Sir, There's a Flaw in My Chip

Intel releases its Pentium II chip tomorrow. The chip is based on the Pentium Pro and has integrated MMX technology and will reportedly run at speeds 30 to 40 percent faster than current model Pentium PCs. Intel plans to use the new chip as the driving force behind its entry into the coin-operated video game arena. The new chip will be able to run graphics-intensive applications faster, aiding engineers and designers that need that kind of processing power.

However, according to a web site called "Intel Secrets," there may be a flaw in the new chip - a floating-point glitch similar to the one that affected the launch of the original Pentium in 1994. The flaw was first reported by the site and from there the scoop spread to other technology news publications. Analysts say that they doubt the reported flaw will affect the introduction of the chip and that it is probably not as serious as the one that affected the original Pentium.

Intel's Lynn Heinisch told GS News that company engineers have obtained specific information about the possible flaw from Robert Collins, who writes Intel Secrets. "Our engineers are working to digest that information now," Heinisch told GS News.