Intel may delay full scale production of its highly anticipated Ivy Bridge processors due to weak PC sales, a result of the slowdown in the global economy. According to Digitimes, Intel is giving PC makers more time to clear their stock, so that Intel in turn can clear its own inventories of Sandy Bridge-based second-generation Core i-series processors. Intel is said to have notified partners that it will delay its production ramp for Ivy Bridge to June, with shipments starting in early April.
While PC vendors were looking to Ivy Bridge to help drive the next round of PC upgrades and boost sagging sales, it won’t be until the arrival of Windows 8 that first-tier notebook vendors expect to see a stronger resurgence in sales. In the meantime, they are said to be consigned to seeing the tepid demand continue over the first three quarters of 2012.
The news contrasts with Intel CEO Paul Otellini’s claims last October that Ivy Bridge-based PCs would start shipping in the spring. Samples of the chips have also been shipping to manufacturers as early as last November or December. The delay also comes as a surprise given that when Intel launched its Sandy Bridge processors in January of 2011, they were widely available in shipping products soon after.
Ivy Bridge will be the first processor series that Intel has fabricated on a 22nm process. The company claims that its new 3D architecture called Tri-Gate, will boost performance by 37 percent over previous designs. It will also bring with it matching chipsets that will see Intel offer its first native USB 3.0 support as well as a massive, claimed, 70 percent boost in integrated graphics performance.
