ATI Introduces Next-Generation RAGE(TM) 128 GL Graphics Chip

ATI Introduces Next-Generation RAGE(TM) 128 GL Graphics Chip Delivering the World's Best Performance and Features to the High-Performance PC Market

Advanced 3d Graphics Chip Delivers Unprecedented Level of Quality, Features and Performance
Achieves New Level of Performance With SuperScalar Rendering Engine and Single-Pass Multi-Texturing

TORONTO, - ATI Technologies Inc. today announced its next-generation 3D, 2D and DVD accelerator chip -- the RAGE 128 GL(TM). Using an advanced 128-bit 3D architecture, the RAGE 128 GL delivers workstation quality and complex 3D features without sacrificing performance, even at high resolutions.

Developed to maximize outstanding photo-realistic visual quality, the RAGE 128 GL produces fast 3D frame rates made possible by a SuperScalar Rendering engine that uses a dual rendering pipe to process multiple pixels per clock cycle. The RAGE 128 GL offers an unprecedented 32MB of graphics memory and incorporates a 128-bit memory interface, making it an ideal graphics solution for high-end systems.

"The new RAGE 128 GL graphics accelerator chip continues ATI's legacy of innovation and industry-leading performance," said Ed Grondahl, vice-president of product marketing, ATI. "ATI is again the leader of the pack with our new RAGE 128 GL, and its performance and feature set establishes a new level of excellence for the graphics industry."

Advanced SuperScalar Rendering engine for unparalleled 3D performance
Designed to push 128-bit 3D graphics performance to its maximum potential, the RAGE 128 GL's SuperScalar Rendering engine processes multiple pixels per clock cycle. Delivering graphics performance eclipsing other high-end 3D accelerators, the RAGE 128's advanced 3D engine sets it apart from the competition, leading the way to photo-realistic levels of realism never before achieved in a mainstream graphics accelerator.

The RAGE 128 GL's other innovative architectural features include a Twin-Cache Architecture including on-chip texture and pixel caches, an 8-bit stencil buffer, a 32-bpp renderer for full accuracy 3D rendering, a deep 32-bit Z-buffer, and high-quality alpha and fog effects. Ideal for both high-end consumer and professional environments, the RAGE 128 GL's extensive 3D feature set and raw performance take real-world application performance to a new level of interactivity and quality.

Best solution for Pentium AGP systems and next generation processors
Optimized for Pentium II class systems and other next generation processors, the RAGE 128 GL uses ATI's Concurrent Command Engine (CCE) to achieve maximum efficiency across the entire system. CCE achieves this by de-coupling the processor and graphics sub-systems and taking maximum advantage of the write combining feature available with the Pentium II and other next generation processor such as Katmai.

Most comprehensive AGP solution with Bi-directional DME
Adding to the performance benefits of the full AGP 2X specification, the RAGE 128 GL enables Bi-directional Direct Memory Execution (DME) to store information in system memory instead of local graphics memory. Although other AGP implementations only use AGP when accessing 3D textures, the RAGE 128 GL's Bi-directional DME delivers the full benefits of AGP for all 2D, 3D and DVD applications operations, not just 3D texturing.

Powerful multimedia features including an integrated DVD subpicture decoder Ideal for full screen, full motion playback of DVD/MPEG2 video, the RAGE 128 GL's integrated DVD/MPEG-2 decoder and video overlay produce the highest quality DVD/MPEG2 images for high-performance PCs. The RAGE 128 GL also includes 4-tap filtered upscaling in both horizontal and vertical directions, front-end and back-end scalers, and a hardware sub-picture decoder.

Perfect solution for 3D professionals and high-end PC commercial market
Equipped with a full OpenGL ICD and host of high-end 3D features for CAD/CAM quality performance for designing and modeling 3D objects, the RAGE 128 GL delivers high polygon counts at resolutions up to 1920x1200 with atmospheric effects such as lighting and fog. By off-loading most of the complex 3D computations from the processor, the RAGE 128 GL's powerful acceleration dramatically improves the performance of even the most demanding 3D applications and enables real-time modeling.

"The new RAGE 128 GL chip demonstrates ATI's continued dedication to OpenGL, the industry's leading 2D and 3D graphics API," said Miriam Geller, product marketing manager for OpenGL at Silicon Graphics, Inc. "By implementing OpenGL's broad set of rendering, texture mapping, and special effects capabilities, ATI's new RAGE 128 GL chip will help bring the power of OpenGL across both desktop and workstation platforms enabling high-performance visualization at a mainstream price."

"We are excited about the new technical capabilities and features available with ATI's new technology," said Bob Bennett, Product Manager at Alias/Wavefront, the leading innovator of 2D and 3D graphics technology. "With the migration of professional applications like our Maya 3D animation software to the NT platform, we welcome a company as successful as ATI stepping up to the workstation market."

Top Performance for consumer PCs with comprehensive DirectX 6.0 support
Optimized for DirectX 6.0 and future initiatives such as Chromeffects and Microsoft's new 3D operating system environment GDI-2K, the RAGE 128 GL supports such features as single-pass multi-texturing and bump mapping. Delivering the highest 3D frame-rates for the latest interactive software titles, the RAGE 128 GL's advanced 3D features and large 32MB frame buffer make it a powerful 3D gaming accelerator.

"The visual quality and the fast performance of the RAGE 128 GL give our developers the tools that they need to create first class software titles," said Ian Richardson, Sales Director of game developer RAGE Software Plc. "The new SuperScalar rendering engine and comprehensive DirectX 6.0 support will allow us to bring a new level of interactivity and realism to the PC."

"ATI's RAGE chipsets were the first to support full 2X AGP and provide comprehensive 3D features," said James North-Hearn, Development Director at game developer Gremlin Interactive. "The RAGE 128 GL's enhanced 3D architecture and new 3D feature set represent significant industry leadership that will allow RAGE developers to bring a new level of detail to the PC."

Pricing and availability
The RAGE 128 GL, part of ATI's family of RAGE graphics accelerator chips, is aimed at the high-performance PC and high-end board market. ATI also announced today the RAGE 128 VR, a mid-range solution for system manufacturers with motherboard implementations. The RAGE 128 GL is sampling now and will ship in September 1998. Pricing is $40 for 10,000 unit quantities.

ATI Corporate Profile
ATI Technologies Inc., the world's largest supplier of 3D graphics and multimedia technology, designs, manufactures and markets innovative and award-winning multimedia solutions and graphics components for personal computers. An ISO 9002 company, ATI is the world's leading supplier of video and 2D/3D graphics accelerators to OEM and retail customers. Founded in l985, ATI employs more than 1,300 people at headquarters in Thornhill, Ontario, and offices in the United States, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, and Barbados. ATI is a public company whose shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

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Copyright (C) ATI Technologies Inc., 1998. All 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.

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