AMD Helps ``Madagascar'' Animals Break Free

AMD (NYSE: AMD) announced today that the AMD Opteron(TM) processor played a significant role in the digital magic behind DreamWorks Animation SKG's recent movie, "Madagascar." "Madagascar" is the tale of four Central Park Zoo animals who, after spending their lives in blissful captivity, are unexpectedly shipped back to Africa and shipwrecked on the wild and exotic island of Madagascar.

The movie, which premiered in the U.S. last week as part of the second largest Memorial Day box-office opening weekend ever, has piqued film-critics' interest with its stylized cartoon characters and lush environments. The AMD Opteron processor significantly improved rendering times for "Madagascar" and enabled digital artists to create never-before-seen images. "AMD64-based workstations and servers give our artists ever-increasing levels of performance. AMD's leading-edge processor technology enables our creative talent to continue to push the limits of their imagination," said Ed Leonard, chief technology officer, DreamWorks Animation SKG.

"Madagascar is a breath-taking glimpse of the digital animation possibilities enabled by the power of AMD64 technology." "The AMD64 architecture helps the broadest range of PC users break free from creative limitations -- including innovators like DreamWorks Animation to a growing community of world-class performers and artists -- ultimately to consumers looking to use what the pros use," said John Volkmann, corporate vice president, global corporate marketing, AMD.

"While your average consumer won't render an entire movie on their PC, they do want to use the exact same 64-bit technology used by the world's most creative minds." AMD64 technology made scenes possible within "Madagascar" that up until now would have been virtually unattainable due to processing limitations.

For example, crowds of furry creatures, which have traditionally been considered one of "the holy grails" of animated films due to the complexity of fur animation, were an integral part of "Madagascar." The faster rendering times and increased memory bandwidth enabled by AMD64 technology allowed DreamWorks Animation to render scenes with up to 900 lemurs celebrating in a lush jungle -- one of many amazing feats displayed in the movie "Madagascar." The AMD64 technology utilized by DreamWorks Animation to help create "Madagascar" is integral to all AMD products, from servers and workstations to desktop and notebook PCs.

DreamWorks Animation will continue to expand its use of AMD products as the partnership between AMD and DreamWorks Animation matures. HP plays a critical role in helping DreamWorks Animation achieve its computer graphics-oriented goals through delivery of powerful and manageable HP ProLiant servers using the AMD Opteron processor. By collaborating with AMD, HP helps studios like DreamWorks Animation make animators' wildest visions a reality. "As the world's largest CG animation studio, DreamWorks Animation requires the industry's most powerful and robust technology. DreamWorks relied on the AMD Opteron processor-based HP ProLiant DL145 server for delivery of another amazing new film," said James Mouton, vice president, platforms, ProLiant servers, HP.

"The winning combination of AMD and HP helps animators add effects in real-time and render images faster than ever before. Consumers have the ability to tap into the same technology used by DreamWorks' artists with HP's AMD Athlon 64 processor-based mobile and desktop PCs." AMD just launched its most recent AMD64 product with the introduction of the AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processor for desktops and performance notebooks.

This new processor is poised to deliver an experience unmatched in the industry, targeting prosumer and digital media enthusiasts, as well as those who run many software applications simultaneously. These new processors, designed for desktop and desktop-replacement notebooks, shatter the hourglass icon by delivering performance improvements of up to 80 percent on select digital media and productivity applications compared to single-core AMD Athlon 64 processors.

About AMD64

AMD64 evolves the industry-standard 32-bit x86 architecture to support the demanding 64-bit environment and enables next-generation functionality and productivity today. AMD designed the AMD64 platform to allow end users to enjoy reliable, best-in-class performance on the 32-bit software they own today while preparing for a seamless transition to high-performance 64-bit applications. Designed from the ground up to support multi-core capability, AMD64 dual-core processors amplify the elegance and power of AMD's current single-core solutions.

The AMD64 architecture is also designed to enhance the security of your computing environment by integrating Enhanced Virus Protection technology enabled by advanced anti-virus features in Windows(R) XP Service Pack 2 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1. Since the introduction of the AMD64 architecture in 2003, the AMD Opteron processor for servers and workstations and the AMD Athlon 64 processor for desktop and notebook computers have earned more than 80 awards for innovation and performance, and the support of more than 2,000 OEMs, hardware and software developers, system builders, and distributors.

About AMD

AMD (NYSE:AMD) designs and produces innovative microprocessors, Flash memory devices and low-power processor solutions for the computer, communications and consumer electronics industries. AMD is dedicated to delivering standards-based, customer-focused solutions for technology users, ranging from enterprises and governments to individual consumers.

For more information visit www.amd.com. AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, AMD Athlon, AMD Opteron, and combinations thereof, are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

Other names are for informational purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.


SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 7, 2005--AMD64 Technology Lifts DreamWorks Animation to New Heights in Movie-Making

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