A former employee of the Intel Corporation pleaded not guilty today to charges that he gave valuable secrets about top-selling computer chips to a rival company.

William Gaede, 43, entered the plea at his arraignment in Federal District Court.

Mr. Gaede is charged with giving videotapes of confidential information about Intel's 486 and Pentium microprocessors to Advanced Micro Devices Inc., Intel's biggest competitor. Advanced Micro Devices promptly notified Intel when it received the information in January, authorities said.

A Federal grand jury indicted Mr. Gaede on Wednesday on charges of mail fraud and interstate transportation of stolen property. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

Mr. Gaede has been in custody since his arrest last month in Arizona. The date for Mr. Gaede's trial is expected to be set at a hearing on Nov. 30.