Matrox Graphics announces support for upcoming AMD Opteron processors and AMD’s x86-64 technology

Montreal, Canada, July 23rd, 2002-Matrox Graphics Inc., the leading professional graphics company, today announced that it will support the upcoming AMD Opteron and AMD Athlon processors and provide driver support for AMD’s x86-64 technology.

Consistently improving PC standards, AMD once again takes PC processing to the next level with their next-generation platforms. The eighth-generation AMD processor core, will provide additional host performance for graphics applications in both 32-bit and 64-bit environments. Matrox will support AMD Opteron and eighth-generation AMD Athlon-based platforms, continuing to enable the benefits of Matrox’s innovative graphics technology on cutting edge platforms.

“We are extremely pleased to announce our plans to support the AMD Opteron and eighth-generation AMD Athlon processors and AMD’s x86-64 technology,” said Kamran Ahmed, senior manager, technical marketing and product management, Matrox Graphics Inc. “The combination of high performance platforms with Matrox’s consistently innovative graphics technology will give consumers an impressive solution for both business and home.”

“X86-64 technology will enable systems using AMD and Matrox technologies to optimize current 32-bit performance, and allow seamless migration to 64-bit computing environments,” said Rich Heye, vice president platform and infrastructure, AMD. “Customers save time and resources by being be able to run and support both 32-bit and 64-bit applications in the same environment”

About the AMD Opteron Processor
The AMD Opteron processor is based on AMD’s eighth-generation processor core which is planned to mark the introduction of the industry’s first x86-64 technology implementation. This technology is planned to preserve companies’ investments in 32-bit applications while allowing a seamless transition to 64-bit computing as those companies require. The AMD Opteron processor is designed to deliver high-performance server and workstation solutions for today’s most demanding enterprise applications. The processor is designed to be scalable, reliable and compatible, which can result in lower total cost of ownership. Key AMD Opteron processor innovations include an integrated memory controller, which reduces memory bottlenecks, and HyperTransport technology, which increases overall performance by removing or reducing I/O bottlenecks, increasing bandwidth and reducing latency.

About HyperTransport Technology
HyperTransport technology is a high-speed, high-performance, point-to-point link for integrated circuits, and is designed to meet the bandwidth needs of tomorrow’s computing and communications platforms. HyperTransport technology helps reduce the number of buses while providing a high-performance link for PCs, workstations, and servers, as well as numerous embedded applications and highly scalable multiprocessing systems. It is designed to allow chips inside of PCs, networking and communications devices to communicate with each other up to 48 times faster than with some existing bus technologies.

About AMD’s x86-64 Technology
AMD’s straightforward approach to 64-bit computing builds upon the x86 instruction set, one of the industry’s most proven and widely supported technologies. AMD’s x86-64 technology is designed to support applications that address large amounts of physical and virtual memory, such as high performance servers, database management systems, and CAD tools. AMD’s x86-64 technology seamlessly integrates into the current computing and support environment, and is designed to enable enterprises to deploy high performance 64-bit capable systems that build upon the billions of dollars already invested in 32-bit software.