Enhanced Algorithms and Multi-Threading Offers 2x Faster Turnaround Time -- Production Proven On More Than 100 Tapeouts

SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 24, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Magma(r) Design Automation Inc. (Nasdaq:LAVA), a provider of semiconductor design software, today announced availability of an updated version of Talus(r) Vortex, Magma's physical design environment for advanced integrated circuits. The January 2009 release includes the advanced features required for leading-edge design, such as full-flow multi-mode/multi-corner optimization and low-power clock-tree synthesis.

With enhanced algorithms that run efficiently on multi-CPU machines, Talus Vortex is ideally suited for the most challenging designs -- especially for wireless, graphics, networking and multimedia chips with tens of millions of gates, at technology nodes ranging from 130 to 32 nanometers (nm). Talus Vortex has been production proven on more than 100 designs, including dozens at 45 nm or smaller.

"For our customers' toughest designs, Talus Vortex continues to set the standard for the best quality of results and provides unmatched productivity," said Kevin Moynihan, general manager of Magma's Design Implementation Business Unit. "The January 2009 release increases Talus Vortex's effectiveness and offers significant performance improvement over the 2008 versions."

Talus Vortex's multi-mode and multi-corner analysis capabilities have been enhanced for better memory and runtime efficiency and are performed earlier in the flow. This release delivers timing, power and area results that are up to 20 percent better compared to the 2008 versions, and turnaround time has been cut nearly in half. Talus Vortex has enhanced automation for better usability and offers the industry's best full-flow multithreading speedup.

Talus Vortex: Best Design Flow for Advanced Chips

Talus Vortex dramatically improves the productivity of physical designers by offering complete design closure. This integrated implementation and sign-off system delivers improved timing and signal integrity, smaller area, lower power, better manufacturability, faster turnaround time and higher capacity than conventional point-tool flows. These capabilities, combined with optional automated distributed processing on multiple computers, enable Talus Vortex to implement any size design from RTL to GDSII in a predictable fashion.

About Magma

Magma's software for designing integrated circuits (ICs) is used to create complex, high-performance chips required in cellular telephones, electronic games, WiFi, MP3 players, DVD/digital video, networking, automotive electronics and other electronic applications. Magma's EDA software for IC implementation, analysis, physical verification, circuit simulation and characterization is recognized as embodying the best in semiconductor technology, enabling the world's top chip companies to "Design Ahead of the Curve"(tm) while reducing design time and costs. Magma is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., with offices around the world. Magma's stock trades on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol LAVA. Visit Magma Design Automation on the Web at www.magma-da.com.

Magma and Talus are registered trademarks and "Design Ahead of the Curve" is a trademark of Magma Design Automation Inc. All other product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Forward-looking Statements:

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements that Talus Vortex improves timing and power and reduces turnaround time and about the features and benefits of Magma's software are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially including but not limited to the ability of Magma's products to produce the desired results and the company's ability to keep pace with rapidly changing technology. Further discussion of these and other potential risk factors may be found in Magma's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (www.sec.gov). The company undertakes no additional obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

CONTACT: Magma Design Automation Inc.


         Monica Marmie, Director, Marketing Communications


         408-565-7689


         
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