Cyrix demos fastest Windows 95 performance with 120 MHz version of 6x86 processor; 50 percent die shrink to production, enables higher clock speeds, increased volumes

Business Wire, Nov 13, 1995

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 13, 1995--At the COMDEX trade show here today, Cyrix Corporation (NASDAQ:CYRX) demonstrated the industry's fastest Windows 95 processor, a new 120 MHz version of its flagship 6x86 processor family.

According to industry-standard benchmarks, the 120 MHz 6x86 processor runs 32-bit applications under Windows 95 faster than any existing desktop PC processor. Its performance is also expected to rival that of the 166 MHz Pentium processor, as yet unreleased. A 120 MHz 6x86 processor-based reference system achieved a score of 349 on CPUMark(32), a benchmark specifically developed to gauge the performance of a processor subsystem running 32-bit applications under Windows 95.

"The fastest processor for running Windows 95 just got faster," said Steve Tobak, vice president of corporate marketing at Cyrix. "Cyrix continues to offer power users a higher performance alternative that takes advantage of Windows 95's advanced capabilities."

A demonstration of the 120 MHz 6x86 processor is being featured in the Cyrix booth (L4202, North Hall, Las Vegas Convention Center) at the COMDEX trade show. The 120 MHz chip is expected to ship in sample quantities to customers in December, with production quantities planned for the first quarter of 1996. Systems based on the 120 MHz 6x86 processor are also expected to appear in the first quarter. Acer, Apple, AST Computer, Canon, EPSON and Sharp are among the PC manufacturers demonstrating 6x86 or 5x86 processor-based products at the Cyrix COMDEX booth.

50 Percent Die Shrink Increases Production, Clock Speeds

A re-layout of the original 6x86 processor has resulted in a 50% die shrink by using all five metal layers of the IBM manufacturing process. The original die used only three. Due to the solid performance and compatibility demonstrated by this re-layout of the 6x86 die, Cyrix has converted all IBM production to the smaller, five-layer-metal die. The 50% die shrink enables increased production capacity, lower costs and higher clock speeds, as demonstrated by the 120 MHz part. The smaller die is expected to yield both 100 MHz and 120 MHz versions.

The Cyrix 6x86 Processor

The Cyrix 6x86 processor is a sixth-generation superscalar, superpipelined processor. The chip features register renaming, data dependency removal, multi-branch prediction, speculative execution and out-of-order completion capabilities. It has an 80-bit floating point unit and a 16K primary cache.

The Cyrix 6x86 processor is easy to implement in today's desktop designs. Its 296-pin grid array (PGA) package is compatible with the robust P54C socket that is widely used in today's 64-bit platforms, with minor modifications. It requires a single 3.3-volt supply and includes 5-volt-tolerant I/O buffers. Extensive on-chip power management features enable "green PC" implementation.

Cyrix Corporation

Cyrix Corporation, headquartered in Richardson, Texas, is a leading supplier of high-performance processors to the personal computer industry. Founded in 1988, the Company designs, manufactures and markets innovative, x86 software-compatible processors for the desktop and mobile computer markets. -0-

Note to Editors: For further 6x86 performance information, the 6x86 Processor Performance Benchmark summary is available on Cyrix's Web site (http://www.cyrix.com), or by calling CyrixFax at 800/462-9749 and ordering document 26003.

Cyrix is a registered trademark and 5x86 and 6x86 are trademarks of Cyrix Corporation. All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

CONTACT: Cyrix Corporation

Michelle Moody, 214/968-8302

Evan Fitzmaurice, 214/968-8238 (Investor Relations)

or

The Hoffman Agency

Joe Fowler, 408/286-2611