Diamond Multimedia enters national distribution agreement with Bell Microproducts.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 28, 1997--Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:DIMD), a leader in Internet multimedia, today announced the availability of the company's high-performance interactivity and connectivity products through Bell Microproducts, Inc. (BELM).

Bell Microproducts is now distributing a selection of Diamond Multimedia's award-winning products, principally concentrating on the high-performance portion of Diamond's product line, including the Fire GL series of professional 3D graphics accelerators, the Stealth 3D series of media accelerators, the Supra series of modems and the FirePort series of UltraSCSI host adapter kits.

"Diamond Multimedia is pleased to partner with Bell Microproducts and expand our brand presence within the reseller community," said Scott Holt, senior vice president of worldwide sales for Diamond Multimedia Systems. "With this agreement, Diamond will reach a greater number of specialized VARs with our advanced PC solutions for both the Windows 95 and Windows NT operating systems."

"Bell Microproducts is excited to offer its customers a complete range of Internet multimedia products from Diamond Multimedia," said Phil Roussey, senior vice president of marketing for Bell Microproducts. "By combining Bell Microproducts' channel reach and knowledge of system integration with Diamond Multimedia's PC subsystem design expertise and brand recognition, both companies can better meet the needs of performance-driven customers in various vertical markets."

Bell Microproducts, Inc.

Bell Microproducts, Inc. is a distributor of high technology products serving the industrial and commercial markets. The Company markets a wide range of semiconductor products including memory, logic, microprocessors and specialty components. The Company also offers one of the industry's broadest selections of computer products including hard disk drives, optical drives, tape drives, PCMCIA devices, subsystems and complete computer systems. In addition, Bell Microproducts offers an extensive set of value-added services including systems integration, testing, kitting, and contract manufacturing of printed circuit boards and subsystems through its Quadrus Manufacturing Division. Further information about the Company's products and services can be obtained by visiting the Company's website at www.bellmicro.com .

Diamond Multimedia

Diamond Multimedia is driving the Internet multimedia market by providing interactivity and connectivity solutions for home, business and professional desktop computer users, enabling them to create, access and experience compelling new media content from their desktops and through the Internet. Diamond accelerates multimedia from the Internet to the hard drive with products that include the Stealth series of media accelerators, the Monster series of entertainment 3D and sound accelerators, the Fire series of professional 3D and SCSI accelerators, and the Supra series of modems and ISDN adapters. Diamond also markets multimedia and video phone upgrade kits. Diamond's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol DIMD, and its web site address is www.diamondmm.com .

How to Contact Diamond Multimedia

There are many ways to reach Diamond for sales support, technical assistance, driver updates and general information:

Internet Web Site: http://www.diamondmm.com Diamond Multimedia's Headquarters and Audio-Visual Systems Division: 408-325-7000; Fax: [phone] Communications Division (Supra brand modems) Main Phone Number: 360-604-1400; Fax: [phone] European Division (Germany): [phone]; (UK): [phone]; (France) [phone] Korean Office (Seoul): [phone]; Fax: [phone] Japanese Office (Tokyo): [phone]; Fax: [phone] ASEAN Office (Singapore): [phone]; Fax: [phone] Hong Kong Office: [phone]; Fax: [phone] Support Information Line for Communications: 1-800-774-4965 Product Support (Voice), Audio-Visual Systems: 408-325-7100; Communications: 541-967-2450; Europe (Germany) [phone]; Europe (UK) [phone]; ISDN Support Center 408-325-7110; Fire GL Support Center 408-325-7120; TDD/TTY Support 541-967-2451 Product Support (Fax), Audio-Visual Systems: 408-325-7171; Communications: 541-967-2401; Europe (Germany) [phone]; Europe (UK): [phone]; (France) [phone] Pre-sales Information, Audio-Visual Systems: 1-800-468-5846; Communications: 1-800-727-8772 Investor Relations: 408-325-7476 24-Hour Fax-On-Demand Service, Audio-Visual Systems: 1-800-380-0030; Communications: 541-967-0072 FTP sites: ftp.diamondmm.com; or Supra: ftp.supra.com BBS for Audio-Visual Systems 408-325-7080 (to 14.4 Kbps) or 408-325-7175 (to 28.8 Kbps) or 408-383-0551 (ISDN); Communications BBS: 541-967-2444; Europe (Germany) BBS at [phone] (to 28.8 Kbps) or [phone] (ISDN); Europe (UK) at [phone] (to 33.6 Kbps) -0-

Note to Editors: Monster 3D and Supra are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. All other trademarks referenced are the service mark, trademark or registered trademark of their respective manufacturers. This announcement relates to products whose launch are in the United States of America. The product names contents, prices and availability may differ elsewhere in the world according to local factors and requirements.

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, such as statements relating to the Company's ability to successfully exploit technological and market developments, the timing and success of new product introductions by the Company and its competitors, and the Company's ability to invest in new technologies and to enhance its existing systems are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the impact of competitive products and pricing and alternative technological advances, the timely and successful development and market acceptance of new products and upgrades to existing products, and other risks as detailed from time to time in Diamond Multimedia's SEC filings, including its most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q.

CONTACT: Diamond Multimedia Systems

Joan Huang, 408/325-7236

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