Intel Corp. has decided to cancel the Tulloch chipset slated to support the four-bank version of Direct Rambus DRAM for Pentium 4, according to industry sources.
Instead, Intel will introduce an upgraded 850-e version of its current Direct RDRAM chipset with an expanded I/O hub to support high end workstations and PCs.
An Intel spokeswoman repeated the firm's standing policy of not commenting on unannounced products.
Unless Intel changed its mind, the Tulloch cancellation could spell the death knell for the four-bank Direct RDRAM, which was supposed to be lower cost and compete head-on with bargain priced DDR memory.
The current 32-bank Direct RDRAM chip has been declining in price to narrow the premium over DDR. A month ago, Intel opened up greater competition between the two rival memory chips by introducing its own 845 chipset supporting PC133 single data rate SDRAM, and in January will introduce a DDR chipset version of the 845.
Samsung Electronics has already developed prototype four-bank RDRAM chips, a spokesman said, and was waiting on Intel to introduce the supporting chipset.
Rambus was not available for comment late Monday. Traditionally the memory design firm has referred all chipset questions to Intel.
The Tulloch chipset was slated for shipment in the third quarter of 2002.
