Intel chip chief Dadi Perlmutter to leave company

Once considered a likely candidate for Intel's CEO job, Dadi Perlmutter, executive vice president and general manager of the Intel Architecture Group, is leaving the company.

Perlmutter is leaving the company of his own accord, said Chuck Mulloy, an Intel spokesman. His last day will be Feb. 20 of next year.

"He's looking forward to pursuing other opportunities," Mulloy said. "We're happy for him personally."

Perlmutter was considered a top candidate to replace former CEO Paul Otellini, but the position went to another internal candidate, Brian Krzanich, formerly chief operating officer and senior vice president. Renee James, another internal CEO candidate who previously was senior vice president and general manager of software and services, was promoted to president.

But Perlmutter was seen by analysts as an odd man out after some of his duties were distributed in the midst of multiple management shakeups over the last two years. Industry observers said it was only a matter of time until he departed the company.

Perlmutter could have continued with the company and had "some other options to contribute," Mulloy said, but did not provide details.

Perlmutter has been with Intel for 34 years. He was credited by Mulloy for the company's success in the PC and server processor markets.

"Intel's success in those markets was because of the work that Dadi did as a manager of those groups," Mulloy said.

Agam Shah covers PCs, tablets, servers, chips and semiconductors for IDG News Service. Follow Agam on Twitter at @agamsh. Agam's e-mail address is agam_shah@idg.com