#1 Retail Provider of Desktop PCs To Use NVIDIA nForce 220 Platform Processors in New Line of Presario PCs

For further information, contact:

Bryan Del Rizzo
NVIDIA Corporation
(408) 486-2772
bdelrizzo@nvidia.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

SANTA CLARA, CA — MARCH 13, 2002 — NVIDIA® Corporation (Nasdaq: NVDA) today announced that the Company’s revolutionary NVIDIA nForce™ Platform Processing Architecture has been selected by Compaq Computer Corporation, the leading retail provider of desktop PCs1, to power select models in its new line of Presario™ 6000 and Presario 8000 Internet Desktop PCs.  By selecting the nForce 220 platform, these new Compaq PCs will deliver stunning 3D graphics, enhanced multimedia streaming capabilities and a highly efficient system memory architecture capable of powering all of today’s most demanding digital media applications, including music, photos, games, and video.

“From video to music to photography, NVIDIA nForce provides industry-leading performance for the richest digital media experience possible,” said Brett Faulk, director of Home and Small Office Marketing in Compaq’s Access Business Group.  “In addition, our customers will enjoy stunning 3D visuals with the integrated GeForce2 Graphics that the nForce architecture provides.”

With its integrated platform processors and innovative system, memory, networking and audio technologies, the NVIDIA nForce PC platform architecture is primed to deliver the ultimate in performance and functionality for a variety of different markets including desktop PCs, home entertainment hubs and digital living rooms.  NVIDIA’s nForce 220 processor set is comprised of two platform processors: the nForce Integrated Graphics Processor (IGP) and the nForce Media and Communications Processor (MCP), both of which feature built-in support for HyperTransport™ interconnect technology, delivering the highest continuous throughput between the two platform processors.  Additionally, both the IGP and MCP have underlying technologies that, when combined into a single, balanced architecture, substantially increase overall system performance and efficiency.

“As the number one supplier of desktop retail PCs, Compaq is in a unique position to deliver superior customer value through innovative PC designs, partnerships and technologies,” said Jeff Fisher, executive vice president of worldwide sales at NVIDIA.  “By offering NVIDIA’s nForce Platform Architecture and AMD’s high-performance Athlon™ XP CPUs, Compaq is able to deliver all the power and flexibility needed in a 21st century, state-of-the-art PC.”
 
The new Presario 6000 and Presario 8000 desktop PCs are available with a wide range of customizable features including various model numbers of the AMD Athlon XP processor, including the new AMD Athlon XP processor 2100+; large capacity hard drives, and multiple expansion slots.  Extreme performance users can select the optional 128MB GeForce4™ Ti 4600 Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) with TV-out functionality on the Presario 8000 series for earth-shattering performance with mind-blowing visual effects.  Both the Presario 6000 and Presario 8000 desktop PCs can be configured and ordered through www.athome.compaq.com, or purchased through the “Built for You” kiosk program at major PC retailers nationwide, including Best Buy and Circuit City.

“The pairing of the new AMD Athlon XP processor 2100+ with the NVIDIA nForce architecture results in products that can re-set the performance standards by which PCs are judged,” said Ed Ellett, vice president of Marketing for AMD’s Computation Products Group. “With these underlying technologies, Compaq’s newest Presario PCs enable the ultimate digital experience for home users.”

About NVIDIA
NVIDIA Corporation (Nasdaq - NVDA), located in Santa Clara, CA, is the global leader in advanced graphics and multimedia processing technology for the consumer and professional computing markets.  Its 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 "Certain Business Risks," for a fuller discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties.

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