Integrated Device Technology Inc has, as expected (CI No 3,164) entered the Intel-compatible chip market with a new chip designed by its subsidiary, Centaur Technology Inc. The IDT WinChip C6 is compatible with Pentium class x86 chips with MMX, and is available now running at speeds of 180MHz and 200MHz. IDT says it will begin sampling 225MHz and 240MHz parts from next month. Centaur, of course, is run by ex IBMer Glen Henry, a pioneer of RISC chips at Big Blue. Centaur designed the C6 to be 30 to 60% smaller than the equivalent Intel processors, consuming 50% less power, and with lower price tags – $90 for the 180MHz version in quantities of 1,000, compared with Intel’s price of $106. The small die size – 88mm squared – and low power consumption result – presumably through Henry’s experience with RISC architectures – from a simplified architecture, reducing the amount of complex logic. There are 5.4 million transistors, and the chip is manufactured in 0.35 micron, four layer metal CMSO technology. For the nervous, IDT has gone to Microsoft Corp for a designed for Windows 95 sticker, and the Socket 7-compatible chip has support from BIOS manufacturers such as Award Software International and Phoenix Technologies Inc. The chip is aimed at sub $1,000 desktop systems and sub $2,000 mobile PCs, and IDT, based in Santa Clara, California, says it will particularly target systems and motherboard manufacturers through the under- served third-tier reseller channel.
