Intel Announces First In A Series Of Pentium® Overdrive® Processor Upgrades Featuring MMX™ Media Enhancement Technology

Offers Higher Level of Performance for Upgradable Pentium® Processor-Based Systems

FOLSOM, Calif., March 3, 1997--Intel Corporation today announced the availability of Pentium® OverDrive® processors with MMX™ media enhancement technology for upgradable Pentium processor-based systems with speeds of 100-, 90- and 75-MHz. The new Pentium OverDrive processors with MMX technology provide higher levels of processor performance for existing applications and even better performance for media-rich applications designed for Intel's MMX technology. MMX technology is an enhancement to the Intel Architecture that brings a new level PC experience to users.

New educational, reference, games and communications applications designed for Intel's MMX technology are available today with many more expected to be announced throughout the year. The combination of a Pentium OverDrive processor with MMX technology upgrade and the new software will enhance the user's computing experience by enabling higher quality graphics with lifelike color, full-screen video, improved frame rates and 3D audio. The products being introduced today provide users the following upgrade path:

• 100-MHz Pentium processor, upgraded with a Pentium OverDrive Processor with MMX technology, runs at 166-MHz
• 90-MHz Pentium processor, upgraded with a Pentium OverDrive Processor with MMX technology, runs at 150-MHz
• 75-MHz Pentium processor, upgraded with a Pentium OverDrive Processor with MMX technology, runs at 125-MHz

"The new Pentium OverDrive processors with MMX technology offer users of upgradable Pentium processor-based PCs a bridge to Intel's new MMX technology and performance capabilities," said Jim Yasso, vice president, Desktop Products Group and general manager, Reseller Products Division. "Now users can speed up the processor performance of all their existing applications as well as take advantage of the exciting new software designed for MMX technology."

Accelerated Performance for the Most Demanding Multimedia Applications
Each Pentium OverDrive processor with MMX technology will also include a CD ROM sampler featuring a free MMX technology software application, "Rebel Moon Rising" from Fenris Wolf, and several demos of other applications designed for MMX technology. For a limited time, purchasers will be able to select and order a second MMX technology title and pay only shipping and handling charges. In addition to "Rebel Moon Rising," the CD ROM includes samples from "Eraser-Turnabout" from Imagination Pilots Entertainment, "Time Tables of Technology from Byron Preiss Multimedia Co., "POD" from UbiSoft Entertainment, Inc., "The Third Dimension" from Davidson & Associates, Inc., "Visual Home Deluxe" from Books That Work, "Space Station Simulator" from Maris Multimedia, the "Ultimate Human Body 2.0" from DK Multimedia and "Photo Deluxe" from Adobe Systems, Inc.

Test results indicate users will realize a significant increase in processor performance for common desktop applications. For example, users with a Pentium 100-MHz processor-based system who upgrade to a Pentium 166-MHz OverDrive processor with MMX technology, will experience 35-70% higher performance, depending on the application, on common desktop applications due to the doubled onchip cache size to 32KB, faster CPU clockspeed, and more efficient branch prediction.

On Intel's Media Benchmark the Pentium OverDrive processor with MMX technology delivers approximately 150% performance improvement when upgrading an existing 100MHz Pentium processor-based PC with a 166-MHz Pentium OverDrive processor with MMX technology. This benchmark, which measures the performance of processors running media-rich software, consists of audio, video, imaging, and 3D geometry components.

Internet users will find that upgrading their existing system with a Pentium OverDrive processor with MMX technology will provide extra processor performance to power an abundance of media-rich resources, including new hybrid applications.

Optimized Systems for Corporate Software Migration
The on-going migration to distributed multitasking computing environments places even more compute-intensive demands on desktop client systems. Pentium OverDrive processors provide businesses with an alternative when they cannot feasibly replace all desktops with new Intel processor-based systems during a major operating system or client/server deployment project. By supplementing new systems purchases with Pentium OverDrive processor upgrades, organizations can bring all upgradable desktop systems to more acceptable levels of performance to meet the critical needs of employees while managing their organization's overall computing investment.

Product Pricing and Availability
The Manufacturer's Suggested List prices for the new series of Pentium OverDrive processors are $499 for the Pentium OverDrive processor with MMX technology that upgrade 100-MHz Pentium processor-based systems to Pentium 166-MHz with MMX technology; and $399 for the Pentium OverDrive processors with MMX technology that upgrade 75- and 90-MHz Pentium processor-based systems to Pentium 125- and 150-MHz with MMX technology, respectively.

Compatibility and Support
The Pentium OverDrive processor is supported by an easy-to-use insallation manual, diagnostics disk, and toll-free technical support. By offering this simple single-chip approach to processor upgrades, the Pentium OverDrive processor ensures quick and easy end-user installation for a worry-free upgrade to higher levels of system performance.*

For information on whether a specific system supports a Pentium OverDrive processor upgrade, users should contact their system manufacturer, local computer dealer/reseller or check the Intel OverDrive Processor Upgrade Guide. This guide contains over 2,500 system model listings and is available on the WorldWide Web at http://www.intel.com/overdrive/index.htm.

Intel also offers Pentium OverDrive processors for 60 and 66-MHz Pentium processor-based systems as well as Intel486™ processor-based systems.

For additional information about Intel Pentium OverDrive processors or other Intel products, users should contact an Intel sales representative or call 1-800-538-3373 (toll free) or (916) 377-7000 (direct).

* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.