NVIDIA NFORCE AND GEFORCE PRODUCTS DELIVER HIGHEST PERFORMANCE FOR AMD
ATHLON XP PROCESSOR 1800+
NVIDIA graphics and multimedia products combined with new AMD processor
delivers the ultimate performance on Microsoft Windows XP operating system
LONDON - OCTOBER 17, 2001 - NVIDIA® Corporation (Nasdaq: NVDA) announced
today that its family of graphics and multimedia processors, including the
revolutionary nForce(tm) platform processing architecture, has been
optimised for the AMD® Athlon(tm) XP processor 1800+.
By combining NVIDIA's award-winning graphics and multimedia products with
AMD's new AMD Athlon XP processor featuring QuantiSpeed(tm) architecture, PC
OEMs and system builders worldwide are able to provide a high-performance,
feature rich platform architecture for end users using the Microsoft®
Windows® XP operating system. In addition to nForce, NVIDIA's complete
family of graphics processor units (GPUs) are optimised for all AMD
processors, including the AMD Duron(tm) processor, and for Windows XP
through Detonator XP, NVIDIA's new Windows XP-ready Unified Driver
Architecture (UDA).
"The multimedia processing capabilities offered by combining NVIDIA's nForce
with the AMD Athlon XP processor delivers an unprecedented PC experience,
and provides an excellent platform for powering the new Windows XP operating
system," said Rex Meek, director of the Hardware Infrastructure Enablement
Group at AMD. "Consumers will be hard pressed to find a better multi-tasking
system able to handle the diverse set of features contained in the Windows
XP Home and Professional editions."
"Windows XP is loaded with new features such as audio and video playback,
digital photo and video editing, high-speed networking and an enhanced
graphical interface. nForce was designed to optimise these features, while
improving overall system performance and quality," added Dan Vivoli, vice
president of marketing at NVIDIA. "Working with AMD has allowed us to
provide users of every computing budget with the best system designed to
run, and take full advantage of, one of this year's most anticipated
products."
NVIDIA's nForce Platform Processing Architecture comprises two platform
processors: the nForce Integrated Graphics Processor (IGP) and the nForce
Media and Communications Processor (MCP). For unmatched system performance,
the nForce IGP features the TwinBank optimised 128-bit memory architecture
providing the highest possible bandwidth; a dynamic adaptive speculative
pre-processor (DASP(tm)) for boosting CPU performance; and an integrated
GeForce2(tm) GPU for unparalleled 3D graphics performance.
The nForce MCP integrates an Audio Processing Unit (APU) with a Dolby(tm)
Digital 5.1 real-time encoder; StreamThru(tm), enhanced data streaming
technology for superior broadband and networking performance; and the
industry's most complete media and communications suite, including support
for HomePNA 2.0, 10/100 Ethernet and USB. Both the nForce IGP and nForce MCP
also feature built-in support for HyperTransport(tm) interconnect
technology, delivering the highest continuous throughput between the two
platform processors.
About the AMD Athlon XP Processor
AMD introduced its brand-new processor for high-performance desktop
computers, the AMD Athlon XP processor. The AMD Athlon XP processor features
the new, patented QuantiSpeed architecture, which delivers a quantum leap in
performance for office productivity, digital media, and 3D gaming. The new
architecture also includes 3DNow!(tm) Professional technology, which adds 52
new instructions, extending 3DNow! technology capabilities to more software
titles than any other processor in the world. The AMD Athlon "XP" modifier
is designed to convey the extreme performance AMD Athlon XP processors
deliver for the upcoming Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system.
AMD will identify the AMD Athlon XP processor using model numbers, as
opposed to megahertz, and is introducing 1800+, 1700+, 1600+ and 1500+
versions. Model numbers are designed to communicate the relative application
performance among the various AMD Athlon XP processors, as well as
communicate the architectural superiority over existing AMD Athlon
processors.
About NVIDIA
NVIDIA Corporation (Nasdaq - NVDA), located in Santa Clara, CA, is the
global leader in advanced graphics and multimedia processing technology for
the consumer and professional computing markets. Its 2D, 3D, video and
multimedia capabilities make NVIDIA one of the premier semiconductor
companies in the world. NVIDIA offers a wide range of products and services,
delivering superior performance and crisp visual quality for PC-based
applications such as manufacturing, science, e-business, entertainment and
education.
Certain statements in this press release, including the statements relating
to the Company's performance expectations for NVIDIA's family of products
and expectations of continued revenue growth, are forward-looking statements
that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause results to be
materially different than expectations. Such risks and uncertainties
include, but are not limited to, manufacturing and other delays relating to
new products, difficulties in the fabrication process and dependence of the
Company on third-party manufacturers, general industry trends including
cyclical trends in the PC and semiconductor industries, the impact of
competitive products and pricing alternatives, market acceptance of the
Company's new products, and the Company's dependence on third-party
developers and publishers. Investors are advised to read the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly those sections entitled
"Certain Business Risks," for a fuller discussion of these and other risks
and uncertainties.
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Registered trademark NVIDIA® Corporation, 2001. AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, AMD
Athlon, and combinations thereof, QuantiSpeed and 3DNow! are trademarks of
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. All other company and/or product names are
trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective manufacturers.
Features, pricing, availability, and specifications are subject to change
without notice.