Mark Collier, identified as a former product manager for graphics at NVIDIA, recently shared insights via a tweet regarding the company's nascent stages and the enduring character of CEO Jensen Huang. Collier recounted a period when NVIDIA had approximately 30 employees, noting his interactions with Huang in Austin during which they decided to integrate the NV3 graphics processor into Dell PCs specifically for gamers. This early collaboration underscores a critical moment in NVIDIA's history, predating its current status as a global technology giant.
The NV3, commercially known as the RIVA 128, was a seminal product for NVIDIA, launched in 1997. It marked the company's first widely successful graphics processing unit, integrating 3D acceleration alongside traditional 2D and video capabilities. This chip was instrumental in establishing NVIDIA's reputation, especially after the less successful NV1, and laid the groundwork for its future dominance in the gaming and broader computing markets. The decision to partner with major OEMs like Dell was crucial for market penetration.
NVIDIA, founded in 1993 by Jensen Huang, Chris Malachowsky, and Curtis Priem, faced significant challenges in its initial years. The company nearly went bankrupt in 1996 following the commercial failure of its NV1 chip, leading to substantial layoffs. Jensen Huang has often described this period as having a "0% chance of success," emphasizing the intense adversity the nascent company overcame.
Collier's tweet highlights Huang's consistent leadership qualities, stating, > "He hasn’t changed at all. Absolutely relentless and only cares about winning. (Obviously)." This description aligns with widely reported accounts of Huang's unwavering focus and resilience, traits that have guided NVIDIA through numerous industry shifts and technological transformations, from pioneering GPUs to leading the current artificial intelligence revolution. The early strategic move to embed advanced graphics into mainstream PCs for gamers proved prescient, setting a precedent for NVIDIA's market-driven approach.
The successful integration of the RIVA 128 into systems from major manufacturers like Dell, Gateway 2000, and Micron Electronics in the late 1990s solidified NVIDIA's position. This period of rapid growth and strategic partnerships, nurtured by Huang's relentless drive, was foundational to the company's eventual rise from a small startup to a multi-trillion-dollar enterprise at the forefront of accelerated computing and AI.