S3's Professional Graphics Division Announces Fire GL1 Support for Microsoft's Windows 2000; Several Windows 2000 Workstations with Fire GL1 Receive PTC Certification

Business Wire, Feb 18, 2000

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 18, 2000

S3(R) Incorporated's (Nasdaq:SIII) Professional Graphics Division today announced support plans for the Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 2000 platform with the release of a new driver for the Diamond Fire GL1(TM) graphics accelerator.

The Diamond Fire GL1 accelerator, along with select models of Windows 2000-based workstations from IBM Corporation and Siemens Computer Systems, has received Pro/ENGINEER certification by Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC).

&uot;With OpenGL as the foundation for professional content creation, the Windows 2000 platform is poised to proliferate throughout the workstation market,&uot; said Ian Cartwright, president of S3's Professional Graphics Division. &uot;The Diamond Fire GL1 supports hardware-accelerated OpenGL, and our new driver is fully optimized to take advantage of the Windows 2000 operating system.&uot;

PTC certifies Pro/ENGINEER running on specific hardware configurations to ensure software and hardware compatibility. As part of the certification process, a workstation undergoes a comprehensive suite of tests designed to examine all areas of software functionality. PTC works with partners to certify an entire hardware configuration, including processor, graphics accelerator and operating system.

&uot;Our customers are continuing to migrate in great numbers to Windows-based operating systems,&uot; said Glenn Sinclair, manager of Worldwide Alliances for PTC.

&uot;As part of our relationship with Microsoft, we keep in constant communication about their workstation platform developments. We support the launch of Windows 2000 and are happy to identify the Diamond Fire GL1 as a PTC-supported OpenGL accelerator for Microsoft's newest OS.&uot;

Featuring IBM's first graphics chipset for the Windows NT platform, the Diamond Fire GL1 accelerator delivers the first 256-bit engine for Windows NT and brings powerful graphics performance to NT workstations. Available in PCI and AGP configurations, the Diamond Fire GL1 comes with 32MB of memory and carries an estimated retail price of $699.

The Diamond Fire GL1 accelerator includes software settings for various ISV applications as well as a full suite of software drivers, including Linux driver support. Additional information about the award-winning Fire GL brand of professional graphics accelerators is available at www.firegl.com.

About S3 Incorporated

Building on the technology, distribution and brand strengths of its Communications, Multimedia and Professional Graphics divisions, S3 is committed to delivering targeted products for the Personal Computer and Consumer/Internet Appliance markets. Rounding out its PC silicon offerings, S3's recent acquisition of Diamond Multimedia adds consumer brands such as the DMM Underground(TM), Viper(TM) and Stealth(TM) series of graphics accelerators, the Rio(TM) series of Internet audio appliances, the Supra(TM) series of modems, and the HomeFree line of home networking products.

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements as to S3's ability to generate additional sales due to Microsoft Windows 2000 support, are forward-looking statements that are subject to risk and uncertainties detailed from time to time in S3's SEC reports, including its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999.

Note to Editors: S3 is a registered trademark of S3 Incorporated. The S3 corporate logo, Diamond Multimedia, Viper, Stealth, Rio, Supra and HomeFree are trademarks of S3 Incorporated. Other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners.