ATI Unveils FIRE GL 8700 Workstation Graphics Board

Business Wire, Nov 12, 2001

Business Editors, High-Tech Writers

MARKHAM, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 12, 2001

New entry level offering ideally suited to the Digital Content

Creation, 3D animation and MCAD workstation customer

ATI Technologies Inc. (TSE:ATY, NASDAQ:ATYT), a world leader in the supply of graphics, video and multimedia solutions, today introduced the FIRE GL(TM) 8700, a new entry-level 3D workstation graphics board ideally suited for Digital Content Creation (DCC), MCAD and 3D game development applications.

The FIRE GL 8700 offers users optimized performance on applications that use either OpenGL or DirectX 8.1, as well as certification by workstation software developers to operate MCAD and DCC applications with increased reliability. The FIRE GL 8700 is pre-configured to maximize the performance of Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Linux operating systems and CPU optimizations.

The FIRE GL 8700 includes many leading-edge ATI technologies including SMARTSHADER(TM), programmable pixel and vertex shader technology enabling more complex and realistic lighting effects; TRUFORM(TM), an innovative rendering technology that helps to deliver extremely smooth and natural 3D images; HYDRAVISION(TM), a leading-edge desktop management software technology that supports dual monitors using traditional CRT (cathode ray tube) monitors and flat panel displays; HYPER Z(TM) II, a memory bandwidth saving technology; CHARISMA ENGINE(TM) II, the Transform, Clipping and Lighting engine and PIXEL TAPESTRY(TM) II, the 3D rendering engine capable of an incredible 2.4 gigatexels per second for fast fill rates in 32-bit true color.

The features shared with the RADEON 8000-series consumer graphics boards allow true "create-it and play-it" capability, allowing game developers to create their software while constantly being able to see the results as a gamer will.

The FIRE GL 8700 graphics board features 64MB (megabytes) of DDR (double data rate) memory and support for 3D resolutions (32-bit color) up to 2048 X 1536 pixels, digital flat panel (DVI) and dual monitor support. The FIRE GL 8700 uses a 165 MHz integrated TMDS transmitter to support DVI up to UXGA (1600 X 1200 pixels) resolution.

"The FIRE GL 8700 provides ATI with a fully-featured, economically-priced entry-level workstation graphics board to complement its newly introduced mobile workstation processor Mobility FIRE GL 7800, mid-range FIRE GL 8800 and the high-performance FIRE GL 4 processors," said Ed Huang, Director, Workstations, ATI Technologies Inc. "This product rounds out our workstation line, ensuring that there is a product to meet every price and performance requirement."

In addition to the new FIRE GL 8700, ATI is introducing a new configuration for the FIRE GL 8800 mid-range workstation product, which will feature 128MB of onboard memory.

Company Background

Founded in 1985, ATI Technologies Inc. is a world leader in the supply of graphics, video and multimedia solutions for the personal computer and Mac platforms. The pioneer, innovator and market leader in the graphics industry, ATI provides cutting-edge technologies for the PC, workstation, set-top box, game console and other consumer appliances markets. The Company has more than 1,900 employees supporting customers from its headquarters in Markham, Ontario, Canada, as well as from offices in Barbados, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and the United States. ATI common shares trade on NASDAQ (ATYT) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (ATY).

Copyright 2001 ATI Technologies Inc. All rights reserved. ATI and ATI product and product feature names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of ATI Technologies Inc. All other company and product names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Features, pricing, availability and specifications are subject to change without notice.

For media or industry analyst support, please visit our Web site at http://www.ati.com or contact:

Patti Macdonald, Public Relations Manager, Desktop and Workstation products, ATI Technologies Inc., at (905) 882-2600 Ext. 8809 or pmacdona@ati.com

Derek Baker, Counsellor, BenchMark Porter Novelli, at (416) 422-7158 or dbaker@bmporternovelli.com

Anne Ferguson, Senior Counsellor, BenchMark Porter Novelli, at (416) 422-7154 or aferguson@bmporternovelli.com

Brian Chadderton, Senior Public Relations Counsel, at (905) 882-2600, Ext. 8350 or bchadder@ati.com

For investor relations support, please contact:

Janet Craig, Director, Investor Relations, ATI Technologies Inc., at (905) 882-2600, Ext. 2631 or jcraig@ati.com