ATI's New GRAPHICS XPRESSION Offers 64-Bit Acceleration at Unprecedented Price/Performance Levels ========================================================= Opens up Market for 64-Bit Graphics and Video Accelerators ---------------------------------------------------------- Toronto, Canada, May 16, 1994 - ATI Technologies Inc. (Toronto Stock Exchange: ATY) today announced the GRAPHICS XPRESSION , a full-featured, 64-bit graphics accelerator that offers fast Windows and DOS performance at an unprecedented price point. Based on ATI's recently introduced mach64CX processor, GRAPHICS XPRESSION out performs comparable 64-bit boards and more expensive 32-bit VRAM offerings. This low-cost card makes 64-bit acceleration affordable to a broad base of business, educational and home users. "GRAPHICS XPRESSION is perfect for the upgrade market," said Henry Quan, ATI’s vice president of marketing. "With GRAPHICS XPRESSION, general business, student, and even home game users can extend the useful life of their computers." Easy-to-Use Software Tools -------------------------- GRAPHICS XPRESSION is the only board of its class to offer WinSwitch, on-the-fly mode switching, allowing users to toggle back and forth between high resolution and true color modes without restarting Windows. Due to memory limitations, users have been forced to tradeoff between resolution and color depth. In business applications, users will want higher resolutions, and while needing higher color depths in drawing programs. For example, users working with CorelDraw in true color mode at 800x600 can easily switch to higher screen resolution 1280x1024 in 256 colors to work with Excel. This allows users to work to their requirements not the limitations imposed by the graphics board. In addition, the easy-to-use FlexDesk control panel allows users to preview thumbnail views of resolution and color depth choices prior to switching to that mode. The DeskScan or "virtual desktop" feature provides users with an off-screen workspace of 1536x1280 resolution to pan across larger documents or drawings when using a smaller size monitor. Best Price/Performance ---------------------- The 2MB DRAM GRAPHICS XPRESSION offers users the best dollar-to-speed ratio on the market. It achieves 36.9 Winmarks* (4.0), outperforming more expensive 32-bit VRAM accelerators and comparable 64-bit offerings. GRAPHICS XPRESSION displays graphics and video images at multiple resolutions w flicker-free refresh rates of up to 75 Hz, including: o 256 colors at 1280x1024; o 65,000 colors at 1024x768; and o 16.7 million colors at 800x600. Home Graphics and Video Support ------------------------------- GRAPHICS XPRESSION provides support for digital video at no extra cost, radically improving the quality and speed of motion video playback used in educational and game applications. Users will also notice a significant improvement of graphics displays in DOS applications. GRAPHICS XPRESSION’s zero wait-state VGA offers high speed DOS performance, as well as Windows acceleration. Extensive Software Drivers -------------------------- GRAPHICS XPRESSION comes with well-tested, enhanced drivers for multiple applications, including: Windows, Windows NT, OS/2, MS Word, MicroStation-PC, AutoCAD, AutoShade and 3D Studio. Drivers are also included to accelerate the playback of motion video. ATI provides complete support for OS/2 in all available color depths and resolutions. Rapid Set Up ------------ GRAPHICS XPRESSION was designed to be easily installed and configured. ATI provides easy-to-use software that performs extensive hardware diagnostics and simplifies board configuration. The PCI version offers Plug and Play configuration, while the VESA Local Bus and ISA versions provide an automatic setup procedure. ATI’s comprehensive monitor configuration options include VDIF (VESA Display Information Format) monitor description files for easy setup of monitors, and a user-definable option which allows for custom monitor configuration. GRAPHICS XPRESSION also supports monitor power-down modes, ensuring compliance with Green PC specifications and saving on electric bills and monitor life. Pricing and Availability ------------------------ GRAPHICS XPRESSION is available in PCI and VESA Local Bus configurations, as well as ISA for the majority of installed systems. The boards are priced at US$299** each. GRAPHICS XPRESSION will begin shipping May 25 and will be available through most distributors and dealers. The ISA version will begin shipping mid/late July 1994. Corporate Profile ----------------- Founded in 1985, ATI Technologies is the leading manufacturer of graphics and multimedia video enhancement products and components for personal computers. ATI holds the largest graphics board market share as determined by market analysts IDC (Framingham, MA) and Dataquest (San Jose, CA). ATI employs over 550 people and has a product line that is sold worldwide through an extensive network of computer manufacturers and leading computer distributors. - 30 - *Ziff Davis Winbench 4.0 test using 2MB versions on a Pentium P54C 100MHz with 16MB RAM, 512K cache, 420MB HD at 1024x768 in 256 colors at 70Hz. **Suggested retail pricing in Canada is $399. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. --- þ QMPro 1.52 þ ATI Technologies Inc. Perfecting the PC