NVIDIA Adopts TSMC's 0.11 Micron Technology

NVIDIA Adopts TSMC's 0.11 Micron Technology


SANTA CLARA, California and HSIN-CHU, Taiwan, February 24 /PRNewswire/ --     -
Deep Sub-Micron Process Technology Allows for Better Performance and 
Power Improvements 
 


    NVIDIA Corporation (Nasdaq: NVDA) today confirmed that it will be one of 
the first semiconductor companies to manufacture select up-coming graphics 
processing units (GPUs) at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's 
(TSMC's) (TAIEX: 2330; NYSE: TSMC) 0.11 um (micron) processtechnology.  
NVIDIA will combine TSMC's 0.11 micron process with its own innovative 
engineering designs, to deliver high-performance and low-power consumption in 
a graphics processor. 



    (Photo:  NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020613/NVDALOGO ) 



    "The decision to move to this new process underscores our long-standing 
relationship between TSMC and NVIDIA," stated Di Ma, vice president of 
operations at NVIDIA.   "This new manufacturing technology, along with 
numerous architectural enhancements, enables us to continue delivering 
products that allow end users to interact with a wide variety of digital 
devices. We look forward to the new opportunities this advancement will allow 
us." 



    "TSMC is committed to innovative collaboration with forward-looking 
companies such as NVIDIA," said Kenneth Kin, senior vice president of 
worldwide marketing and sales for TSMC.  "Through these relationships, we can 
deliver technology platforms that create new opportunities for our 
customers."  



    TSMC's 0.11 micron process technology is fundamentally a 
photolithographic shrink of its industry-leading 0.13 micron process.  The 
process will be available in both high-performance and general-purpose 
versions using  FSG-based dielectrics.  Though actual results are design-
dependent, TSMC's 0.11 micron high-performance process also includes 
transistor enhancements that improve speed and reduce power consumption 
relative to its 0.13 micron FSG-based technology.   



    TSMC began 0.11 micron high-performance technology development in 2002 
and product qualified the process in December of 2003.  Design rules, design 
guidelines, SPICE and SRAM models have been developed, and third-party 
compilers are expected tobe available in March.  Yields have already reached 
production-worthy levels and the low-voltage version has already ramped into 
volume production.  The 0.11 micron general-purpose technology is expected to 
enter risk production in the first quarterof next year. 
 


    About TSMC 



    TSMC is the world's largest dedicated semiconductor foundry, providing 
the industry's leading process technology and the foundry industry's largest 
portfolio of process-proven library, IP, design tools and reference flows. 
The company operates one advanced 300mm wafer fab, five eight-inch fabs and 
one six-inch wafer fab.  TSMC also has substantial capacity commitments at 
two joint ventures fabs (VIS and SSMC) and at its wholly-owned subsidiary, 
WaferTech. In early 2001, TSMC became the first IC manufacturer to announce 
a 90-nm technology alignment program with its customers. TSMC's corporate 
headquarters are in Hsin-chu, Taiwan. For more information about TSMC see 
http://www.tsmc.com .  
 


    About NVIDIA 



    NVIDIA Corporation is a market leader in visual computing technology 
dedicated to creating products that enhance the interactive experience on 
consumer and professional computing platforms. Its graphics and 
communications processors have broad market reach and are incorporated into a 
wide variety of computing platforms, including consumer digital-media PCs, 
enterprise PCs, professional workstations, digital content creation systems, 
notebook PCs, military navigation systems and video game consoles. NVIDIA is 
headquartered in Santa Clara, California and employs more than 1,800 people 
worldwide.  For more information, visit the Company's Web site at 
http://www.nvidia.com . 
 


    Certain statements in this press release, including any statements 
relating to the Company's performance expectations for NVIDIA's family of 
products and expectations of continued revenue growth, are forward-looking 
statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause 
results to be materially different than expectations.  Such risks and 
uncertainties include, but are not limited to, manufacturing and other delays 
relating to new products, difficulties in the fabrication process and 
dependence of the Company on third-party manufacturers, general industry 
trends including cyclical trends in the PC and semiconductor industries, the 
impact of competitive products and pricing alternatives, market acceptance of 
the Company's new products, and the Company's dependence on third-party 
developers and publishers.  Investors are advised to read the Company's 
Annual Report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly those sections entitled 
"Certain Business Risks," for a fuller discussion of these and other risks 
and uncertainties. 
 


    NOTE:  All company and/or product names may be trade names, trademarks 
and/or registered trademarks of the respective owners with which they are 
associated.  Features, pricing, availability, and specifications are subject 
to change without notice. 
 


    NOTE TO EDITORS:  If you are interested in viewing additional information 
on NVIDIA, please visit the NVIDIA Press Room at 
http://www.nvidia.com/page/press_room.html/ 



    Web site:  http://www.tsmc.com
    Web site:  http://www.nvidia.com


DATASOURCE: NVIDIA Corporation



CONTACT:  Derek Perez, Director of Public Relations of NVIDIA, [phone],
or [e-mail]; or Dan Holden, PR Manager of TSMC North America,
[phone], or [e-mail]; Photo:  NewsCom: 
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020613/NVDALOGO; AP Archive: 
http://photoarchive.ap.org; PRN Photo Desk, 888-776-6555 or [phone]

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