Press Release
- 2002
ATI demonstrates world's first graphics cards powered by DDR-2 technology
ATI engineering team adds vigor to cinematic revolution
Tuesday, October 22, 2002
MARKHAM, Ontario - In a move that solidifies ATI's (TSX:
ATY, NASDAQ: ATYT) position as the world leader in defining
and implementing the latest graphics technology, ATI engineers
became the first to demonstrate a visual processing unit (GPU)
powered by second-generation double-data rate (DDR) dynamic
random-access memory (DRAM), known as DDR-2.
ATI also announced a DDR-2 variant for mobile graphics and
mid-range desktop graphics, code-named DDR-2M, and demonstrated
the technology working on a desktop graphics card. DDR-2M
delivers DDR-2 performance with lower power consumption, reduced
heat dissipation and simplified board design. ATI worked closely
with Elpida Memory Inc to develop DDR-2M as part of ATI's
ongoing commitment to moving technology innovation aggressively
out to the masses.
Seen as a clear improvement on existing DDR DRAM technology
that first arrived on the market in 1998, DDR 2 and DDR-2M
follow and leverage the Joint Electron Device Engineering
Council's (JEDEC) DDR-2 specification. DDR-2 is the technological
foundation for the eagerly anticipated third-generation DRAM
for graphics (GDDR3) due out next year, an industry-wide initiative
led by ATI. DDR-2 and DDR-2M are evolutionary DRAMs designed
with the goals of improving high-end graphics performance,
signal integrity and reliability while simplifying design.
"ATI is a leader in adopting and defining memory technology
to advance and define tomorrow's visual reality," said
Joe Macri, Director of Technology, ATI Technologies Inc, and
Chairman, JC42.3 DRAM Committee, JEDEC. "With the Radeon
9700 PRO, ATI demonstrated that leadership by defining the
GDDR3 spec and becoming the first to ship a GPU with a high-speed
256 bit memory interface, and that leadership continues today
with the first DDR-2 and DDR-2M powered graphics boards."
"We expect that, given competitive pricing and the support
of the major graphics controller and memory vendors, DDR-2
will take over from DDR as the market's favored memory type
for graphics cards, at least in the short term, because it
supports higher speed and wider bandwidth and will be available
before DDR-2 for main memory," said Soo-Kyoum Kim, IDC
memory analyst.
"Elpida is pleased to be working with ATI to develop
advanced memory technologies that will drive the cinematic
revolution," said Jun Kitano, Director of Technical Marketing
at Elpida Memory (USA), Inc. "Elpida is focused on supporting
innovative graphics technology for mainstream and mobile applications,
and both ATI and Elpida are equally committed to making this
leading-edge technology available to the widest possible cross-section
of the market so all users can benefit."
Copyright 2002 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.
About ATI Technologies
ATI Technologies Inc. is a world leader in the design and
manufacture of innovative 3D graphics and digital media silicon
solutions. An industry pioneer since 1985, ATI is the world's
foremost visual processor unit (GPU) provider and is dedicated
to deliver leading-edge performance solutions for the full
range of PC and Mac desktop and notebook platforms, workstation,
set-top and digital television, game console and handheld
markets. With 2001 revenues in excess of US $1 billion, ATI
has more than 1,900 employees in the Americas, Europe and
Asia. ATI common shares trade on NASDAQ (ATYT) and the Toronto
Stock Exchange (ATY).
Contact Information
For media or industry analyst support, visit our Web site
at http://www.ati.com .
Other ATI Contacts:
Derek Baker, Counsellor, BenchMark Porter Novelli, at (416)
422-5178 or dbaker@bmporternovelli.com
For Information:
Chris Hook, Public Relations Manager, ATI Technologies Inc.,
at (905) 882-2600, Ext. 8477 or chook@ati.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