The supply of serial peripheral interface (SPI) flash memory is running tight severely due to strong demand particularly from the LCD TV sector, according to sources at NOR flash makers. Vendors including Samsung Electronics and Sony started competing for more supply of the chip before the Lunar New Year break, and have since then begun to source from Taiwan-based NOR flash producers, the sources indicated. Growing demand from the PC sector has also tightened supply of SPI NOR flash, the sources said. The arrival of Intel's next-generation Calpella notebook platform has spurred demand for higher density chips, the sources added. Prices for SPI flash products have been on the rise. The sources estimated the chip's prices for the second quarter at almost 30% more than the levels in February.