SAN
JOSE, Calif., Aug. 24, 2000 -- Intel
Corporation today announced an Advanced Graphics Port (AGP) roadmap,
starting with a new AGP8x specification designed to double the graphics
processing speed of today's most popular PC desktop and workstation
platforms. The AGP8x specification is the next step on Intel's development
roadmap for new AGP technologies to satisfy the performance and scalability
needs of future graphics applications.
AGP8x is the specification for the next-generation parallel AGP interface.
Like AGP4x, it implements a 32-bit wide bus, but the new specification
allows a doubling of speed to 533 MHz and supports a data rate of two
gigabytes per second (2 GB/s).
A technical review of the AGP8x specification will be presented today
by Raj K. Ramanujan, platform architecture manager, and Warren Morrow,
senior architect, Technology & Research Labs, Intel Corporation, at
the Intel Developer Forum Conference.
Better 3-D Visualization
"The forthcoming introduction of the Intel Pentium 4 processor
means that the external graphics attach point must advance to take advantage
of higher processor and bus speeds and meet the need for better 3-D
visualization in games and on the Internet," said Pat Gelsinger,
vice president and chief technology officer of the Intel Architecture
Group. "We are focusing on a unified approach that embraces all high-end
PC desktop and workstation market segments. The next part of that roadmap
is AGP8x, an evolutionary step from AGP4x, to be followed by a future
serial graphics bus."
Intel believes that the AGP8x specification will satisfy the greater
bandwidth needs of Pentium 4 processor-based platforms. However, Intel
is also looking beyond the parallel bus technology on which AGP8x is
based to gather requirements and develop a new roadmap for emerging
AGP technologies that promise to provide the increasing performance
and scalability required for future applications.
Major Hardware Vendors Support AGP8x
As part of its broad effort to develop and implement AGP8x technology,
Intel has engaged with graphics vendors ATI Technologies Inc., Matrox
Graphics Inc. and NVIDIA Corporation to support the graphics initiative
and to evaluate, comment on, and validate the AGP8x specification.
"ATI has been working closely with Intel to develop a robust AGP8x
bus specification, and is pleased with the increased bandwidth enabled
in this new graphics attach port. ATI will offer future members of the
RADEON family that fully exploit AGP8x," said Henry Quan,
vice president, Corporate Development, at ATI.
"Collaborating with Intel on the development of the AGP8x spec is
particularly exciting since the extra AGP bandwidth will benefit the
many innovative technologies being developed for future Matrox products,"
said Jean-Jacques Ostiguy, chief architect, Matrox Graphics
Inc. "Because Matrox's graphics technologies invariably implement
the most advanced industry standards, we can ensure that our customers
are always two steps ahead."
"As a leader in worldwide graphics technology, NVIDIA relies on continuous
platform innovation to progress the state of the PC," said Dan
Vivoli, vice president of marketing at NVIDIA. "AGP8x is the
kind of technology breakthrough we've come to expect from the key contributor,
Intel."
Specification Available Soon
Intel will publish the AGP8x draft specification later this year
at www.intel.com/technology/agp/agp_index.htm.
A royalty-free license agreement will be available for those who wish
to participate in the licensing program.
About IDF
The Intel Developer Forum Conference is Intel's premier technical
forum comprising nearly 250 sessions and hands-on labs and more than
100 demonstrations of cutting-edge products and technologies. IDF attracts
thousands of hardware and software developers worldwide. Now in its
third year, the semi-annual conference provides hardware OEMs (original
equipment manufacturers), IHVs (independent hardware vendors), and ISVs
(independent software vendors) with in-depth information on Intel technologies
and initiatives.
More information on the Intel Developer Forum can be found at http://developer.intel.com/idf.
Updated information is available between Intel Developer Forums by subscribing
to the Intel Developer Update Magazine at http://developer.intel.com/update/.
Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer
of computer, networking and communications products.
