As the latest K8-core processor incorporates the memory controller, which is usually set on the north bridge chip, other specifications on the north and south bridge chips have become the focus of competition among the chipset companies.
At present, motherboards based on chipsets from AMD, VIA and SiS have all finished the product design process, board makers said. Product shipments will be able to start as soon as the K8-core processors hit the market. Previously, several companies had planned to put on live demonstrations at Computex. However, to not greatly affect AMD's K8 processor promotional campaign, Taiwanese board manufacturers will only display their products at the trade show. The live demonstration will be introduced by AMD itself, using the K8 processor and the company's AMD-8000 chipset.
Given that both motherboard makers and chipset designers have related products ready, when K8-based PCs show up in the market depends only on AMD's production schedule.
Source: DigiTimes