Intel reportedly drops plans for mobile Rambus DRAM chip set

Intel reportedly drops plans for mobile Rambus DRAM chip set
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Intel Corp. has pulled the plug on a project, code-named Greendale, to develop a chip set that supports a mobile version of Direct Rambus DRAM, industry sources said today.

Intel has been the major firm involved in developing a chip set for a mobile Direct Rambus version. An Intel spokesman reiterated the firm's policy of not commenting on unannounced programs in development. He said that Intel still expects to see a mobile Direct Rambus chip to come to market in 2000 or 2001, adding that Intel would support any customer needs for the mobile Direct RDRAM.

Rambus Inc., the Mountain View, Calif.-based designer of the chip, said Direct RDRAM is uniquely suited for mobile applications because of its several power-saving modes, including standby and nap. After Intel introduced its Camino 820 and Carmel 840 chip sets in late fall to support Direct Rambus for desktop PCs and workstations, the next version of the memory chip is aimed at the mobile and laptop PC market.