New S3 Graphics DeltaChromeX9m Redefines the Future of Mobile Computing with Advanced Hi-Def DX9 Graphics and Video Performance and Fully Native HDTV Support

Specifically designed for mobile from the ground up, the S3 Graphics DeltaChromeX9m combines industry-leading performance and features with ultra-low power technologies to provide stunning film-like video quality for the most demanding notebook and tablet PC applications

Fremont, California, 16 January 2003 - S3 Graphics Inc., a leading supplier to the 3D graphics accelerator market, today announced the ultimate in graphics subsystem processors for commercial and consumer notebook markets, the DeltaChromeX9m™ mobile graphics processor. Incorporating the latest hardware for full support of Microsoft’s® DX9 initiative and the industry’s most powerful 8 pixel pipeline graphics core, DeltaChromeX9m will deliver the world’s most compelling graphics experience for the mobile user.

DeltaChromeX9m includes the industry’s first integrated Hi-Def™ TV encoder for true high definition display devices up to an incredible 1080 progressive lines of resolution, and the result when combined with the new Chromotion™ programmable video engine is picture perfect on today’s high definition displays. Available with optional integrated memory, this tour de force in performance and features comes with battery friendly, ultra-low power capabilities utilizing third generation PowerWise™ power management technology.

“DeltaChromeX9m marks a new paradigm for mobile graphics processors. It not only has the highest performance DX9 3D engine, it will offer incomparable video quality and incredibly low power that notebook customers are looking for today. Quite simply, DeltaChromeX9m is the epitome in mobile graphics processors,” commented Dr. Gerry Liu, Vice President of Marketing at S3 Graphics Inc.

S3 Graphics DeltaChrome V8™ graphics core is the most sophisticated and complex core ever to be designed specifically for the demanding mobile PC environment. The 8-pixel pipeline, each 128-bit, 3D engine boasts an amazing 2.4 Giga-pixels per second fill rate for an unparalleled 3D experience in mobile applications, while the programmable Pixel Shader 2.0+ and Vertex Shader 2.0+ implementation in hardware is above and beyond Microsoft DX9 requirements. The ground-breaking Advanced Deferred Rendering™ technology dramatically increases the efficiency of the 3D engine for maximum performance beyond standard z-culling technology, and the programmable floating point render target and blending will set a new standard for accuracy and quality in 3D effects for a surreal gaming experience. Moreover, PicturePerfect™ full-screen anti-aliasing technology will reward the end user with an elegant realistic image for all connected displays.

An extensive list of standard and exotic mobile features includes the integrated Hi-Def TV encoder with support of 480I/P, 720P and 1080I/P resolutions to match any standard and high definition mode that the user may require, and 7th generation Duo-View extended desktop feature providing up to QXGA resolutions using an integrated LVDS transmitter and high quality panel scaler plus an added display device. Also, true hardware support for display rotation means that DeltaChromeX9m is the ideal graphics solution for tablet PC applications.

DeltaChromeX9m continues S3 Graphics’ leadership in low power utilization for mobile applications by employing advanced 0.13 micron low power fabrication technology and core voltage as low as 0.9V. The latest version of the PowerWise power management utility includes dynamic voltage and operating frequency control as well as proprietary techniques to reduce idle power consumption below 0.5W.

The new Chromotion programmable video engine technology in DeltaChromeX9m will allow flexibility and quality that was not achievable before. Chromotion enables the processing of compressed and raw video streams as well as ingenious post processing for film-like video from any video source such as MPEG-2/4, webcasts, WMV8/9 and others. Support for Microsoft VMR front-end processing for pixel adaptive de-interlacing, programmable video scaling and video compositing as well as traditional video overlay support ensures future-proof video for the end user. For the professional video graphic artist, Chromotion offers real time video filter effects for creative muscle.

“DirectX 9.0 and HLSL are the new industry standards for Windows-based gaming content and are fully supported by the ultra-low power DeltaChrome mobile graphics processors from S3 Graphics,” said Dean Lester, General Manager of Windows Graphics and Gaming Technologies at Microsoft Corporation. “DeltaChrome's compelling DirectX 9.0 architecture with ultra-low power mobile technology in the 0.13u and 0.9 volt process redefines the high-performance notebook PC with movie quality high-resolution graphics and video.”

DeltaChromeM128™ and DeltaChromeM64+™ are integrated memory versions of DeltaChromeX9m using the latest in packaging techniques. DeltaChromeM128 is offered with up to 256 MB of integrated memory using flip-chip multi-package module (FC-MPM) technology, while DeltaChromeM64+ MPM comes with integrated memory and the capability to expand up to 256MB externally.



About S3 Graphics, Inc.

S3 Graphics, Inc., a VIA Technologies joint venture company, is a leading supplier to the 3D enabled PC graphics market it pioneered. Today, S3 Graphics ships low power, high performance, Commercial Grade 3D graphics sub-systems to top tier notebook manufacturers. In addition, S3 Graphics integrates market-leading chipset technology from VIA Technologies, Inc. into shared memory architecture products for the high volume, value PC market. Headquartered in Fremont, California, S3 Graphics has a long-term commitment to top performance, quality and state-of-the-art features for desktop and mobile applications. Additional information can be found at the Company’s website at http://www.s3graphics.com.