OPTi is a leading supplier of multimedia silicon solutions to many of the top global manufacturers of desktop computers, mobile PCs, and motherboards. These companies rely on OPTi to power their latest generation products with OPTi's core logic, graphics, storage, and audio integrated circuits in full custom CMOS silicon technology.

OPTi's innovative, cost-effective chipset solutions enable manufacturers to get to market quickly with quality, state-of-the-art computing solutions. The company has a long-standing commitment to develop industry-leading, high-quality chipset products in high volume at competitive prices.

A History of Excellence

OPTi is one of the few PC-oriented chipmakers that evolved from the mainframe chip industry in the late 1980's. Since its founding in 1989, the company has emerged as a leading independent volume supplier of core logic chipsets and multimedia products in the personal computer market. OPTi has optimized its chip development business by paralleling and even designing ahead of quickly evolving PC chip requirements.

With an established market presence in core logic chipsets, the company is expanding its product offering to include integrated silicon solutions to power tomorrow's most demanding multimedia computers. OPTi's product families include core logic for desktop PCs and notebooks as well as audio chips. OPTi's innovative chipset solutions enable customers to manufacture quality, state-of-the-art products, while improving their customers' time to market.

In 1993, OPTi acquired MediaChips, a supplier of PC audio ICs. That same year OPTi's public offering raised $20 million. During 1994, the company shipped more than 9 million chipsets to leading PC and motherboard producers. In 1994,, OPTi held the #1 worldwide position in PC chipset unit sales, with an estimated 22% market share.

To meet increasing chip demand, OPTi manufactures its products at several partner plants. In September 1995, OPTi reached an agreement with United Microelectronics Corporation ("UMC") of Taiwan to strategically secure state-of-the-art wafer capacity. OPTi also uses Chartered Semiconductor and Toshiba as additional foundries.

Based in Milpitas, California, OPTi employs more than 200 people worldwide. Its global sales force is based at its Silicon Valley headquarters, with U.S. branch offices in Florida and Texas. International sales offices are also present in Japan, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. To augment its direct sales force, OPTi has a traditional network of U.S. and overseas component sales representative firms.

The Market

Home computing has been predicted as the fastest growing future market for desktop computing. Dataquest reports that U.S. home PC shipments are growing twice as fast as shipments to the corporate market. According to In-Stat, an Arizona based market research firm specializing in semiconductors, most American households will have a PC by the end of this century.

PCs now provide gateways into arenas that were unheard of a few years ago. As the computer and consumer electronics industries converge, combining media and communications, the PC is quickly becoming a multifunctional wellspring of information. For the same price as less versatile predecessors, today's systems are equipped with powerful processors, highly integrated chipsets, integrated video, TV, stereo sound, telephone answering machine, high-speed fax, and CD-ROM.

In short, PCs today perform many more functions, are more user friendly, yet cost comparably less. The PC, and specifically the multimedia PC, has come to life in homes and businesses of all sizes around the world.
Chipset makers like OPTi are leading the PC market by establishing industry standards and driving the development of PC innovations. Many of the top PC makers and motherboard manufacturers rely on OPTi chipsets to power their latest generations of multimedia PCs for the home, powerful new notebooks for the mobile professional, and desktops for the corporate power user. Since introducing its first 486 AT chipset in 1989, OPTi has been addressing consumer needs and migrating to some of the hottest PC markets, including mobile computers, corporate systems, and the consumer, small office, and home office. Specific sectors that the company targets include audio/telephony, power management, graphics/video, and storage control.