The Nvidia GeForce3 launched 25 years ago — underappreciated at launch, its impact shaped the industry

The Nvidia GeForce3, launched 25 years ago, was initially underappreciated but had a significant impact on the tech industry. It was the first GPU with DirectX 8.0 pixel and vertex shader support, allowing graphics programmers to write programs that run on the GPU. Despite mixed reviews at launch, it paved the way for future advancements in graphics processors. The GeForce3 Ti500, launched later in 2001, introduced the "Ti" appellation and improved performance. Its legacy influenced subsequent GPU developments, leading to advancements like DirectX 9.0c and Shader model 3.0. The GeForce 3's programmability set the stage for NVIDIA's dominance in AI computing today.