National Semiconductor Goes Beyond The Pc, Introducing The Integrated Geode GX1 Sub-1 Watt Processor

Geode GX1 Sub-1 Watt Integrated Processor Resolves Compromise Between Price, Power, Performance and Multimedia Capability for the Information-Appliance (IA) Market

Santa Clara, CA -- 4/11/2000 -- National Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE:NSM) today announced the Geode™ GX1 processor, designed specifically to power information appliances such as personal access devices for the Internet, thin clients and interactive set-top boxes. The GX1 processor is the ideal solution for the information appliance market as it provides the lowest power consumption, high performance, x86 multimedia architecture - essential for experiencing the Web - all at an extremely competitive price.

"Analysts forecast the Information Appliance market will approach 100 million units in the next few years and National is the semiconductor company best positioned to take advantage of this new product explosion," said Mike Polacek, vice president of National's Information Appliance division. "The GX1 device will help achieve this by offering the best combination of cost, size, performance and power consumption to the information appliance market."

The Geode GX1 processor is the first of its kind to be produced on National's 0.18 micron process, providing improved clock speed which results in higher performance, and lower power consumption, leading to the doubling of battery life. Its proven x86 core provides consumers with a no-compromise Internet experience because popular software plug-in modules for the Internet are supported. Also noteworthy of the GX1 is that its small size can provide important space savings for size-critical information appliances, such as wireless WebPAD™ devices and thin clients.

The Geode GX1 processor functionality includes the Pentium-class processor, display controller with 2D accelerator, and system memory and PCI bus host controllers. Typical power consumption, which includes the CPU and its on-chip peripherals, varies between 0.8W to 1.2W, with full-on power consumption ranging from 1.4W to 2.4W. The Geode GX1 and its companion device, the Geode CS5530, provide a scalable, low-power, system-level solution that is well suited for an array of Information Appliances, like personal access devices, digital set-top boxes or thin clients.

The Geode GX1 Processor Enabling Information Appliances
"National and Wyse have a history of working together to offer ideal solutions for the thin client market," said Jeff McNaught, vice president of customer marketing for Wyse Technology. "With the introduction of the Geode GX1 processor, National continues to position themselves as an innovative and strategic partner for Wyse. We continue to work with National to further the success of the information appliance market."

Availability
The National Geode GX1 processor is currently shipping in volume in EBGA and CPGA packages.

About National Semiconductor
National Semiconductor provides system-on-a-chip solutions for the information age. Combining real-world analog and state-of the-art digital technology, the company's chips lead many sectors of the personal computer, communications, and consumer markets. With headquarters in Santa Clara, California, National reported sales of $2 billion for its last fiscal year and has about 10,500 employees worldwide.