Aug 17, 2000

Chipsets with double data rate (DDR) specifications are expected to become the main product of the market from the second half of next year, industry sources said.

DDR chipsets will have the opportunity to replace PC 133 framework and become the mainstay in the market in the second half of 2001. This will offer Via Technologies Inc. and Acer Laboratories Inc., two major chipset manufacturers in Taiwan, bright sales prospects, industry sources said.

Via will mass-produce DDR chipsets in the fourth quarter. Executives of the firm noted that PC133 chipsets will still represent a certain high sales ratio in the market until next year.

Industry sources predict that DDR chipsets will account for about 25% of the world's market in the first half of 2001, climbing to 45% in the second half.

Depended on the world demand of 130 million PCs per year, sales of DDR chipsets are estimated to reach 50 million in 2001. Via expects to enjoy a lion's share of more than 50%, contributing 30% of the firm's revenue in 2001.

Meanwhile, Acer Laboratories is optimistic that the firm's sales of DDR chipsets will increase sharply in 2001. The firm has already debuted its newly developed DDR chipset series. The firm will begin production of its DDR chipsets by the end of September. A total of 25 million units will be delivered by the firm in 2001.