The standard, named the OpenPIC specification, provides an interrupt-control solution for symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) systems, supports all current x86 vendors' products, offers a common interface and provides a superior alternative to the 8259 interrupt controller standard currently used in all x86-based personal computers.

"Open industry standards are essential to foster growth and competition, and the OpenPIC specification effectively provides an open standard in the growing multiprocessing area," said Jim Paschal, vice president, Desktop and Corporate Engineering, Compaq Computer Corporation. "By working together, AMD and Cyrix will set a precedent for developing and adopting open architectures in the PC industry."

"AMD believes that differentiation within standards fosters innovations," said Rob Herb, director of marketing for AMD's Personal Computer Products Division. "We're committed to open standards that help our customers be successful."

"The OpenPIC specification is a prime example of how the industry participants can work together to develop standards that are in the best interest of both suppliers and customers," said Steve Domenik, vice president of marketing, Cyrix Corporation." Open standards foster an environment where competition will thrive."

As part of the cooperative agreement, AMD and Cyrix will provide, free of charge, a standardized multiprocessing PIC specification to personal computer and component manufacturers who wish to design OpenPIC architecture into their systems.

The creation of the OpenPIC specification provides both advanced multiprocessing support and interrupt source expansion for advanced servers and desktop computers. Interrupt source expansion is critical for proper auto configuration of today's resource intensive local bus systems in multiprocessing environments.

Several hardware and software support vendors are now supporting the OpenPIC specification, including OPTi, Inc., a chipset manufacturer, and Phoenix Technologies, Ltd., a BIOS supplier.

AMD is the world's second-largest supplier of Windows compatible microprocessors and has shipped more than 70 million microprocessors since 1982 and more than 28 million in the past three years. Focusing on the business computing and communications markets, AMD produces microprocessors and related peripherals, memories, and programmable logic devices along with circuits for telecommunications and networking applications. AMD has sales offices worldwide and manufacturing facilities in Sunnyvale, California; Austin, Texas; Bangkok, Thailand; Penang, Malaysia; and Singapore.

Cyrix Corporation, founded in 1988, designs, develops and manufactures high performance microprocessors and open architectural environments for the personal computer industry. Cyrix has demonstrated the ability and commitment to bring innovative and compatible technology to market in an impressive design cycle time. Cyrix is a publicly held company traded on NASDAQ.

Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

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