Mentor Graphics Announces Support For 64-Bit Linux Computing Platforms Based on AMD64 Processors

WILSONVILLE, Ore., July 12, 2004 - Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq: MENT) today announced the immediate availability of Calibre?, Mentor's extensive design-to-silicon platform and ModelSim?, Mentor's industry-leading hardware description language (HDL) simulator for the AMD64 processor-based systems running 64-bit Linux. This availability comes at the conclusion of joint engineering evaluations with mutual customers. Customers stand to benefit significantly from the combination of high-performance software and cost-effective hardware targeted to meet the challenges of nanometer design.

"The 2.2GHz Opteron boxes are a great shared memory processor (SMP) platforms for Calibre and ModelSim," said Ben Williams, director, server/workstation business segment, Microprocessor Business Unit, AMD.  "Several of our customers have used Calibre to 'stress test' their new systems, and Opteron appears to be 1.3 - 1.6 times more effective than comparable systems that are sold at a significantly higher cost."

Customer evaluations looked at key performance indicators such as scaling across multiple CPUs, handling of overhead in reading data, efficiency of memory system and cache and basic runtime improvements.

"We've seen incredible performance gains using the Calibre design-to-silicon platform on our Opteron systems," said Todd J. Stephens, senior design engineer, QThink.  "At QThink, we provide front-to-back IC design capabilities to leading edge semiconductor companies so tool performance and usability are critical.  Calibre further reduces our total turn around time by providing integration into the Magma, Synopsys and Cadence design creation environments.  This integration is important because it allows us to service a wide range of customers."  

"Porting to Opteron processor-based systems delivers exceptional performance and usability for our customers," said Joe Sawicki, vice president and general manager, Design-to-Silicon division, Mentor Graphics. "We have experienced great enthusiasm among customers who are making a smooth transition to Opteron.  They tell us that the combination of a robust OS, resilient hardware and high-performance software is crucial, especially for rigorous simulation cycles and time-critical tapeout processing."

About Mentor Graphics
Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq: MENT) is a world leader in electronic hardware and software design solutions, providing products, consulting services and award-winning support for the world's most successful electronics and semiconductor companies.  Established in 1981, the company reported revenues over the last 12 months of about $675 million and employs approximately 3,700 people worldwide. Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777; Silicon Valley headquarters are located at 1001 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, California 95131-2314. World Wide Web site: http://www.mentor.com/.

Mentor Graphics, Calibre and ModelSim are registered trademarks of Mentor Graphics Corporation. All other company or product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.

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