SOURCE NVIDIA CorporationNVIDIA Leads Industry in 64-Bit Transition With Immediate Support for Windows XP Professional x64 and Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions
Additional Bandwidth Essential in the Development of Next Generation Video and Graphics Applications
WINHEC, SEATTLE, April 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NVIDIA Corporation
(Nasdaq: NVDA), a worldwide leader in graphics and digital media processors,
today demonstrated its 64-bit computing platform technology leadership with
the immediate availability of a Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL)-certified
graphics driver that supports the entire family of Microsoft Windows x64
editions. The NVIDIA(R) ForceWare(TM) suite of software drivers works with all
of Microsoft's 64-bit and 32-bit operating systems to provide customers with
updated support and features that enhance their computing experience.
"Microsoft is excited about the innovations that NVIDIA brings to the
world of 64-bit, helping deliver the best computing experience to our
customers," said Brian Marr, senior product manager of Windows at Microsoft
Corp. "By working closely with NVIDIA, we feel confident that its entire suite
of products will continue to provide users of Windows XP Professional x64
Edition and Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions with the compatibility, stability
and reliability they've come to expect from NVIDIA."
The Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition and the Windows XP Professional x64
Edition allow customers to easily run both 32-bit and 64-bit applications and
make the shift to 64-bit computing at their own pace while preserving current
investments in 32-bit applications. Customers can also expect substantial
performance improvements compared to 32-bit product versions.
NVIDIA was the first to ship a WHQL Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
graphics driver. Using its unified driver architecture, the ForceWare Release
70 driver brings 64-bit support to the consumer and workstation product
families. By delivering a complete feature set, the NVIDIA 64-bit driver
architecture leads the way for OEM customers and industry partners to
confidently transition into the world of 64-bit computing. NVIDIA has worked
closely with Microsoft and other key industry partners to enable full hardware
support for the latest generation of 64-bit architectures and applications in
the ForceWare Release 70 drivers.
"Film, broadcast, and other developers have been waiting for a solid 64-
bit computing environment to accelerate the digital media era," stated Ned
Finkle, vice president of strategic marketing at NVIDIA. "By coordinating with
Microsoft, we've been able to combine our industry leading technology with
their innovative Windows x64 editions, so 64-bit technology can be leveraged
by new applications like HD Video Editors, professional workstations, and
Digital Video Recorders."
The move to 64-bit technology is a further example of how NVIDIA is a
driving force in digital media application development. 64-bit technology will
allow the development community more flexibility to add exciting effects with
larger "bit depth" and will offer the professional application developer
increased memory space for creating more complex models. When combined with an
NVIDIA development platform (the only platform that supports Microsoft DirectX
9.0 Shader Model 3.0), digital content developers have a forward looking
computing platform to advance their art form.
NVIDIA 64-bit technology is compatible with both AMD and Intel
architectures and is a key component in driving the next generation of Media
Center platforms. OEMs like HP, Apple, and others are already shipping 64-bit-
ready PCs that include NVIDIA graphics processing units (GPUs) and media and
communications processors (MCPs).
About NVIDIA
NVIDIA Corporation is a worldwide leader in graphics and digital media
processors. The Company's products enhance the end-user experience on consumer
and professional computing devices. NVIDIA graphics processing units (GPUs),
media and communications processors (MCPs), and wireless media processors
(WMPs) have broad market reach and are incorporated into a variety of
platforms, including consumer and enterprise PCs, notebooks, workstations,
PDAs, mobile phones, and video game consoles. NVIDIA is headquartered in Santa
Clara, California and employs more than 2,100 people worldwide. For more
information, visit the Company's Web site at http://www.nvidia.com .
Certain statements in this press release including, but not limited to,
the features, performance, capabilities and benefits of 64-bit technology are
forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that
could cause results to be materially different than expectations. Such risks
and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, acceptance of new
technologies and products by the market, the demand for new technology,
manufacturing or software defects, incompatibility of technologies, general
industry trends, the impact of competitive products and pricing alternatives,
changes in industry standards and interfaces, and other risks detailed from
time to time in the NVIDIA reports filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission including its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2005.
These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. NVIDIA
disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
NOTE: All company and/or product names may be trade names, trademarks
and/or registered trademarks of the respective owners with which they are
associated. Features, pricing, availability, and specifications are subject
to change without notice.
Web Site: http://www.nvidia.com
