Nvidia's first GPU: GeForce 256

What happened: On October 11, 1999, Nvidia released the GeForce 256, its first product it described as a GPU. The article questions what feature made it a GPU when the earlier TNT2 was not. Key numbers: GeForce 256 released October 11, 1999. Nvidia founded 1993. Sega invested $5 million in 1996 and made a $10 million profit. Riva 128 sold more than a million units. Why it matters: The GeForce 256 helped systems with low-end CPUs like 300 MHz Celerons, and Nvidia stayed ahead of Intel by releasing follow-up cards more frequently. Sega's investment helped Nvidia avoid going out of business.

On October 11, 1999, Nvidia released the GeForce 256, its first product it described as a GPU. The article questions what feature made it a GPU when the earlier TNT2 was not.

The GeForce 256 helped systems with low-end CPUs like 300 MHz Celerons, and Nvidia stayed ahead of Intel by releasing follow-up cards more frequently. Sega's investment helped Nvidia avoid going out of business.