The NVIDIA GeForce3 graphics processing unit (GPU) shakes up the gaming industry with unprecedented visual effects and sizzling frame rates—injecting life into the previously artificial world of computer-generated graphics. Powered by the new NVIDIA nfiniteFXTM engine and the Lightspeed Memory ArchitectureTM, the GeForce3 GPU enables users to look into a rich environment instead of just a computer screen. 3D scenes have ambiance with the GeForce3 because textures appear photo-realistic and custom lighting heightens the drama. Characters and living creatures have organic imperfections and unique expressions';you can see their personality. Programmability and performance combine to provide the catalyst for this graphics revolution.

The GeForce3 GPU's nfiniteFX engine gives developers the ability to program a virtually infinite number of special effects and custom looks. Instead of developers having to choose from the same hard-coded palette of effects and ending up with the same generic look and feel, they can specify personalized combinations of graphics operations and create their own custom effects. With the nfiniteFX engine, games and other graphics-intensive applications offer more exciting and stylized visual effects. Two patented 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. Motion invades the entire scene, not just the focal points. Vertex processing allows characters detailed movement and facial emotion By customizing the skinning and motion effects developers can create a character's personality, intensifying the impact of the visualization or animation.

Pixel Shaders create ambiance with materials and surfaces that mimic reality. An infinite number of 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. The

Lightspeed Memory Architecture brings power to the GeForce3, delivering earth-shattering performance and fluid motion even for the most complex scenes. NVIDIA's patented high-resolution antialiasing (HRAA) generates high-performance samples at nearly four times the rate of GeForce2 Ultra, while delivering the industry's best visual quality. The GeForce3 delivers more than 800 billion operations (BOPS)—more than twice the raw performance available to consumers in today's GPUs. For more complex scenes and visuals, the GeForce3 advantage grows to as much as a seven-fold increase in delivered performance.

Combine the personality and ambiance enabled by the nfiniteFX engine with the power of the Lightspeed Memory Architecture, and the result is superior visual effects and game play. No other graphics processor supports as much functionality. GeForce3 delivers the most visually compelling and most complete graphics experience available today.

The most advanced graphics processor on the planet will be available for the Mac first. Apple has partnered with NVIDIA to bring you the next-generation 3D graphics processing unit (GPU) before anybody else gets their hands on it. An astonishing feat of engineering, the GeForce3 GPU has more than 57 million transistors, and will perform more than 800 billion operations per second and 76 billion floating point operations per second (FLOPS). Code-named the NV20, the NVIDIA GeForce3 GPU will be ready for action in the late March-early April timeframe. It's yet another indication that Macintosh is surging ahead as the serious gamer's platform of choice.

--The first fully programmable GPU-the nfiniteFX Pixel Shader processor and Vertex Shader processor give developers the ability to program a virtually infinite number of special effects and custom looks.

--The first high-resolution antialiasing (HRAA) GPU, featuring NVIDIA's patented Quincunx AA mode, for high-resolution, high-quality, high-performance multisampling capabilities.

--A platform for advanced transform and lighting features, enabling more complex, visually exciting objects and scenes. OpenGL 1.2 compatible.

--Available in 64MB DDR SDRAM configuration that supports both the innovative Apple Display Connector and the industry standard VGA connection.

"Ever light casts its own highlight, ever item casts its own shadow... just wonderful things for games. Everything behaves the same now." Carmack mentions id uses Maya. "We can bring cinematic quality to games now. The GeForce3 is the most exciting thing we've had to work with in years."

Yes, NVIDIA is the secret ingredient, which makes all the difference. At NVIDIA we've been slaving over a hot GPU to make you, the programmer, more effective, more attractive and smarter. And we're ready to share that with you, to make you more successful at your work and happier and more fulfilled in your home life.

Come to 'The Gathering', at the Hilton hotel near Heathrow on March 8th and 9th and we'll share all the secrets of effective DirectX 8/ Direct3D programming with you. From performance tuning, to coding the new DX8 vertex and pixel shaders, from the best tools in the business to the purest HAL in the world, The Gathering is the place to be.