Credence Sapphire S Platform Named Tester of Record for NVIDIA Handheld GPU and MCP Business Units

Credence Systems Corporation (Nasdaq: CMOS) today announced that NVIDIA Corporation, the worldwide leader in programmable graphics processor technologies, has purchased multiple Sapphire(TM) S systems. These sophisticated testers will be used to test products from NVIDIA's handheld GPU and MCP business units. NVIDIA will place the Sapphire S systems at its key assembly and test subcontractors for use in the manufacture of graphics processor units intended for desktop, laptop, and mainframe computers, as well as for wireless mobile applications. As a result of this sale, NVIDIA's assembly and test subcontractors may be expected to purchase additional Sapphire S systems to be used to test NVIDIA devices.

The growing digital photography market, increasingly sophisticated computer gaming and other graphics-intensive computer applications are driving a demand for increased computer graphics capabilities. According to Instat, the PC core-logic chipset market is expected to grow from $6.9B in 2005 to $10.3B in 2009.

"We are experiencing rapidly growing demand for our broad portfolio of graphics processing units (GPUs) and media and communication processors (MCPs). It is critical that we have reliable, scalable production capacity to support them," said Chris Malachoswsky, NVIDIA's Senior Vice President of Engineering and Operations, and one of the company's cofounders. "We utilize Credence testers in both the design and production phases of our products. This purchase will help ensure we have the Sapphire S capacity to support our expanding business and the increasing demand for our products while maintaining a low cost-of-test."

Sapphire is the industry's first open architecture ATE. Engineered from every perspective to reduce cost-of-test, it is built on the all new NPower(TM) platform that offers 4-D Scalable(TM) performance at any level and combination of analog/digital capabilities, pin count, power and price-performance -- enabling companies to easily tailor test systems for their unique test roadmaps.

"Our Sapphire S flexible and scalable architecture is well-aligned to the dynamic nature of this market, providing our customers with a powerful engineering and production platform," said Dave Ranhoff, president and chief executive officer of Credence Systems Corporation. "In addition, our strong relationship with leading outsource and assembly test (OSAT) suppliers helps ensure cost-effective test capacity is in place to meet NVIDIA's production requirements."

About NVIDIA

NVIDIA Corporation is the worldwide leader in programmable graphics processor technologies. The Company creates innovative, industry-changing products for computing, consumer electronics, and mobile devices. NVIDIA is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA and has offices throughout Asia, Europe, and the Americas. For more information, visit http://www.nvidia.com .

About Credence

Credence Systems Corporation is an industry-leading provider of debug, characterization and ATE solutions for the global semiconductor industry. With a commitment to applying innovative technology to lower the cost-of-test, Credence delivers competitive cost and performance advantages to integrated device manufacturers (IDMs), wafer foundries, outsource assembly and test (OSAT) suppliers and fabless chip companies worldwide. A global, ISO 9001-certified company with a presence in 20 countries, Credence is headquartered in Milpitas, California. More information is available at http://www.credence.com .

NOTE: Credence is a registered trademark, and Credence Systems and Sapphire are trademarks, of Credence Systems Corporation. Other trademarks that may be mentioned in this release are the intellectual property of their respective owners.

Media Relations Contact:

Brenda Ropoulos

Communications Consultant

Credence Systems Corporation

Phone: 408-635-4309

FAX: 408-635-4986

E-mail: brenda_ropoulos@credence.com

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