At a recent Intel conference, Tan made no mention of breaking up the company, and said that Intel will launch new products like custom semiconductors.

"Under my leadership, Intel will be an engineering focused company," he promised, pledging to return Intel to its roots.

Intel Corp. Chief Executive Officer Lip-Bu Tan said the chipmaker will spin off assets that aren’t central to its mission and create new products including custom semiconductors to try to better align itself with customers.