ATI introduces the RADEON(tm) 7500 graphics board
Redefining mainstream graphics performance
MARKHAM, Ontario - ATI Technologies Inc. (TSE:ATY, NASDAQ:ATYT), a world
leader in the supply of graphics, video and multimedia solutions, today
introduced the RADEON(tm) 7500 graphics board, an outstanding combination of
performance, innovative 3D features and real value for a wide range of home
and business users.
With its strong RADEON heritage, the RADEON 7500 offers consumers a
mainstream solution with a set of standard features typically associated
with premium-level graphics boards. Available in September 2001 with an MSRP
(manufacturer's suggested retail price) of just (US) $199, the RADEON 7500
features a level of performance not seen before at this price point. It
incorporates a core clock speed of 270MHz (megahertz) and a memory clock
speed of 230MHz, 64MB DDR (dual data rate) and flexible display support
including VGA (video graphics array) and digital flat panel (DVI) monitors
as well as TV out. It delivers up to a 60 percent improvement in performance
compared to the previous generation of RADEON high-performance processors.
"ATI has, once again, set a new standard for graphics processor
technologies with the introduction of the RADEON 7500 graphics board," said
Deanna Perkins, Product Manager, RADEON 7500, Desktop Marketing, ATI
Technologies Inc. "The overall value proposition associated with the RADEON
7500 - processor speed, 3D performance and price - is unparalleled. It is
the perfect solution for the 70 percent of users in the mainstream segment."
"The lion's share of the market for graphics products is represented by
mainstream users who are looking for a combination of price and performance,
yet with features that enhance visual reality - and ATI has hit the mark
better than anyone else historically; and it looks like history will repeat
itself with ATI's latest offering, the RADEON 7500," said Dr. Jon Peddie,
President, Jon Peddie Associates. "With memory bandwidth up to 8.8GB/sec,
performance that has only been seen on the current generation
high-performance boards, the RADEON 7500 packs a lot of punch for a
mainstream price."
The RADEON 7500 uses ATI's patented HYPER Z(tm) technology to boost
effective memory bandwidth by 20 percent. As a result, the RADEON 7500 can
access up to 8.8GB/sec (gigabytes per second) of effective memory bandwidth.
With memory bandwidth increasingly becoming the largest barrier to
performance in today and tomorrow's most advanced applications, the
combination of HYPERZ and high speed DDR memory is crucial to realizing the
full potential of the graphics processor.
RADEON 7500 supports Microsoft's Windows 98®, Windows Me®, Windows 2000® and
upcoming Windows XP® operating system environments as well as DirectX 8.0
and OpenGL 1®.2.
It also incorporated the following features:
* HydraVision(tm) affords the RADEON 7500 the most advanced
multi-monitor management software in the industry. HydraVision allows users
to define up to nine multi-monitor configurations. Work can be spread across
the entire workspace or applications can be configured to one monitor or the
other. Favorite features can be assigned hot keys for instant access;
* CHARISMA ENGINE(tm) combines one of the industry's fastest geometry
engines with revolutionary techniques for bringing 3D characters to life.
The geometry engine supports full transformation, clipping and lighting at
40 million triangles per second processing capability. CHARISMA ENGINE
supports cutting-edge character animation features such as advanced vertex
skinning and key frame interpolation;
* PIXEL TAPESTRY(tm) combines one of the industry's fastest rendering
engines with an unprecedented set of 3D special effects. The chip's ability
to process up to 3 textures concurrently means unsurpassed performance in
accelerating the coming wave of multi-textured game content. Because of its
rendering capability, RADEON 7500 enables full performance in 32-bit color,
making 16-bit color obsolete; and
* VIDEO IMMERSION(tm) advances ATI's historic leadership in digital
video with such features as on-chip Motion Compensation, iDCT adaptive
de-interlacing. The RADEON 7500 incorporates advanced video technology
inherited from ATI's video-oriented set-top box and consumer electronics
products.
Company Background
Founded in 1985, ATI Technologies Inc. is a world leader in the supply of
graphics, video and multimedia solutions for the personal computer and Mac
platforms. The pioneer, innovator and market leader in the graphics
industry, ATI provides cutting-edge technologies for the PC, workstation,
set-top box, game console and other consumer appliances markets. The Company
has more than 1,900 employees supporting customers from its headquarters in
Markham, Ontario, Canada, as well as from offices in Barbados, France,
Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and the
United States. ATI common shares trade on NASDAQ (ATYT) and the Toronto
Stock Exchange (ATY).
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Copyright 2001 ATI Technologies Inc. All rights reserved. ATI and ATI
product and product feature names are trademarks and/or registered
trademarks of ATI Technologies Inc. All other company and product names are
trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Features, pricing, availability and specifications are subject to change
without notice.
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