NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR? LICENSES RAMBUS? INTERFACE TECHNOLOGY

High bandwidth supports future high-performance processors

February 10, 1999 - National Semiconductor Corporation? (NYSE:NSM) announced today it has licensed the Rambus? high-bandwidth 800 MHz memory interface for use in future integrated processors developed by its Cyrix subsidiary. Rambus memory technology provides the highest level of DRAM performance currently available - 1.6 gigabytes per second of peak bandwidth from a single device.

Rambus interface technology will provide Cyrix's innovative integrated processor designs with the speed necessary for advanced 3D acceleration, state-of-the-art DVD playback and increased overall system performance. "As our integrated processors approach speeds of one gigahertz, high memory bandwidth and low latency become ever more critical to achieving the optimum balance of performance and cost," said Jean-Louis Bories, executive vice president of National's Cyrix Group. "Due to its scalability from low-cost information appliances to workstations, Direct Rambus is an excellent match to our processor design philosophy."

Rambus technology features a low pin count, making it suitable for low-cost, high-volume manufacturing using standard CMOS process technology. Rambus has broadly licensed the technology, insuring a stable supply of compatible DRAM products from a range of sources.

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 has annual sales of approximately $2.5 billion and 11,500 employees worldwide. Additional company and product information is available on the World Wide Web at www.national.com.