1/13/98 - ULTRASPARC-IIi MICROPROCESSOR POWERS SUN'S NEW DARWIN WORKSTATIONS, THE ULTRA 5 AND ULTRA 10

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ULTRASPARC-IIi MICROPROCESSOR POWERS SUN'S NEW DARWIN WORKSTATIONS, THE ULTRA 5 AND ULTRA 10

UltraSPARC-IIi Processor Targets Workstation, Server and Embedded Markets

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - January 13, 1998 - Sun Microsystems, Inc. today announcedthe availability of the new 300 MHz, 64-bit UltraSPARC^TM-IIi microprocessor. The UltraSPARC-IIi provides the processing power behind Sun Microsystems' new Darwin workstations, the Ultra 5 and Ultra 10, enabling these systems to deliver workstation performance at PC prices. The UltraSPARC-IIi, a highly integrated, PCI-based processor, was designed for entry-level workstations and servers as well as the high-performance embedded market, including communications, networking, and imaging applications.

"The most important benefit of the UltraSPARC-IIi processor in the new Darwin systems, is that it gives technical users workstation performance at the same price as a PC," said Gene Banman, vice president and general manager, desktop products group, Sun Microsystems Computer Company. "Having the PCI bus interface and memory controller on the same chip as the CPU has helped us deliver our new Darwin systems at this very attractive price and allows Sun to reach new markets."

The UltraSPARC-IIi processor builds on the strength of the 64-bit UltraSPARC microprocessor family and adds the functionality of memory controllers and PCI bridge chips to deliver a tightly integrated single-chip solution. The UltraSPARC-IIi processor is sold both in a single chip and module solution with 512Kbytes dedicated external cache. The immediate benefit for system designers is reduced system cost along with superior overall system performance and ease of design.

"System designers are continuously looking for ways to produce smaller, faster and less expensive products," said Jeff O'Neal, Sun's SPARC^TM group marketing manager. "The UltraSPARC-IIi microprocessor provides a major step toward achieving this goal. Not only are we offering customers the performance benefits of the 64-bit SPARC architecture, but we are also taking full advantage of the PCI industry infrastructure."

UltraSPARC-IIi Microprocessor and Module

UltraSPARC-IIi is a highly-integrated 64-bit SPARC V9 superscalar processor and is available as both a single chip and module. At 300 MHz with 512Kbytes external cache, the UltraSPARC-IIi processor-based module provides a SPECint95 of 12.1 and SPECfp95 of 12.9. The UltraSPARC-IIi processor supports four PCI devices at up to 66 MHz and an optional Advanced PCI Bridge is available to increase connectivity and support demand for PCI I/O bandwidth for up to eight devices at 33 MHz. The UltraSPARC-IIi processor provides optimum I/O, memory and compute performance for typical uniprocessor systems. This means a balanced price/performance solution that delivers the power and features needed by high-end applications, such as optimized power utilization, supporting manufacturability, and ease-of-design.

The integration of the UltraSPARC-IIi microprocessor and the Advanced PCI Bridge allows designers to add UltraSPARC architecture price-performance levels to a broad range of embedded and desktop designs. This CPU-Bridge combination not only optimizes embedded designs that require maximum processing power, but also drives desktop applications supporting connections to a wide array of PCI-compatible devices up to 66 MHz (directly) and 33 MHz (across the bridge). The UltraSPARC-IIi processor is optimized for the telecommunications, high-performance networking and imaging markets, for use in applications such as adjunct communication processors, switched routers and multifunction printers and photocopiers.

VIS Multimedia Instruction Set

In addition to its many other features, the UltraSPARC-IIi processor takes full advantage of the VIS^TM instruction set for applications in accelerating multimedia, image processing, and networking. The VIS instruction set continues to be the highest-performance and most robust set of multimedia extensions available today. UltraSPARC microprocessor customers have expanded the breadth of VIS applications to include media intensive applications, such as 3D medical imaging.

Sun's New Darwin Workstations, The Ultra 5 and Ultra 10

Sun's low-priced Darwin workstations are designed for the growing number of performance and power-hungry desktop users who demand hardware/software solutions that can handle graphics and compute-intensive applications. Sun is addressing this market by offering PCI I/O based systems that include high-end graphics solutions, superior management and integration tools, high-performance networking capabilities and excellent service and support.

Software Support

The UltraSPARC i-Series of processors supports Sun's Solaris^TM operating system and is binary-compatible with the broad array of existing SPARC applications. In addition, Sun is working with leading real-time operating system (RTOS) and tool chain suppliers, including VxWorks/Tornado from WindRiver, Chorus from Sun, BSD/OS from BSD1 and GNUpro from Cygnus, for embedded applications. Pricing and Availability

The 300 MHz UltraSPARC-IIi microprocessor is available today as both a single processor and module with 512Kbytes external cache. In volume quantities, the new processor sells for $470, while the module sells for $890. The Advanced PCI-to-PCI Bridge (APB) sells for $50. The processor is available in a ceramic LGA package and the APB is available in a plastic BGA package. For further information about the UltraSPARC- IIi processor contact Sun Microelectronics Sales at (650) 960-4200 or visit our website at http://www.sun.com/sparc.

About Sun

Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision, "The Network Is The Computer^TM," has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ:SUNW) to its position as a leading provider of hardware, software and services for establishing enterprise-wide intranets and expanding the power of the Internet. With more than $8.5 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 150 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://www.sun.com.

Sun, the Sun logo, Sun Microsystems, Solaris and The Network is the Computer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All SPARC trademarks are used under license and are trademarks or registered trademarks of SPARC International, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Products bearing SPARC trademarks are based upon an architecture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc.
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