Windows Certification No Longer an Issue
LAS VEGAS, COMDEX, Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- 3Dfx Interactive(R) Inc.
(NASDAQ:TDFX) today announced that the 3Dfx Voodoo Banshee(TM) integrated
3D/2D graphics accelerator has passed Microsoft Corporation's Windows Hardware
Quality Labs (WHQL) testing and is qualified to use the "Designed for
Microsoft Windows" logo. Logo qualification means 3Dfx customers such as
Gateway, Tiny Computers, Quantex Microsystems, CyberMax, Pionex Technologies
and other PC OEMs yet to be announced -- can now more rapidly bring to market
PCs based on the Voodoo Banshee integrated chip, while assuring consumers that
they meet WHQL's comprehensive and stringent compatibility tests. In the
future, 3Dfx also will be able to certify its graphics accelerators through
self-testing, which will further reduce time-to-market for new products.
"The 'Designed for Microsoft Windows' logo ultimately eases the adoption
by PC manufacturers and raises the value of products based on Voodoo Banshee
technology," said Michael Howse, vice president of corporate marketing and
business development for 3Dfx Interactive. "This qualification is
particularly significant for our PC OEMs, for whom the process of choosing
advanced, consumer-ready, products has been dramatically simplified. The
benefits are just as great to consumers who want to know their graphics
technology is fully compatible with Windows operating systems."
"We are pleased to welcome the Voodoo Banshee as a product that has truly
been 'Designed for Microsoft Windows,'" said Kevin Bachus, product manager for
DirectX at Microsoft Corporation. "We look forward to continuing our valuable
and strategic relationship with 3Dfx to improve the performance and quality of
graphics on the Windows platform."
Passing Microsoft's WHQL tests has earned 3Dfx the right to market Voodoo
Banshee as "Designed for Microsoft Windows." Voodoo Banshee will also be
included on Microsoft's Hardware Compatibility List (HCL). WHQL tests are
conducted to improve Windows hardware and driver quality; increase end-user
satisfaction; reduce support costs; and increase the quality of hardware
supported by the Microsoft Windows NT, Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows CE
operating systems.
Voodoo Banshee, which recently earned top benchmark rankings from PC
Magazine, combines an entirely new state-of-the-art 2D engine, VGA and video
support with the core of the industry's most powerful 3D-only chipset,
Voodoo2(TM). PCs equipped with Voodoo Banshee can run more than 350 enhanced
games, with another 150 expected to be available by the end of the year. |
