S3 Graphics and VIA Launch First Integrated Graphics Core Logic Chipset with Full AMD Support
ProSavage(TM) KM133 -- Powerful New Joint Venture Product Sets New Industry Standard for Scalability and Performance
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 15, 2000-- As part of their joint venture, S3 Graphics, a division of S3® Incorporated (Nasdaq:SIII - news), and VIA Technologies, Inc. today announced the availability of the ProSavage KM133, the first integrated graphics core logic chipset with full support for the Socket A AMD Duron(TM) and Athlon(TM) processors. Combining VIA's industry-leading Apollo KT133 chipset with the award-winning S3 Savage4(TM) 3D and Savage2000(TM) 2D graphics engines, the ProSavage KM133 sets a new standard for high performance integrated chipsets in high-volume AMD-based value PCs.
``AMD is excited about the performance the VIA ProSavage KM133 chipset delivers to value-conscious users when paired with AMD's high-speed 200MHz front side bus and performance enhancing cache technology included in both the Athlon and Duron processors,'' said Richard Heye, vice president and general manager, AMD's Texas Microprocessor Division. ``When placed next to the rich video features of the integrated S3 Savage4 AGP 4X graphics core, which includes advanced 3D texturing technology, hardware DVD support and multiple display options, you are left with a low-priced machine with high-performance power.''
``The VIA Apollo KT133 chipset maximizes the full performance of AMD's Duron and Athlon Socket A processors. This, combined with S3 Graphics' market leading Savage4 and Savage2000 graphics engines, sets a new benchmark for AMD-based systems,'' commented Wen-Chi Chen, president and CEO of VIA Technologies. ``This integrated graphics core logic chipset provides unrivalled competitive advantages for OEMs and Systems Integrators looking to build powerful, feature-rich PCs addressing multiple market segments.''
``The launch of the ProSavage KM133 closely follows the successful shipment of our first joint venture product, the Intel compatible ProSavage PM133 and shows our commitment to bringing the best in high-performance chipsets to the value PC market,'' commented Rick Bergman, chief operating officer, S3 Graphics. ``The breaking of technological barriers through continued innovation in our respective fields of expertise will continue to be a key objective of the joint venture between S3 Graphics and VIA.''
ProSavage KM133 Features
The ProSavage KM133 is a Shared Memory Architecture (SMA) chipset for the high-volume Value PC segment that integrates the VIA Apollo KT133 and the S3 Savage4 graphics core in a single, compact and cost-effective form. With a high speed 200 MHz Front Side Bus and supporting up to 2GB of the latest PC133 SDRAM and VC133 DRAM, the ProSavage KM133 is designed to optimize the performance of the full range of AMD Socket Athlon and Duron processors.
The ProSavage KM133 integrates key graphics features such as AGP4X, 32-bit full color rendering, S3TC texture compression, multi-texturing, hardware motion compensation for high quality DVD playback, and flexible display options for TVs or DVI 1.0 compliant Digital Flat Panels. To provide OEMs and Systems Integrators with flexible future graphics upgrade options, the ProSavage KM133 also features and optional expansion port.
In addition, the South Bridge offers AC-97 audio, MC-97 modem, Super I/O and ATA-66/100 support, networking or Home PNA, four USB ports, and LPC (Low Pin Count) bus, enabling the low cost integration of a full range of multimedia and communications features for AMD Duron processor-based Value PC systems.
Key Features
Supports AMD Athlon and AMD Duron processors
200MHz Front Side Bus
Integrated S3 Graphics' Savage4 3D graphics engine
External AGP4X expansion interface for optional graphics card upgrades
Supports up to 2.0GB of 100/133MHz SDRAM and VCM memory types
PCI 2.2
ATA 33/66/100
4 USB ports
Integrated AC-Link for AC-97 audio and HSP Modem
Integrated Super I/O and Hardware Monitoring
Integrated KBC, RTC
Integrated Network Controller to support either 10/100 Base-T Ethernet or 1/10MB Home PNA
Supports AMD PowerNow(TM) and advanced system power management with ACPI and OnNow
North Bridge: 552-pin BGA VT8365
South Bridge: 376-pin BGA VT8231
Pricing & Availability
Samples of the ProSavage KM133 are available now, and the product will enter mass production in Q4 2000. The ProSavage KM133 is priced at $40 in OEM quantities. Motherboards featuring the ProSavage KM133 will be on display at the forthcoming VIA Technology Forums in Taipei on 20-21st September, Tokyo on 22nd September, Beijing on 25th September and Munich 27th September 2000.
About S3 Graphics
S3 Graphics, a division of S3 Incorporated, has signed a formal agreement to enter into a joint venture with VIA Technologies. S3 Graphics specializes in discrete and integrated graphics for the mobile and desktop market. The joint venture harnesses the product strengths of both companies combining S3's cutting-edge graphics and video capabilities with VIA's market-leading core logic chipset technology. S3 Graphics has already shipped its first integrated product with VIA, and is working to an exciting and aggressive roadmap of future product releases.
About S3 Incorporated
Relaunched as an Internet appliance company, S3 is focused on creating products and partnerships that help build the digital home. With significant financial assets, global marketing capabilities and a focused technology portfolio, that includes Rio(TM) digital audio players, HomeFree(TM) home networking solutions, internet access products, discrete and integrated graphics chips, and forthcoming information appliances, S3 is now set to relaunch itself as a leading innovator in the rapidly converging Internet and consumer device markets
About VIA Technologies
VIA Technologies, Inc is the world's leading fabless supplier of PC core logic chipsets, microprocessors, and multimedia and communications chips. VIA delivers value to the PC industry by designing, marketing, and selling high-performance VIA Apollo core logic chipsets for the full range of PC platforms, as well as cost-effective VIA Cyrix processors for Value PCs and Internet Appliances. Its customers include the world's top OEMs, mainboard manufacturers, and system integrators.
VIA is headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, at the center of the Greater China high-tech manufacturing engine, and has branch offices in the U.S., China and Europe. The company is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE2388), and achieved annual revenues of US$356 million in 1999.
Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, such as S3 Graphics', VIA Technologies' and AMD's industry leadership, ProSavage KM133's ability to deliver unrivalled competitive advantage, mass production date of Q4 2000 and price of $40 are forward-looking statements that are subject to risk and uncertainties, including the ability of S3 and VIA Technologies to transition smoothly the graphics chip operations to the joint venture, the ability of S3 and VIA Technologies to work with its strategic partners and S3 and VIA Technologies' strategic partners' business objectives, the impact of competitive products and pricing and of alternative technological advances, the ability of S3 and VIA Technologies to timely introduce products that address market demands, and other risks detailed from time to time in S3's SEC reports, including its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000.
Note to Editors: S3 is a registered trademark of S3 Incorporated. The S3 corporate logo and HomeFree are trademarks of S3 Incorporated. Rio is a trademark of RioPort.com, Inc. and is used by S3 under licenses from RioPort.com, Inc. Other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact:
S3 Graphics, Santa Clara
(U.S. Press Contact)
Paul Ayscough, 408/588-8000
payscough@s3.com
or
VIA Technologies, Taipei
(Asia-Pacific Press Contact)
Richard Brown, 886-2-2218-5452 ext. 6201
Richard_Brown@via.com.tw
or
Hypa Creative Ltd
(UK Press Contact)
Deborah Hermans, +44-208-742-8668
deb@hypacreative.com
Email this story - View most popular stories emailed
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
