MICRONICS ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH 3Dfx TO PROVIDE 3D SOLUTIONS TO ARCADE GAME INDUSTRY


Fremont, CA, March 20, 1996 -- Micronics Computers, Inc. (Nasdaq; MCRN) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Orchid Technology, today announced a strategic alliance with 3Dfx Interactive, Inc. to develop an integrated system solution for the arcade game industry and peripheral products for the personal computer market. Orchid Technology will develop its "Righteous 3D" TM graphics accelerator card based on the 3Dfx Voodoo chipset and Glide API. The Voodoo chipset delivers high quality, three dimensional graphics performance for the next generation of 3D arcade games.

Micronics plans to develop a customized, cost effective arcade system combining Orchid's Righteous 3D accelerator technology with Micronics' advanced system technology. "Micronics' strength in systems technology and Orchid's strength in the peripheral arena enable us to bring the right technologies together to develop this superior platform", noted Vernon Weiss, Micronics' director of marketing.

Orchid Technology also plans to introduce a PCI-bus based add-in card featuring the Righteous 3D technology to the personal computer market. "Arcade games have traditionally enjoyed more realistic and superior 3D graphics capability. This is the first step in moving this level of 3D graphics to the PC platform. Orchid has been a leader in introducing 3D sound to the PC platform with the highly acclaimed NuSound TM PnP 32 sound card. The Righteous 3D accelerator is a natural evolution in bringing other pieces of 3D technology to the personal computer" added Weiss.

Micronics and 3Dfx will be hosting Immersion '96, an interactive developer's conference for this 3D technology. The two companies also plan on exhibiting at the Computer Game Developers Conference in Santa Clara, California.

Micronics Computers, Inc. is a leading independent supplier of high performance system boards for the personal computer market. Orchid Technology, a wholly owned subsidiary of Micronics, develops, manufactures and markets a wide range of multimedia peripherals including, audio, graphics and 3D accelerators. The Company's products are widely recognized for their quality and reliability. Based in Fremont, California, Micronics markets its products worldwide to computer system manufacturers, system integrators, value-added resellers, and the distribution channel. The company's toll-free sales number is (800) 577-0977.

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