IBM beats Intel for Xbox chip

NEW YORK: Microsoft Corp. would turn to IBM Corp. for microchip technology that it will use in the next version of its video game console, the Xbox.

Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft, the world's largest software company, used a chip from the No. 1 microprocessor maker, Intel Corp. in the first version of its Xbox, which was released in 2000.

Richard Doherty, of Seaford, New York-based Envisioneering, a technology advisory company, said that IBM's PowerPC chips consume less power and run cooler than other chips. They compete with chips from Intel and AMD.

"Intel had wrestled away the design win for Xbox from AMD at the last minute, and this will probably be quite a surprise to Santa Clara this morning that the next generation from their ally in system design, Microsoft, is going to their rival," Doherty said.

IBM has licensed microprocessor technology to other companies and makes chips for Apple Computer and for the Nintendo gaming console, among others, in its factories.

IBM opened a new semiconductor plant in East Fishkill, New York earlier this year and has been trying to lure new customers to the plant.

The next version of Xbox is expected to be announced in January by Microsoft founder and Chairman Bill Gates and to be on sale next fall ahead of the holidays, according to Doherty.

IBM is also working with Sony Corp. on a chip for its next version of the PlayStation gaming console. Earlier this year, Nvidia, which makes graphics chips often used in gaming, also turned to IBM to start making certain of its chips.

© Reuters