Advanced 90nm lead-free manufacturing enables unprecedented 700Mhz core frequency for Chrome S27 and industry-leading performance per watt across the series, enabling silent yet powerful 8 pixel shader performance
Beijing, China, November 3rd, 2005 - S3 Graphics today launched its 4th generation DirectX® 9.0 graphics processor units (GPUs), the Chrome 20 series, with the introduction of the Chrome S20 range of desktop graphics accelerators that combines the richer integration of Fujitsu Limited’s 90nm process technology with S3 Graphics’ advanced Power Wise architecture for the most power efficient graphics in the industry.
The Chrome S20 series further enhances S3Graphics’ signature Hi-Def™ visual experience, complementing the native 1080p HDTV support and widescreen display capability with Chromotion™ 3.0, the next generation programmable video engine boasting hardware accelerated motion compensation and WMV-HD support. Delivering smooth playback of high definition content with ultra low CPU utilization and power draw, the Chrome S20 series is ideal for the home theater PC and media-centric digital living room market segments. The first two members of the Chrome S20 Series desktop GPU family are:
-- Chrome S27 - With a core clock of 700Mhz, Chrome S27 operates at the highest frequency of any GPU currently available, yet takes full advantage of its highly efficient design and ultra low power 90nm manufacturing to set new records for performance per watt. With flexible memory support up to DDR3, Chrome S27 also supports dual graphics implementations with the upcoming MultiChrome technology.
-- Chrome S25 - Brings superb 8 pixel shader performance to middle and value mainstream segments with a class-leading balance of features, price, performance and ultra low power draw, providing a smart new alternative in these competitive markets. With a 32-bit to 128-bit DDR2 memory interface, Chrome S25 introduces S3Graphics AcceleRAM technology to boost the performance of smaller memory configurations.
“The Chrome S20 series is a clear demonstration of how advanced process technology coupled with a highly efficient design can deliver true value to the discerning PC user,” said Dr. Ken Weng, General Manager of S3 Graphics. “Boasting such a rich feature set and extended memory support at prices at very competitive prices, Chrome S20 clearly represents the start of the future for the new S3 Graphics.”
The Chrome S20 series offers considerable flexibility in memory compatibility, including full support for DDR-1, cost effective DDR-2 and high speed DDR-3 memory technologies, serving up a wide variety of price/performance configurations for OEMs targeting the volume mainstream desktop market place.
Reflecting the company’s environmental drive, the complete range of Chrome 20 series is ROHS compliant, using lead-free wafer bumping, substrate construction, final packaging and assembly. Lead-Free readiness makes S3 Graphics’ latest products ideal for OEM and system builders planning for full ROHS compliance, which will become a requirement for systems targeted for sale by mid-next year in many global regions.
Stunning 3D Graphics
The Chrome S20 series has a high speed DirectX 9.0 graphics engine consisting of 4 full precision vertex shader units and 8 full precision pixel shader units, translating into an amazing 5.6 Billion pixel shader operations per second for Chrome S27, setting the stage for next generation applications with lengthy, complex shaders, as well as meeting the requirements for next generation operating systems incorporating complex graphical desktops.
Native support of the ultra high bandwidth PCI Express removes graphics processing throughput bottlenecks and builds in plenty of headroom for tomorrow’s even more demanding graphics-intensive applications.
Redefining the Hi-Def™ Visual Experience
Boasting powerful new video processing capabilities, such as hardware acceleration motion compensation, in-loop filtering and border extension for WMV-HD, the Chrome S20 series offers the distinctive rich Hi-Def visual experience.
S3 Graphics’ next generation Chromotion 3.0 is at the heart of Chrome 20 series Hi-Def media capabilities. Providing acceleration for all leading video standards, powerful video scaling for the burgeoning widescreen digital media experience and a host of programmable creative and artistic effects, the Chrome S27 is fully compatible with Microsoft’s Media Center Edition to ensure an unbeatable entertainment experience.
Geared for Silent Running
Power consumption is becoming a critical parameter in the PC world, as usage continues to increase in the home for game play, digital photography, media playback/recording and home office and communications, both in terms of spiraling power costs as well as the noise pollution that is becoming increasingly unacceptable, especially in living room systems.
Developed utilizing the fourth generation of S3 Graphics’ unique Power Wise architecture, the Chrome S20 series features advanced power management features usually found only in mobile solutions, such as multi-domain dynamic clock gating. This efficient and power smart design, coupled with Fujitsu’s advanced 90nm process technology has enabled the Chrome 20 series to set new standards in desktop power/performance without compromising on features, and allows completely silent fanless add-in cards.
Introducing All-New Technologies
The different skus of the new Chrome S20 series introduce two new key technologies designed specifically to offer new value to end-users:
-- MultiChrome™ - Chrome S27 introduces S3 Graphics MultiChrome, an open-platform and cable free multi-graphics acceleration technology. MultiChrome will enable two or more Chrome S27 cards or GPUs to operate together to provide additional game acceleration on any motherboard with suitable PCIe slots, and its completely open, non-propriety demonstrated support on multiple vendor chipset solutions is another industry first for the Chrome S27 product.
-- AcceleRAM™ - S3 Graphics AcceleRAM technology featured in Chrome S25 enables big memory performance while leveraging the lower cost structure of reduced on-board memory. AcceleRAM allows Chrome S25 to operate with 32-bit or 64-bit wide memory interfaces with local frame buffers consisting of just one or more memory chips. AcceleRAM boards with Chrome S25 offer a smart upgrade path for cost sensitive segments.
For more information on the S3 Graphics Chrome S20 Series, please visit our website at: http://www.s3graphics.com
About S3 Graphics
S3 Graphics Co., Ltd., a VIA Technologies, Inc. joint venture company, is a leading supplier to the 3D enabled PC graphics market it pioneered. Today, S3 Graphics ships high performance consumer graphics cards to desktop board manufacturers and 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 into shared memory architecture products for the high volume, value PC market. 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
