel foundries make the silicon for HP?s current family of processors, PA, and HP is pushing hard for the chip giant to meet its agreed targets on Merced, but that looks increasingly unlikely.

Instead, Intel will be forced to placate PC hardware vendors including IBM and Compaq, as their customers face major architectural changes through this year and next, by focusing on Deschutes before Merced.

One source at a major PC hardware vendor said: ?We?re not going to predict our server technologies that far ahead. There?s so much product coming along that it will only confuse our customers. We?re moving from Klamath to Deschutes and then from Deschutes Slot 1 to Deschutes Slot 2. Merced will have to be later than 1998 which is supposed to be the year for Deschutes, and you will have to give it a year?s run. We?ll see Merced in 1999.?

Klaus Armbruster, HP technology marketing manager, said 1999 was an optimistic target. ?Our plans depend on Merced being on plan but we?ve always said we?d have products before the year 2000. There?s a difference between when the chip is available and when they will be produced.?

But that will cause problems for HP. Another source said. ?I don?t know how Intel will achieve their targets for the rest of the industry. HP is using its foundry and they might get it [Merced] early if they have the clout with Intel.?