AMCC Fills Apple Workstation External Storage Gap with 3Ware Sidecar High Performance Desktop Raid Solution; Offers Mac OS X Support, Storage Expansion and Data Protection for the Power Mac G5

Business Wire, Sept 12, 2006

PARIS & SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- At Apple Expo in Paris today, Applied Micro Circuits Corporation (AMCC) (NASDAQ-GS: AMCC) announced the availability of the 3ware(R) Sidecar SATA II desktop storage solution, providing robust hardware RAID data protection for the Apple(R) Power Mac(R) G5. The 3ware Sidecar offers up to three terabytes in capacity and RAID 5 write speeds up to 150MB per second, making the solution ideal for professional audio and video, high-end graphics and workstation applications.

AMCC brings to the Mac market many years of experience in developing high performance RAID controller systems for the Linux(R) and Windows(R) environments. Its new 3ware Sidecar leverages the company's 3ware StorSwitch(TM) architecture, and integrates custom-designed firmware, hardware and management software optimized for high bandwidth applications.

"The storage aftermarket for Macintosh environments is underserved," said Mike Karp, senior analyst at Enterprise Management Associates of Boulder, Colo. "Mac 'prosumers' generate lots of data, but up until now they have had very limited choices when it was time to add more storage - they could either buy a low-end desktop storage solution or make the very substantial investment needed to acquire a Fibre Channel-based system. AMCC's 3ware Sidecar is a true hardware RAID solution that fills the gap between those extremes."

With up to six times the speed of FireWire(R) and USB 2.0, the 3ware Sidecar is comprised of a sleek 4-bay, external SATA desktop enclosure; a two-meter external SATA Multi-lane(TM) cable; a 3ware PCI Express to SATA II RAID controller and RAID management software.

"The 3ware Sidecar will lead the Mac aftermarket as the only true SATA hardware-based RAID solution," stated Scott Cleland, director of marketing at AMCC Storage. "Our proven track record in developing, delivering and supporting business-critical RAID solutions sets us apart. The 3ware Sidecar will give demanding Mac users the peace of mind to never have to worry about running out of capacity or losing their data because of a failed drive."

"Recording 24 96kHz/24-bit tracks and editing DV and HDV Video with the 3ware Sidecar is a breeze," said Stephen Burich of Shadowtree Productions, a music and video production house based in San Jose, Calif. "With its speed, massive storage capacity and critical RAID 5 protection, the 3ware Sidecar is now a permanent part of my studio."

The 3ware Sidecar RAID controller provides onboard processors to deliver true hardware RAID. Software RAID schemes use the host system's processor, exploit host memory, potentially rob the system of as much as 60% of its CPU cycles just to process RAID calculations, and compromise reliability, risking data loss in an operating system failure.

Pricing and Availability

The AMCC 3ware Sidecar will begin shipping later this month to AMCC's worldwide network of distributors, VARs and direct market resellers. Suggested list price for the 3ware Sidecar is $1,295; disk drives are not included.

About AMCC

AMCC blends systems and software expertise to provide the essential building blocks for the processing, moving and storing of data worldwide. The #1 high-port count Serial ATA RAID controller line, AMCC's 3ware family of SATA RAID storage solutions deliver cost-effective, high-performance, high-capacity storage for enterprises and consumers worldwide in applications such as disk-to-disk backup, near-line storage, network-attached storage (NAS), video, and high-performance computing. The company is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California with offices throughout the world. For more information, visit http://www.3ware.com or http://www.amcc.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as expects, anticipates, plans, believes, estimates, will or words of similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements, including statements relating to the products discussed in this press release, are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the risk that the products may not be successfully or timely developed, completed or manufactured or achieve market acceptance, risks relating to general economic conditions, as well as the risks and uncertainties set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in the Company's other SEC filings. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and AMCC does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

AMCC(R), 3ware(R), StorSwitch(TM), and Multi-lane(TM) are trademarks or registered trademarks of Applied Micro Circuits Corporation. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.