ATI Introduces Complete Line of Next Generation FireGL'TM' Workstation Graphics Accelerators

ATI's AvivoTM technology powers new family of high performance FireGL products for DCC, CAD and visualization customers

MARKHAM, ONTARIO - ATI Technologies Inc. (TSX:ATY)(NASDAQ:ATYT) today announced a complete top-to-bottom line of next generation FireGLTM workstation graphics accelerators for professional users. The new family of products range from an ultra high-end one gigabyte configuration to 128MB model, and are all based on ATI's scalable, ultrathreaded architecture with AvivoTM video and display technology.

The next generation FireGL family includes the FireGLTM V3300 and FireGLTM V3400 for the entry level segment, the FireGLTM V5200 targeting the mid-range, and the high-end FireGLTM V7200, complementing the ultra high-end FireGLTM V7300 and FireGLTM V7350 announced in March of this year. With these products, ATI continues to advance the state of the art in workstation graphics, and drive advanced features to more affordable price points. Based on ATI's industry-leading Avivo technology, these accelerators incorporate the following advanced features:

- A 10-bit display pipeline capable of rendering scenes with over a billion colors;

- High dynamic range (HDR) 16-bit per RGB component output for incredible image fidelity;

- Dual link output, capable of driving ultra-high resolution cinema/widescreen monitors.

"ATI's engineering excellence continually leads the industry, and these new workstation products are no exception, delivering the first one gigabyte framebuffer, the first dual link output in an entry level solution, the first to offer two dual link outputs in a mid-range product, and the first to develop a 10-bit rendering pipeline as a core capability," said Joe Chien, General Manager, Workstation Group, ATI. "With this new lineup, ATI delivers the fastest performing and most fully featured workstation graphics accelerators at each price segment."

"ATI has now set its sights on expanding their business further into the mid-range and high end segments of the market, having led the entry level workstation graphics market since the industry transition to PCI Express," said Lloyd Cohen, Research Director, Technical Computing, IDC. "ATI is well poised to make a competitive play in all segments with this new product lineup."

"At Autodesk, we're continually striving to meet the needs of our customers, who are being challenged to handle increasingly large and complex scenes. Alongside the tools and architecture that we provide in Autodesk Maya software, our users require graphics hardware that can give them the power to drive these sophisticated and intricate data sets that are becoming the staples of their day-to-day work. The FireGL has all that and more," said Jill Ramsay, Senior Product Manager for Autodesk Maya Software. "With support of the 64-bit OS and now its new Avivo technology, ATI is an important partner that understands the direction that we want to take the industry in and is delivering the kind of experience professional users demand."

ATI's next generation workstation graphics accelerators offer a wide range of memory configurations and processing power depending on the needs of the end-user. The new line of FireGL products also offer the widest cross-platform support, including the upcoming Windows VistaTM operating system, and is optimized for applications based on OpenGL® 2.0 and DirectX® 9, ATI's FireGL products are supported by a unified driver, which is tested and certified by professional 3D ISV partners, ensuring system compatibility and reliability, while simplifying system administration and reducing maintenance costs. All FireGL products come with a three year warranty and direct access to a dedicated workstation technical support team.

The FireGL V3300, FireGL V3400, FireGL V5200 and FireGL V7200 are shipping today, from Workstation System Integrators - Alienware, Amax, Armari, Boxx, Cad2, Colfax, Monarch Computer Systems, Omnitech, Polywell, Safe Harbor, Systemax, Polywell, Velocity Micro, Voodoo PC, Xi Computer and 3dshop.com - from distributors - ASK, D&H, Exaact, Elsa Asia, Ingram Micro, Man & Machine, Noesse Daten Technik GmbH, Schneider Digital, Synnex and Tech Data - and Value Added Resellers.

For more information about ATI's FireGL products, please visit www.ati.com/FireGL.

About ATI Technologies
ATI Technologies Inc. is a world leader in the design and manufacture of innovative 3D graphics, PC platform technologies and digital media silicon solutions. An industry pioneer since 1985, ATI is the world's foremost graphics processor unit (GPU) provider and is dedicated to deliver leading-edge performance solutions for the full range of PC and Mac desktop and notebook platforms, workstation, set-top and digital television, game console and handheld device markets. With fiscal 2005 revenues of US $2.22 billion, ATI has more than 3,400 employees in the Americas, Europe and Asia. ATI common shares trade on NASDAQ (ATYT) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (ATY).

Posted On: 2006-04-24, 9:40 am

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