NVIDIA GeForce 3 Manufacturer Comparison Author:David Pitlyuk Date Posted: February 28th, 2000 Updated: May 18th, 2001
NVIDIA GeForce 3 Press Release & Specs
Press Release:
NVIDIA Introduces GeForce3 for the PC
Industry's Most Advanced Processor Ever is the Core of Both DirectX 8.0 and Xbox Game Console
INTEL DEVELOPER FORUM - SAN JOSE, CA - February 27, 2001 - Just 5 days after the original announcement for the Macintosh platform, NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA) announced today the GeForce3TM GPU (graphics processing unit) for the PC. The GeForce3 GPU is based on a radical new graphics architecture that will offer breakthrough graphics to multiple markets, including the desktop PC and the Macintosh® platforms. This groundbreaking GPU includes the same core technology as NVIDIA's highly anticipated Xbox GPU (XGPU) for Microsoft's XboxTM game console.
"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.
