Dell Computer yesterday offered its first desktop PC using a combination of long-awaited memory chips from Intel based on Rambus technology. The new OptiPlexGX300 desktop PC features the Intel 820 chipset, which uses Rambus's memory-enhancing technology, known as RDRAM, which had been delayed in the autumn after Intel discovered several bugs.

The delays caused a headache for Dell, which already had customer demand for personal computers with the powerful chipset. Last month it warned of a fourth quarter shortfall, which it blamed in part on a shortage of processors and the delay in the Intel 820 chipset using Rambus technology. Last week, Dell reported fourth quarter results that met lowered expectations, and said the processor situation was improving.