Top-of-Class 64-bit Graphics Accelerator Provides Breakthrough performance, game support; Microsoft picks new device for Windows 95 Game Software Development Kit

Business Wire, August 24, 1995

FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 24, 1995--Cirrus Logic Inc. (Nasdaq: CRUS) today unveiled a very-high-performance 64-bit graphics accelerator for the business and "power" home computer markets.

Optimized for use with extended data out (EDO) DRAMs, the CL-GD5436 has achieved unsurpassed performance in industry-standard benchmarks.

In addition to outstanding graphics performance, this new device will be provided by Microsoft Corp. to select game developers working with its Game Software Development Kit (SDK) for its advanced capabilities that fully support PC games on the Windows 95 platform. This high-powered graphics accelerator improves arcade-style games performance by more than 50 percent over current solutions.

"Entertainment and games are two of the driving forces behind PC technology today," said Brad Chase, general manager of the personal systems division at Microsoft. "Cirrus Logic's devices are optimized to work well with the Windows 95 Game SDK, accelerating game performance to a new level."

"Our Alpine family of pin-compatible GUI accelerators created the market for mainstream 64-bit systems when it was introduced in 1993," said Douglas J. Bartek, President of Cirrus Logic's Visual and Systems Interface Company. "With this latest addition to that family, we're setting a new standard by meeting and exceeding the ever-increasing need for cost-effective, higher performance 64-bit graphics on the PC."

High-Performance Features

The CL-GD5436 features a 64-bit BLT (block transfer) engine, 64-bit display memory interface, 135 MHz RAMDAC and an integrated synthesizer. The memory clock operates at up to 80 MHz for greater memory bandwidth, and also ensures that DRAM timing specifications are fully met for EDO DRAM access times down to 60 ns.

"Accelerated packed-24-bits-per-pixel" modes, which provide 33 percent more memory bandwidth than the standard 32-bit, are supported. This also allows operation in the 1024x768, 75Hz, 16-million color mode, which was previously not available without accelerated packed-24 support.

The CL-GD5436 has been designed from the ground-up for high-bandwidth PCI systems and is the first graphics controller that is fully compliant with the newly released PCI 2.1 specification. Improving system throughput by achieving higher speed PCI bus transfers, this new device complements the new high-performance PCI system core logic and high-speed microprocessors that are available now and into the future.

"By offering higher PCI bus throughput and fast frame buffer access on a graphics controller, the CL-GD5436 complements the high throughput and performance offered by Intel's PCIset core logic products such as the 82430FX. End users will benefit from matching these high-speed PCI components that enhance functions like games and multimedia which make significant demands on the processor and system," said Ron J. Smith, vice president and general manager of Intel's PCI Components Division.

Optimized Game Performance

Besides providing significant graphics performance gains, the CL-GD5436 fully supports transparent BLT operations. These operations are a key factor in accelerating games performance on the PC. Transparent BLT allows the transfer of irregularly shaped images onto the display without disturbing a fixed background and without requiring a full screen update. This is a common game operation and supporting it in hardware greatly increases performance by reducing the amount of display update operations.

Pricing and Availability

The CL-GD5436 is in production now at $29 in quantities of 1,000.

Headquartered in Fremont, Calif., Cirrus Logic is a leading manufacturer of advanced integrated circuits for the desktop and portable computing, telecommunications, and consumer electronics markets. The company applies its system-level expertise in analog and digital design to innovate highly integrated, software-rich solutions. Cirrus Logic has developed a broad portfolio of products and technologies for applications spanning multimedia, graphics, communications, system logic, mass storage, and date acquisition. -0-

Note to Editors: Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

CONTACT: Cirrus Logic, Fremont

Janet Freeman, 510/226-2227

Tom Ramsey, 510/226-2386

Bob Brummer, 510/226-2358