3DMark03 Released; Futuremark Corporation's New 3D Graphics Benchmark Supports Microsoft DirectX 9.0 and Introduces Several Groundbreaking Innovations.

Business Editors

SARATOGA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 11, 2003

Futuremark(R) Corporation (formerly known as MadOnion.com), a leading provider of PC performance analysis software and services, today released 3DMark(R)03, a major enhancement to its popular 3DMark(R) suite of benchmark solutions originally launched in 1998.

3DMark03 sets the new standard for easily and objectively measuring and comparing modern PCs' 3D graphics performance. It supports the latest Microsoft(R) DirectX(R) 9.0 and contains four new mind-blowing real-time 3D game tests as well as advanced DirectX(R) 9.0 feature tests. An integrated online comparison service provides users with an unprecedented insight into their PCs' performance and bottlenecks by enabling detailed test result comparisons with a community of hundreds of thousands of users.

3DMark03 incorporates many groundbreaking new features and technologies, as prompted by feedback from the industry's key players and community of millions of end-users worldwide. It runs a wide range of tests to measure both overall 3D performance and individual tests, such as 3D audio performance test, CPU performance test, frame based rendering and image quality inspection tool.

"Futuremark is regarded as the catalyst which pushes the industry to raise the bar with respect to graphics performance and features," said Dr. Jon Peddie, president of Jon Peddie and Associates, the leading market research firm in multimedia and graphics. "The 3DMark03 benchmark software continues in that tradition, delivering the kind of performance analysis which power users are now demanding from graphics and PC vendors."

3DMark03 is integrated with the world's largest PC performance information service at Futuremark's web site. Due to its popularity among users, the online functionality was further developed to allow multiple simultaneous comparisons and advanced result management. The Online Result Browser service, ORB, enables an accurate analysis of how the PC's performance stacks up against other similar configurations, and how much it could be increased by upgrading components or by just updating drivers. The performance database currently encompasses more than 5 million detailed PC performance profiles.

As with all Futuremark's benchmarks, 3DMark03 has been created in cooperation with the major PC industry players to provide users with the best possible and most reliable set of diagnostic tools.

"We applaud Futuremark's continued support of Microsoft DirectX 9.0 API as it provides our partners and the industry with a robust and time-tested benchmarking tool," said Dean Lester, General Manager of Graphics and Gaming Technologies, Microsoft Corporation. "As DirectX 9.0 strives to make game development on the Windows platform more advanced and efficient, 3DMark03 provides additional benefits for mainstream applications by providing users with their latest set of diagnostic tools."

"High-end 3D effects are no longer the sole domain of serious gamers, but are becoming ubiquitous in mainstream applications. Since the release of the first version of 3DMark in 1998, we've been continually striving to improve our benchmarks to help users maximize their experience and PC performance," said Tero Sarkkinen, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Futuremark. "3DMark03 meets this goal by supporting DirectX(R) 9.0 and providing detailed 3D performance measurements for existing systems, while offering challenging, new tests for current, cutting-edge hardware and technologies yet to be released."

Important New Features of 3DMark03

-- Full support for Microsoft DirectX(R) 9.0

-- DirectX(R) Vertex Shaders, including v2.0

-- 3D Sound Test

-- CPU Test

-- Next Generation Lightning Model

-- Advanced Normal Mapping

-- Procedural and Volumetric Texturing

-- Real Time Physics

-- Frame Based Rendering Option

-- Advanced Image Quality Test Tool

-- Advanced Online Functionalities

-- Texture Filtering Test

Pricing and Availability

3DMark03 will be available for free public download at http://www.futuremark.com/download/?3dmark03.shtml at 10:00 am PST today (Feb. 11, 2003). For further 3DMark03 related information, please visit http://www.futuremark.com/products/3dmark03/. A professional version with added features and full functionality is available from http://www.futuremark.com/products/3dmark03/ for $39.95 for individual or $250.00 for corporate license.

Note to Editors

For your free evaluation copy of 3DMark03, please email [e-mail] and tell us the publication that you represent.

About Futuremark(R) Corporation

Futuremark(R) Corporation, formerly known as MadOnion.com(TM), is the leading provider of computer performance analysis software and services. Futuremark(R) is known around the world for its benchmark products, including the 3DMark(R) Series and PCMark(TM) 2002 (with more than 30 million copies distributed worldwide) and value-added services powered by a database of over 5 million real-life benchmarking results. Futuremark(R) has offices in Saratoga, California and Helsinki, Finland. For more information, please visit http://www.futuremark.com.

(C) 2003 Futuremark(R) Corporation. 3DMark(R) and PCMark(TM) trademarks and logos, Futuremark(R) character names and distinctive likenesses, are the exclusive property of Futuremark Corporation. DirectX(R) is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks are property of their respective companies.