1997 research cohort / GPU
NVIDIA · family
Candidate · no owner discrepancy decisionNVIDIA RIVA 128 graphics processor is recorded in the 1997 GPU research cohort under NVIDIA. The current display name and classification are normalization proposals.
High-performance 3-D and Direct3D graphics processing
Intended users: PC graphics OEMs and board ecosystem
Engineering response: RIVA 128 128-bit Direct3D graphics processor
NVIDIA Corporate Timeline 1997 · 1997 timeline April entry
NVIDIA's retrospective chronology explicitly calls RIVA 128 a high-performance 128-bit Direct3D processor.
Retrospective source does not state a specific workload or initial shipment channel; no independent benchmark is retained.
Comparable benchmark evidence has not been established for this record. Missing results do not imply poor performance.
The year above is a research-cohort label. Announcement, production, shipment and retail availability are distinct events.
NVIDIA's first-party chronology supports an April 1997 RIVA 128 launch and the record remains a chip identity rather than an add-in board.
NVIDIA Corporation · 1997 timeline entry: April launch; later OEM/customer entries
NVIDIA's first-party retrospective identifies RIVA 128 as a high-performance 128-bit Direct3D processor launched in April 1997.
Exact launch day; first OEM/customer shipment; retail-board availability; cohort policy for a chip launch without stated shipment.
No owner discrepancy decision is recorded. This does not mean there are no unresolved issues.
Retrospective April launch supports chip identity but does not establish exact day or first commercial shipment.
Audit source · April 1997 timeline entry
First-party chronology identifies RIVA 128 launch but not channel shipment.
Follow-up: Keep chip separate from boards; human cohort decision.
These notes preserve the state at intake. Later verification is shown under Release evidence above; an original note saying verification had not occurred is not the current assessment.
NVIDIA Corporation ·
Imported source reference; independent verification has not occurred.
Chip identity only. The first-party chronology calls RIVA 128 a launched 128-bit Direct3D processor in April 1997 but is retrospective.