Press Release - Archives 2001

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MARKHAM, Ontario - ATI Technologies Inc. (TSE:ATY, NASDAQ:ATYT), a world leader in the supply of graphics, video and multimedia solutions, today introduced the FireGL 8800, a new mid-range 3D workstation graphics board ideally suited for CAD/CAM and the modeling and animation aspects of digital content and creation.

Powered by ATI’s most powerful graphics chip -- the Radeon® 8800 -- the FireGL 8800 affords users a choice of software drivers for the most popular workstation operating system environments –Windows 2000®/Windows NT® and Linux with fully hardware-accelerated OpenGL® capabilities. Standard features include 64MB (megabytes) of DDR (double data rate) memory and industry-leading optimized Workstation OpenGL performance, DVD (digital versatile disc) video playback as well as support for 3D resolutions (32-bit color) up to 2048 X 1536 pixels, digital flat panel (DVI) and dual monitors. The FireGL 8800 uses a 165 MHz integrated TMDS (transition minimized differential signaling) transmitter to support DVI up to 1600 X 1200 pixels resolution.

The FireGL 8800 is ideally suited for professional content creators and content playback with superior application performance using OpenGL. It also supports Microsoft’s new DirectX 8.1™ specification. For example, game developers can “create it” and “play it,” i.e. design a game in OpenGL and play it back using ATI’s innovative TruForm™ and SmartShader™ rendering technologies.

Certified by the industry’s key CAD/CAM and DCC applications providers, the FireGL 8800 offers users the highest level of product reliability and stability. In addition, ATI has established a dedicated group of workstation software and hardware engineers led by the recently acquired FireGL development team; Customer Service expertise in support of its workstation solutions; and a focus on various workstation vertical markets.

“The FireGL 8800 provides ATI with a fully-featured, mid-range workstation graphics board to complement its recently introduced high-performance FireGL 4 processor,” said Rick Bergman, Senior Vice President of Marketing & General Manager, Desktop Marketing, ATI Technologies Inc. “This newest addition to the FireGL line will redefine the price versus performance value proposition. In addition, if offers ATI customers and technology partners a high-performance workstation product that is fully capable of supporting the most intensive CAD/CAM and digital content and creation requirements.”

“The market for workstation products based on Intel processors and Microsoft operating systems has grown steadily since the original introduction of these technologies in 1996, so much so that this market has become the mainstream segment where most workstation computing is done,” said Pia Rieppo, Principal Analyst, Workstations, Gartner Dataquest. “Today, the 3D capabilities of these widely-used platforms have been considerably enhanced, such that intricate CAD/CAM and digital content creation applications – considered far too complex for these workman-like products just a few years ago – are now possible at attractive price points.”

Supporting the FireGL 8800’s advanced 3D modeling and animation capabilities are the following ATI-developed applications technologies:

• TruForm, an innovative rendering technology that helps to deliver the smoothest, most natural 3D images ever seen on both existing and next-generation 3D games and personal computers;
• SmartShader, an advanced technology that takes advantage of Microsoft’s new DirectX 8.1 features to enable more complex and realistic texture and lighting effects without sacrificing performance;
• Hydravision™, a leading-edge desktop management software technology that provides users with an interface for simplified management of multiple displays, traditional CRT (cathode ray tube) monitors, flat panel displays and televisions;
• Charisma Engine™ II, which supports full transformation, clipping and lighting (T&L) at 62.5 million triangles/second peak processing capability;
• Pixel Tapestry™ II, the FireGL 8800 3D rendering engine, which powers an incredible 2.4 gigatexels per second for the highest fill rates in 32-bit at high resolutions.

“The addition of the FireGL 8800 represents ATI’s commitment to the workstation market as well as driving the value and performance long associated with PC graphics processor technology into the workstation segment,” explained Ed Huang, Director of Workstations, Desktop Marketing, ATI Technologies Inc. “The FireGL 8800 will deliver a modeling and animation experience that users can immediately benefit from, whether they are creating future entertainment products or developing next-generation automotive designs.”

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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).

Contact Information

For media or industry analyst support, please visit our Web site at http://www.ati.com or contact: John B. Challinor II APR,
Director,
Public Relations,
ATI Technologies Inc.,
at (905) 882-8815 or jchallin@ati.com

Anne Ferguson,
Senior Counsellor,
Benchmark Porter Novelli,
at (416) 422-7154 or aferguson@bmporternovelli.com

For investor relations support, please contact:
Janet Craig,
Director,
Investor Relations,
ATI Technologies Inc.,
at (905) 882-2600,
Ext. 2631 or jcraig@ati.com