Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:DIMD), a leader in PC multimedia and Internet connectivity, today announced that Dell Computer Corporation (Nasdaq:DELL), the world’s leading direct computer systems company, has chosen the 32MB Diamond Viper V770D NVIDIA(TM) AGP graphics card (an OEM version of Diamond’s Viper V770 graphics accelerator) as an optional graphics solution in Dell’s new Dimension(R) XPS T550 desktop and Dell Precision(TM) WorkStations.

Additionally, Diamond’s advanced Fire GL1 professional graphics accelerator will be offered as an option with the Dell Precision(TM) WorkStation 410 and 610, making Diamond’s first-to-market 256-bit graphics solution readily available to NT workstation users.

Diamond Multimedia’s new 32MB Viper V770D graphics accelerator is powered by NVIDIA Corporation’s (Nasdaq:NVDA) breakthrough RIVA TNT2(TM) graphics processor, offering the ultimate in visual quality and speed for today’s hottest 3D gaming and business applications. The Diamond Fire GL1 features IBM’s (NYSE:IBM) first graphics chipset for the NT platform, bringing a mid-range workstation graphics accelerator with outstanding 2D and 3D performance to the professional digital content creation market.

“Dell Computer offers our Viper V550 in their XPS T Pentium III series and now has again selected Diamond’s award-winning graphics cards to bring high-quality 3D and video to their top-selling desktop PCs and workstations,” said Steve Cotter, vice president of strategic accounts at Diamond Multimedia. “The combination of Diamond’s expertise in graphics with Dell’s high-quality components and engineering gives today’s PC and NT workstation users an impressive selection of top-performing systems designed to fit their individual needs.”

Viper V770D Pushes the Boundaries of 2D and 3D Performance

Diamond Multimedia’s Viper V770D graphics accelerator combines 32MB of high-speed memory, advanced 128-bit acceleration with NVIDIA’s TwiN Texel engine design, true single-pass multi-texturing and true-color 3D rendering to deliver high-quality imaging, high frame rates and remarkable 3D performance. Diamond’s 32MB Viper V770D AGP graphics card also provides up to AGP 2X support, 32-bit Z/stencil buffer and MPEG video playback.

In addition, Diamond’s Viper V770D graphics accelerator offers 2D and 3D resolution support up to 1920×1200, refresh rates up to 240Hz and support for monitors 24 inches and larger. Diamond Multimedia’s Viper V770D graphics accelerator also supports Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 95/98/NT 4.0 operating systems and is enhanced for the industry’s most popular application programming interfaces (APIs), including OpenGL(R) ICD and Microsoft’s DirectX 6(R). The Viper V770D supports the streaming SIMD instructions in Pentium(R) III processor-based PCs to deliver refined 3D graphics to the PC user.

Fire GL1 — Premium Workstation Graphics

Diamond’s Fire GL1 graphics solution, featuring the IBM 256-Bit Graphics Rasterizer engine, provides twice the bandwidth of standard 128-bit engines for the digital content creation market, including 3D animators, CAD engineers and Web content creators. Capable of processing up to 15 million anti-aliased vectors per second and achieving a fill-rate of 200 million pixels per second, the Diamond Fire GL1 brings a new level of price-performance graphics to the Windows NT platform.

Diamond’s new Fire GL-brand accelerator is optimized for multi-processor systems with multi-threaded OpenGL drivers and supports Intel’s new Pentium III Streaming SIMD Extensions. With an integrated 250Mhz RAMDAC, the Diamond Fire GL1 accelerator supports true color screen resolutions up to 1920×1200 with double buffering and a 24-bit Z-buffer. The Fire GL1 graphics accelerator also provides multi-screen support and can simultaneously handle the display of up to four monitors running under Windows NT 4.0.

Dell’s Dimension XPS T550 Desktop

Designed for first-class performance with Intel’s new Pentium III 550MHz processor, the Dell Dimension XPS T550 desktop PC offers custom-tailored systems for today’s growing home and business PC market. Dell customers can order customized Dimension XPS T series desktops based on the needs of their individual preferences. Additional information on the Dell Dimension XPS T550.
Dell’s Precision WorkStations with Pentium III Power

Designed for exceptional performance, the Dell Precision WorkStation series incorporates Intel’s new 550MHz Pentium III processor and supports single or dual processors. Dell customers can order custom-built Precision WorkStations including Diamond’s Viper V770D or Fire GL1 to fit their needs in both the mid-range and entry-level workstation market. Dell Precision WorkStations support applications from the industry’s leading independent software vendors, including Autodesk, Microsoft, Parametric Technology Corp., Unigraphics and many more. Additional information on the Precision WorkStation 210, 410, 610.
About Diamond Multimedia

Diamond Multimedia is a leader in PC multimedia and Internet connectivity, providing advanced products that enable desktop computer users to create, access and experience compelling, new media content from their PC’s and through the Internet. Products include the Rio series of Internet audio appliances, the Stealth and Viper(R) series of video accelerators, the Monster series of 3D gaming accelerators, the Fire series of professional graphics accelerators, the Supra(R) series of modems, and the HomeFree line of home networking products. Diamond’s common stock is traded on NASDAQ under the symbol DIMD,
How to Contact Diamond Multimedia

There are many ways to reach Diamond for sales support, technical assistance, driver updates and general information:

HomeFree, Monster 3D, Rio, Shotgun, SpeedStar and SupraSonic are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. Monster(R) is a registered trademark of Monster Cable. Viper(R) is a registered trademark of Directed Electronics, Inc., Used under License. All other trademarks referenced are the service mark, trademark or registered trademark of their respective manufacturers. This announcement relates to products whose introductions are in North America. The product name, contents, prices and availability may differ elsewhere in the world according to local factors and requirements.