With AGP-8X, HyperTransport™ and x86-64 technologies, AMD will use open, industry standards to advance graphics technology in both 32-bit and 64-bit environments. Customers ranging from gamers to professionals who require increased performance for intensive graphics computing, such as digital content creation (DCC) and computer aided design (CAD), are expected to benefit from these technology innovations.

“AMD is committed to working with graphics card manufacturers in using industry-standard technologies, in innovative ways, to benefit our customers,” said Ed Ellett, vice president of marketing for AMD’s Computation Products Group. “Implementing new technologies like AGP-8X and HyperTransport on the AMD Opteron and eighth-generation AMD Athlon platforms will enable ongoing 32-bit system compatibility with the power to migrate to a 64-bit environment as needed. Our customers will be able to protect their current investments, and still realize leading-edge performance.”

“Native support for AGP-8X on both the SiS Xabre Graphics Card and the AMD eighth-generation platforms will provide the system resources necessary to significantly improve our customers’ graphical experience,” said Shing Wong, senior vice-president, SiS Corporation. “SiS also plans to support AMD in providing a seamless transition path for customers from 32-bit to 64-bit environments. Systems using AMD and SiS technologies can provide performance and scalability from desktops to enterprise computing, serving a full range of customers.”

"3Dlabs has long been a proponent of graphics standards, and is very satisfied to see that high memory bandwidth HyperTransport and AGP-8X technologies will become available for AMD processors," said Neil Trevett, senior vice president of market development for 3Dlabs. "Our recently announced Visual Processing Architecture incorporates an advanced virtual memory scheme which, in combination with AGP-8X, eliminates many of the previous GPU memory limitations."

“ATI’s support of both 32-bit and 64-bit drivers and the AMD eighth-generation platform is key in delivering the enhanced feature sets and increased bandwidth required for the new, powerful graphics applications our customers use,” said Rick Bergman, senior vice president, marketing and general manager, desktop, ATI Technologies Inc.

“Matrox graphics technologies combined with the AMD Opteron and eighth-generation AMD Athlon platforms can provide productivity-enhancing, multi display solutions necessary to meet the emerging needs of demanding users," said Dan Wood, vice president of technical marketing, Matrox Graphics Inc.

About the AMD Opteron™ Processor
The AMD Opteron processor is based on AMD’s eighth-generation processor core, which is planned to mark the introduction of the industry’s first x86-64 technology. This technology is planned to preserve companies’ investments in 32-bit applications while allowing a seamless transition to 64-bit computing, as those companies require. The AMD Opteron processor is designed to deliver high-performance server and workstation solutions for today’s most demanding enterprise applications. The processor is designed to be scalable, reliable and compatible, which can result in lower total cost of ownership. Key AMD Opteron processor innovations include an integrated memory controller, which reduces memory bottlenecks, and HyperTransport™ technology, which increases overall performance by removing or reducing I/O bottlenecks, increasing bandwidth and reducing latency.

About HyperTransport™ Technology
HyperTransport technology is a high-speed, high-performance, point-to-point link for integrated circuits, and is designed to meet the bandwidth needs of tomorrow’s computing and communications platforms. HyperTransport technology helps reduce the number of buses while providing a high-performance link for PCs, workstations, and servers, as well as numerous embedded applications and highly scalable multiprocessing systems. It is designed to allow chips inside of PCs, networking and communications devices to communicate with each other up to 48 times faster than with some existing bus technologies.

About AMD’s x86-64 Technology
AMD’s straightforward approach to 64-bit computing builds upon the x86 instruction set, one of the industry’s most proven and widely supported technologies. AMD’s x86-64 technology is designed to support applications that address large amounts of physical and virtual memory, such as high performance servers, database management systems, and CAD tools. AMD’s x86-64 technology seamlessly integrates into the current computing and support environment, and is designed to enable enterprises to deploy high performance 64-bit capable systems that build upon the billions of dollars already invested in 32-bit software.