DIAMOND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS INC
S-8, 1998-08-11
COMPUTER PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT, NEC
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<PAGE>   1

          As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 1998
                                                 Registration No. 333-          
                                                                      ----------

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                             ----------------------
                                    FORM S-8

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                             ----------------------
                        DIAMOND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                               DELAWARE 77-0390654
       (State or other jurisdiction of           (I.R.S. Employer
        incorporation or organization)         Identification Number)

                              2880 JUNCTION AVENUE
                         SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA 95134-1922
  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                  of registrant's principal executive offices)

                             1998 STOCK OPTION PLAN
                        1995 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
                            (Full title of the plans)
                             ----------------------
                              WILLIAM J. SCHROEDER
                      PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                        DIAMOND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS, INC.
                              2880 JUNCTION AVENUE
                         SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA 95134-1922
                                 (408) 325-7000
            (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)
                             ----------------------

                                    Copy to:

                             HOWARD S. ZEPRUN, ESQ.
                        WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                            PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
                               650 PAGE MILL ROAD
                        PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94304-1050
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         PROPOSED        PROPOSED
                                                                          MAXIMUM        MAXIMUM
                                                            AMOUNT       OFFERING        AGGREGATE        AMOUNT OF
            TITLE OF SECURITIES                             TO BE         PRICE          OFFERING        REGISTRATION
             TO BE REGISTERED                             REGISTERED    PER SHARE(1)       PRICE            FEE(2)
- -------------------------------------------------------   ----------    -----------    --------------    ------------ 
<S>                                                       <C>           <C>            <C>               <C>
Common Stock, $.001 par value
- - to be issued under 1998 Stock Option Plan                1,200,000      $11.093      $13,311,600.00     $3,926.92
- - to be issued under 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan       200,000      $ 9.429      $ 1,885,800.00     $  556.31
                   Total                                   1,400,000                   $15,197,400.00     $4,483.23
</TABLE>

(1) Estimated in accordance with Rule 457(h) of Regulation C solely for the
    purpose of calculating the registration fee. The proposed maximum aggregate
    offering price per share with respect to the 1,200,000 shares authorized and
    reserved for issuance under the 1998 Stock Option Plan was determined by
    reference to the average between the high and low price reported in the
    Nasdaq National Market on August 5, 1998 (the "FMV"). The per share price
    for the 200,000 shares authorized and reserved for issuance under the 1995
    Employee Stock Purchase Plan was determined by reference to 85% of the FMV.

(2) Amount of Registration Fee was calculated pursuant to Section 6(b) of the
    Securities Act of 1933, which states that the fee shall be $295 per
    $1,000,000 offered or sold.

<PAGE>   2
                        DIAMOND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS, INC.

                       REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

                                     PART II

ITEM 3.  INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

    There are hereby incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement
the following documents and information heretofore filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") by the Registrant:

1.  The contents of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 file number 333-49151
    filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1,
    1998.

2.  The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
    1998 filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
    amended (the "Exchange Act").

3.  The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal
    year ended December 31, 1997.

4.  The contents of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 file number 333-37855
    filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October
    14, 1997.

5.  The description of Registrant's Common Stock contained in the Registrant's
    Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated February 10, 1995, filed with the
    Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange
    Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating
    such description.

    All documents filed by Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date hereof, and prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereunder
have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold under
this registration statement, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.

ITEM 4.  DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

    Not applicable.

ITEM 5.  INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

    The validity of the issuance of shares of Common Stock offered hereby will
be passed upon for the Registrant by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati,
Professional Corporation ("WSGR"), Palo Alto, California. Jeffrey D. Saper, a
member of WSGR, is a director and Secretary of the Registrant. As of the date of
this Form S-8 Registration Statement, Mr. Saper beneficially owned 52,142 shares
of Registrant's Common Stock.

ITEM 6.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

    Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporations Law authorizes a court to
award, or a corporation's Board of Directors to grant, indemnification to
directors and officers in terms sufficiently broad to permit such
indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities (including
reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Act. The Registrant's
Bylaws provides for the mandatory indemnification of its directors and officers
and permissible indemnification of employees and other agents to the maximum
extent permitted by Delaware General Corporation Law. Registrant has entered
into an indemnification agreement with each of its officers and directors which
provide the Registrant's officers and directors with indemnification to the
maximum extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law. In addition,
the Registrant's Certificate


                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3
of Incorporation provides that, pursuant to Delaware law, its directors shall
not be liable for monetary damages for a breach of the directors' fiduciary duty
as a director to Registrant and its stockholders, provided that such liability
does not arise from certain proscribed conduct. Registrant also currently
maintains officer and director liability insurance.

ITEM 7.  EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

    Not applicable.

ITEM 8.  INDEX TO EXHIBITS.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 Exhibit
  Number                         Description of Document
- ---------    ------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>          <C>
    5.1      Opinion of Counsel as to legality of securities being registered.
   10.1      1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan                 
   10.4      1998 Stock Option Plan
   23.1      Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Independent
             Accountants.
   23.2      Consent of Counsel (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
   24.1      Power of Attorney (see page 5).
</TABLE>

ITEM 9.  UNDERTAKINGS.

    The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement to include any material
information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in
the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the
Registration Statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of
the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.

(4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or
Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable,
each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference
in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(5) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws,
indemnification agreements or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in
the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other
than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.


                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4
                                   SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of San Jose, State of California, on this 28th day of
July, 1998.

                                   DIAMOND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS, INC.


                                   By: /s/ William J. Schroeder
                                      ----------------------------------------
                                           William J. Schroeder,
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE>   5
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints William J. Schroeder and James M. Walker
jointly and severally, his or her attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of
substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this
Registration Statement on Form S-8 and to file the same, with exhibits thereto
and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said
attorney-in-fact, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Signatures                               Title                             Date
- -----------------------------      ---------------------------------------     -------------
<S>                                <C>                                         <C>

/s/ William J. Schroeder           Director, Chief Executive Officer and       July 28, 1998
- -----------------------------      President (Principal Executive Officer)
William J. Schroeder


/s/ James M. Walker                Chief Financial Officer (Principal          July 28, 1998
- -----------------------------      Financial Officer)
James M. Walker


/s/ Carl W. Neun                   Director                                    July 28, 1998
- -----------------------------
Carl W. Neun


/s/ Bruce C. Edwards               Director                                    July 28, 1998
- -----------------------------
Bruce C. Edwards


/s/ James T. Schraith              Director                                    July 28, 1998
- -----------------------------
James T. Schraith


/s/ Gregorio Reyes                 Director                                    July 28, 1998
- -----------------------------
Gregorio Reyes


/s/ Jeffrey D. Saper               Director                                    July 28, 1998
- -----------------------------
Jeffrey D. Saper
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   6
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 EXHIBIT
  NUMBER                         DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
- ---------    ------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>          <C>
    5.1      Opinion of Counsel as to legality of securities being registered.
   10.1      1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
   10.4      1998 Stock Option Plan   
   23.1      Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Independent
             Accountants.
   23.2      Consent of Counsel (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
   24.1      Power of Attorney (see page 5).
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

                        Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
                            Professional Corporation
                               650 Page Mill Road
                            Palo Alto, CA 94304-1050
                Telephone (650) 493-9300 Facsimile (650) 493-6811

                                 August 5, 1998

Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc.
2880 Junction Avenue
San Jose, CA 95134-1922

    Re: Registration Statement on Form S-8

Gentlemen:

    We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by you
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about August 6, 1998 (the
"Registration Statement") in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of 1,200,000 shares of your Common Stock
under the 1998 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") and 200,000 shares of your Common
Stock under the 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "ESPP"). Such shares of
Common Stock are referred to herein as the "Shares". As your counsel in
connection with this transaction, we have examined the proceedings taken and are
familiar with the proceedings proposed to be taken by you in connection with the
issuance and sale of the Shares pursuant to the Plan and the ESPP.

    It is our opinion that, when issued and sold in the manner described in the
Plan and the ESPP and pursuant to the agreements which accompany each purchase
under the Plan and the ESPP, the Shares will be legally and validly issued,
fully-paid and non-assessable.

    We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, and consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the
Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.

                                           Very truly yours,

                                           WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH &ROSATI
                                           Professional Corporation

                                           /s/ Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati



<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1


                        DIAMOND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS, INC.

                        1995 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
                   (AS AMENDED MAY 21, 1997 AND MAY 22, 1998)

        The following constitute the provisions of the 1995 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan of Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc.

        1. Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to provide employees of the
Company and its Designated Subsidiaries with an opportunity to purchase Common
Stock of the Company through accumulated payroll deductions. It is the intention
of the company to have the Plan qualify as an "Employee Stock Purchase Plan"
under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The
provisions of the Plan, accordingly, shall be construed so as to extend and
limit participation in a manner consistent with the requirements of that section
of the Code.

        2. Definitions.

           (a) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the company.

           (b) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

           (c) "Common Stock" shall mean the Common Stock of the Company.

           (d) "Company" shall mean Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. and any
Designated Subsidiary of the Company.

           (e) "Compensation" shall mean all base straight time gross earnings
and sales commissions, exclusive of payments for overtime, shift premium,
incentive compensation, incentive payments, bonuses and other compensation.

           (f) "Designated Subsidiaries" shall mean the Subsidiaries which have
been designated by the Board from time to time in its sole discretion as
eligible to participate in the Plan.

           (g) "Employee" shall mean any individual who is an Employee of the
Company for tax purposes whose customary employment with the Company is at least
twenty (20) hours per week and more than five (5) months in any calendar year.
For purposes of the Plan, the employment relationship shall be treated as
continuing intact while the individual is on sick leave or other leave of
absence approved by the Company. Where the period of leave exceeds 90 days and
the individual's right to reemployment is not guaranteed either by statute or by
contract, the employment relationship will be deemed to have terminated on the
91st day of such leave.

<PAGE>   2
           (h) "Enrollment Date" shall mean the first day of each Offering
Period.

           (i) "Exercise Date" shall mean the last day of each Offering Period.

           (j) "Fair Market Value" shall mean, as of any date, the value of
Common Stock determined as follows:

               (1) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock
exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq
National Market of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Automated Quotation ("NASDAQ") System, its Fair Market Value shall be the
closing sale price for the Common Stock (or the mean of the closing bid and
asked prices, if no sales were reported), as quoted on such exchange (or the
exchange with the greatest volume of trading in Common Stock) or system on the
date of such determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other
source as the Board deems reliable, or;

               (2) If the Common Stock is quoted on the NASDAQ System (but not
on the Nasdaq National Market thereof) or is regularly quoted by a recognized
securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair Market Value
shall be the mean of the closing bid and asked prices for the Common Stock on
the date of such determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such
other source as the Board deems reliable, or;

               (3) In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock,
the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by the Board.

               (4) For purposes of the Enrollment Date under the first Offering
Period under the Plan, the Fair Market Value shall be the initial price to the
public as set forth in the final Prospectus included within the Registration
Statement in Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the
initial public offering of the Company's Common Stock.

           (k) "Offering Period" shall mean a period of approximately six (6)
months, commencing on the first Trading Day on or after May 1 and terminating on
the last Trading Day in the period ending the following October 31, or
commencing on the first Trading Day on or after November 1 and terminating on
the last Trading Day in the period ending the following April 30, during which
an option granted pursuant to the Plan may be exercised. The first Offering
Period shall begin on the effective date of the Company's initial public
offering of its Common Stock that is registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and shall end on the last Trading Day on or before October 31, 1995.
The duration of Offering Periods may be changed pursuant to Section 4 of this
Plan.

           (l) "Plan" shall mean this 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.


                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3
           (m) "Purchase Price" shall mean an amount equal to 85% of the Fair
Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Enrollment Date or on the
Exercise Date, whichever is lower.

           (n) "Reserves" shall mean the number of shares of Common Stock
covered by each option under the Plan which have not yet been exercised and the
number of shares of Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under
the Plan but not yet placed under option.

           (o) "Subsidiary" shall mean a corporation, domestic or foreign, of
which not less than 50% of the voting shares are held by the Company or a
Subsidiary, whether or not such corporation now exists or is hereafter organized
or acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary.

           (p) "Trading Day" shall mean a day on which national stock exchanges
and the NASDAQ System are open for trading.

        3. Eligibility.

           (a) Any Employee (as defined in Section 2(g)), who shall be employed
by the Company on a given Enrollment Date shall be eligible to participate in
the Plan.

           (b) Any provisions of the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, no
Employee shall be granted an option under the Plan (i) to the extent,
immediately after the grant, such Employee (or any other person whose stock
would be attributed to such Employee pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code)
would own capital stock of the Company and/or hold outstanding options to
purchase such stock possessing five percent (5%) or more of the total combined
voting power or value of all classes of the capital stock of the Company or of
any Subsidiary, or (ii) to the extent his or her rights to purchase stock under
all employee stock purchase plans of the Company and its subsidiaries to accrue
at a rate which exceeds Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) worth of stock
(determined at the fair market value of the shares at the time such option is
granted) for each calendar year in which such option is outstanding at any time.

        4. Offering Periods. The Plan shall be implemented by consecutive
Offering Periods with a new Offering Period commencing on the first Trading Day
on or after May 1 and November 1 each year, or on such other date as the Board
shall determine, and continuing thereafter until terminated in accordance with
Section 19 hereof. The first Offering Period shall begin on the effective date
of the Company's initial public offering of its Common Stock that is registered
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Board shall have the power to
change the duration of Offering Periods (including the commencement dates
thereof) with respect to future offerings without shareholder approval 


                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4
if such change is announced at least fifteen (15) days prior to the scheduled
beginning of the first Offering Period to be affected thereafter.

        5. Participation.

           (a) An eligible Employee may become a participant in the Plan by
completing a subscription agreement authorizing payroll deductions in the form
of Exhibit A to this Plan and filing it with the Company's Human Resources
office at least 5 days prior to the applicable Enrollment Date.

           (b) Payroll deductions for a participant shall commence on the first
payroll following the Enrollment Date and shall end on the last payroll in the
Offering Period to which such authorization is applicable, unless sooner
terminated by the participant as provided in Section 10 hereof.

        6. Payroll Deductions.

           (a) At the time a participant files his or her subscription
agreement, he or she shall elect to have payroll deductions made on each pay day
during an Offering Period in an amount not exceeding ten percent (15%) of the
Compensation which he or she receives on each pay day during the Offering
Period. However, with respect to the first Offering Period, a participant may
elect to have payroll deductions made as above in an amount not exceeding
fifteen percent (15%) of such Compensation.

           (b) All payroll deductions made for a participant shall be credited
to his or her account under the Plan and will be withheld in whole percentages
only. A participant may not make any additional payments into such account.

           (c) A participant may discontinue his or her participation in the
Plan as provided in Section 10 hereof, but may not otherwise increase or
decrease the rate of his or her payroll deductions during the Offering Period. A
participant's subscription agreement shall remain in effect for successive
Offering Periods unless terminated as provided in Section 10 hereof.

           (d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent necessary to comply
with Section 423(b)(8) of the Code and Section 3(b) hereof, a participant's
payroll deductions may be decreased to 0% at such time during any Offering
Period which is scheduled to end during the current calendar year (the "Current
Offering Period") that the aggregate of all payroll deductions which were
previously used to purchase stock under the Plan in a prior Offering Period
which ended during that calendar year plus all payroll deductions accumulated
with respect to the Current Offering Period equal $21,250. Payroll deductions
shall recommence at the rate provided in such participant' s subscription
agreement at the beginning of the first


                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5
Offering Period which is scheduled to end in the following calendar year, unless
terminated by the participant as provided in Section 10 hereof.

           (e) At the time the option is exercised, in whole or in part, or at
the time some or all of the Company's Common Stock issued under the Plan is
disposed of, the participant must make adequate provision for the Company's
federal, state, or other tax withholding obligations, if any, which arise upon
the exercise of the option or the disposition of the Common Stock. At any time,
the Company may, but will not be obligated to, withhold from the participant's
compensation the amount necessary for the Company to meet applicable withholding
obligations, including any withholding required to make available to the Company
any tax deductions or benefits attributable to sale or early disposition of
Common Stock by the Employee.

        7. Grant of Option. On the Enrollment Date of each Offering Period, each
eligible Employee participating in such Offering Period shall be granted an
option to purchase on the Exercise Date of such Offering Period (at the
applicable Purchase Price) up to a number of shares of the Company's Common
Stock determined by dividing such Employee's payroll deductions accumulated
prior to such Exercise Date and retained in the participant's account as of the
Exercise Date by the applicable Purchase Price. In no event shall an Employee be
permitted to purchase during each Offering Period more than a number of shares
determined by dividing $25,000 by the Fair Market Value of a share of the Common
Stock on the Enrollment Date. However, with respect to the first Offering
Period, an Employee shall be permitted to purchase up to the number of shares
determined by dividing $25,000 by the Fair Market Value of a share of Common
Stock on the Enrollment Date of the first Offering Period. All such purchases
shall be subject to the limitations set forth in Sections 3(b) and 12 hereof.
Exercise of the option shall occur as provided in Section 8 hereof, unless the
participant has withdrawn pursuant to Section 10 hereof, and shall expire on the
last day of the Offering Period.

        8. Exercise of Option. Unless a participant withdraws from the Plan as
provided in Section 10 hereof, his or her option for the purchase of shares
shall be exercised automatically on the Exercise Date, and the maximum number of
full shares subject to option shall be purchased for such participant at the
applicable Purchase Price with the accumulated payroll deductions in his or her
account. No fractional shares shall be purchased; any payroll deductions
accumulated in a participant's account which are not sufficient to purchase a
full share shall be returned to the participant. During a participant's
lifetime, a participant's option to purchase shares hereunder is exercisable
only by him or her.

        9. Delivery. As promptly as practicable after each Exercise Date on
which a purchase of shares occurs, the shares shall be credited to an account in
the participant's name with a brokerage firm selected by the Plan Committee to
hold the shares in it's street name.


                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6
       10. Withdrawal; Termination of Employment.

           (a) A participant may withdraw all but not less than all the payroll
deductions credited to his or her account and not yet used to exercise his or
her option under the Plan at any time by giving written notice to the Company in
the form of Exhibit B to this Plan. All of the participant's payroll deductions
credited to his or her account will be paid to such participant promptly after
receipt of notice of withdrawal and such participant's option for the Offering
Period will be automatically terminated, and no further payroll deductions for
the purchase of shares will be made during the Offering Period. If a participant
withdraws from an Offering Period, payroll deductions will not resume at the
beginning of the succeeding Offering Period unless the participant delivers to
the Company a new subscription agreement.

           (b) Upon a participant's ceasing to be an Employee (as defined in
Section 2(g) hereof) for any reason, he or she will be deemed to have elected to
withdraw from the Plan and the payroll deductions credited to such participant's
account during the Offering Period but not yet used to exercise the option will
be returned to such participant or, in the case of his or her death, to the
person or persons entitled thereto under Section 14 hereof, and such
participant's option will be automatically terminated. The preceding sentence
notwithstanding, a participant who receives payment in lieu of notice of
termination of employment shall be treated as continuing to be an Employee for
the participant's customary number of hours per week of employment during the
period in which the participant is subject to such payment in lieu of notice.

           (c) A participant's withdrawal from an Offering Period will not have
any effect upon his or her eligibility to participate in any similar plan which
may hereafter be adopted by the Company or in succeeding Offering Periods which
commence after the termination of the Offering Period from which the participant
withdraws.

       11. Interest. No interest shall accrue on the payroll deductions of a
participant in the Plan.

       12. Stock.

           (a) The maximum number of shares of the Company's Common Stock which
shall be made available for sale under the Plan shall be 650,000 shares, subject
to adjustment upon changes in capitalization of the Company as provided in
Section 18 hereof. If on a given Exercise Date, the aggregate number of shares
with respect to which options are to be exercised exceeds the lesser of (i) (A)
200,000 shares in the case of the Offering Period scheduled to end May 31, 1998,
and (B) 100,000 shares in the case of any other Offering Period, or (ii) the
number of the shares then available under the Plan, the Company


                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7
shall make a pro rata allocation of shares up to the lesser of (i) or (ii) in as
uniform a manner as shall be practicable and as it shall be determined to be
equitable.

           (b) The participant will have no interest or voting right in shares
covered by his option until such option has been exercised.

           (c) Shares to be delivered to a participant under the Plan will be
registered in the name of the participant or in the name of the participant and
his or her spouse.

       13. Administration.

           (a) Administrative Body. The Plan shall be administered by the Board
or a committee of members of the Board appointed by the Board. The Board or its
committee shall have full and exclusive discretionary authority to construe,
interpret and apply the terms of the Plan, to determine eligibility and to
adjudicate all disputed claims filed under the Plan. Every finding, decision and
determination made by the Board or its committee shall, to the full extent
permitted by law, be final and binding upon all parties.

           (b) Rule 16b-3 Limitations. Notwithstanding the provisions of
Subsection (a) of this Section 13, in the event that Rule 16b-3 promulgated
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or
any successor provision ("Rule 16b-3") provides specific requirements for the
administrators of plans of this type, the Plan shall be administered only by
such a body and in such a manner as shall comply with the applicable
requirements of Rule 16b-3. Unless permitted by Rule 16b-3, no discretion
concerning decisions regarding the Plan shall be afforded to any committee or
person that is not "disinterested" as that term is used in Rule 16b-3.

       14. Designation of Beneficiary.

           (a) A participant may file a written designation of a beneficiary who
is to receive any shares and cash, if any, from the participant's account under
the Plan in the event of such participant's death subsequent to an Exercise Date
on which the option is exercised but prior to delivery to such participant of
such shares and cash. In addition, a participant may file a written designation
of a beneficiary who is to receive any cash from the participant's account under
the Plan in the event of such participant's death prior to exercise of the
option. If a participant is married and the designated beneficiary is not the
spouse, spousal consent shall be required for such designation to be effective.

           (b) Such designation of beneficiary may be changed by the participant
at any time by written notice. In the event of the death of a participant and in
the absence of a beneficiary validly designated under the Plan who is living at
the time of such participant's death, the Company shall deliver such shares
and/or cash to the executor or administrator of 


                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8
the estate of the participant, or if no such executor or administrator has been
appointed (to the knowledge of the Company), the Company, in its discretion, may
deliver such shares and/or cash to the spouse or to any one or more dependents
or relatives of the participant, or if no spouse, dependent or relative is known
to the Company, then to such other person as the Company may designate.

       15. Transferability. Neither payroll deductions credited to a
participant's account nor any rights with regard to the exercise of an option or
to receive shares under the Plan may be assigned, transferred, pledged or
otherwise disposed of in any way (other than by will, the laws of descent and
distribution or as provided in Section 14 hereof) by the participant. Any such
attempt at assignment, transfer, pledge or other disposition shall be without
effect, except that the Company may treat such act as an election to withdraw
funds from an Offering Period in accordance with Section 10 hereof.

       16. Use of Funds. All payroll deductions received or held by the Company
under the Plan may be used by the Company for any corporate purpose, and the
Company shall not be obligated to segregate such payroll deductions.

       17. Reports. Individual accounts will be maintained for each participant
in the Plan. Statements of account will be given to participating Employees at
least annually, which statements will set forth the amounts of payroll
deductions, the Purchase Price, the number of shares purchased and the remaining
cash balance, if any.

       18. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization.

           (a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the
shareholders of the Company, the Reserves as well as the price per share of
Common Stock covered by each option under the Plan which has not yet been
exercised shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the
number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse
stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common
Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of Common Stock
effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however,
that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed
to have been "effected without receipt of consideration". Such adjustment shall
be made by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final,
binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the
Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares
of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall
be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject
to an option.


                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9
           (b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Offering Period will terminate
immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action, unless otherwise
provided by the Board.

           (c) Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a proposed sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the merger of the Company
with or into another corporation, each option under the Plan shall be assumed or
an equivalent option shall be substituted by such successor corporation or a
parent or subsidiary of such successor corporation, unless the Board determines,
in the exercise of its sole discretion and in lieu of such assumption or
substitution, to shorten the Offering Period then in progress by setting a new
Exercise Date (the "New Exercise Date") or to cancel each outstanding right to
purchase and refund all sums collected from participants during the Offering
Period then in progress. If the Board shortens the Offering Period then in
progress in lieu of assumption or substitution in the event of a merger or sale
of assets, the Board shall notify each participant in writing, at least ten (10)
business days prior to the New Exercise Date, that the Exercise Date for his
option has been changed to the New Exercise Date and that his option will be
exercised automatically on the New Exercise Date, unless prior to such date he
has withdrawn from the Offering Period as provided in Section 10 hereof. For
purposes of this paragraph, an option granted under the Plan shall be deemed to
be assumed if, following the sale of assets or merger, the option confers the
right to purchase, for each share of option stock subject to the option
immediately prior to the sale of assets or merger, the consideration (whether
stock, cash or other securities or property) received in the sale of assets or
merger by holders of Common Stock for each share of Common Stock held on the
effective date of the transaction (and if such holders were offered a choice of
consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of
the outstanding shares of Common Stock); provided, however, that if such
consideration received in the sale of assets or merger was not solely common
stock of the successor corporation or its parent (as defined in Section 424(e)
of the Code), the Board may, with the consent of the successor corporation,
provide for the consideration to be received upon exercise of the option to be
solely common stock of the successor corporation or its parent equal in fair
market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock
and the sale of assets or merger.

       The Board may, if it so determines in the exercise of its sole
discretion, also make provision for adjusting the Reserves, as well as the price
per share of Common Stock covered by each outstanding option, in the event the
Company effects one or more reorganizations, recapitalizations, rights offerings
or other increases or reductions of shares of its outstanding Common Stock, and
in the event of the Company being consolidated with or merged into any other
corporation.

       19. Amendment or Termination.


                                      -9-
<PAGE>   10
           (a) The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time and for any
reason terminate or amend the Plan. Except as provided in Section 18 hereof, no
such termination can affect options previously granted, provided that an
Offering Period may be terminated by the Board of Directors on any Exercise Date
if the Board determines that the termination of the Plan is in the best
interests of the Company and its shareholders. Except as provided in Section 18
hereof, no amendment may make any change in any option theretofore granted which
adversely affects the rights of any participant. To the extent necessary to
comply with Rule 16b-3 or under Section 423 of the Code (or any successor rule
or provision or any other applicable law or regulation), the Company shall
obtain shareholder approval in such a manner and to such a degree as required.

           (b) Without shareholder consent and without regard to whether any
participant rights may be considered to have been "adversely affected," the
Board (or its committee) shall be entitled to change the Offering Periods, limit
the frequency and/or number of changes in the amount withheld during an Offering
Period, establish the exchange ratio applicable to amounts withheld in a
currency other than U.S. dollars, permit payroll withholding in excess of the
amount designated by a participant in order to adjust for delays or mistakes in
the Company's processing of properly completed withholding elections, establish
reasonable waiting and adjustment periods and/or accounting and crediting
procedures to ensure that amounts applied toward the purchase of Common Stock
for each participant properly correspond with amounts withheld from the
participant's Compensation, and establish such other limitations or procedures
as the Board (or its committee) determines in its sole discretion advisable
which are consistent with the Plan.

       20. Notices. All notices or other communications by a participant to the
Company under or in connection with the Plan shall be deemed to have been duly
given when received in the form specified by the Company at the location, or by
the person, designated by the Company for the receipt thereof.

       21. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. Shares shall not be issued with
respect to an option unless the exercise of such option and the issuance and
delivery of such shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all applicable
provisions of law, domestic or foreign, including, without limitation, the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the requirements
of any stock exchange upon which the shares may then be listed, and shall be
further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such
compliance.

       As a condition to the exercise of an option, the Company may require the
person exercising such option to represent and warrant at the time of any such
exercise that the shares are being purchased only for investment and without any
present intention to sell or 

                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11
distribute such shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a
representation is required by any of the aforementioned applicable provisions of
law.

       22. Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon the earlier to
occur of its adoption by the Board of Directors or its approval by the
shareholders of the Company. It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10)
years unless sooner terminated under Section 19 hereof.


                                      -11-
<PAGE>   12
                                    EXHIBIT A


                        DIAMOND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS, INC.

                        1995 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

                             SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT


_____ Original Application                           Enrollment Date: __________
_____ Change in Payroll Deduction Rate
_____ Change of Beneficiary(ies)

1. _____________________________________ hereby elects to participate in the
   Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the
   "Employee Stock Purchase Plan") and subscribes to purchase shares of the
   Company's Common Stock in accordance with this Subscription Agreement and
   the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

2. I hereby authorize payroll deductions from each paycheck in the amount of
   ____% of my Compensation (not to exceed 15%) on each payday during the
   Offering Period that begins on the effective date of the Company's initial
   public offering of its Common Stock and ends on the last Trading Day on or
   before October 31, 1995, in accordance with the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
   (Please note that no fractional percentages are permitted.)

3. I hereby authorize payroll deductions from each paycheck in the amount of
   ____% of my Compensation (not to exceed 10%) on each payday during each
   successive Offering Period beginning on or after November 1, 1995, in
   accordance with the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. (Please note that no
   fractional percentages are permitted.)

4. I understand that said payroll deductions shall be accumulated for the
   purchase of shares of Common Stock at the applicable Purchase Price
   determined in accordance with the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. I understand
   that if I do not withdraw from an Offering Period, any accumulated payroll
   deductions will be used to automatically exercise my option.

5. I have received a copy of the complete "Employee Stock Purchase Plan." I
   understand that my participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan is in
   all respects subject to the terms of the Plan. I understand that the grant of
   the option by the Company under this Subscription Agreement is subject to
   obtaining shareholder approval of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

<PAGE>   13
6. Shares purchased for me under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan should be
   issued in the name(s) of (Employee or Employee and Spouse Only): ____________
   _____________

7. I understand that if I dispose of any shares received by me pursuant to the
   Plan within 2 years after the Enrollment Date (the first day of the Offering
   Period during which I purchased such shares), I will be treated for federal
   income tax purposes as having received ordinary income at the time of such
   disposition in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the
   shares at the time such shares were purchased by me over the price which I
   paid for the shares. I hereby agree to notify the Company in writing within
   30 days after the date of any disposition of shares and I will make adequate
   provision for Federal, state or other tax withholding obligations, if any,
   which arise upon the disposition of the Common Stock. The Company may, but
   will not be obligated to, withhold from my compensation the amount necessary
   to meet any applicable withholding obligation including any withholding
   necessary to make available to the Company any tax deductions or benefits
   attributable to sale or early disposition of Common Stock by me. If I dispose
   of such shares at any time after the expiration of the 2-year holding period,
   I understand that I will be treated for federal income tax purposes as having
   received income only at the time of such disposition, and that such income
   will be taxed as ordinary income only to the extent of an amount equal to the
   lesser of (1) the excess of the fair market value of the shares at the time
   of such disposition over the purchase price which I paid for the shares, or
   (2) 15% of the fair market value of the shares on the first day of the
   Offering Period. The remainder of the gain, if any, recognized on such
   disposition will be taxed as capital gain.

8. I hereby agree to be bound by the terms of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
   The effectiveness of this Subscription Agreement is dependent upon my
   eligibility to participate in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

9. In the event of my death, I hereby designate the following as my
   beneficiary(ies) to receive all payments and shares due me under the Employee
   Stock Purchase Plan:


NAME:  (Please print)___________________________________________________________
                            (First)          (Middle)          (Last)

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   14

____________________________       _____________________________________________
Relationship
                                   _____________________________________________
                                   (Address)


NAME:  (Please print)___________________________________________________________
                            (First)          (Middle)          (Last)


____________________________       _____________________________________________
Relationship
                                   _____________________________________________
                                   (Address)


Employee's Social
Security Number:                   _____________________________________________


Employee's Address:                _____________________________________________

                                   _____________________________________________

                                   _____________________________________________


I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT THROUGHOUT
SUCCESSIVE OFFERING PERIODS UNLESS TERMINATED BY ME.


Dated: ______________________      _____________________________________________
                                   Signature of Employee


                                   _____________________________________________
                                   Spouse's Signature (If beneficiary
                                   other than spouse)


                                      -3-
<PAGE>   15
                                    EXHIBIT B


                        DIAMOND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS, INC.

                        1995 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

                              NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL


        The undersigned participant in the Offering Period of the Diamond
Multimedia Systems, Inc. 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan which began on
___________ 19__ (the "Enrollment Date") hereby notifies the Company that he
or she hereby withdraws from the Offering Period. He or she hereby directs the
Company to pay to the undersigned as promptly as practicable all the payroll
deductions credited to his or her account with respect to such Offering Period.
The undersigned understands and agrees that his or her option for such Offering
Period will be automatically terminated. The undersigned understands further
that no further payroll deductions will be made for the purchase of shares in
the current Offering Period and the undersigned shall be eligible to participate
in succeeding Offering Periods only by delivering to the Company a new
Subscription Agreement.


                                    Name and Address of Participant:

                                    _______________________________

                                    _______________________________

                                    _______________________________


                                    Signature:

                                    _______________________________


                                    Date: _________________________


<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.4

                        DIAMOND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS, INC.
                                 1998 STOCK PLAN

        1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this Plan are:

           -  to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions
of substantial responsibility,

           -  to provide additional incentive to Employees, Directors and
Consultants, and

           -  to promote the success of the Company's business.

        Options granted under the Plan may be Incentive Stock Options or
Nonstatutory Stock Options, as determined by the Administrator at the time of
grant. Stock Purchase Rights may also be granted under the Plan.

        2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:

           (a) "Administrator" means the Board or any of its Committees as shall
be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

           (b) "Applicable Laws" means the requirements relating to the
administration of stock option plans under U. S. state corporate laws, U.S.
federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation
system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of
any foreign country or jurisdiction where Options or Stock Purchase Rights are,
or will be, granted under the Plan.

           (c) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

           (d) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

           (e) "Committee" means a committee of Directors appointed by the Board
in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

           (f) "Common Stock" means the common stock of the Company.

           (g) "Company" means Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc., a Delaware
corporation.

           (h) "Consultant" means any person, including an advisor, engaged by
the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to render services to such entity.

           (i) "Director" means a member of the Board.


<PAGE>   2
           (j) "Disability" means total and permanent disability as defined in
Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

           (k) "Employee" means any person, including Officers and Directors,
employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. A Service
Provider shall not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of
absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the
Company or between the Company, its Parent, any Subsidiary, or any successor.
For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed ninety days,
unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or
contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the
Company is not so guaranteed, on the 181st day of such leave any Incentive Stock
Option held by the Optionee shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock
Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option.
Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director's fee by the Company
shall be sufficient to constitute "employment" by the Company.

           (l) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

           (m) "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value of Common
Stock determined as follows:

               (i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock
exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq
National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its
Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the
closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system for
the last market trading day prior to the time of determination, as reported in
The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems
reliable;

               (ii) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized
securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of
a Share of Common Stock shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked
prices for the Common Stock on the last market trading day prior to the day of
determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as
the Administrator deems reliable; or

               (iii) In the absence of an established market for the Common
Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the
Administrator.

           (n) "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option intended to qualify as
an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the
regulations promulgated thereunder.

           (o) "Nonstatutory Stock Option" means an Option not intended to
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.


                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3
           (p) "Notice of Grant" means a written or electronic notice evidencing
certain terms and conditions of an individual Option or Stock Purchase Right
grant. The Notice of Grant is part of the Option Agreement.

           (q) "Officer" means a person who is an officer of the Company within
the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.

           (r) "Option" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.

           (s) "Option Agreement" means an agreement between the Company and an
Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option grant. The
Option Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

           (t) "Option Exchange Program" means a program whereby outstanding
Options are surrendered in exchange for Options with a lower exercise price.

           (u) "Optioned Stock" means the Common Stock subject to an Option or
Stock Purchase Right.

           (v) "Optionee" means the holder of an outstanding Option or Stock
Purchase Right granted under the Plan.

           (w) "Parent" means a "parent corporation," whether now or hereafter
existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

           (x) "Plan" means this Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. 1998 Stock
Plan.

           (y) "Restricted Stock" means shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant
to a grant of Stock Purchase Rights under Section 11 of the Plan.

           (z) "Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement" means a written agreement
between the Company and the Optionee evidencing the terms and restrictions
applying to stock purchased under a Stock Purchase Right. The Restricted Stock
Purchase Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the
Notice of Grant.

               (aa) "Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any
successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised with
respect to the Plan.

               (bb) "Section 16(b)" means Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.

               (cc) "Service Provider" means an Employee, Director or
Consultant.


                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4
               (dd) "Share" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
accordance with Section 13 of the Plan.

               (ee) "Stock Purchase Right" means the right to purchase Common
Stock pursuant to Section 11 of the Plan, as evidenced by a Notice of Grant.

               (ff) "Subsidiary" means a "subsidiary corporation", whether now
or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

        3. Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 13 of
the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be optioned and sold
under the Plan is 1,200,000 Shares. The Shares may be authorized, but unissued,
or reacquired Common Stock.

        If an Option or Stock Purchase Right expires or becomes unexercisable
without having been exercised in full, or is surrendered pursuant to an Option
Exchange Program, the unpurchased Shares which were subject thereto shall become
available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has
terminated); provided, however, that Shares that have actually been issued under
the Plan, whether upon exercise of an Option or Right, shall not be returned to
the Plan and shall not become available for future distribution under the Plan,
except that if Shares of Restricted Stock are repurchased by the Company at
their original purchase price, such Shares shall become available for future
grant under the Plan.

        4. Administration of the Plan.

           (a) Procedure.

               (i) Multiple Administrative Bodies. The Plan may be administered
by different Committees with respect to different groups of Service Providers.

               (ii) Section 162(m). To the extent that the Administrator
determines it to be desirable to qualify Options granted hereunder as
"performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the
Code, the Plan shall be administered by a Committee of two or more "outside
directors" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

               (iii) Rule 16b-3. To the extent desirable to qualify transactions
hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3, the transactions contemplated hereunder
shall be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under Rule 16b-3.

               (iv) Other Administration. Other than as provided above, the Plan
shall be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee, which committee shall
be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws.


                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5
           (b) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the
Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated
by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator shall have the authority, in
its discretion:

               (i) to determine the Fair Market Value;

               (ii) to select the Service Providers to whom Options and Stock
Purchase Rights may be granted hereunder;

               (iii) to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be
covered by each Option and Stock Purchase Right granted hereunder;

               (iv) to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;

               (v) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with
the terms of the Plan, of any Option or Stock Purchase Right granted hereunder.
Such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price,
the time or times when Options or Stock Purchase Rights may be exercised (which
may be based on performance criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of
forfeiture restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Option
or Stock Purchase Right or the shares of Common Stock relating thereto, based in
each case on such factors as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall
determine;

               (vi) to reduce the exercise price of any Option or Stock Purchase
Right to the then current Fair Market Value if the Fair Market Value of the
Common Stock covered by such Option or Stock Purchase Right shall have declined
since the date the Option or Stock Purchase Right was granted;

               (vii) to institute an Option Exchange Program;

               (viii)to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and awards
granted pursuant to the Plan;

               (ix) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations
relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans
established for the purpose of qualifying for preferred tax treatment under
foreign tax laws;

               (x) to modify or amend each Option or Stock Purchase Right
(subject to Section 15(c) of the Plan), including the discretionary authority to
extend the post-termination exercisability period of Options longer than is
otherwise provided for in the Plan;

               (xi) to allow Optionees to satisfy withholding tax obligations by
electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued upon exercise
of an Option or Stock Purchase Right that number of Shares having a Fair Market
Value equal to the amount required to be


                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6
withheld. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld shall be determined
on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. All
elections by an Optionee to have Shares withheld for this purpose shall be made
in such form and under such conditions as the Administrator may deem necessary
or advisable;

               (xii) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company
any instrument required to effect the grant of an Option or Stock Purchase Right
previously granted by the Administrator;

               (xiii) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or
advisable for administering the Plan.

           (c) Effect of Administrator's Decision. The Administrator's
decisions, determinations and interpretations shall be final and binding on all
Optionees and any other holders of Options or Stock Purchase Rights.

        5. Eligibility. Nonstatutory Stock Options and Stock Purchase Rights may
be granted to Service Providers. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to
Employees.

        6. Limitations.

           (a) Each Option shall be designated in the Option Agreement as either
an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. However,
notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market
Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are
exercisable for the first time by the Optionee during any calendar year (under
all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such
Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this
Section 6(a), Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order
in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be
determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.

           (b) Neither the Plan nor any Option or Stock Purchase Right shall
confer upon an Optionee any right with respect to continuing the Optionee's
relationship as a Service Provider with the Company, nor shall they interfere in
any way with the Optionee's right or the Company's right to terminate such
relationship at any time, with or without cause.

           (c) The following limitations shall apply to grants of Options:

               (i) No Service Provider shall be granted, in any fiscal year of
the Company, Options to purchase more than 500,000 Shares.

               (ii) In connection with his or her initial service, a Service
Provider may be granted Options to purchase up to an additional 500,000 Shares
which shall not count against the limit set forth in subsection (i) above.


                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7
               (iii) The foregoing limitations shall be adjusted proportionately
in connection with any change in the Company's capitalization as described in
Section 13.

               (iv) If an Option is cancelled in the same fiscal year of the
Company in which it was granted (other than in connection with a transaction
described in Section 13), the cancelled Option will be counted against the
limits set forth in subsections (i) and (ii) above. For this purpose, if the
exercise price of an Option is reduced, the transaction will be treated as a
cancellation of the Option and the grant of a new Option.

       7. Term of Plan. Subject to Section 19 of the Plan, the Plan shall become
effective upon its adoption by the Board. It shall continue in effect for a term
of ten (10) years unless terminated earlier under Section 15 of the Plan.

       8. Term of Option. The term of each Option shall be stated in the Option
Agreement. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the term shall be ten (10)
years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the
Option Agreement. Moreover, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to
an Optionee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock
representing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of
all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the
Incentive Stock Option shall be five (5) years from the date of grant or such
shorter term as may be provided in the Option Agreement.

        9. Option Exercise Price and Consideration.

           (a) Exercise Price. The per share exercise price for the Shares to be
issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be determined by the
Administrator, subject to the following:

               (i) In the case of an Incentive Stock Option

                   (A) granted to an Employee who, at the time the Incentive
Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of
the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or
Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair
Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

                   (B) granted to any Employee other than an Employee described
in paragraph (A) immediately above, the per Share exercise price shall be no
less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

               (ii) In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option, the per Share
exercise price shall be determined by the Administrator. In the case of a
Nonstatutory Stock Option intended to qualify as "performance-based
compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the per Share
exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on
the date of grant.


                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8
               (iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be granted with
a per Share exercise price of less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share
on the date of grant pursuant to a merger or other corporate transaction.

           (b) Waiting Period and Exercise Dates. At the time an Option is
granted, the Administrator shall fix the period within which the Option may be
exercised and shall determine any conditions which must be satisfied before the
Option may be exercised.

           (c) Form of Consideration. The Administrator shall determine the
acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method
of payment. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Administrator shall
determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time of grant. Such
consideration may consist entirely of:

               (i) cash;

               (ii) check;

               (iii) promissory note;

               (iv) other Shares which (A) in the case of Shares acquired upon
exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for more than six months
on the date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on the date of
surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said
Option shall be exercised;

               (v) consideration received by the Company under a cashless
exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan;

               (vi) a reduction in the amount of any Company liability to the
Optionee, including any liability attributable to the Optionee's participation
in any Company-sponsored deferred compensation program or arrangement;

               (vii) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or

               (viii)such other consideration and method of payment for the
issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

       10. Exercise of Option.

           (a) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Shareholder. Any Option
granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at
such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set
forth in the Option Agreement. Unless the Administrator provides otherwise,
vesting of Options granted hereunder shall be tolled during any unpaid leave of
absence. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.


                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9
               An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company receives:
(i) written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the Option
Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full
payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised. Full
payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the
Administrator and permitted by the Option Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued
upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of the Optionee or, if
requested by the Optionee, in the name of the Optionee and his or her spouse.
Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books
of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right
to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist
with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option.
The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the
Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right
for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as
provided in Section 13 of the Plan.

               Exercising an Option in any manner shall decrease the number of
Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for sale under
the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.

           (b) Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider. If an Optionee
ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the Optionee's death or
Disability, the Optionee may exercise his or her Option within such period of
time as is specified in the Option Agreement to the extent that the Option is
vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of
the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement). In the absence of
a specified time in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable
for three (3) months following the Optionee's termination. If, on the date of
termination, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the
Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan.
If, after termination, the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within
the time specified by the Administrator, the Option shall terminate, and the
Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

           (c) Disability of Optionee. If an Optionee ceases to be a Service
Provider as a result of the Optionee's Disability, the Optionee may exercise his
or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement
to the extent the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event
later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option
Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Option Agreement, the
Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Optionee's
termination. If, on the date of termination, the Optionee is not vested as to
his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the
Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the Optionee does not
exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall
terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

           (d) Death of Optionee. If an Optionee dies while a Service Provider,
the Option may be exercised within such period of time as is specified in the
Option Agreement (but in no event later


                                      -9-
<PAGE>   10
than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Notice of
Grant), by the Optionee's estate or by a person who acquires the right to
exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent that the
Option is vested on the date of death. In the absence of a specified time in the
Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months
following the Optionee's termination. If, at the time of death, the Optionee is
not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested
portion of the Option shall immediately revert to the Plan. The Option may be
exercised by the executor or administrator of the Optionee's estate or, if none,
by the person(s) entitled to exercise the Option under the Optionee's will or
the laws of descent or distribution. If the Option is not so exercised within
the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by
such Option shall revert to the Plan.

           (e) Buyout Provisions. The Administrator may at any time offer to buy
out for a payment in cash or Shares an Option previously granted based on such
terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and communicate to the
Optionee at the time that such offer is made.

       11. Stock Purchase Rights.

           (a) Rights to Purchase. Stock Purchase Rights may be issued either
alone, in addition to, or in tandem with other awards granted under the Plan
and/or cash awards made outside of the Plan. After the Administrator determines
that it will offer Stock Purchase Rights under the Plan, it shall advise the
offeree in writing or electronically, by means of a Notice of Grant, of the
terms, conditions and restrictions related to the offer, including the number of
Shares that the offeree shall be entitled to purchase, the price to be paid, and
the time within which the offeree must accept such offer. The offer shall be
accepted by execution of a Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement in the form
determined by the Administrator.

           (b) Repurchase Option. Unless the Administrator determines otherwise,
the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall grant the Company a repurchase
option exercisable upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of the
purchaser's service with the Company for any reason (including death or
Disability). The purchase price for Shares repurchased pursuant to the
Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall be the original price paid by the
purchaser and may be paid by cancellation of any indebtedness of the purchaser
to the Company. The repurchase option shall lapse at a rate determined by the
Administrator.

           (c) Other Provisions. The Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall
contain such other terms, provisions and conditions not inconsistent with the
Plan as may be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion.

           (d) Rights as a Shareholder. Once the Stock Purchase Right is
exercised, the purchaser shall have the rights equivalent to those of a
shareholder, and shall be a shareholder when his or her purchase is entered upon
the records of the duly authorized transfer agent of the Company. No adjustment
will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to
the date the Stock Purchase Right is exercised, except as provided in Section 13
of the Plan.


                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11
       12. Non-Transferability of Options and Stock Purchase Rights. Unless
determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Option or Stock Purchase Right may
not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any
manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be
exercised, during the lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee. If the
Administrator makes an Option or Stock Purchase Right transferable, such Option
or Stock Purchase Right shall contain such additional terms and conditions as
the Administrator deems appropriate.

       13. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution, Merger or
Asset Sale.

           (a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the
shareholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by
each outstanding Option and Stock Purchase Right, and the number of shares of
Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to
which no Options or Stock Purchase Rights have yet been granted or which have
been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Option or Stock
Purchase Right, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered by each
such outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right, shall be proportionately
adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common
Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend,
combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or
decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt
of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected
without receipt of consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by the Board,
whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive.
Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of
stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class,
shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to,
the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option or Stock
Purchase Right.

           (b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify each
Optionee as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed
transaction. The Administrator in its discretion may provide for an Optionee to
have the right to exercise his or her Option until ten (10) days prior to such
transaction as to all of the Optioned Stock covered thereby, including Shares as
to which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable. In addition, the
Administrator may provide that any Company repurchase option applicable to any
Shares purchased upon exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right shall lapse
as to all such Shares, provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation takes
place at the time and in the manner contemplated. To the extent it has not been
previously exercised, an Option or Stock Purchase Right will terminate
immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.

           (c) Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a merger of the Company
with or into another corporation, or the sale of substantially all of the assets
of the Company, each outstanding Option and Stock Purchase Right shall be
assumed or an equivalent option or right substituted by the successor
corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event
that the


                                      -11-
<PAGE>   12
successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Option or
Stock Purchase Right, the Optionee shall fully vest in and have the right to
exercise the Option or Stock Purchase Right as to all of the Optioned Stock,
including Shares as to which it would not otherwise be vested or exercisable. If
an Option or Stock Purchase Right becomes fully vested and exercisable in lieu
of assumption or substitution in the event of a merger or sale of assets, the
Administrator shall notify the Optionee in writing or electronically that the
Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be fully vested and exercisable for a
period of fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and the Option or
Stock Purchase Right shall terminate upon the expiration of such period. For the
purposes of this paragraph, the Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be
considered assumed if, following the merger or sale of assets, the option or
right confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share of Optioned Stock
subject to the Option or Stock Purchase Right immediately prior to the merger or
sale of assets, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or
property) received in the merger or sale of assets by holders of Common Stock
for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders
were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the
holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if
such consideration received in the merger or sale of assets is not solely common
stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with
the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be
received upon the exercise of the Option or Stock Purchase Right, for each Share
of Optioned Stock subject to the Option or Stock Purchase Right, to be solely
common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market
value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the
merger or sale of assets.

       14. Date of Grant. The date of grant of an Option or Stock Purchase Right
shall be, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the
determination granting such Option or Stock Purchase Right, or such other later
date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice of the determination shall be
provided to each Optionee within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.

       15. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

           (a) Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend,
alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.

           (b) Shareholder Approval. The Company shall obtain shareholder
approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply
with Applicable Laws.

           (c) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration,
suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any Optionee,
unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee and the Administrator,
which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and the Company.
Termination of the Plan shall not affect the Administrator's ability to exercise
the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Options granted under the
Plan prior to the date of such termination.


                                      -12-
<PAGE>   13
       16. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.

           (a) Legal Compliance. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the
exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right unless the exercise of such Option
or Stock Purchase Right and the issuance and delivery of such Shares shall
comply with Applicable Laws and shall be further subject to the approval of
counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

           (b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of an
Option or Stock Purchase Right, the Company may require the person exercising
such Option or Stock Purchase Right to represent and warrant at the time of any
such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and
without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the
opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.

       17. Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company to obtain
authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is
deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale
of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect
of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority
shall not have been obtained.

       18. Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan,
will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

       19. Shareholder Approval. The Plan shall be subject to approval by the
shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is
adopted. Such shareholder approval shall be obtained in the manner and to the
degree required under Applicable Laws.


                                      -13-
<PAGE>   14
                         DIAMOND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS, INC.
                                 1998 STOCK PLAN

                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

       Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have
the same defined meanings in this Option Agreement.

I.  NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT

[Optionee's Name and Address]

       You have been granted an option to purchase Common Stock of the Company,
subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement, as
follows:

       Grant Number                         _________________________


       Date of Grant                        _________________________

       Vesting Commencement Date            _________________________

       Exercise Price per Share             $________________________

       Total Number of Shares Granted       _________________________

       Total Exercise Price                 $________________________

       Type of Option:                      ___  Incentive Stock Option

                                            ___  Nonstatutory Stock Option

       Term/Expiration Date:                _________________________

    Vesting Schedule:

       This Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, in accordance with the
following schedule:

       [25% of the Shares subject to the Option shall vest twelve months after
the Vesting Commencement Date, and 1/48 of the Shares subject to the Option
shall vest each month thereafter, subject to the Optionee continuing to be a
Service Provider on such dates].

<PAGE>   15
       Termination Period:

       This Option may be exercised for three months after Optionee ceases to be
a Service Provider. Upon the death or Disability of the Optionee, this Option
may be exercised for one year after Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider. In
no event shall this Option be exercised later than the Term/Expiration Date as
provided above.

II.  AGREEMENT

        1. Grant of Option. The Plan Administrator of the Company hereby grants
to the Optionee named in the Notice of Grant attached as Part I of this
Agreement (the "Optionee") an option (the "Option") to purchase the number of
Shares, as set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price per share set
forth in the Notice of Grant (the "Exercise Price"), subject to the terms and
conditions of the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. Subject to
Section 15(c) of the Plan, in the event of a conflict between the terms and
conditions of the Plan and the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement,
the terms and conditions of the Plan shall prevail.

           If designated in the Notice of Grant as an Incentive Stock Option
("ISO"), this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under
Section 422 of the Code. However, if this Option is intended to be an Incentive
Stock Option, to the extent that it exceeds the $100,000 rule of Code Section
422(d) it shall be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option ("NSO").

        2. Exercise of Option.

           (a) Right to Exercise. This Option is exercisable during its term in
accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and the
applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement.

           (b) Method of Exercise. This Option is exercisable by delivery of an
exercise notice, in the form attached as Exhibit A (the "Exercise Notice"),
which shall state the election to exercise the Option, the number of Shares in
respect of which the Option is being exercised (the "Exercised Shares"), and
such other representations and agreements as may be required by the Company
pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. The Exercise Notice shall be completed
by the Optionee and delivered to the Company. The Exercise Notice shall be
accompanied by payment of the aggregate Exercise Price as to all Exercised
Shares. This Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company
of such fully executed Exercise Notice accompanied by such aggregate Exercise
Price.

               No Shares shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of this Option
unless such issuance and exercise complies with Applicable Laws. Assuming such
compliance, for income tax purposes the Exercised Shares shall be considered
transferred to the Optionee on the date the Option is exercised with respect to
such Exercised Shares.


                                      -2-
<PAGE>   16

        3. Method of Payment. Payment of the aggregate Exercise Price shall be
by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the
Optionee:

           (a) cash; or

           (b) check; or

           (c) consideration received by the Company under a cashless exercise
program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan; or

           (d) surrender of other Shares which (i) in the case of Shares
acquired upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for more
than six (6) months on the date of surrender, AND (ii) have a Fair Market Value
on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Exercised
Shares.

        4. Non-Transferability of Option. This Option may not be transferred in
any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and
may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by the Optionee. The terms
of the Plan and this Option Agreement shall be binding upon the executors,
administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the Optionee.

        5. Term of Option. This Option may be exercised only within the term set
out in the Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in
accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option Agreement.

        6. Tax Consequences. Some of the federal tax consequences relating to
this Option, as of the date of this Option, are set forth below. THIS SUMMARY IS
NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
THE OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISER BEFORE EXERCISING THIS OPTION OR
DISPOSING OF THE SHARES.

           (a) Exercising the Option.

               (i) Nonstatutory Stock Option. The Optionee may incur regular
federal income tax liability upon exercise of a NSO. The Optionee will be
treated as having received compensation income (taxable at ordinary income tax
rates) equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Exercised
Shares on the date of exercise over their aggregate Exercise Price. If the
Optionee is an Employee or a former Employee, the Company will be required to
withhold from his or her compensation or collect from Optionee and pay to the
applicable taxing authorities an amount in cash equal to a percentage of this
compensation income at the time of exercise, and may refuse to honor the
exercise and refuse to deliver Shares if such withholding amounts are not
delivered at the time of exercise.


                                      -3-
<PAGE>   17
               (ii) Incentive Stock Option. If this Option qualifies as an ISO,
the Optionee will have no regular federal income tax liability upon its
exercise, although the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Exercised
Shares on the date of exercise over their aggregate Exercise Price will be
treated as an adjustment to alternative minimum taxable income for federal tax
purposes and may subject the Optionee to alternative minimum tax in the year of
exercise. In the event that the Optionee ceases to be an Employee but remains a
Service Provider, any Incentive Stock Option of the Optionee that remains
unexercised shall cease to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option and will be
treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option on the date three (3)
months and one (1) day following such change of status.

           (b) Disposition of Shares.

               (i) NSO. If the Optionee holds NSO Shares for at least one year,
any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will be treated as long-term
capital gain for federal income tax purposes.

               (ii) ISO. If the Optionee holds ISO Shares for at least one year
after exercise and two years after the grant date, any gain realized on
disposition of the Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain for federal
income tax purposes. If the Optionee disposes of ISO Shares within one year
after exercise or two years after the grant date, any gain realized on such
disposition will be treated as compensation income (taxable at ordinary income
rates) to the extent of the excess, if any, of the lesser of (A) the difference
between the Fair Market Value of the Shares acquired on the date of exercise and
the aggregate Exercise Price, or (B) the difference between the sale price of
such Shares and the aggregate Exercise Price. Any additional gain will be taxed
as capital gain, short-term or long-term depending on the period that the ISO
Shares were held.

           (c) Notice of Disqualifying Disposition of ISO Shares. If the
Optionee sells or otherwise disposes of any of the Shares acquired pursuant to
an ISO on or before the later of (i) two years after the grant date, or (ii) one
year after the exercise date, the Optionee shall immediately notify the Company
in writing of such disposition. The Optionee agrees that he or she may be
subject to income tax withholding by the Company on the compensation income
recognized from such early disposition of ISO Shares by payment in cash or out
of the current earnings paid to the Optionee.

        7. Entire Agreement; Governing Law. The Plan is incorporated herein by
reference. The Plan and this Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their
entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Optionee with
respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the
Optionee's interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and
Optionee. This agreement is governed by the internal substantive laws, but not
the choice of law rules, of California.

        8. NO GUARANTEE OF CONTINUED SERVICE. OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES
THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE VESTING


                                      -4-
<PAGE>   18
SCHEDULE HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT THE WILL
OF THE COMPANY (AND NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED AN OPTION
OR PURCHASING SHARES HEREUNDER). OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT
THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE
SET FORTH HEREIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED
ENGAGEMENT AS A SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT
ALL, AND SHALL NOT INTERFERE WITH OPTIONEE'S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY'S RIGHT TO
TERMINATE OPTIONEE'S RELATIONSHIP AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT ANY TIME, WITH OR
WITHOUT CAUSE.

        By your signature and the signature of the Company's representative
below, you and the Company agree that this Option is granted under and governed
by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. Optionee has
reviewed the Plan and this Option Agreement in their entirety, has had an
opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option
Agreement and fully understands all provisions of the Plan and Option Agreement.
Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions
or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions relating to the Plan
and Option Agreement. Optionee further agrees to notify the Company upon any
change in the residence address indicated below.


OPTIONEE:                                 DIAMOND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS, INC.

____________________________________      ______________________________________
Signature                                 By

____________________________________      ______________________________________
Print Name                                Title

____________________________________
Residence Address

____________________________________


                                      -5-
<PAGE>   19
                                CONSENT OF SPOUSE

        The undersigned spouse of Optionee has read and hereby approves the
terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. In consideration of
the Company's granting his or her spouse the right to purchase Shares as set
forth in the Plan and this Option Agreement, the undersigned hereby agrees to be
irrevocably bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option
Agreement and further agrees that any community property interest shall be
similarly bound. The undersigned hereby appoints the undersigned's spouse as
attorney-in-fact for the undersigned with respect to any amendment or exercise
of rights under the Plan or this Option Agreement.


                                         _______________________________________
                                         Spouse of Optionee


                                      -6-
<PAGE>   20
                                    EXHIBIT A

                        DIAMOND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS, INC.
                                 1998 STOCK PLAN

                                 EXERCISE NOTICE

Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc.
2880 Junction Avenue
San Jose, California 95134

Attention:  [Title]

        1. Exercise of Option. Effective as of today, ________________, 199__,
the undersigned ("Purchaser") hereby elects to purchase ______________ shares
(the "Shares") of the Common Stock of Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. (the
"Company") under and pursuant to the Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. 1998 Stock
Plan (the "Plan") and the Stock Option Agreement dated ______________, 19___
(the "Option Agreement"). The purchase price for the Shares shall be $_______ ,
as required by the Option Agreement.

        2. Delivery of Payment. Purchaser herewith delivers to the Company the
full purchase price for the Shares.

        3. Representations of Purchaser. Purchaser acknowledges that Purchaser
has received, read and understood the Plan and the Option Agreement and agrees
to abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.

        4. Rights as Shareholder. Until the issuance (as evidenced by the
appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer
agent of the Company) of the Shares, no right to vote or receive dividends or
any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned
Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Shares so acquired shall
be issued to the Optionee as soon as practicable after exercise of the Option.
No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record
date is prior to the date of issuance, except as provided in [Section 13] of the
Plan.

        5. Tax Consultation. Purchaser understands that Purchaser may suffer
adverse tax consequences as a result of Purchaser's purchase or disposition of
the Shares. Purchaser represents that Purchaser has consulted with any tax
consultants Purchaser deems advisable in connection with the purchase or
disposition of the Shares and that Purchaser is not relying on the Company for
any tax advice.

        6. Entire Agreement; Governing Law. The Plan and Option Agreement are
incorporated herein by reference. This Agreement, the Plan and the Option
Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and
agreements of the Company and Purchaser with respect to the subject matter
hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Purchaser's interest except by
means of a writing


<PAGE>   21
signed by the Company and Purchaser. This agreement is governed by the internal
substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of California.


Submitted by:                              Accepted by:

PURCHASER:                                 DIAMOND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS, INC.


__________________________________         _____________________________________
Signature                                  By

__________________________________         _____________________________________
Print Name                                 Its


Address:                                   Address:

__________________________________         Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc.
                                           2880 Junction Avenue
                                           San Jose, California  95134
__________________________________
                                           _____________________________________
                                           Date Received


                                      -2-
<PAGE>   22
                                    EXHIBIT B

                               SECURITY AGREEMENT

       This Security Agreement is made as of __________, 19___ between Diamond
Multimedia Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Pledgee"), and
_____________________________ ("Pledgor").


                                    Recitals

        Pursuant to Pledgor's election to purchase Shares under the Option
Agreement dated ________ (the "Option"), between Pledgor and Pledgee under
Pledgee's Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. 1998 Stock Plan, and Pledgor's
election under the terms of the Option to pay for such shares with his
promissory note (the "Note"), Pledgor has purchased _________ shares of
Pledgee's Common Stock (the "Shares") at a price of $________ per share, for a
total purchase price of $__________. The Note and the obligations thereunder are
as set forth in Exhibit C to the Option.

        NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed as follows:

        1. Creation and Description of Security Interest. In consideration of
the transfer of the Shares to Pledgor under the Option Agreement, Pledgor,
pursuant to the California Commercial Code, hereby pledges all of such Shares
(herein sometimes referred to as the "Collateral") represented by certificate
number ______, duly endorsed in blank or with executed stock powers, and
herewith delivers said certificate to the Secretary of Pledgee ("Pledgeholder"),
who shall hold said certificate subject to the terms and conditions of this
Security Agreement.

        The pledged stock (together with an executed blank stock assignment for
use in transferring all or a portion of the Shares to Pledgee if, as and when
required pursuant to this Security Agreement) shall be held by the Pledgeholder
as security for the repayment of the Note, and any extensions or renewals
thereof, to be executed by Pledgor pursuant to the terms of the Option, and the
Pledgeholder shall not encumber or dispose of such Shares except in accordance
with the provisions of this Security Agreement.

        2. Pledgor's Representations and Covenants. To induce Pledgee to enter
into this Security Agreement, Pledgor represents and covenants to Pledgee, its
successors and assigns, as follows:

           a. Payment of Indebtedness. Pledgor will pay the principal sum of the
Note secured hereby, together with interest thereon, at the time and in the
manner provided in the Note.

           b. Encumbrances. The Shares are free of all other encumbrances,
defenses and liens, and Pledgor will not further encumber the Shares without the
prior written consent of Pledgee.

           c. Margin Regulations. In the event that Pledgee's Common Stock is
now or later becomes margin-listed by the Federal Reserve Board and Pledgee is
classified as a "lender" within


<PAGE>   23
the meaning of the regulations under Part 207 of Title 12 of the Code of Federal
Regulations ("Regulation G"), Pledgor agrees to cooperate with Pledgee in making
any amendments to the Note or providing any additional collateral as may be
necessary to comply with such regulations.

        3. Voting Rights. During the term of this pledge and so long as all
payments of principal and interest are made as they become due under the terms
of the Note, Pledgor shall have the right to vote all of the Shares pledged
hereunder.

        4. Stock Adjustments. In the event that during the term of the pledge
any stock dividend, reclassification, readjustment or other changes are declared
or made in the capital structure of Pledgee, all new, substituted and additional
shares or other securities issued by reason of any such change shall be
delivered to and held by the Pledgee under the terms of this Security Agreement
in the same manner as the Shares originally pledged hereunder. In the event of
substitution of such securities, Pledgor, Pledgee and Pledgeholder shall
cooperate and execute such documents as are reasonable so as to provide for the
substitution of such Collateral and, upon such substitution, references to
"Shares" in this Security Agreement shall include the substituted shares of
capital stock of Pledgor as a result thereof.

        5. Options and Rights. In the event that, during the term of this
pledge, subscription Options or other rights or options shall be issued in
connection with the pledged Shares, such rights, Options and options shall be
the property of Pledgor and, if exercised by Pledgor, all new stock or other
securities so acquired by Pledgor as it relates to the pledged Shares then held
by Pledgeholder shall be immediately delivered to Pledgeholder, to be held under
the terms of this Security Agreement in the same manner as the Shares pledged.

        6. Default. Pledgor shall be deemed to be in default of the Note and of
this Security Agreement in the event:

           a. Payment of principal or interest on the Note shall be delinquent
for a period of 10 days or more; or

           b. Pledgor fails to perform any of the covenants set forth in the
Option or contained in this Security Agreement for a period of 10 days after
written notice thereof from Pledgee.

        In the case of an event of Default, as set forth above, Pledgee shall
have the right to accelerate payment of the Note upon notice to Pledgor, and
Pledgee shall thereafter be entitled to pursue its remedies under the California
Commercial Code.

        7. Release of Collateral. Subject to any applicable contrary rules under
Regulation G, there shall be released from this pledge a portion of the pledged
Shares held by Pledgeholder hereunder upon payments of the principal of the
Note. The number of the pledged Shares which shall be released shall be that
number of full Shares which bears the same proportion to the initial number of


                                      -2-
<PAGE>   24
Shares pledged hereunder as the payment of principal bears to the initial full
principal amount of the Note.

        8. Withdrawal or Substitution of Collateral. Pledgor shall not sell,
withdraw, pledge, substitute or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the
Collateral without the prior written consent of Pledgee.

        9. Term. The within pledge of Shares shall continue until the payment of
all indebtedness secured hereby, at which time the remaining pledged stock shall
be promptly delivered to Pledgor, subject to the provisions for prior release of
a portion of the Collateral as provided in paragraph 7 above.

       10. Insolvency. Pledgor agrees that if a bankruptcy or insolvency
proceeding is instituted by or against it, or if a receiver is appointed for the
property of Pledgor, or if Pledgor makes an assignment for the benefit of
creditors, the entire amount unpaid on the Note shall become immediately due and
payable, and Pledgee may proceed as provided in the case of default.

       11. Pledgeholder Liability. In the absence of willful or gross
negligence, Pledgeholder shall not be liable to any party for any of his acts,
or omissions to act, as Pledgeholder.

       12. Invalidity of Particular Provisions. Pledgor and Pledgee agree that
the enforceability or invalidity of any provision or provisions of this Security
Agreement shall not render any other provision or provisions herein contained
unenforceable or invalid.

       13. Successors or Assigns. Pledgor and Pledgee agree that all of the
terms of this Security Agreement shall be binding on their respective successors
and assigns, and that the term "Pledgor" and the term "Pledgee" as used herein
shall be deemed to include, for all purposes, the respective designees,
successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators.

       14. Governing Law. This Security Agreement shall be interpreted and
governed under the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules,
of California.


                                      -3-
<PAGE>   25
       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of
the day and year first above written.



       "PLEDGOR"                            _________________________________
                                            Signature

                                            _________________________________
                                            Print Name

                             Address:       _________________________________

                                            _________________________________


       "PLEDGEE"                            DIAMOND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS, INC.,
                                            a Delaware corporation


                                            _________________________________
                                            Signature

                                            ________________________________
                                            Print Name

                                            ________________________________
                                            Title


       "PLEDGEHOLDER"                       ________________________________
                                            Secretary of
                                            DIAMOND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS, INC.


                                      -4-
<PAGE>   26
                                    EXHIBIT C

                                      NOTE

$_______________                                               [City, State]

                                                           ______________, 19___

       FOR VALUE RECEIVED, _______________ promises to pay to Diamond Multimedia
Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), or order, the principal
sum of _______________________ ($_____________), together with interest on the
unpaid principal hereof from the date hereof at the rate of _______________
percent (____%) per annum, compounded semiannually.

       Principal and interest shall be due and payable on __________, 19___.
Payment of principal and interest shall be made in lawful money of the United
States of America.

       The undersigned may at any time prepay all or any portion of the
principal or interest owing hereunder.

       This Note is subject to the terms of the Option, dated as of
________________. This Note is secured in part by a pledge of the Company's
Common Stock under the terms of a Security Agreement of even date herewith and
is subject to all the provisions thereof.

       The holder of this Note shall have full recourse against the undersigned,
and shall not be required to proceed against the collateral securing this Note
in the event of default.

       In the event the undersigned shall cease to be an employee, director or
consultant of the Company for any reason, this Note shall, at the option of the
Company, be accelerated, and the whole unpaid balance on this Note of principal
and accrued interest shall be immediately due and payable.

       Should any action be instituted for the collection of this Note, the
reasonable costs and attorneys' fees therein of the holder shall be paid by the
undersigned.


                                            ____________________________________

                                            ____________________________________


<PAGE>   27

                        DIAMOND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS, INC.
                                 1998 STOCK PLAN

                     NOTICE OF GRANT OF STOCK PURCHASE RIGHT

       Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have
the same defined meanings in this Notice of Grant.

[Grantee's Name and Address]

       You have been granted the right to purchase Common Stock of the Company,
subject to the Company's Repurchase Option and your ongoing status as a Service
Provider (as described in the Plan and the attached Restricted Stock Purchase
Agreement), as follows:

       Grant Number                         _________________________

       Date of Grant                        _________________________

       Price Per Share                      $________________________

       Total Number of Shares Subject       _________________________
         to This Stock Purchase Right

       Expiration Date:                     _________________________

       YOU MUST EXERCISE THIS STOCK PURCHASE RIGHT BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE
OR IT WILL TERMINATE AND YOU WILL HAVE NO FURTHER RIGHT TO PURCHASE THE
SHARES. By your signature and the signature of the Company's representative
below, you and the Company agree that this Stock Purchase Right is granted under
and governed by the terms and conditions of the Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc.
1998 Stock Plan and the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement, attached hereto as
Exhibit A-1, both of which are made a part of this document. You further agree
to execute the attached Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement as a condition to
purchasing any shares under this Stock Purchase Right.

GRANTEE:                                    DIAMOND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS, INC.

_____________________________               __________________________________
Signature                                   By

_____________________________               __________________________________
Print Name                                  Title

<PAGE>   28
                                   EXHIBIT A-1

                        DIAMOND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS, INC.
                                 1998 STOCK PLAN

                       RESTRICTED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

        Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall
have the same defined meanings in this Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement.

        WHEREAS the Purchaser named in the Notice of Grant, (the "Purchaser") is
an Service Provider, and the Purchaser's continued participation is considered
by the Company to be important for the Company's continued growth; and

        WHEREAS in order to give the Purchaser an opportunity to acquire an
equity interest in the Company as an incentive for the Purchaser to participate
in the affairs of the Company, the Administrator has granted to the Purchaser a
Stock Purchase Right subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the
Notice of Grant, which are incorporated herein by reference, and pursuant to
this Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement").

        NOW THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:

        1. Sale of Stock. The Company hereby agrees to sell to the Purchaser and
the Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock
(the "Shares"), at the per Share purchase price and as otherwise described in
the Notice of Grant.

        2. Payment of Purchase Price. The purchase price for the Shares may be
paid by delivery to the Company at the time of execution of this Agreement of
cash, a check, or some combination thereof.

        3. Repurchase Option.

           (a) In the event the Purchaser ceases to be a Service Provider for
any or no reason (including death or disability) before all of the Shares are
released from the Company's Repurchase Option (see Section 4), the Company
shall, upon the date of such termination (as reasonably fixed and determined by
the Company) have an irrevocable, exclusive option (the "Repurchase Option") for
a period of sixty (60) days from such date to repurchase up to that number of
shares which constitute the Unreleased Shares (as defined in Section 4) at the
original purchase price per share (the "Repurchase Price"). The Repurchase
Option shall be exercised by the Company by delivering written notice to the
Purchaser or the Purchaser's executor (with a copy to the Escrow Holder) AND, at
the Company's option, (i) by delivering to the Purchaser or the Purchaser's
executor a check in the amount of the aggregate Repurchase Price, or (ii) by
cancelling an amount of the Purchaser's indebtedness to the Company equal to the
aggregate Repurchase Price, or (iii) by a combination of (i) and (ii) so that
the combined payment and cancellation of indebtedness equals the aggregate
Repurchase Price. Upon delivery of such notice and the payment of the aggregate
Repurchase Price, the Company shall become the legal and beneficial owner of the
Shares being repurchased and all

<PAGE>   29
rights and interests therein or relating thereto, and the Company shall have the
right to retain and transfer to its own name the number of Shares being
repurchased by the Company.

           (b) Whenever the Company shall have the right to repurchase Shares
hereunder, the Company may designate and assign one or more employees, officers,
directors or shareholders of the Company or other persons or organizations to
exercise all or a part of the Company's purchase rights under this Agreement and
purchase all or a part of such Shares. If the Fair Market Value of the Shares to
be repurchased on the date of such designation or assignment (the "Repurchase
FMV") exceeds the aggregate Repurchase Price of such Shares, then each such
designee or assignee shall pay the Company cash equal to the difference between
the Repurchase FMV and the aggregate Repurchase Price of such Shares.

        4. Release of Shares From Repurchase Option.

           (a) Twenty-five percent (25%) of the Shares shall be released from
the Company's Repurchase Option one year after the Date of Grant and 1/48th of
the Shares, provided that the Purchaser does not cease to be a Service Provider
prior to the date of any such release.

           (b) Any of the Shares that have not yet been released from the
Repurchase Option are referred to herein as "Unreleased Shares."

           (c) The Shares that have been released from the Repurchase Option
shall be delivered to the Purchaser at the Purchaser's request (see Section 6).

        5. Restriction on Transfer. Except for the escrow described in Section 6
or the transfer of the Shares to the Company or its assignees contemplated by
this Agreement, none of the Shares or any beneficial interest therein shall be
transferred, encumbered or otherwise disposed of in any way until such Shares
are released from the Company's Repurchase Option in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement, other than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution.

        6. Escrow of Shares.

           (a) To ensure the availability for delivery of the Purchaser's
Unreleased Shares upon repurchase by the Company pursuant to the Repurchase
Option, the Purchaser shall, upon execution of this Agreement, deliver and
deposit with an escrow holder designated by the Company (the "Escrow Holder")
the share certificates representing the Unreleased Shares, together with the
stock assignment duly endorsed in blank, attached hereto as Exhibit A-2. The
Unreleased Shares and stock assignment shall be held by the Escrow Holder,
pursuant to the Joint Escrow Instructions of the Company and Purchaser attached
hereto as Exhibit A-3, until such time as the Company's Repurchase Option
expires. As a further condition to the Company's obligations under this
Agreement, the Company may require the spouse of Purchaser, if any, to execute
and deliver to the Company the Consent of Spouse attached hereto as Exhibit A-4.


                                      -2-
<PAGE>   30
           (b) The Escrow Holder shall not be liable for any act it may do or
omit to do with respect to holding the Unreleased Shares in escrow while acting
in good faith and in the exercise of its judgment.

           (c) If the Company or any assignee exercises the Repurchase Option
hereunder, the Escrow Holder, upon receipt of written notice of such exercise
from the proposed transferee, shall take all steps necessary to accomplish such
transfer.

           (d) When the Repurchase Option has been exercised or expires
unexercised or a portion of the Shares has been released from the Repurchase
Option, upon request the Escrow Holder shall promptly cause a new certificate to
be issued for the released Shares and shall deliver the certificate to the
Company or the Purchaser, as the case may be.

           (e) Subject to the terms hereof, the Purchaser shall have all the
rights of a shareholder with respect to the Shares while they are held in
escrow, including without limitation, the right to vote the Shares and to
receive any cash dividends declared thereon. If, from time to time during the
term of the Repurchase Option, there is (i) any stock dividend, stock split or
other change in the Shares, or (ii) any merger or sale of all or substantially
all of the assets or other acquisition of the Company, any and all new,
substituted or additional securities to which the Purchaser is entitled by
reason of the Purchaser's ownership of the Shares shall be immediately subject
to this escrow, deposited with the Escrow Holder and included thereafter as
"Shares" for purposes of this Agreement and the Repurchase Option.

        7. Legends. The share certificate evidencing the Shares, if any, issued
hereunder shall be endorsed with the following legend (in addition to any legend
required under applicable state securities laws):

        THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN
RESTRICTIONS UPON TRANSFER AND RIGHTS OF REPURCHASE AS SET FORTH IN AN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE SHAREHOLDER, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE
SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.

        8. Adjustment for Stock Split. All references to the number of Shares
and the purchase price of the Shares in this Agreement shall be appropriately
adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or other change in the
Shares which may be made by the Company after the date of this Agreement.

        9. Tax Consequences. The Purchaser has reviewed with the Purchaser's own
tax advisors the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of this
investment and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Purchaser is
relying solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of
the Company or any of its agents. The Purchaser understands that the Purchaser
(and not the Company) shall be responsible for the Purchaser's own tax liability
that may arise as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
The Purchaser understands


                                      -3-
<PAGE>   31
that Section 83 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),
taxes as ordinary income the difference between the purchase price for the
Shares and the Fair Market Value of the Shares as of the date any restrictions
on the Shares lapse. In this context, "restriction" includes the right of the
Company to buy back the Shares pursuant to the Repurchase Option. The Purchaser
understands that the Purchaser may elect to be taxed at the time the Shares are
purchased rather than when and as the Repurchase Option expires by filing an
election under Section 83(b) of the Code with the IRS within 30 days from the
date of purchase. The form for making this election is attached as Exhibit A-5
hereto.

           THE PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT IS THE PURCHASER'S SOLE
RESPONSIBILITY AND NOT THE COMPANY'S TO FILE TIMELY THE ELECTION UNDER SECTION
83(b), EVEN IF THE PURCHASER REQUESTS THE COMPANY OR ITS REPRESENTATIVES TO MAKE
THIS FILING ON THE PURCHASER'S BEHALF.

       10. General Provisions.

           (a) This Agreement shall be governed by the internal substantive
laws, but not the choice of law rules of California. This Agreement, subject to
the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Notice of Grant, represents the
entire agreement between the parties with respect to the purchase of the Shares
by the Purchaser. Subject to Section 15(c) of the Plan, in the event of a
conflict between the terms and conditions of the Plan and the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall
prevail. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall
have the same defined meanings in this Agreement.

           (b) Any notice, demand or request required or permitted to be given
by either the Company or the Purchaser pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when delivered personally or
deposited in the U.S. mail, First Class with postage prepaid, and addressed to
the parties at the addresses of the parties set forth at the end of this
Agreement or such other address as a party may request by notifying the other in
writing.

               Any notice to the Escrow Holder shall be sent to the Company's
address with a copy to the other party hereto.

           (c) The rights of the Company under this Agreement shall be
transferable to any one or more persons or entities, and all covenants and
agreements hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the
Company's successors and assigns. The rights and obligations of the Purchaser
under this Agreement may only be assigned with the prior written consent of the
Company.

           (d) Either party's failure to enforce any provision of this Agreement
shall not in any way be construed as a waiver of any such provision, nor prevent
that party from thereafter enforcing any other provision of this Agreement. The
rights granted both parties hereunder are cumulative and shall not constitute a
waiver of either party's right to assert any other legal remedy available to it.


                                      -4-
<PAGE>   32
           (e) The Purchaser agrees upon request to execute any further
documents or instruments necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes or
intent of this Agreement.

           (f) PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES
PURSUANT TO SECTION 4 HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING SERVICE AS A SERVICE
PROVIDER AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (AND NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED OR
PURCHASING SHARES HEREUNDER). PURCHASER FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT
THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE
SET FORTH HEREIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED
ENGAGEMENT AS A SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT
ALL, AND SHALL NOT INTERFERE WITH PURCHASER'S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY'S RIGHT TO
TERMINATE PURCHASER'S RELATIONSHIP AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT ANY TIME, WITH OR
WITHOUT CAUSE.

       By Purchaser's signature below, Purchaser represents that he or she is
familiar with the terms and provisions of the Plan, and hereby accepts this
Agreement subject to all of the terms and provisions thereof. Purchaser has
reviewed the Plan and this Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity
to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement and fully
understands all provisions of this Agreement. Purchaser agrees to accept as
binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the
Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan or this Agreement.
Purchaser further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in the residence
indicated in the Notice of Grant.

DATED: _________________________

PURCHASER:                                  DIAMOND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS, INC.


________________________________            ____________________________________
Signature                                   By

________________________________            ____________________________________
Print Name                                  Title


                                      -5-
<PAGE>   33
                                   EXHIBIT A-2

                      ASSIGNMENT SEPARATE FROM CERTIFICATE

        FOR VALUE RECEIVED I, __________________________, hereby sell, assign
and transfer unto ______________________________________________ (__________)
shares of the Common Stock of Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. standing in my
name of the books of said corporation represented by Certificate No. _____
herewith and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint ______________________
to transfer the said stock on the books of the within named corporation with
full power of substitution in the premises.

       This Stock Assignment may be used only in accordance with the Restricted
Stock Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement") between________________________ and
the undersigned dated ______________, 19__.


Dated: _______________, 19__


                                            Signature:__________________________


















INSTRUCTIONS: Please do not fill in any blanks other than the signature line.
The purpose of this assignment is to enable the Company to exercise the
Repurchase Option, as set forth in the Agreement, without requiring additional
signatures on the part of the Purchaser.

<PAGE>   34
                                   EXHIBIT A-3

                            JOINT ESCROW INSTRUCTIONS

                                                            ______________, 19__

Corporate Secretary
Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc.
2880 Junction Avenue
San Jose, California  95134


Dear_____________________:

       As Escrow Agent for both Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and the undersigned purchaser of stock of the
Company (the "Purchaser"), you are hereby authorized and directed to hold the
documents delivered to you pursuant to the terms of that certain Restricted
Stock Purchase Agreement ("Agreement") between the Company and the undersigned,
in accordance with the following instructions:

       1. In the event the Company and/or any assignee of the Company (referred
to collectively as the "Company") exercises the Company's Repurchase Option set
forth in the Agreement, the Company shall give to Purchaser and you a written
notice specifying the number of shares of stock to be purchased, the purchase
price, and the time for a closing hereunder at the principal office of the
Company. Purchaser and the Company hereby irrevocably authorize and direct you
to close the transaction contemplated by such notice in accordance with the
terms of said notice.

       2. At the closing, you are directed (a) to date the stock assignments
necessary for the transfer in question, (b) to fill in the number of shares
being transferred, and (c) to deliver same, together with the certificate
evidencing the shares of stock to be transferred, to the Company or its
assignee, against the simultaneous delivery to you of the purchase price (by
cash, a check, or some combination thereof) for the number of shares of stock
being purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Company's Repurchase Option.

       3. Purchaser irrevocably authorizes the Company to deposit with you any
certificates evidencing shares of stock to be held by you hereunder and any
additions and substitutions to said shares as defined in the Agreement.
Purchaser does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint you as Purchaser's
attorney-in-fact and agent for the term of this escrow to execute with respect
to such securities all documents necessary or appropriate to make such
securities negotiable and to complete any transaction herein contemplated,
including but not limited to the filing with any applicable state blue sky
authority of any required applications for consent to, or notice of transfer of,
the securities. Subject to the provisions of this paragraph 3, Purchaser shall
exercise all rights and privileges of a shareholder of the Company while the
stock is held by you.

<PAGE>   35
       4. Upon written request of the Purchaser, but no more than once per
calendar year, unless the Company's Repurchase Option has been exercised, you
shall deliver to Purchaser a certificate or certificates representing so many
shares of stock as are not then subject to the Company's Repurchase Option.
Within 90 days after Purchaser ceases to be a Service Provider, you shall
deliver to Purchaser a certificate or certificates representing the aggregate
number of shares held or issued pursuant to the Agreement and not purchased by
the Company or its assignees pursuant to exercise of the Company's Repurchase
Option.

       5. If at the time of termination of this escrow you should have in your
possession any documents, securities, or other property belonging to Purchaser,
you shall deliver all of the same to Purchaser and shall be discharged of all
further obligations hereunder.

       6. Your duties hereunder may be altered, amended, modified or revoked
only by a writing signed by all of the parties hereto.

       7. You shall be obligated only for the performance of such duties as are
specifically set forth herein and may rely and shall be protected in relying or
refraining from acting on any instrument reasonably believed by you to be
genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. You
shall not be personally liable for any act you may do or omit to do hereunder as
Escrow Agent or as attorney-in-fact for Purchaser while acting in good faith,
and any act done or omitted by you pursuant to the advice of your own attorneys
shall be conclusive evidence of such good faith.

       8. You are hereby expressly authorized to disregard any and all warnings
given by any of the parties hereto or by any other person or corporation,
excepting only orders or process of courts of law, and are hereby expressly
authorized to comply with and obey orders, judgments or decrees of any court. In
case you obey or comply with any such order, judgment or decree, you shall not
be liable to any of the parties hereto or to any other person, firm or
corporation by reason of such compliance, notwithstanding any such order,
judgment or decree being subsequently reversed, modified, annulled, set aside,
vacated or found to have been entered without jurisdiction.

       9. You shall not be liable in any respect on account of the identity,
authorities or rights of the parties executing or delivering or purporting to
execute or deliver the Agreement or any documents or papers deposited or called
for hereunder.

       10. You shall not be liable for the outlawing of any rights under the
statute of limitations with respect to these Joint Escrow Instructions or any
documents deposited with you.

       11. You shall be entitled to employ such legal counsel and other experts
as you may deem necessary properly to advise you in connection with your
obligations hereunder, may rely upon the advice of such counsel, and may pay
such counsel reasonable compensation therefor.


                                      -2-
<PAGE>   36
       12. Your responsibilities as Escrow Agent hereunder shall terminate if
you shall cease to be an officer or agent of the Company or if you shall resign
by written notice to each party. In the event of any such termination, the
Company shall appoint a successor Escrow Agent.

       13. If you reasonably require other or further instruments in connection
with these Joint Escrow Instructions or obligations in respect hereto, the
necessary parties hereto shall join in furnishing such instruments.

       14. It is understood and agreed that should any dispute arise with
respect to the delivery and/or ownership or right of possession of the
securities held by you hereunder, you are authorized and directed to retain in
your possession without liability to anyone all or any part of said securities
until such disputes shall have been settled either by mutual written agreement
of the parties concerned or by a final order, decree or judgment of a court of
competent jurisdiction after the time for appeal has expired and no appeal has
been perfected, but you shall be under no duty whatsoever to institute or defend
any such proceedings.

       15. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing
and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon deposit in
the United States Post Office, by registered or certified mail with postage and
fees prepaid, addressed to each of the other parties thereunto entitled at the
following addresses or at such other addresses as a party may designate by ten
days' advance written notice to each of the other parties hereto.


             COMPANY:               DIAMOND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS, INC.
                                    2880 Junction Avenue
                                    San Jose, California  95134

             PURCHASER:             ________________________________

                                    ________________________________

                                    ________________________________

             ESCROW AGENT:          Corporate Secretary
                                    Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc.
                                    2280 Junction Avenue
                                    San Jose, California  95134

       16. By signing these Joint Escrow Instructions, you become a party hereto
only for the purpose of said Joint Escrow Instructions; you do not become a
party to the Agreement.


                                      -3-
<PAGE>   37
       17. This instrument shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto, and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

       18. These Joint Escrow Instructions shall be governed by, and construed
and enforced in accordance with, the internal substantive laws, but not the
choice of law rules, of California.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    DIAMOND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS, INC.

                                    _____________________________________
                                    By

                                    _____________________________________
                                    Title

                                    PURCHASER:

                                    _____________________________________
                                    Signature

                                    _____________________________________
                                    Print Name

ESCROW AGENT:


_____________________________________
Corporate Secretary


                                      -4-
<PAGE>   38
                                   EXHIBIT A-4

                                CONSENT OF SPOUSE

       I, ____________________, spouse of ___________________, have read and
approve the foregoing Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement"). In
consideration of the Company's grant to my spouse of the right to purchase
shares of Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc., as set forth in the Agreement, I
hereby appoint my spouse as my attorney-in-fact in respect to the exercise of
any rights under the Agreement and agree to be bound by the provisions of the
Agreement insofar as I may have any rights in said Agreement or any shares
issued pursuant thereto under the community property laws or similar laws
relating to marital property in effect in the state of our residence as of the
date of the signing of the foregoing Agreement.

Dated: _______________, 19__


                                     __________________________________________
                                     Signature of Spouse

<PAGE>   39
                                   EXHIBIT A-5

                          ELECTION UNDER SECTION 83(b)
                      OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986

The undersigned taxpayer hereby elects, pursuant to Section 83(b) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, to include in taxpayer's gross income
for the current taxable year the amount of any compensation taxable to taxpayer
in connection with his or her receipt of the property described below:

1.    The name, address, taxpayer identification number and taxable year of the
undersigned are as follows:

      NAME:                     TAXPAYER:                   SPOUSE:

      ADDRESS:

      IDENTIFICATION NO.:       TAXPAYER:                   SPOUSE:

      TAXABLE YEAR:

2.    The property with respect to which the election is made is described as
      follows: _______ shares (the "Shares") of the Common Stock of Diamond
      Multimedia Systems, Inc. (the "Company").

3.    The date on which the property was transferred is: _____________, 19__.

4.    The property is subject to the following restrictions:

      The Shares may be repurchased by the Company, or its assignee, upon
      certain events. This right lapses with regard to a portion of the Shares
      based on the continued performance of services by the taxpayer over time.

5.    The fair market value at the time of transfer, determined without regard
      to any restriction other than a restriction which by its terms will never
      lapse, of such property is:

      $_______________.

6.    The amount (if any) paid for such property is:

      $_______________.

The undersigned has submitted a copy of this statement to the person for whom
the services were performed in connection with the undersigned's receipt of the
above-described property. The transferee of such property is the person
performing the services in connection with the transfer of said property.

The undersigned understands that the foregoing election may not be revoked
except with the consent of the Commissioner.


Dated: __________________, 19____    ___________________________________________

                                     Taxpayer


The undersigned spouse of taxpayer joins in this election.

Dated: __________________, 19____    ___________________________________________
                                     Spouse of Taxpayer


<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of
Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. on Form S-8 for 1,200,000 shares of Common
Stock reserved for issuance under the 1998 Stock Option Plan and 200,000 shares
of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the 1995 Employee Stock Purchase
Plan of our report dated January 23, 1998, on our audits of the consolidated
financial statements and financial statement schedule of Diamond Multimedia
Systems, Inc. as of December 31, 1997, and 1996 and for the years ended December
31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, which report is included in the Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.


/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP


San Jose, California
August 3, 1998


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