NV1

NVIDIA first-generation NV1 entry, useful mainly for documenting the pre-Direct3D triangle era and Diamond Edge 3D cards.

Reference GPU

NV1 NV1 Series Desktop EDO 1995 NVIDIA

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At a Glance

Entry Type: Reference GPU
Architecture: NV1
Series: NV1 Series
GPU Die: NV1 / STG2000
Launch Date: 1995-05-22
Launch MSRP: Diamond Edge 3D boards were listed around $259 to $315 depending on model
TMUs: 1
ROPs: 1
Memory: 1 MB, 2 MB, or 4 MB depending on board FPM DRAM, EDO DRAM, or VRAM depending on board
Bus Width: 64-bit
TDP/TBP: About 2 W class
Rec. PSU: 200 W
Interface: PCI
Data Confidence: Partial

GPU Specs

What do these fields mean?Partial

Identity
Entry Type	Reference GPU
Official Name	NVIDIA NV1 / SGS-Thomson STG2000
GPU Codename	NV1
Architecture	NV1, quadratic texture mapping multimedia accelerator
Launch Date	1995-05-22
Launch MSRP	Diamond Edge 3D boards were listed around $259 to $315 depending on model
Market Segment Notes	Consumer PCI multimedia accelerator, early 3D, audio, video, and controller support
Core Specs
GPU Die	NV1 / STG2000
Process Node	SGS-Thomson 500 nm class
Transistor Count	About 1 million
Die Size	About 90 mm2
CUDA Cores	0
SM Count	0
TMUs	1
ROPs	1
Base Clock	75 MHz graphics core class
Boost Clock	75 MHz
Pixel Fillrate	0.075 GP/s
Texture Fillrate	0.075 GT/s
Memory
Memory Size	1 MB, 2 MB, or 4 MB depending on board
Memory Type	FPM DRAM, EDO DRAM, or VRAM depending on board
Memory Bus Width	64-bit
Memory Clock	50 to 60 MHz class
Memory Bandwidth	About 0.4 to 0.48 GB/s
Board and Display
TDP / TBP	About 2 W class
Recommended PSU	200 W
Power Connectors	None
Interface	PCI
Display Outputs	15-pin VGA on Diamond Edge 3D boards. Some boards also exposed audio jacks and a proprietary game controller port.
Slot Width	Single slot
Card Length	190 mm
Reference Cooler Type	Passive or bare package on many boards
Board Partner Model	Reference or OEM specification
Reference Design	NVIDIA reference design
Board Partner Notes	Exact retail board models can differ in cooler, PCB, clocks, display outputs, BIOS behavior, and power connector layout.
Software
CUDA Compute Capability	Not applicable
DirectX Support	Direct3D compatibility was limited because NV1 targeted quadratic primitives rather than the triangle based Direct3D direction
Vulkan Support	Not supported
OpenGL Support	Not a normal OpenGL accelerator
Driver Branch Notes	Driver and platform notes should be limited to source-reviewed period Windows and bundled software support. Modern driver support should be treated as unsupported unless a reliable compatibility source says otherwise.
Windows Support Notes	Windows 95 era hardware. Later Windows support is not a practical target.
Linux Support Notes	No practical modern Linux 3D support.

Overview

NV1 sits in the short, strange period before PC 3D settled around triangle pipelines and standard APIs. It combined graphics, audio, video, and game-controller features in a way that makes more sense as a multimedia accelerator than as a later GeForce-style GPU.

For the wiki, NV1 is important because it explains why NVIDIA’s later RIVA direction mattered. It is also a collector entry where the exact board package, cables, controller support, drivers, and software compatibility matter more than raw 3D speed.

Why It Mattered

NV1 deserves historical treatment because it was NVIDIA's first graphics product line, but it should be framed as an early multimedia accelerator rather than as a modern GeForce-style card. Source review should keep the NV1 and STG2000 naming clear and avoid treating later Direct3D-era assumptions as if they applied to this chip.

Launch Context

Source-reviewed notes should explain NV1 in the mid-1990s PC multimedia accelerator market, including the Diamond Edge 3D retail context only where sources support the exact product relationship.

Architecture Context

NV1 context should focus on its unusual quadratic texture mapping approach and early multimedia integration. This section needs careful sourcing because later triangle-based Direct3D hardware followed a different path.

Collector Relevance

Collector notes should focus on identifying complete Diamond Edge 3D-era hardware, bundled controllers, media, and driver disks only when supported by photos, manuals, or archive sources.

Used-Market Caution

Used-market notes should warn that practical testing depends on period-correct operating systems, drivers, game support, and bundled hardware. Do not imply broad modern compatibility without a source.

Variant Notes

Exact retail board models can differ in cooler, PCB, clocks, display outputs, BIOS behavior, and power connector layout.

Known Issues

The quadratic rendering model limited compatibility with the APIs and games that became dominant. The all in one multimedia design also made boards expensive compared with simpler graphics cards.

Known Failure Points

The main failure mode is expectation mismatch. NV1 is not a normal late-1990s Direct3D accelerator, and compatibility depends heavily on period drivers, supported games, and the host operating system. Missing controller adapters or audio/gameport cabling also reduce practical usefulness.

Driver and Platform Notes

Driver and platform notes should be limited to source-reviewed period Windows and bundled software support. Modern driver support should be treated as unsupported unless a reliable compatibility source says otherwise.

No practical modern Linux 3D support.

Windows 95 era hardware. Later Windows support is not a practical target.

Compare with

SourcesPartial

Sources reviewed: 2026-06-21

This entry is still being source-checked.

Source Status

Source review pending. Treat narrative notes as incomplete until listed sources are reviewed.

Pending source review topics:

why it mattered
launch context
performance context
competitive context
driver and platform notes
variant notes

Data confidence and source status

Partial entry. Core specifications may be present, but history, variant notes, known issues, and source review may be incomplete.

Verified: core specifications and historical notes have been reviewed against listed sources.
Partial: core specifications may be present, but history, variant notes, known issues, and source review may be incomplete.
Imported: spec-only imported entry pending editorial source review.
Needs source review: narrative notes are incomplete until reviewed.

Primary / manufacturer sources

NVIDIA NV1 announcement mirrorNVIDIA May 22, 1995 press release textOpen source
Diamond Edge 3D referenceBoard-level memory, ports, price, and release contextOpen source
NVIDIA's Quadratic Processor: The NV1Historical architecture contextOpen source
IEEE Computer Society, Nvidia's Quadratic Processor, the NV1Historical reference for NV1/STG2000 context and quadratic rendering.Open source
86Box, NVIDIA emulation journey: RIVA 128 / NV3 architecture historyRetrospective technical context; use as secondary background, not primary launch evidence.Open source

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