"Over the next several years we will create dramatic advances in 3D technology," stated Jen-Hsun Huang, president and CEO of NVIDIA. "Rich 3D graphics are the essence of a variety of digital appliances, from workstations to PCs to game consoles, like Microsoft's Xbox. The GeForce3 GPU represents a quantum leap forward in computer graphics and will redefine these platforms."

GeForce3's nfiniteFX™ engine includes hardware support for the vertex and pixel shading technology recently licensed to Microsoft for DirectX® 8. This breakthrough technology will dramatically change the visual quality and performance of Microsoft-based PC and console platforms.

"The short answer is that the GeForce3 is fantastic," said John Carmack, founder and chief programmer at id Software, Inc. "I haven't had such an impression of raising the performance bar since the Voodoo 2 came out, and there are a ton of new features for programmers to play with. Graphics programmers should run out and get one at the earliest possible time."

"Electronic Arts continues to be impressed by NVIDIA's leadership in the computer graphics industry," said Don Mattrick, president of EA Worldwide Studio Operations. "With the GeForce3 and NVIDIA's software development kit to unlock it, EA will continue to set the standard for stunning graphics in games."

NVIDIA's nfiniteFX Engine:
The GeForce3 GPU's nfiniteFX engine gives developers the ability to program a virtually infinite number of special effects and custom looks. Instead of every developer choosing from the same hard-coded palette of capabilities and ending up with a generic look and feel, application developers can specify personalized combinations of graphics operations and create an unlimited list of their own effects. Two architectural advancements enable the nfiniteFX engine's programmability and its multitude of effects: Vertex Shaders and Pixel Shaders.

Vertex Shaders inject personality into characters and environments. The vertex processing capabilities allow characters to move and show facial emotion, materials to stretch, and the scene to come alive. By customizing the skinning and motion, developers can create an appropriate personality, intensifying the impact of the visualization or animation.

Pixel Shaders create ambiance with materials and surfaces that mimic reality. Amazingly realistic material effects replace the artificial, computerized look with high-impact organic surfaces. Characters now have facial hair and blemishes, golf balls have dimples, a red chair gains a subtle leather look, and wood exhibits texture and grain. By altering the lighting and surface effects, artists are able to manipulate colors, textures, or shapes and generate complex, realistic scenes.

Exciting new PCs equipped with GeForce3 will be available next month.

About NVIDIA
NVIDIA Corporation (Nasdaq: NVDA), based in Santa Clara, CA, is the global leader in advanced graphics and multimedia processing technology for the consumer and professional computing markets. It's 2D, 3D, video and multimedia capabilities make NVIDIA one of the premier semiconductor companies in the world. NVIDIA offers a wide range of products and services, delivering superior performance and crisp visual quality for PC-based applications such as manufacturing, science, e-business, entertainment, and education. 
 
Certain statements in this press release, including the statements relating to the Company's performance expectations for NVIDIA's family of products and expectations of continued revenue growth, are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause results to be materially different than expectations. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, manufacturing and other delays relating to new products, difficulties in the fabrication process and dependence of the Company on third-party manufacturers, general industry trends including cyclical trends in the PC and semiconductor industries, the impact of competitive products and pricing alternatives, market acceptance of the Company's new products, and the Company's dependence on third-party developers and publishers. Investors are advised to read the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly those sections entitled "Factors Affecting Operating Results," for a fuller discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. 
 
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Registered trademark NVIDIA® Corporation, 2000. All company and/or product names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective manufacturers. Features, pricing, availability, and specifications are subject to change without notice.