IBM has said it has begun shipping the microchips for Nintendo's new Wii console.

Nintendo, which has said the Wii will be on store shelves in time for the holidays, has not provided a specific launch date or pricing for its widely anticipated new game machine.

IBM said the chips use technology that will substantially boost the processing power in the Wii while using 20 percent less energy and throwing off less heat.

The Wii will compete with new Microsoft's already released Xbox 360 and Sony's upcoming PlayStation 3. Nintendo has said it plans to ship 6-million units of its new Wii by year end.