NVIDIA (NVDA) 10-Q 21 May 14 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014	16-May-14	Jul. 28, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'NVIDIA CORP	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001045810	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--01-25	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'	'
Document Period End Date	27-Apr-14	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2015	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	557,966,266	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$7,820,789,330

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 27, 2014	Apr. 28, 2013
Revenue	$1,102,787,000	$954,739,000
Cost of revenue	498,585,000	436,171,000
Gross profit	604,202,000	518,568,000
Operating expenses	'	'
Research and development	334,263,000	327,161,000
Sales, general and administrative	118,580,000	108,626,000
Total operating expenses	452,843,000	435,787,000
Income from operations	151,359,000	82,781,000
Interest income	5,710,000	5,076,000
Interest Expense	11,471,000	853,000
Other income, net	17,684,000	1,058,000
Income before income tax expense	163,282,000	88,062,000
Income tax expense	26,766,000	10,171,000
Net income	136,516,000	77,891,000
Basic net income per share	$0.24	$0.13
Diluted net income per share	$0.24	$0.13
Shares used in basic per share computation	559,092	616,872
Shares used in diluted per share computation	570,422	619,302
Dividend per share, cash	$0.09	$0.08

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHNSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 27, 2014	Apr. 28, 2013
Net income	$136,516	$77,891
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	1,684	391
Reclassification adjustments for net realized gains on available-for-sale securities included in net income, net of tax	-197	-79
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	1,487	312
Total comprehensive income	$138,003	$78,203

Recovered_Sheet1

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Parentheticals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 27, 2014	Apr. 28, 2013
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Tax	($469)	($277)
Tax effect of Reclassification Adjustment for Sale of Securities	$106	$43

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Apr. 27, 2014	Jan. 26, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$509,165	$1,151,587
Marketable securities	3,838,652	3,520,223
Accounts receivable, net	396,438	426,357
Inventories	393,280	387,765
Prepaid expenses and other	71,067	70,285
Deferred income taxes	65,196	68,494
Total current assets	5,273,798	5,624,711
Property and equipment, net	570,802	582,740
Goodwill	643,179	643,179
Intangible assets, net	277,530	296,012
Other assets	99,354	104,252
Total assets	6,864,663	7,250,894
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	309,008	324,391
Accrued liabilities and other	588,937	621,105
Total current liabilities	897,945	945,496
Long-term Debt	1,363,276	1,356,375
Other long-term liabilities	419,774	475,125
Capital lease obligations, long term	16,683	17,500
Commitments and contingencies	0	0
Stockholders' equity	'	'
Preferred stock	0	0
Common stock	743	732
Additional paid-in capital	3,492,140	3,483,342
Treasury stock, at cost	-2,926,789	-2,537,295
Accumulated other comprehensive income	6,364	4,877
Retained earnings	3,594,527	3,504,742
Total stockholders' equity	4,166,985	4,456,398
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$6,864,663	$7,250,894

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 27, 2014	Apr. 28, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$136,516	$77,891
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	55,083	59,744
Stock based compensation expense	35,521	33,397
Amortization of Debt Discount	6,901	0
Gains on Sales of long-lived assets and investment	-16,982	0
Deferred income taxes	21,464	-3,063
Tax benefits from stock based compensation	-4,086	-10,120
Other	7,281	4,988
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	28,077	108,476
Inventories	-5,679	41,510
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-782	7,367
Deposits and other assets	229	1,806
Accounts payable	-14,880	-53,101
Accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities	-97,641	-93,245
Net cash provided by operating activities	151,022	175,650
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of marketable securities	-1,001,073	-541,950
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	544,878	199,199
Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities	134,079	179,082
Proceeds from sale of long-lived assets and investments	20,862	0
Purchases of property and equipment and intangible assets	-29,068	-65,667
Other	0	-1,450
Net cash used in investing activities	-330,322	-230,786
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee stock plans	80,232	22,996
Payment under Capital Lease Obligations	-709	-576
Tax benefits from Stock based compensation	4,086	10,120
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	-500,000	-100,000
Dividend paid	-46,731	-46,267
Other Financing Activities	0	-2,500
Net cash used in financing activities	-463,122	-116,227
Change in cash and cash equivalents	-642,422	-171,363
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,151,587	732,786
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	509,165	561,423
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:	'	'
Cash paid for income taxes, net	2,410	2,286
Cash paid for interest on capital lease obligations	591	655
Other non-cash activities:	'	'
Assets acquired by assuming related liabilities	$2,824	$41,341

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014
Notes to financial statements [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP, for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments except as otherwise noted, considered necessary for a fair statement of results of operations and financial position have been included. The results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for any future period. The following information should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 26, 2014.
	Fiscal Year
	We operate on a 52- or 53-week year, ending on the last Sunday in January.  Fiscal year 2015 and fiscal year 2014 are both 52-week years. The first quarters of fiscal years 2015 and 2014 are both 13-week quarters.
	Principles of Consolidation
	Our condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of NVIDIA Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All material inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Reclassifications
	Certain prior fiscal year balances have been reclassified to conform to the current fiscal year presentation.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, cash equivalents and marketable securities, accounts receivable, inventories, income taxes, goodwill, stock-based compensation, warranty liabilities, litigation, investigation and settlement costs and other contingencies. These estimates are based on historical facts and various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable.
	Revenue Recognition
	Product Revenue
	We recognize revenue from product sales when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the product has been delivered, the price is fixed or determinable and collection of the related receivable is reasonably assured. For most sales, we use a binding purchase order and in certain cases we use a contractual agreement as evidence of an arrangement. We consider delivery to occur upon shipment provided title and risk of loss have passed to the customer. At the point of sale, we assess whether the arrangement fee is fixed or determinable and whether collection is reasonably assured. If we determine that collection of a fee is not reasonably assured, we defer the fee and recognize revenue at the time collection becomes reasonably assured, which is generally upon receipt of payment.
	Our policy on sales to certain distributors with rights of return is to defer recognition of revenue and related cost of revenue until the distributors resell the product, as the level of returns cannot be reasonably estimated.
	Our customer programs primarily involve rebates, which are designed to serve as sales incentives to resellers of our products in various target markets. We account for rebates as a reduction of revenue and accrue for 100% of the potential rebates and do not apply a breakage factor. While we have a long history of rebate arrangements with original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, we believe we are unable to apply our historical experience to reliably estimate the amount of rebates that will eventually be claimed by individual OEMs. The OEMs are not our direct customers and the quantity and mix of demand they place on contract equipment manufacturers and original design manufacturers may shift as we introduce new generations and iterations of products and as we experience changes in new competitor offerings. In addition, we typically find that approximately 95% of the rebates we accrue each year are eventually claimed, which is substantially close to 100%, and that this percentage varies by program and by customer. We recognize a liability for these rebates at the later of the date at which we record the related revenue or the date at which we offer the rebate. Rebates typically expire six months from the date of the original sale, unless we reasonably believe that the customer intends to claim the rebate. Unclaimed rebates are reversed to revenue, the amount of which typically represents approximately 0.5% of total revenue.
	Our customer programs also include marketing development funds, or MDFs. MDFs represent monies paid to retailers, system builders, OEMs, distributors and add-in card partners that are earmarked for market segment development and expansion and typically are designed to support our partners’ activities while also promoting NVIDIA products. Depending on market conditions, we may take actions to increase amounts offered under customer programs, possibly resulting in an incremental reduction of revenue at the time such programs are offered. We account for MDFs as a reduction of revenue and apply a breakage factor to certain types of MDF program accruals for which we believe we can make a reasonable and reliable estimate of the amount that will ultimately be unclaimed. MDF amounts that have been previously recorded against revenue and subsequently expired unclaimed are reversed to revenue. Such amounts have not been significant.
	We also record a reduction to revenue by establishing a sales return allowance for estimated product returns at the time revenue is recognized, based primarily on historical return rates. However, if product returns for a particular fiscal period exceed historical return rates we may determine that additional sales return allowances are required to properly reflect our estimated exposure for product returns.
	License and Development Revenue
	For license arrangements that require significant customization of our intellectual property components, we generally recognize the related revenue over the period that services are performed. For most license and service arrangements, we determine progress to completion based on actual direct labor hours incurred to date as a percentage of the estimated total direct labor hours required to complete the project. We periodically evaluate the actual status of each project to ensure that the estimates to complete each contract remain accurate. A provision for estimated losses on contracts is made in the period in which the loss becomes probable and can be reasonably estimated. Costs incurred in advance of revenue recognized are recorded as deferred costs on uncompleted contracts. If the amount billed exceeds the amount of revenue recognized, the excess amount is recorded as deferred revenue. Revenue recognized in any period is dependent on our progress toward completion of projects in progress. Significant management judgment and discretion are used to estimate total direct labor hours. Any changes in or deviations from these estimates could have a material effect on the amount of revenue we recognize in any period.
	For license arrangements that do not require significant customization but where we are obligated to provide further deliverables over the term of the license agreement, we record revenue over the life of the license term, with consideration received in advance of the performance period classified as deferred revenue.
	Royalty revenue is recognized related to the distribution or sale of products that use our technologies under license agreements with third parties. We recognize royalty revenue upon receipt of a confirmation of earned royalties and when collectability is reasonably assured from the applicable licensee.
	Inventories
	Inventory cost is computed on an adjusted standard basis, which approximates actual cost on an average or first-in, first-out basis. Inventory costs consist primarily of the cost of semiconductors purchased from subcontractors, including wafer fabrication, assembly, testing and packaging, manufacturing support costs, including labor and overhead associated with such purchases, final test yield fallout, and shipping costs, as well as the cost of purchased memory products and other component parts. We charge cost of sales for inventory provisions to write down our inventory to the lower of cost or estimated market value or to completely write off obsolete or excess inventory. Most of our inventory provisions relate to the write-off of excess quantities of products, based on our inventory levels and future product purchase commitments compared to assumptions about future demand and market conditions. Once inventory has been written-off or written-down, it creates a new cost basis for the inventory that is not subsequently written-up.
	Net Income Per Share
	Basic net income per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed using the weighted average number of common and potentially dilutive shares outstanding during the period, using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, the effect of stock options outstanding is not included in the computation of diluted net income per share for periods when their effect is anti-dilutive. Additionally, we issued convertible notes with a net settlement feature that requires us, upon conversion, to settle the principal amount of debt for cash and the conversion premium for cash or shares of our common stock. Our convertible notes, note hedges, and related warrants contain various conversion features, which are further described in Note 11 of these Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The potentially dilutive impact of the convertible notes and warrants under the treasury stock method will be included in the calculation of diluted shares when their conversion features are exercisable. However, unless actually exercised, the note hedges will not be included in the calculation of diluted shares, as their pre-exercised effect would be anti-dilutive under the treasury stock method.
	Adoption of New and Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued updated guidance regarding the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carry forward, similar tax loss, or tax credit carry forward exists. The guidance requires that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carry forward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carry forward when settlement in this manner is available under the tax law. We adopted this guidance in our interim period ended April 27, 2014. The adoption of this guidance did not impact our condensed consolidated financial statements, as the guidance was issued to reduce diversity in practice on presentation of unrecognized tax benefits.

Stock_Based_Compensation

Stock Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Aggregate Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	Our stock-based compensation expense is associated with stock options, restricted stock units, or RSUs, and performance stock units, or PSUs, and is measured based on the estimated fair value of equity awards at the grant date.
	We estimate the fair value of employee stock options on the date of grant using a binomial model and recognize the expense using a straight-line attribution method over the requisite employee service period. We use the closing trading price of our common stock on the date of grant, minus a dividend yield discount, as the fair value of awards of RSUs and PSUs. The compensation expense for the RSUs is recognized using a straight-line attribution method over the requisite employee service period while compensation expense for PSUs is recognized using an accelerated amortization model. We estimate the fair value of shares to be issued under our employee stock purchase plan using the Black-Scholes model at the commencement of an offering period in March and September of each year.  Stock-based compensation for our employee stock purchase plan is expensed using an accelerated amortization model.
	Our condensed consolidated statements of income include stock-based compensation expense, net of amounts capitalized as inventory, as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		April 27,			April 28,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Cost of revenue	$	2,919		$	2,653
	Research and development	20,494			21,935
	Sales, general and administrative	12,108			8,809
	Total	$	35,521		$	33,397
	During the three months ended April 27, 2014, we granted 7,800 stock options, with a total grant-date fair value of $35,880 and a weighted average grant-date fair value of $4.60 per option. During the three months ended April 27, 2014, we granted 3.3 million RSUs and PSUs, with a total grant-date fair value of $55.7 million and a weighted average grant-date fair value of $17.13 per share.  The PSUs granted during the three months ended April 27, 2014, were granted to our CEO and senior management as approved by our Compensation Committee.
	During the three months ended April 28, 2013, we granted 2.8 million stock options, with a total grant-date fair value of $8.7 million and a weighted average grant-date fair value of $3.11 per option. During the three months ended April 28, 2013, we granted 4.9 million RSUs, with a total grant-date fair value of $57.4 million and a weighted average grant-date fair value of $11.72 per RSU.
	Of the total grant-date fair value, we estimated that the stock-based compensation expense related to the equity awards that were not expected to vest was $10.0 million and $11.8 million for the three months ended April 27, 2014 and April 28, 2013, respectively. As of April 27, 2014 and January 26, 2014, the aggregate amount of unearned stock-based compensation expense related to our equity awards was $259.6 million and $241.3 million, respectively, adjusted for estimated forfeitures.  As of April 27, 2014 and January 26, 2014, we expected to recognize the unearned stock-based compensation expense related to stock options over an estimated weighted average amortization period of 2.3 years and 2.5 years, respectively. As of April 27, 2014 and January 26, 2014, we expected to recognize the unearned stock-based compensation expense related to RSUs and PSUs over an estimated weighted average amortization period of 2.8 years and 2.7 years, respectively.
	Valuation Assumptions
	We determine the fair value of stock option awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model that is affected by our stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, weighted average expected term, risk-free interest rate, expected stock price volatility, dividend yield, actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors, vesting schedules and death and disability probabilities. We segregate options into groups of employees with relatively homogeneous exercise behavior in order to calculate the best estimate of fair value using the binomial valuation model.
	The expected life of employee stock options is a derived output of our valuation model and is impacted by the underlying assumptions of our company. The risk-free interest rate assumption is based upon observed interest rates on Treasury bills appropriate for the term of our employee stock options. Our management has determined that the use of implied volatility is expected to be more reflective of market conditions and, therefore, can reasonably be expected to be a better indicator of our expected volatility than historical volatility. Dividend yield is based on history and expectation of dividend payouts. Our RSU and PSU awards are not eligible for cash dividends prior to vesting; therefore, the fair value of RSUs and PSUs is discounted by the dividend yield.
	We use a dividend yield at grant date based on the per share dividends declared during the most recent quarter. Additionally, for all employee equity awards, we estimate forfeitures annually and revise the estimates of forfeiture in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Forfeitures are estimated based on historical experience.
	The fair value of stock options granted under our equity incentive plan and shares issued under our employee stock purchase plan have been estimated at the date of grant with the following assumptions:
		Three Months Ended
		April 27,		April 28,
		2014		2013
	Stock Options	(Using a binomial model)
	Expected life (in years)	3.2		3.2 - 3.3
	Risk-free interest rate	2.8	%	1.8% - 2.1%
	Volatility	31	%	32% - 37%
	Dividend yield	1.9	%	2.3% - 2.4%
		Three Months Ended
		April 27,		April 28,
		2014		2013
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan	(Using a Black-Scholes model)
	Expected life (in years)	0.5 - 2.0		0.5 - 2.0
	Risk-free interest rate	0.1% - 0.3%		0.1% - 0.3%
	Volatility	31	%	37	%
	Dividend yield	1.9	%	2.4	%
	Equity Award Activity
	The following summarizes the stock option, RSU and PSU activity under our equity incentive plans:
		Options Outstanding		Weighted Average Exercise Price
	Stock Options	(In thousands)		(Per share)
	Balances, January 26, 2014	32,504		$	14.22
	Granted	8		$	17.2
	Exercised	(4,801	)	$	13.14
	Cancelled	(486	)	$	20.31
	Balances, April 27, 2014	27,225		$	14.3
		RSUs and PSUs Outstanding		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
	RSUs and PSUs	(In thousands)		(Per share)
	Balances, January 26, 2014	18,852		$	13.82
	Granted (1)	3,254		$	17.13
	Vested	(3,303	)	$	13.31
	Cancelled	(367	)	$	13.24
	Balances, April 27, 2014	18,436		$	14.51
	(1) Includes the total number of PSUs issuable if the maximum corporate financial performance target level for fiscal year 2015 is achieved. Depending on the actual level of achievement of the corporate performance goal at the end of fiscal year 2015, the range of PSUs issued could range from 0 to 2.5 million shares.

Net_Income_Per_Share

Net Income Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014
Notes to financial statements [Abstract]	'
Net Income Per Share	'
	Net Income Per Share
	The following is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted net income per share computations for the periods presented:
		Three Months Ended
		April 27,		April 28,
		2014		2013
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	Numerator:
	Net income	$	136,516	$	77,891
	Denominator:
	Denominator for basic net income per share, weighted average shares	559,092		616,872
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Equity awards outstanding	11,330		2,430
	Denominator for diluted net income per share, weighted average shares	570,422		619,302
	Net income per share:
	Basic net income per share	$	0.24	$	0.13
	Diluted net income per share	$	0.24	$	0.13
	Potentially dilutive securities excluded from diluted net income per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive	8,338		26,112
	The denominator for diluted net income per share for the three months ended April 27, 2014 did not include any effect from the 1.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2018, or the Notes. The calculation of the dilution impact is based on the treasury stock method in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC 260, Earnings per Share. Commencing after the fiscal quarter ended on April 27, 2014, the Notes will not impact the denominator for diluted net income per share unless the average price of our common stock, as calculated under the terms of the Notes, exceeds the conversion price of $20.16 per share. Likewise, the denominator for diluted net income per share will not include any effect from the warrants that were issued simultaneously with the Notes unless the average price of our common stock, as calculated under the terms of the warrants, exceeds $27.14 per share.
	The denominator for diluted net income per share for the three months ended April 27, 2014 also did not include any effect from the note hedges that were issued simultaneously with the Notes. In future periods, the denominator for diluted net income per share will exclude any effect of the note hedges, unless in the event an actual conversion of any or all of the Notes occurs, the shares that would be delivered to us under the note hedges are designed to neutralize the dilutive effect of the shares that the Company would issue under the Notes. Please refer to Note 11 of these Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion regarding the Notes.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014
Notes to financial statements [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	We recognized income tax expense of $26.8 million and $10.2 million for the three months ended April 27, 2014 and April 28, 2013, respectively. Income tax expense as a percentage of income before taxes, or our effective tax rate, was 16.4% and 11.6% for the three months ended April 27, 2014 and April 28, 2013, respectively.
	The increase in our effective tax rate in fiscal year 2015 as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year was primarily related to the expiration of the U.S. federal research tax credit on December 31, 2013 which resulted in no tax benefit in the three months ended April 27, 2014.
	Our effective tax rate on income before tax for the first three months of fiscal year 2015 of 16.4% was lower than the United States federal statutory rate of 35% due primarily to income earned in jurisdictions where the tax rate is lower than the United States federal statutory tax rate.  Further, our annual projected effective tax rate as of the first three months of fiscal year 2015 of 20% differs from our actual effective tax rate for the first three months of fiscal year 2015 of 16.4% due to favorable discrete events that occurred in the first three months of fiscal year 2015 primarily attributable to the expiration of statutes of limitations in certain non-U.S. jurisdictions for which we had not previously recognized related tax benefits.
	Our effective tax rate on income before tax for the first three months of fiscal year 2014 of 11.6% was lower than the United States federal statutory rate of 35% due primarily to income earned in jurisdictions where the tax rate is lower than the United States federal statutory tax and the benefit of the U.S. federal research tax credit.
	For the three months ended April 27, 2014, there have been no material changes to our tax years that remain subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions. Additionally, there have been no other material changes to our unrecognized tax benefits and any related interest or penalties from our fiscal year ended January 26, 2014, other than the recognition of tax benefits related to the expiration of statute of limitation in certain non-U.S. jurisdictions in the three months ended April 27, 2014.
	While we believe that we have adequately provided for all uncertain tax positions, or tax positions where it is believed not more-likely-than-not that the position will be sustained upon examination, amounts asserted by tax authorities could be greater or less than our accrued position. Accordingly, our provisions on federal, state and foreign tax related matters to be recorded in the future may change as revised estimates are made or the underlying matters are settled or otherwise resolved with the respective tax authorities. As of April 27, 2014, we do not believe that our estimates, as otherwise provided for, on such tax positions will significantly increase or decrease within the next twelve months.

Marketable_Securities

Marketable Securities	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014
Notes to financial statements [Abstract]	'
Marketable Securities	'
	Marketable Securities
	All of our cash equivalents and marketable securities are classified as “available-for-sale” securities. These securities are reported at fair value, with the related unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders’ equity, net of tax, and net realized gains and losses recorded in other income, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income.
	We performed an impairment review of our investment portfolio as of April 27, 2014. Based on our quarterly impairment review and having considered the guidance in the relevant accounting literature, we concluded that our investments were appropriately valued and that no other than temporary impairment charges were necessary on our portfolio as of April 27, 2014.
	The following is a summary of cash equivalents and marketable securities at April 27, 2014 and January 26, 2014:
		April 27, 2014
		Amortized		Unrealized			Unrealized			Estimated
		Cost		Gain			Loss			Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	2,065,847	$	2,671		$	(692	)	$	2,067,826
	Debt securities of United States government agencies	732,145		684			(98		)	732,731
	Debt securities issued by United States Treasury	584,036		884			(40		)	584,880
	Asset-backed securities	357,216		239			(124		)	357,331
	Mortgage-backed securities issued by United States government-sponsored enterprises	199,362		3,874			(795		)	202,441
	Money market funds	103,396		—			—			103,396
	Total	$	4,042,002	$	8,352		$	(1,749	)	$	4,048,605
	Classified as:
	Cash equivalents									$	209,953
	Marketable securities									3,838,652
	Total									$	4,048,605
		January 26, 2014
		Amortized		Unrealized			Unrealized			Estimated
		Cost		Gain			Loss			Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	1,827,788	$	1,857		$	(1,065	)	$	1,828,580
	Debt securities of United States government agencies	1,012,740		848			(261		)	1,013,327
	Debt securities issued by United States Treasury	495,889		621			(57		)	496,453
	Money market funds	307,865		—			—			307,865
	Asset-backed securities	258,017		15			(315		)	257,717
	Mortgage-backed securities issued by United States government-sponsored enterprises	185,594		3,837			(725		)	188,706
	Total	$	4,087,893	$	7,178		$	(2,423	)	$	4,092,648
	Classified as:
	Cash equivalents									$	572,425
	Marketable securities									3,520,223
	Total									$	4,092,648
	The following table provides the breakdown of the investments with unrealized losses at April 27, 2014:
		Less than 12 months					12 months or greater						Total
		Fair Value		Gross			Fair Value			Gross			Fair Value		Gross
				Unrealized						Unrealized					Unrealized
				Losses						Losses					Losses
		(In thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	807,941	$	(41	)	$	1,259,885		$	(651	)	$	2,067,826	$	(692	)
	Debt securities of United States government agencies	408,621		(9		)	324,110			(89		)	732,731		(98		)
	Debt securities issued by United States Treasury	64,259		—			520,621			(40		)	584,880		(40		)
	Asset-backed securities	153,635		(30		)	203,696			(94		)	357,331		(124		)
	Mortgage-backed securities issued by United States government-sponsored enterprises	—		—			202,441			(795		)	202,441		(795		)
	Total	$	1,434,456	$	(80	)	$	2,510,753		$	(1,669	)	$	3,945,209	$	(1,749	)
	The gross unrealized losses related to fixed income securities and were due to changes in interest rates. We have determined that the gross unrealized losses on investment securities at April 27, 2014 are temporary in nature. Currently, we have the intent and ability to hold our investments with impairment indicators until maturity.
	The amortized cost and estimated fair value of cash equivalents and marketable securities, which are primarily debt instruments, are classified as available-for-sale at April 27, 2014 and January 26, 2014 and are shown below by contractual maturity.
		April 27, 2014					January 26, 2014
		Amortized		Estimated			Amortized			Estimated
		Cost		Fair Value			Cost			Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Less than 1 year	$	1,536,890	$	1,537,853		$	1,883,132		$	1,883,753
	Due in 1 - 5 years	2,379,798		2,383,465			2,114,289			2,117,387
	Mortgage-backed securities issued by government-sponsored enterprises not due at a single maturity date	125,314		127,287			90,472			91,508
	Total	$	4,042,002	$	4,048,605		$	4,087,893		$	4,092,648
	Net realized gains for the three months ended April 27, 2014 and April 28, 2013 were not significant.

Fair_Value_of_Cash_Equivalents

Fair Value of Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014
Notes to financial statements [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities	'
	Fair Value of Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities
	We measure our cash equivalents and marketable securities at fair value. The fair values of our financial assets and liabilities are determined using quoted market prices of identical assets or quoted market prices of similar assets from active markets.  Our Level 1 assets consist of our money market funds. We classify securities within Level 1 assets when the fair value is obtained from real time quotes for transactions in active exchange markets involving identical assets.  Our available-for-sale securities are classified as having Level 2 inputs.  Our Level 2 assets are valued utilizing a market approach where the market prices of similar assets are provided by a variety of independent industry standard data providers to our investment custodian.  There were no significant transfers between Levels 1 and 2 assets for the three months ended April 27, 2014.
	Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value are summarized below:
				Fair Value Measurement as of April 27, 2014 Using
				Quoted Prices		Significant Other Observable Inputs
				in Active Markets for Identical Assets
		April 27, 2014		(Level 1)		(Level 2)
		(In thousands)
	Corporate debt securities (1)	$	2,067,826	$	—	$	2,067,826
	Debt securities issued by United States government agencies (2)	732,731		—		732,731
	Debt securities issued by United States Treasury (2)	584,880		—		584,880
	Asset-backed securities (2)	357,331		—		357,331
	Mortgage-backed securities issued by government-sponsored enterprises (2)	202,441		—		202,441
	Money market funds (3)	103,396		103,396		—
	Total cash equivalents and marketable securities	$	4,048,605	$	103,396	$	3,945,209
	-1	Includes $106.6 million in cash equivalents and $1.96 billion in marketable securities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	(2)	Included in marketable securities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	-3	Included in cash equivalents on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

3dfx

3dfx	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014
Notes to financial statements [Abstract]	'
3dfx	'
	3dfx
	During fiscal year 2002, we completed the purchase of certain assets from 3dfx Interactive, Inc., or 3dfx, for an aggregate purchase price of $74.2 million. On December 15, 2000, NVIDIA Corporation and one of our indirect subsidiaries entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement, or the APA, which closed on April 18, 2001, to purchase certain graphics chip assets from 3dfx.
	In October 2002, 3dfx filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California. In March 2003, the Trustee appointed by the Bankruptcy Court to represent 3dfx’s bankruptcy estate served his complaint on NVIDIA.  The Trustee’s complaint asserted claims for, among other things, successor liability and fraudulent transfer and sought additional payments from us. In early November 2005, NVIDIA and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, or the Creditors’ Committee, agreed to a Plan of Liquidation of 3dfx, which included a conditional settlement of the Trustee’s claims against us. This conditional settlement was subject to a confirmation process through a vote of creditors and the review and approval of the Bankruptcy Court. The conditional settlement called for a payment by NVIDIA of $30.6 million to the 3dfx estate. Under the settlement, $5.6 million related to various administrative expenses and Trustee fees, and $25.0 million related to the satisfaction of debts and liabilities owed to the general unsecured creditors of 3dfx. Accordingly, during the three month period ended October 30, 2005, we recorded $5.6 million as a charge to settlement costs and $25.0 million as additional purchase price for 3dfx. The Trustee advised that he intended to object to the settlement.
	The conditional settlement reached in November 2005 never progressed through the confirmation process and the Trustee’s case still remains pending appeal.  As such, we have not reversed the accrual of $30.6 million - $5.6 million as a charge to settlement costs and $25.0 million as additional purchase price for 3dfx – that we recorded during the three months ended October 30, 2005, pending resolution of the appeal of the Trustee’s case.
	The 3dfx asset purchase price of $95.0 million and $4.2 million of direct transaction costs were allocated based on fair values presented below. The final allocation of the purchase price of the 3dfx assets is contingent upon the outcome of all of the 3dfx litigation. Please refer to Note 12 of these Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding this litigation.
		Fair Market Value		Straight-Line Amortization Period
		(In thousands)		(In years)
	Property and equipment	$	2,433	2-Jan
	Trademarks	11,310		5
	Goodwill	85,418		—
	Total	$	99,161

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014
Notes to financial statements [Abstract]	'
Intangible Assets	'
	Intangible Assets
	The components of our amortizable intangible assets are as follows:
		April 27, 2014							January 26, 2014
		Gross		Accumulated			Net Carrying		Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying
		Carrying		Amortization			Amount		Carrying					Amount
		Amount							Amount
		(In thousands)
	Acquisition-related intangible assets	$	189,239	$	(119,094	)	$	70,145	$	189,239	$	(114,104	)	$	75,135
	Patents and licensed technology	446,853		(239,468		)	207,385		446,196		(225,319		)	220,877
	Total intangible assets	$	636,092	$	(358,562	)	$	277,530	$	635,435	$	(339,423	)	$	296,012
	Amortization expense associated with intangible assets for the three months ended April 27, 2014 and April 28, 2013 was $19.1 million and $17.4 million, respectively. Amortization expense increased compared to the prior year primarily due to the addition of licensed technology, the purchase of certain assets of a business, and the addition of acquired in-process research and development technology that was determined to be complete. Future amortization expense related to the net carrying amount of intangible assets at April 27, 2014 is estimated to be $57.6 million for the remainder of fiscal year 2015, $71.4 million in fiscal year 2016, $63.4 million in fiscal year 2017, $48.5 million in fiscal year 2018, $20.0 million in fiscal year 2019 and a total of $16.6 million in fiscal year 2020 and fiscal years subsequent to fiscal year 2020.

Balance_Sheet_Components

Balance Sheet Components	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014
Notes to financial statements [Abstract]	'
Balance Sheet Components	'
	Balance Sheet Components
	Certain balance sheet components are as follows:
		April 27,		January 26,
		2014		2014
	Inventories:	(In thousands)
	Raw materials	$	143,773	$	126,896
	Work in-process	83,767		94,844
	Finished goods	165,740		166,025
	Total inventories	$	393,280	$	387,765
	At April 27, 2014, we had outstanding inventory purchase obligations totaling $414.2 million.
		April 27,		January 26,
		2014		2014
	Accrued Liabilities and Other:	(In thousands)
	Deferred revenue, short-term	$	265,668	$	265,616
	Accrued customer programs (1)	139,139		157,840
	Accrued payroll and related expenses	86,544		109,721
	Accrued legal settlement (2)	30,600		30,600
	Professional service fees	12,647		13,572
	Customer advances	10,043		9,297
	Warranty accrual (3)	8,250		7,571
	Office lease related liabilities	7,756		3,139
	Coupon interest on Notes	6,250		2,500
	Taxes payable, short-term	4,497		2,378
	Other	17,543		18,871
	Total accrued liabilities and other	$	588,937	$	621,105
	(1)  Please refer to Note 1 of these Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion regarding the nature of accrued customer programs and their accounting treatment related to our revenue recognition policies and estimates.
	(2)  Please refer to Note 12 of these Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion regarding the 3dfx litigation.
	(3)  Please refer to Note 10 of these Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion regarding the warranty accrual.
		April 27,		January 26,
		2014		2014
	Other Long-Term Liabilities:	(In thousands)
	Deferred income tax liability	$	175,236	$	157,953
	Income taxes payable, long-term	116,881		119,977
	Deferred revenue, long-term (1)	106,169		172,199
	Asset retirement obligation	7,365		11,056
	Other long-term liabilities	14,123		13,940
	Total other long-term liabilities	$	419,774	$	475,125
	(1) Represents annual consideration received in advance of our performance obligation under our patent cross licensing agreement with Intel Corporation entered into in January 2011. The decrease in deferred revenue, long-term, is a result of revenue recognized during the three months ended April 27, 2014.

Guarantees

Guarantees	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014
Notes to financial statements [Abstract]	'
Guarantees	'
	Guarantees
	U.S. GAAP requires that upon issuance of a guarantee, the guarantor must recognize a liability for the fair value of the obligation it assumes under that guarantee. In addition, U.S. GAAP requires disclosures about the guarantees that an entity has issued, including a tabular reconciliation of the changes of the entity’s product warranty liabilities.
	Accrual for Product Warranty Liabilities
	We record a reduction to revenue for estimated product returns at the time revenue is recognized primarily based on historical return rates. Cost of revenue includes the estimated cost of product warranties.  Under limited circumstances, we may offer an extended limited warranty to customers for certain products.  Additionally, we accrue for known warranty and indemnification issues if a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated. The estimated product warranty liabilities for the three months ended April 27, 2014 and April 28, 2013 were as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		April 27,			April 28,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Balance at beginning of period	$	7,571		$	14,874
	Additions	2,034			1,418
	Deductions	(1,355		)	(1,459		)
	Balance at end of period	$	8,250		$	14,833
	In connection with certain agreements that we have executed in the past, we have at times provided indemnities to cover the indemnified party for matters such as tax, product and employee liabilities. We have also on occasion included intellectual property indemnification provisions in our technology related agreements with third parties. Maximum potential future payments cannot be estimated because many of these agreements do not have a maximum stated liability. As such, we have not recorded any liability in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for such indemnifications.

Longterm_debt

Long-term debt	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Long-Term Debt
	1.00 % Convertible Senior Notes Due 2018
	On December 2, 2013, we issued $1.5 billion of 1.00% convertible senior notes due 2018, or the Notes. The Notes are unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of the Company, which pay interest in cash semi-annually at a rate of 1.00% per annum. The Notes will mature on December 1, 2018 unless earlier repurchased or converted in accordance with their terms prior to such date. The Notes may be converted, under the conditions specified below, based on an initial conversion rate of 49.60 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of $20.16 per share of common stock), subject to adjustment as described in the indenture governing the Notes.
	Holders may convert their notes at their option at any time prior to August 1, 2018 only under the following circumstances: (1) during any fiscal quarter commencing after the fiscal quarter ended on April 27, 2014 (and only during such fiscal quarter), if the last reported sale price of the common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day; (2) during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period (the measurement period) in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day; or (3) upon the occurrence of specified corporate events. On or after August 1, 2018 to the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, holders may convert all or any portion of their notes regardless of the foregoing conditions. Upon conversion, we will pay cash up to the aggregate principal amount of the notes to be converted and pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, at our election, in respect of the remainder, if any, of our conversion obligation in excess of the aggregate principal amount of the notes being converted.
	As of April 27, 2014, none of the conditions allowing holders of the Notes to convert had been met. The determination of whether or not the Notes are convertible must be performed quarterly. If the Notes become convertible at the option of the holder, the difference between the principal amount and the carrying value of the Notes would be reflected as convertible debt in the mezzanine equity section on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	In accordance with ASC 470-20 Debt with Conversion and Other Options, all cash-settled convertible debt should be separated into debt and equity components at issuance and be assigned a fair value. The value assigned to the debt component is the estimated fair value, as of the issuance date, of a similar debt without the conversion feature. The difference between the net cash proceeds and this estimated fair value, represents the value assigned to the equity component and is recorded as a debt discount. The debt discount is amortized using the effective interest method from the origination date through its stated contractual maturity date.
	The initial debt component of the Notes was valued at $1,351.8 million based on the contractual cash flows discounted at an appropriate market rate for a non-convertible debt at the date of issuance, which was determined to be 3.15%. The carrying value of the permanent equity component reported in additional paid-in-capital was valued at $125.7 million and recorded as a debt discount. This amount, together with the $22.5 million purchaser's discount to the par value of the Notes represents the total unamortized debt discount of $148.2 million we recorded at the time of issuance of the Notes. The aggregate debt discount is amortized as interest expense over the contractual term of the Notes using the effective interest method using an interest rate of 3.15%.
	The following table presents the carrying amounts of the liability and equity components:
		April 27,			January 26,
		2014			2014
		(In thousands)
	Amount of the equity component	$	125,725		$	125,725
	1.00% convertible senior notes due 2018	$	1,500,000		$	1,500,000
	Unamortized debt discount (1)	(136,724		)	(143,625		)
	Net carrying amount	$	1,363,276		$	1,356,375
	(1) As of April 27, 2014, the remaining period over which the unamortized debt discount will be amortized is 4.6 years.
	The following table presents the interest expense for the contractual interest and the accretion of debt discount:
		Three Months Ended
		April 27,
		2014
		(In thousands)
	Contractual coupon interest expense	$	3,750
	Amortization of debt discount	6,901
	Amortization of debt issuance costs	49
	Total interest expense related to Notes	$	10,700
	As of April 27, 2014, the fair value of the Notes was $1,692.3 million. The Notes are classified within Level 2 as they are not actively traded in markets.
	Note Hedges and Warrants
	The net proceeds from the Notes were $1,477.5 million after payment of the initials purchaser's discount. Concurrently with the offering of the Notes, we entered into a convertible note hedge transaction, or the Note Hedges, with a strike price equal to the initial conversion price of the Notes, or $20.16 per share. The Note Hedges allow us to receive shares of our common stock and/or cash related to the excess conversion value that we would pay to the holders of the Notes upon conversion. We paid $167.1 million for the Note Hedges.
	In addition, concurrent with the offering of the Notes and the purchase of the Note Hedges, we entered into a separate warrant transaction, or the Warrants, with a strike price to the holders of the Warrants of $27.14 per share. The Warrants are net share settled and cover, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, 74.4 million shares of our common stock. We received $59.1 million for the Warrants transaction.
	The $108.0 million net cost of the Note Hedges offset by the proceeds from the Warrants is included as a net reduction to additional paid-in capital in the stockholders’ equity section of our condensed consolidated balance sheets, in accordance with the guidance in ASC 815-40 Derivatives and Hedging-Contracts in Entity's Own Equity.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014
Notes to financial statements [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	3dfx
	On December 15, 2000, NVIDIA and one of our indirect subsidiaries entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement, or APA, to purchase certain graphics chip assets from 3dfx. The transaction closed on April 18, 2001. In October 2002, 3dfx filed for bankruptcy.
	Following the bankruptcy, in March 2003, the Trustee appointed by the Bankruptcy Court to represent 3dfx's bankruptcy estate served a complaint on NVIDIA asserting claims for, among other things, successor liability and fraudulent transfer and seeking additional payments from us. The Trustee's fraudulent transfer theory alleged that NVIDIA had failed to pay reasonably equivalent value for 3dfx's assets, and sought recovery of the difference between the $70.0 million paid and the alleged fair value, which difference the Trustee estimated to exceed $50.0 million. The Trustee's successor liability theory alleged NVIDIA was effectively 3dfx's legal successor and therefore was responsible for all of 3dfx's unpaid liabilities.
	In early November 2005, after several months of mediation, NVIDIA and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, or the Creditors' Committee, agreed to a Plan of Liquidation of 3dfx, which included a conditional settlement of the Trustee's claims against us. This conditional settlement was subject to a confirmation process through a vote of creditors and the review and approval of the Bankruptcy Court. The conditional settlement called for a payment by NVIDIA of $30.6 million to the 3dfx estate. Under the settlement, $5.6 million related to various administrative expenses and Trustee fees, and $25.0 million related to the satisfaction of debts and liabilities owed to the general unsecured creditors of 3dfx. Accordingly, during the three month period ended October 30, 2005, we recorded $5.6 million as a charge to settlement costs and $25.0 million as additional purchase price for 3dfx. The Trustee advised that he intended to object to the settlement. The conditional settlement never progressed substantially through the confirmation process.
	In March 2007, a trial was held regarding certain valuation issues in the Trustee's constructive fraudulent transfer claims against NVIDIA. On April 30, 2008, the Bankruptcy Court issued its Memorandum Decision After Trial, in which it provided a detailed summary of the trial proceedings and the parties' contentions and evidence and concluded that “the creditors of 3dfx were not injured by the Transaction.” This decision did not entirely dispose of the Trustee's action, however, as the Trustee's claims for successor liability and intentional fraudulent conveyance were still pending. On June 19, 2008, NVIDIA filed a motion for summary judgment to convert the Memorandum Decision After Trial to a final judgment. That motion was granted in its entirety and judgment was entered in NVIDIA's favor on September 11, 2008. The Trustee filed a Notice of Appeal from that judgment on September 22, 2008, and on September 25, 2008, NVIDIA exercised its election to have the appeal heard by the United States District Court.
	On December 20, 2010, the District Court issued an Order affirming the Bankruptcy Court's entry of summary judgment in NVIDIA's favor, and on January 19, 2011, the Trustee filed a Notice of Appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The appeal is currently pending.
	While the conditional settlement reached in November 2005 never progressed through the confirmation process, the Trustee's case still remains pending on appeal. Accordingly, we have not reversed the accrual of $30.6 million - $5.6 million as a charge to settlement costs and $25.0 million as additional purchase price for 3dfx - that we recorded during the three months ended October 30, 2005, pending resolution of the appeal of the Trustee's case.
	Securities Cases
	In September 2008, three putative securities class actions were filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California arising out of our announcements on July 2, 2008, that we would take a charge against cost of revenue to cover anticipated costs and expenses arising from a weak die/packaging material set in certain versions of our previous generation MCP and GPU products and that we were revising financial guidance for our second quarter of fiscal year 2009. The actions purport to be brought on behalf of purchasers of NVIDIA stock and assert claims for violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
	On January 22, 2010, Plaintiffs filed a Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint, asserting claims for violations of Section 10(b), Rule 10b-5, and Section 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act and seeking unspecified compensatory damages. We moved to dismiss the consolidated complaint and on October 19, 2010, Judge Seeborg granted our motion with leave to amend. On December 2, 2010, Plaintiffs filed a Second Consolidated Amended Complaint. We again moved to dismiss and on October 12, 2011, Judge Seeborg again granted our motion to dismiss, this time denying Plaintiffs leave to amend. On November 8, 2011, Plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal to the Ninth Circuit. Oral argument was held on January 14, 2014 and the appeal is currently under submission.
	Accounting for Loss Contingencies
	While there can be no assurance of favorable outcomes, we believe the claims made by other parties in the above ongoing matters are without merit and we intend to vigorously defend the actions. With the exception of the 3dfx case, we have not recorded any accrual for contingent liabilities associated with the legal proceedings described above based on our belief that liabilities, while possible, are not probable. Further, any possible range of loss in these matters cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. We are engaged in other legal actions not described above arising in the ordinary course of its business and, while there can be no assurance of favorable outcomes, we believe that the ultimate outcome of these actions will not have a material adverse effect on our operating results, liquidity or financial position.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014
Notes to financial statements [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	Stockholders’ Equity
	Stock Repurchase Program
	Beginning August 2004, our Board of Directors authorized us, subject to certain specifications, to repurchase shares of our common stock. Most recently, in November 2013, the Board extended the previously authorized repurchase program through January 2016 and authorized an additional $1.00 billion for an aggregate of $3.70 billion under the repurchase program. Through April 27, 2014, we have repurchased an aggregate of 181.8 million shares under our stock repurchase program for a total cost of $2.95 billion. As of April 27, 2014, we are authorized, subject to certain specifications, to repurchase shares of our common stock up to $0.75 billion through January 2016.
	The repurchases will be made from time to time in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, or in structured stock repurchase programs, and may be made in one or more larger repurchases, in compliance with Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act, subject to market conditions, applicable legal requirements, and other factors. The program does not obligate NVIDIA to acquire any particular amount of common stock and the program may be suspended at any time at our discretion. As part of our share repurchase program, we have entered into, and we may continue to enter into, structured share repurchase transactions with financial institutions. These agreements generally require that we make an up-front payment in exchange for the right to receive a fixed number of shares of our common stock upon execution of the agreement, and a potential incremental number of shares of our common stock, within a pre-determined range, at the end of the term of the agreement.
	In November 2013, we announced the intention to return $1.00 billion to shareholders in fiscal year 2015 in the form of share repurchases and cash dividends. During February 2014, we entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement, or ASR, with an investment bank, under which we prepaid $500.0 million to purchase shares of our common stock and received 20.6 million shares on February 20, 2014. Upon final settlement of the ASR in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015, we may either (1) receive additional shares of our common stock, or (2) be required to deliver shares of our common stock or elect to make a cash payment to the investment bank, based on the terms and conditions under the ASR. The shares we receive result in a reduction, on the delivery date, of the outstanding shares used to calculate the weighted-average common shares outstanding for basic and diluted net income per share.
	We accounted for the ASR program as two separate transactions: (i) the 20.6 million shares of common stock initially delivered to us, were accounted for as treasury stock transaction and (ii) the unsettled contract was determined to be a forward contract indexed to our own common stock. The initial delivery of 20.6 million shares resulted in an immediate reduction, on the delivery date, of the outstanding shares used to calculate the weighted-average common shares outstanding for basic and diluted net income per share. We have determined that the forward contract, indexed to our common stock, met all of the applicable criteria for equity classification.
	Therefore, we recorded $368.6 million as treasury stock and recorded $131.4 million, the implied value of the forward contract, in additional paid-in-capital, or APIC, in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of April 27, 2014. As the remainder of the shares are delivered to us, anticipated to be in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015, the forward contract will be reclassified from APIC to treasury stock.
	Dividends
	During the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, we paid $46.7 million in dividends to our common stockholders. This dividend was equivalent to $0.085 per share, or $0.34 per share on an annual basis.
	Convertible Preferred Stock
	There are no shares of preferred stock outstanding.
	Common Stock
	We are authorized to issue up to 2,000,000,000 shares of our common stock at $0.001 per share par value.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014
Notes to financial statements [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Segment Information
	Our Chief Executive Officer, who is considered to be our chief operating decision maker, or CODM, reviews financial information presented on an operating segment basis for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing financial performance. Our operating segments are equivalent to our reportable segments. We report our business in two primary reporting segments - the GPU business and the Tegra Processor business.
	Our GPU business leverages our GPU technology across multiple end markets. It comprises four primary product lines: GeForce for consumer desktop and notebook PCs; Quadro for professional workstations; Tesla for high-performance computing; and NVIDIA GRID to provide the power of NVIDIA graphics through the cloud. It also includes other related products, licenses and revenue supporting the GPU business, such as memory products.
	Our Tegra Processor business comprises primarily product lines based on our Tegra SOC and modem processor technologies, including Tegra for tablets, smartphones and gaming devices; Icera baseband processors and RF transceivers; automotive computers, including infotainment and navigation systems; and gaming devices, such as SHIELD. It also includes embedded products and license and other revenue associated with game consoles.
	During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014, our CODM completed a refinement of the methodology utilized to assign expenses to the GPU and Tegra Processor businesses to align to the Company’s product architecture and roadmap. With the announcement of our Tegra K1 processor, we now have a single unifying architecture for our GPU and Tegra Processors. This architecture unification prompted a methodology change that leverages our visual computing expertise by charging the operating expenses of certain core engineering functions to the GPU business, while charging the Tegra Processor business for the incremental cost of the teams working directly for that business. In instances where the operating expenses of certain functions benefit both reporting segments, our CODM assigns 100% of those expenses to the reporting segment that benefits the most. The revenue and cost of revenue of the reporting segments was not affected, and comparative periods presented below reflect the impact of this change.
	The “All Other” category presented below represents the revenue and expenses that our CODM does not assign to either the GPU business or the Tegra Processor business for purposes of making operating decisions or assessing financial performance. The revenue includes primarily patent licensing revenue and the expenses include corporate infrastructure and support costs, stock-based compensation costs, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, other acquisition-related costs, and other non-recurring charges and benefits that our CODM deems to be enterprise in nature.
	Our CODM does not review any information regarding total assets on a reporting segment basis. We do not have intersegment revenue. The accounting policies for segment reporting are the same as for NVIDIA as a whole.
		GPU			Tegra Processor			All Other			Consolidated
		(In thousands)
	Three Months Ended April 27, 2014
	Revenue	$	897,363		$	139,424		$	66,000		$	1,102,787
	Depreciation and amortization expense	$	29,524		$	14,168		$	11,391		$	55,083
	Operating income (loss)	$	235,197		$	(61,440	)	$	(22,398	)	$	151,359
	Three Months Ended April 28, 2013
	Revenue	$	785,612		$	103,127		$	66,000		$	954,739
	Depreciation and amortization expense	$	38,848		$	10,671		$	10,225		$	59,744
	Operating income (loss)	$	158,526		$	(54,990	)	$	(20,755	)	$	82,781
		Three Months Ended
		April 27,			April 28,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Reconciling items included in "All Other" category :
	Revenue not allocated to reporting segments	$	66,000		$	66,000
	Unallocated corporate operating expenses and other expenses	(43,436		)	(44,497		)
	Stock-based compensation	(35,521		)	(33,397		)
	Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles	(9,441		)	(8,861		)
	Total	$	(22,398	)	$	(20,755	)
	Revenue by geographic region is allocated to individual countries based on the location to which the products are initially billed even if our customers’ revenue is attributable to end customers that are located in a different location. The following tables summarize information pertaining to our revenue from customers based on invoicing address in different geographic regions:
		Three Months Ended
		April 27,			April 28,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Revenue:
	Taiwan	$	372,859		$	289,881
	China	223,462			175,044
	United States	172,935			185,978
	Other Asia Pacific	154,850			167,257
	Other Americas	91,763			65,007
	Europe	86,918			71,572
	Total revenue	$	1,102,787		$	954,739
	For the three months ended April 27, 2014, revenue from significant customers, those representing 10% or more of total revenue, was 10% of our total revenue from one customer whose revenue was attributable to both the GPU and Tegra Processor businesses. For the three months ended April 28, 2013, revenue from significant customers was 21% of our total revenue from two customers and was attributable primarily to the GPU business for the first customer and to both the GPU and Tegra Processor businesses for the second customer.
	Accounts receivable from significant customers, those representing 10% or more of total accounts receivable, was 33% of our accounts receivable balance from two customers at April 27, 2014 and 23% of our accounts receivable balance from one customer at January 26, 2014.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014
Notes to financial statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP, for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments except as otherwise noted, considered necessary for a fair statement of results of operations and financial position have been included. The results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for any future period. The following information should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 26, 2014.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition
	Product Revenue
	We recognize revenue from product sales when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the product has been delivered, the price is fixed or determinable and collection of the related receivable is reasonably assured. For most sales, we use a binding purchase order and in certain cases we use a contractual agreement as evidence of an arrangement. We consider delivery to occur upon shipment provided title and risk of loss have passed to the customer. At the point of sale, we assess whether the arrangement fee is fixed or determinable and whether collection is reasonably assured. If we determine that collection of a fee is not reasonably assured, we defer the fee and recognize revenue at the time collection becomes reasonably assured, which is generally upon receipt of payment.
	Our policy on sales to certain distributors with rights of return is to defer recognition of revenue and related cost of revenue until the distributors resell the product, as the level of returns cannot be reasonably estimated.
	Our customer programs primarily involve rebates, which are designed to serve as sales incentives to resellers of our products in various target markets. We account for rebates as a reduction of revenue and accrue for 100% of the potential rebates and do not apply a breakage factor. While we have a long history of rebate arrangements with original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, we believe we are unable to apply our historical experience to reliably estimate the amount of rebates that will eventually be claimed by individual OEMs. The OEMs are not our direct customers and the quantity and mix of demand they place on contract equipment manufacturers and original design manufacturers may shift as we introduce new generations and iterations of products and as we experience changes in new competitor offerings. In addition, we typically find that approximately 95% of the rebates we accrue each year are eventually claimed, which is substantially close to 100%, and that this percentage varies by program and by customer. We recognize a liability for these rebates at the later of the date at which we record the related revenue or the date at which we offer the rebate. Rebates typically expire six months from the date of the original sale, unless we reasonably believe that the customer intends to claim the rebate. Unclaimed rebates are reversed to revenue, the amount of which typically represents approximately 0.5% of total revenue.
	Our customer programs also include marketing development funds, or MDFs. MDFs represent monies paid to retailers, system builders, OEMs, distributors and add-in card partners that are earmarked for market segment development and expansion and typically are designed to support our partners’ activities while also promoting NVIDIA products. Depending on market conditions, we may take actions to increase amounts offered under customer programs, possibly resulting in an incremental reduction of revenue at the time such programs are offered. We account for MDFs as a reduction of revenue and apply a breakage factor to certain types of MDF program accruals for which we believe we can make a reasonable and reliable estimate of the amount that will ultimately be unclaimed. MDF amounts that have been previously recorded against revenue and subsequently expired unclaimed are reversed to revenue. Such amounts have not been significant.
	We also record a reduction to revenue by establishing a sales return allowance for estimated product returns at the time revenue is recognized, based primarily on historical return rates. However, if product returns for a particular fiscal period exceed historical return rates we may determine that additional sales return allowances are required to properly reflect our estimated exposure for product returns.
	License and Development Revenue
	For license arrangements that require significant customization of our intellectual property components, we generally recognize the related revenue over the period that services are performed. For most license and service arrangements, we determine progress to completion based on actual direct labor hours incurred to date as a percentage of the estimated total direct labor hours required to complete the project. We periodically evaluate the actual status of each project to ensure that the estimates to complete each contract remain accurate. A provision for estimated losses on contracts is made in the period in which the loss becomes probable and can be reasonably estimated. Costs incurred in advance of revenue recognized are recorded as deferred costs on uncompleted contracts. If the amount billed exceeds the amount of revenue recognized, the excess amount is recorded as deferred revenue. Revenue recognized in any period is dependent on our progress toward completion of projects in progress. Significant management judgment and discretion are used to estimate total direct labor hours. Any changes in or deviations from these estimates could have a material effect on the amount of revenue we recognize in any period.
	For license arrangements that do not require significant customization but where we are obligated to provide further deliverables over the term of the license agreement, we record revenue over the life of the license term, with consideration received in advance of the performance period classified as deferred revenue.
	Royalty revenue is recognized related to the distribution or sale of products that use our technologies under license agreements with third parties. We recognize royalty revenue upon receipt of a confirmation of earned royalties and when collectability is reasonably assured from the applicable licensee.
Inventories	'
	Inventories
	Inventory cost is computed on an adjusted standard basis, which approximates actual cost on an average or first-in, first-out basis. Inventory costs consist primarily of the cost of semiconductors purchased from subcontractors, including wafer fabrication, assembly, testing and packaging, manufacturing support costs, including labor and overhead associated with such purchases, final test yield fallout, and shipping costs, as well as the cost of purchased memory products and other component parts. We charge cost of sales for inventory provisions to write down our inventory to the lower of cost or estimated market value or to completely write off obsolete or excess inventory. Most of our inventory provisions relate to the write-off of excess quantities of products, based on our inventory levels and future product purchase commitments compared to assumptions about future demand and market conditions. Once inventory has been written-off or written-down, it creates a new cost basis for the inventory that is not subsequently written-up.
Earnings Per Share, Policy	'
	Net Income Per Share
	Basic net income per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed using the weighted average number of common and potentially dilutive shares outstanding during the period, using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, the effect of stock options outstanding is not included in the computation of diluted net income per share for periods when their effect is anti-dilutive. Additionally, we issued convertible notes with a net settlement feature that requires us, upon conversion, to settle the principal amount of debt for cash and the conversion premium for cash or shares of our common stock. Our convertible notes, note hedges, and related warrants contain various conversion features, which are further described in Note 11 of these Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The potentially dilutive impact of the convertible notes and warrants under the treasury stock method will be included in the calculation of diluted shares when their conversion features are exercisable. However, unless actually exercised, the note hedges will not be included in the calculation of diluted shares, as their pre-exercised effect would be anti-dilutive under the treasury stock method.
New Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Adoption of New and Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued updated guidance regarding the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carry forward, similar tax loss, or tax credit carry forward exists. The guidance requires that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carry forward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carry forward when settlement in this manner is available under the tax law. We adopted this guidance in our interim period ended April 27, 2014. The adoption of this guidance did not impact our condensed consolidated financial statements, as the guidance was issued to reduce diversity in practice on presentation of unrecognized tax benefits.
Fiscal Period, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Fiscal Year
	We operate on a 52- or 53-week year, ending on the last Sunday in January.  Fiscal year 2015 and fiscal year 2014 are both 52-week years. The first quarters of fiscal years 2015 and 2014 are both 13-week quarters.
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Principles of Consolidation
	Our condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of NVIDIA Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All material inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Reclassifications
	Certain prior fiscal year balances have been reclassified to conform to the current fiscal year presentation.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, cash equivalents and marketable securities, accounts receivable, inventories, income taxes, goodwill, stock-based compensation, warranty liabilities, litigation, investigation and settlement costs and other contingencies. These estimates are based on historical facts and various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable.

Stock_Based_Compensation_Table

Stock Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Aggregate Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Stock-based compensation expense, net of amounts capitalized as inventory	'
		Three Months Ended
		April 27,			April 28,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Cost of revenue	$	2,919		$	2,653
	Research and development	20,494			21,935
	Sales, general and administrative	12,108			8,809
	Total	$	35,521		$	33,397
Disclosure of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award	'
		Three Months Ended
		April 27,		April 28,
		2014		2013
	Stock Options	(Using a binomial model)
	Expected life (in years)	3.2		3.2 - 3.3
	Risk-free interest rate	2.8	%	1.8% - 2.1%
	Volatility	31	%	32% - 37%
	Dividend yield	1.9	%	2.3% - 2.4%
		Three Months Ended
		April 27,		April 28,
		2014		2013
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan	(Using a Black-Scholes model)
	Expected life (in years)	0.5 - 2.0		0.5 - 2.0
	Risk-free interest rate	0.1% - 0.3%		0.1% - 0.3%
	Volatility	31	%	37	%
	Dividend yield	1.9	%	2.4	%
	Equity Award Activity
	The following summarizes the stock option, RSU and PSU activity under our equity incentive plans:
		Options Outstanding		Weighted Average Exercise Price
	Stock Options	(In thousands)		(Per share)
	Balances, January 26, 2014	32,504		$	14.22
	Granted	8		$	17.2
	Exercised	(4,801	)	$	13.14
	Cancelled	(486	)	$	20.31
	Balances, April 27, 2014	27,225		$	14.3
		RSUs and PSUs Outstanding		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
	RSUs and PSUs	(In thousands)		(Per share)
	Balances, January 26, 2014	18,852		$	13.82
	Granted (1)	3,254		$	17.13
	Vested	(3,303	)	$	13.31
	Cancelled	(367	)	$	13.24
	Balances, April 27, 2014	18,436		$	14.51
	(1) Includes the total number of PSUs issuable if the maximum corporate financial performance target level for fiscal year 2015 is achieved. Depending on the actual level of achievement of the corporate performance goal at the end of fiscal year 2015, the range of PSUs issued could range from 0 to 2.5 million shares.

Net_Income_Per_Share_Tables

Net Income Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014
Notes to financial statements [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of numerators and denominators of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share computations	'
		Three Months Ended
		April 27,		April 28,
		2014		2013
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	Numerator:
	Net income	$	136,516	$	77,891
	Denominator:
	Denominator for basic net income per share, weighted average shares	559,092		616,872
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Equity awards outstanding	11,330		2,430
	Denominator for diluted net income per share, weighted average shares	570,422		619,302
	Net income per share:
	Basic net income per share	$	0.24	$	0.13
	Diluted net income per share	$	0.24	$	0.13
	Potentially dilutive securities excluded from diluted net income per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive	8,338		26,112

Marketable_Securities_Tables

Marketable Securities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014
Notes to financial statements [Abstract]	'
Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities	'
		April 27, 2014
		Amortized		Unrealized			Unrealized			Estimated
		Cost		Gain			Loss			Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	2,065,847	$	2,671		$	(692	)	$	2,067,826
	Debt securities of United States government agencies	732,145		684			(98		)	732,731
	Debt securities issued by United States Treasury	584,036		884			(40		)	584,880
	Asset-backed securities	357,216		239			(124		)	357,331
	Mortgage-backed securities issued by United States government-sponsored enterprises	199,362		3,874			(795		)	202,441
	Money market funds	103,396		—			—			103,396
	Total	$	4,042,002	$	8,352		$	(1,749	)	$	4,048,605
	Classified as:
	Cash equivalents									$	209,953
	Marketable securities									3,838,652
	Total									$	4,048,605
		January 26, 2014
		Amortized		Unrealized			Unrealized			Estimated
		Cost		Gain			Loss			Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	1,827,788	$	1,857		$	(1,065	)	$	1,828,580
	Debt securities of United States government agencies	1,012,740		848			(261		)	1,013,327
	Debt securities issued by United States Treasury	495,889		621			(57		)	496,453
	Money market funds	307,865		—			—			307,865
	Asset-backed securities	258,017		15			(315		)	257,717
	Mortgage-backed securities issued by United States government-sponsored enterprises	185,594		3,837			(725		)	188,706
	Total	$	4,087,893	$	7,178		$	(2,423	)	$	4,092,648
	Classified as:
	Cash equivalents									$	572,425
	Marketable securities									3,520,223
	Total									$	4,092,648
Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments [Table Text Block]	'
		Less than 12 months					12 months or greater						Total
		Fair Value		Gross			Fair Value			Gross			Fair Value		Gross
				Unrealized						Unrealized					Unrealized
				Losses						Losses					Losses
		(In thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	807,941	$	(41	)	$	1,259,885		$	(651	)	$	2,067,826	$	(692	)
	Debt securities of United States government agencies	408,621		(9		)	324,110			(89		)	732,731		(98		)
	Debt securities issued by United States Treasury	64,259		—			520,621			(40		)	584,880		(40		)
	Asset-backed securities	153,635		(30		)	203,696			(94		)	357,331		(124		)
	Mortgage-backed securities issued by United States government-sponsored enterprises	—		—			202,441			(795		)	202,441		(795		)
	Total	$	1,434,456	$	(80	)	$	2,510,753		$	(1,669	)	$	3,945,209	$	(1,749	)
Schedule of Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities Available for Sale	'
		April 27, 2014					January 26, 2014
		Amortized		Estimated			Amortized			Estimated
		Cost		Fair Value			Cost			Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Less than 1 year	$	1,536,890	$	1,537,853		$	1,883,132		$	1,883,753
	Due in 1 - 5 years	2,379,798		2,383,465			2,114,289			2,117,387
	Mortgage-backed securities issued by government-sponsored enterprises not due at a single maturity date	125,314		127,287			90,472			91,508
	Total	$	4,042,002	$	4,048,605		$	4,087,893		$	4,092,648

Fair_Value_of_Cash_Equivalents1

Fair Value of Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014
Notes to financial statements [Abstract]	'
Financial assets measured at Fair Value	'
				Fair Value Measurement as of April 27, 2014 Using
				Quoted Prices		Significant Other Observable Inputs
				in Active Markets for Identical Assets
		April 27, 2014		(Level 1)		(Level 2)
		(In thousands)
	Corporate debt securities (1)	$	2,067,826	$	—	$	2,067,826
	Debt securities issued by United States government agencies (2)	732,731		—		732,731
	Debt securities issued by United States Treasury (2)	584,880		—		584,880
	Asset-backed securities (2)	357,331		—		357,331
	Mortgage-backed securities issued by government-sponsored enterprises (2)	202,441		—		202,441
	Money market funds (3)	103,396		103,396		—
	Total cash equivalents and marketable securities	$	4,048,605	$	103,396	$	3,945,209
	-1	Includes $106.6 million in cash equivalents and $1.96 billion in marketable securities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	(2)	Included in marketable securities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	-3	Included in cash equivalents on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

3dfx_Tables

3dfx (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014
Notes to financial statements [Abstract]	'
Purchase Price Allocation of Assets Acquired from 3dfx	'
		Fair Market Value		Straight-Line Amortization Period
		(In thousands)		(In years)
	Property and equipment	$	2,433	2-Jan
	Trademarks	11,310		5
	Goodwill	85,418		—
	Total	$	99,161

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014
Notes to financial statements [Abstract]	'
Amortizable Intangible Assets Components	'
		April 27, 2014							January 26, 2014
		Gross		Accumulated			Net Carrying		Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying
		Carrying		Amortization			Amount		Carrying					Amount
		Amount							Amount
		(In thousands)
	Acquisition-related intangible assets	$	189,239	$	(119,094	)	$	70,145	$	189,239	$	(114,104	)	$	75,135
	Patents and licensed technology	446,853		(239,468		)	207,385		446,196		(225,319		)	220,877
	Total intangible assets	$	636,092	$	(358,562	)	$	277,530	$	635,435	$	(339,423	)	$	296,012

Balance_Sheet_Components_Table

Balance Sheet Components (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014
Notes to financial statements [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
		April 27,		January 26,
		2014		2014
	Inventories:	(In thousands)
	Raw materials	$	143,773	$	126,896
	Work in-process	83,767		94,844
	Finished goods	165,740		166,025
	Total inventories	$	393,280	$	387,765
Accrued Liabilities	'
		April 27,		January 26,
		2014		2014
	Accrued Liabilities and Other:	(In thousands)
	Deferred revenue, short-term	$	265,668	$	265,616
	Accrued customer programs (1)	139,139		157,840
	Accrued payroll and related expenses	86,544		109,721
	Accrued legal settlement (2)	30,600		30,600
	Professional service fees	12,647		13,572
	Customer advances	10,043		9,297
	Warranty accrual (3)	8,250		7,571
	Office lease related liabilities	7,756		3,139
	Coupon interest on Notes	6,250		2,500
	Taxes payable, short-term	4,497		2,378
	Other	17,543		18,871
	Total accrued liabilities and other	$	588,937	$	621,105
	(1)  Please refer to Note 1 of these Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion regarding the nature of accrued customer programs and their accounting treatment related to our revenue recognition policies and estimates.
	(2)  Please refer to Note 12 of these Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion regarding the 3dfx litigation.
	(3)  Please refer to Note 10 of these Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion regarding the warranty accrual.
Other Long-term Liabilities	'
		April 27,		January 26,
		2014		2014
	Other Long-Term Liabilities:	(In thousands)
	Deferred income tax liability	$	175,236	$	157,953
	Income taxes payable, long-term	116,881		119,977
	Deferred revenue, long-term (1)	106,169		172,199
	Asset retirement obligation	7,365		11,056
	Other long-term liabilities	14,123		13,940
	Total other long-term liabilities	$	419,774	$	475,125
	(1) Represents annual consideration received in advance of our performance obligation under our patent cross licensing agreement with Intel Corporation entered into in January 2011. The decrease in deferred revenue, long-term, is a result of revenue recognized during the three months ended April 27, 2014.

Guarantees_Tables

Guarantees (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014
Notes to financial statements [Abstract]	'
Guarantees	'
		Three Months Ended
		April 27,			April 28,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Balance at beginning of period	$	7,571		$	14,874
	Additions	2,034			1,418
	Deductions	(1,355		)	(1,459		)
	Balance at end of period	$	8,250		$	14,833

Longterm_debt_Tables

Long-term debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]	'
		April 27,			January 26,
		2014			2014
		(In thousands)
	Amount of the equity component	$	125,725		$	125,725
	1.00% convertible senior notes due 2018	$	1,500,000		$	1,500,000
	Unamortized debt discount (1)	(136,724		)	(143,625		)
	Net carrying amount	$	1,363,276		$	1,356,375
	(1) As of April 27, 2014, the remaining period over which the unamortized debt discount will be amortized is 4.6 years.
	The following table presents the interest expense for the contractual interest and the accretion of debt discount:
		Three Months Ended
		April 27,
		2014
		(In thousands)
	Contractual coupon interest expense	$	3,750
	Amortization of debt discount	6,901
	Amortization of debt issuance costs	49
	Total interest expense related to Notes	$	10,700

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014
Notes to financial statements [Abstract]	'
Financial Information by Operating Segment	'
		GPU			Tegra Processor			All Other			Consolidated
		(In thousands)
	Three Months Ended April 27, 2014
	Revenue	$	897,363		$	139,424		$	66,000		$	1,102,787
	Depreciation and amortization expense	$	29,524		$	14,168		$	11,391		$	55,083
	Operating income (loss)	$	235,197		$	(61,440	)	$	(22,398	)	$	151,359
	Three Months Ended April 28, 2013
	Revenue	$	785,612		$	103,127		$	66,000		$	954,739
	Depreciation and amortization expense	$	38,848		$	10,671		$	10,225		$	59,744
	Operating income (loss)	$	158,526		$	(54,990	)	$	(20,755	)	$	82,781
Reconciliation of Other Significant Reconciling Items from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	'
		Three Months Ended
		April 27,			April 28,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Reconciling items included in "All Other" category :
	Revenue not allocated to reporting segments	$	66,000		$	66,000
	Unallocated corporate operating expenses and other expenses	(43,436		)	(44,497		)
	Stock-based compensation	(35,521		)	(33,397		)
	Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles	(9,441		)	(8,861		)
	Total	$	(22,398	)	$	(20,755	)
Revenue from customers based in different geographic regions	'
		Three Months Ended
		April 27,			April 28,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Revenue:
	Taiwan	$	372,859		$	289,881
	China	223,462			175,044
	United States	172,935			185,978
	Other Asia Pacific	154,850			167,257
	Other Americas	91,763			65,007
	Europe	86,918			71,572
	Total revenue	$	1,102,787		$	954,739

Stock_Based_Compensation_Detai

Stock Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014		Apr. 28, 2013	Jan. 26, 2014
Share-based Compensation	'		'	'
Cost of revenue	$2,919,000		$2,653,000	'
Research and development	20,494,000		21,935,000	'
Sales, general and administrative	12,108,000		8,809,000	'
Stock based compensation expense	35,521,000		33,397,000	'
Stock Options granted (in shares)	7,800		2,800,000	'
Weighted average grant-date fair value per option	$4.60		$3.11	'
RSUs and PSUs granted (in shares)	3,254,000	[1]	4,900,000	'
Weighted average grant-date fair value of RSUs and PSUs	$17.13		$11.72	'
Stock-based compensation expense related to equity awards not expected to vest	10,000,000		11,800,000	'
Aggregate amount of unearned stock-based compensation expense related to equity awards, adjusted for estimated forfeitures	259,600,000		'	241,300,000
Unearned stock-based compensation expense related to stock options weighted average amortization period (in years)	'2 years 3 months 17 days		'	'2 years 6 months 0 days
Unearned stock-based compensation expense related to RSUs/PSUs weighted average amortization period (in years)	'2 years 9 months 17 days		'	'2 years 8 months 12 days
Stock Options	'		'	'
Stock options beginning balance (in shares)	32,504,000		'	'
Stock Options granted (in shares)	7,800		2,800,000	'
Stock options exercised (in shares)	-4,801,000		'	'
Stock options cancelled (in shares)	-486,000		'	'
Stock options ending balance (in shares)	27,225,000		'	32,504,000
Weighted average exercise price of stock options at beginning of period	$14.22		'	'
Weighted average exercise price of stock options granted	$17.20		'	'
Weighted average exercise price of stock options exercised	$13.14		'	'
Weighted average exercise price of stock options cancelled	$20.31		'	'
Weighted average exercise price of stock options at end of period	$14.30		'	$14.22
RSUs/PSUs	'		'	'
RSUs/PSUs beginning balance (in shares)	18,852,000		'	'
RSUs and PSUs granted (in shares)	3,254,000	[1]	4,900,000	'
RSUs/PSUs vested (in shares)	-3,303,000		'	'
RSUs/PSUs cancelled (in shares)	-367,000		'	'
RSUs/PSUs ending balance (in shares)	18,436,000		'	18,852,000
Weighted average grant date fair value of RSUs/PSUs at beginning of period	$13.82		'	'
Weighted average grant-date fair value of RSUs and PSUs	$17.13		$11.72	'
Weighted average grant-date fair value of RSUs/PSUs vested	$13.31		'	'
Weighted average grant date fair value of RSUs/PSUs cancelled	$13.24		'	'
Weighted average grant date fair value of RSUs/PSUs at end of period	$14.51		'	$13.82
Maximum number of PSUs issuable	2,500,000		'	'
Minimum number of PSUs issuable	0		'	'
Minimum	'		'	'
Share-based Compensation	'		'	'
Weighted average expected life (in years)	'3 years 2 months 12 days		'3 years 2 months 12 days	'
Maximum	'		'	'
Share-based Compensation	'		'	'
Weighted average expected life (in years)	'3 years 2 months 12 days		'3 years 3 months 17 days	'
Stock Options	'		'	'
Share-based Compensation	'		'	'
Estimated grant-date fair value	35,880		8,700,000	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Method Used	'(Using a binomial model)		'(Using a binomial model)	'
Risk free interest rate, minimum (in hundredths)	2.80%		1.80%	'
Risk free interest rate, maximum (in hundredths)	2.80%		2.10%	'
Volatility rate, minimum (in hundredths)	31.00%		32.00%	'
Volatility rate, maximum (in hundredths)	31.00%		37.00%	'
Dividend yield minimum	1.90%		2.30%	'
Dividend yield maximum	1.90%		2.40%	'
RSUs and PSUs	'		'	'
Share-based Compensation	'		'	'
Estimated grant-date fair value	$55,700,000		$57,400,000	'
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	'		'	'
Share-based Compensation	'		'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Method Used	'(Using a Black-Scholes model)		'(Using a Black-Scholes model)	'
Risk free interest rate, minimum (in hundredths)	0.10%		0.10%	'
Risk free interest rate, maximum (in hundredths)	0.30%		0.30%	'
Volatility rate, minimum (in hundredths)	31.00%		37.00%	'
Volatility rate, maximum (in hundredths)	31.00%		37.00%	'
Dividend yield minimum	1.90%		2.40%	'
Dividend yield maximum	1.90%		2.40%	'
Employee Stock Purchase Plan | Minimum	'		'	'
Share-based Compensation	'		'	'
Weighted average expected life (in years)	'0 years 6 months 0 days		'0 years 6 months 0 days	'
Employee Stock Purchase Plan | Maximum	'		'	'
Share-based Compensation	'		'	'
Weighted average expected life (in years)	'2 years 0 months 0 days		'2 years 0 months 0 days	'
[1]	Includes the total number of PSUs issuable if the maximum corporate financial performance target level for fiscal year 2015 is achieved. Depending on the actual level of achievement of the corporate performance goal at the end of fiscal year 2015, the range of PSUs issued could range from 0 to 2.5 million shares.

Net_Income_Per_Share_Details

Net Income Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 27, 2014	Apr. 28, 2013
Numerator:	'	'
Net income	$136,516	$77,891
Denominator:	'	'
Denominator for basic net income per share, weighted average shares	559,092	616,872
Effect of dilutive securities:	'	'
Equity awards outstanding	11,330	2,430
Denominator for diluted net income per share, weighted average shares	570,422	619,302
Net income per share:	'	'
Basic net income per share	$0.24	$0.13
Diluted net income per share	$0.24	$0.13
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	8,338	26,112
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	1.00%	'
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Price	$20.16	'
Warrant Strike Price	$27.14	'

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 27, 2014	Apr. 28, 2013
Income Taxes	'	'
Income tax expense	$26,766	$10,171
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations	16.40%	11.60%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate	35.00%	'
Annual projected effective tax rate as of the first three months of fiscal year 2015	20.00%	'

Marketable_Securities_Details

Marketable Securities (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 27, 2014	Jan. 26, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Summary of cash equivalents and marketable securities:	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$4,042,002	$4,087,893
Unrealized Gain	8,352	7,178
Unrealized Loss	-1,749	-2,423
Estimated Fair Value	4,048,605	4,092,648
Classified as:	'	'
Cash equivalents	209,953	572,425
Marketable securities	3,838,652	3,520,223
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities	4,048,605	4,092,648
Amortized Cost	'	'
Less than one year	1,536,890	1,883,132
Due in 1-5 years	2,379,798	2,114,289
Mortgage-backed securities issued by government-sponsored enterprises not due to a single maturity date	125,314	90,472
Total	4,042,002	4,087,893
Estimated Fair Value	'	'
Less than one year	1,537,853	1,883,753
Due in 1-5 years	2,383,465	2,117,387
Mortgage-backed securities issued by government-sponsored enterprises not due to a single maturity date	127,287	91,508
Total	4,048,605	4,092,648
Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1,434,456	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	2,510,753	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	3,945,209	'
Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-80	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-1,669	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-1,749	'
Debt securities of United States government agencies	'	'
Summary of cash equivalents and marketable securities:	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	732,145	1,012,740
Unrealized Gain	684	848
Unrealized Loss	-98	-261
Estimated Fair Value	732,731	1,013,327
Classified as:	'	'
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities	732,731	1,013,327
Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	408,621	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	324,110	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	732,731	'
Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-9	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-89	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-98	'
Corporate debt securities	'	'
Summary of cash equivalents and marketable securities:	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	2,065,847	1,827,788
Unrealized Gain	2,671	1,857
Unrealized Loss	-692	-1,065
Estimated Fair Value	2,067,826	1,828,580
Classified as:	'	'
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities	2,067,826	1,828,580
Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	807,941	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,259,885	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	2,067,826	'
Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-41	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-651	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-692	'
Mortgage backed securities issued by United Sates government-sponsored enterprises	'	'
Summary of cash equivalents and marketable securities:	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	199,362	185,594
Unrealized Gain	3,874	3,837
Unrealized Loss	-795	-725
Estimated Fair Value	202,441	188,706
Classified as:	'	'
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities	202,441	188,706
Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	202,441	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	202,441	'
Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-795	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-795	'
Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Summary of cash equivalents and marketable securities:	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	357,216	258,017
Unrealized Gain	239	15
Unrealized Loss	-124	-315
Estimated Fair Value	357,331	257,717
Classified as:	'	'
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities	357,331	257,717
Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	153,635	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	203,696	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	357,331	'
Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-30	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-94	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	-124	'
Money market funds	'	'
Summary of cash equivalents and marketable securities:	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	103,396	307,865
Unrealized Gain	0	0
Unrealized Loss	0	0
Estimated Fair Value	103,396	307,865
Classified as:	'	'
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities	103,396	307,865
Debt securities issued by United States Treasury	'	'
Summary of cash equivalents and marketable securities:	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	584,036	495,889
Unrealized Gain	884	621
Unrealized Loss	-40	-57
Estimated Fair Value	584,880	496,453
Classified as:	'	'
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities	584,880	496,453
Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	64,259	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	520,621	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	584,880	'
Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-40	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	($40)	'

Fair_Value_of_Cash_Equivalents2

Fair Value of Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 27, 2014		Jan. 26, 2014
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value:	'		'
Estimated Fair Value	$4,048,605,000		$4,092,648,000
Cash equivalents of corporate debt securities	106,600,000		'
Marketable securities of corporate debt securities	1,960,000,000		'
Estimate of Fair Value	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value:	'		'
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities	4,048,605,000		'
Quoted Price in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value:	'		'
Money market funds	103,396,000	[1]	'
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities	103,396,000		'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value:	'		'
Debt securities issued by US Government agencies	732,731,000	[2]	'
Debt securities issued by United States Treasury	584,880,000	[2]	'
Corporate debt securities	2,067,826,000	[3]	'
Mortgage-backed securitieis issued by Government-sponsored entities	202,441,000	[2]	'
Money market funds	0		'
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities	3,945,209,000		'
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value:	'		'
Estimated Fair Value	2,067,826,000		1,828,580,000
US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member]	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value:	'		'
Estimated Fair Value	732,731,000		1,013,327,000
US Treasury Securities [Member]	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value:	'		'
Estimated Fair Value	584,880,000		496,453,000
Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value:	'		'
Estimated Fair Value	357,331,000		257,717,000
Asset backed securities	357,331,000	[2]	'
Mortgage-backed Securities, Issued by US Government Sponsored Enterprises [Member]	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value:	'		'
Estimated Fair Value	202,441,000		188,706,000
Money Market Funds [Member]	'		'
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value:	'		'
Estimated Fair Value	$103,396,000		$307,865,000
[1]	Included in cash equivalents on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
[2]	Included in marketable securities on the Condensed ConsolidatedB Balance Sheet.
[3]	Includes $106.6 million in cash equivalents and $1.96 billion in marketable securities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

3dfx_Details

3dfx (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014		Jan. 26, 2014
Notes to financial statements [Abstract]	'		'
Aggregate purchase price of acquisition paid initially	$74,200,000		'
Accrued legal settlement	30,600,000	[1]	30,600,000	[1]
Various administrative expenses and Trustee fees included in conditional settlement payment	5,600,000		'
Conditional settlement assessed to satisfy debts and liabilities owed to the general unsecured creditors of 3dfx	25,000,000		'
Aggregate purchase price of acquisition assessed after conditional settlement	95,000,000		'
Direct transaction costs for acquisition	4,200,000		'
Fair Market Value	'		'
Property and equipment	2,433,000		'
Trademarks	11,310,000		'
Goodwill	85,418,000		'
Total	$99,161,000		'
Straight-Line Amortization Period	'		'
Property and equipment	'1-2		'
Trademarks	'5 years 0 months 0 days		'
[1]	Please refer to Note 12 of these Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion regarding the 3dfx litigation.

Intangible_Assets_Details

Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014	Apr. 28, 2013	Jan. 26, 2014
Amortizable intangible assets components	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	$636,092,000	'	$635,435,000
Accumulated Amortization	-358,562,000	'	-339,423,000
Net Carrying Amount	277,530,000	'	296,012,000
Amortization expense associated with intangible assets	'	'	'
Amortization expense	19,100,000	17,400,000	'
Future amortization expense associated with intangible assets	'	'	'
Remainder of fiscal 2015	57,600,000	'	'
Fiscal 2016	71,400,000	'	'
Fiscal 2017	63,400,000	'	'
Fiscal 2018	48,500,000	'	'
Fiscal 2019	20,000,000	'	'
Fiscal 2020 and fiscal years subsequent of fiscal 2020	16,600,000	'	'
Acquisition-related intangible assets	'	'	'
Amortizable intangible assets components	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	189,239,000	'	189,239,000
Accumulated Amortization	-119,094,000	'	-114,104,000
Net Carrying Amount	70,145,000	'	75,135,000
Patents and Licensed Technology [Member]	'	'	'
Amortizable intangible assets components	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	446,853,000	'	446,196,000
Accumulated Amortization	-239,468,000	'	-225,319,000
Net Carrying Amount	$207,385,000	'	$220,877,000

Balance_Sheet_Components_Detai

Balance Sheet Components (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 27, 2014		Jan. 26, 2014
Inventories	'		'
Raw materials	$143,773,000		$126,896,000
Work in-process	83,767,000		94,844,000
Finished goods	165,740,000		166,025,000
Total inventories	393,280,000		387,765,000
Outstanding Inventory Purchase Obligations	414,200,000		'
Accrued Liabilities	'		'
Deferred revenue, short-term	265,668,000		265,616,000
Accrued customer programs	139,139,000	[1]	157,840,000	[1]
Accrued payroll and related expenses	86,544,000		109,721,000
Accrued legal settlement	30,600,000	[2]	30,600,000	[2]
Professional service fees	12,647,000		13,572,000
Customer advances	10,043,000		9,297,000
Warranty accrual	8,250,000	[3]	7,571,000	[3]
Office lease related liabilities	7,756,000		3,139,000
Coupon interest on Notes	6,250,000		2,500,000
Taxes payable, short-term	4,497,000		2,378,000
Other	17,543,000		18,871,000
Total accrued liabilities and other	588,937,000		621,105,000
Other Long-term Liabilities	'		'
Deferred income tax liability	175,236,000		157,953,000
Income taxes payable, long-term	116,881,000		119,977,000
Deferred Revenue, long-term	106,169,000	[4]	172,199,000
Asset retirement obligation	7,365,000		11,056,000
Other long-term liabilities	14,123,000		13,940,000
Total other long-term liabilities	$419,774,000		$475,125,000
[1]	Please refer to Note 1 of these Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion regarding the nature of accrued customer programs and their accounting treatment related to our revenue recognition policies and estimates.
[2]	Please refer to Note 12 of these Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion regarding the 3dfx litigation.
[3]	Please refer to Note 10 of these Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion regarding the warranty accrual.
[4]	Represents annual consideration received in advance of our performance obligation under our patent cross licensing agreement with Intel Corporation entered into in January 2011. The decrease in deferred revenue, long-term, is a result of revenue recognized during the three months ended April 27, 2014.

Guarantees_Details

Guarantees (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 27, 2014	Apr. 28, 2013
Estimated product warranty liabilities	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$7,571	$14,874
Additions	2,034	1,418
Deductions	-1,355	-1,459
Balance at end of period	$8,250	$14,833

Longterm_debt_Details

Long-term debt (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014		Apr. 28, 2013	Jan. 26, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$1,500,000,000		'	$1,500,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	1.00%		'	'
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Ratio	49.6		'	'
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Price	$20.16		'	'
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Terms of Conversion Feature	'(1) during any fiscal quarter commencing after the fiscal quarter ended on April 27, 2014 (and only during such fiscal quarter), if the last reported sale price of the common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day; (2) during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period (the measurement period) in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day; or (3) upon the occurrence of specified corporate events. On or after August 1, 2018 to the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, holders may convert all or any portion of their notes regardless of the foregoing conditions. Upon conversion, we will pay cash up to the aggregate principal amount of the notes to be converted and pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, at our election, in respect of the remainder, if any, of our conversion obligation in excess of the aggregate principal amount of the notes being converted.		'	'
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Initial Liability Amount	'		'	1,351,800,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Effective Interest Rate	3.15%		'	'
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Carrying Amount of Equity Component	125,725,000		'	125,725,000
Purchaser's Discount of Convertible Notes	22,500,000		'	'
Initial unamortized debt discount at issuance	148,200,000		'	'
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	-136,724,000	[1]	'	-143,625,000
Long-term Debt	1,363,276,000		'	1,356,375,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Remaining Discount Amortization Period	'4 years 7 months 5 days		'	'
Coupon Interest Expense	3,750,000		'	'
Amortization of Debt Discount	6,901,000		0	'
Amortization of Financing Costs	49,000		'	'
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Interest Expense	10,700,000		'	'
Convertible Debt, Fair Value Disclosures	1,692,300,000		'	'
Proceeds from Convertible Debt	1,477,500,000		'	'
Note Hedges Strike Price	$20.16		'	'
Payments for Hedge	167,100,000		'	'
Warrant Strike Price	$27.14		'	'
Number of Shares Covered by Warrants	74,400,000		'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Warrants	59,100,000		'	'
Net Cost of Hedges and Warrants Transactions	$108,000,000		'	'
[1]	As of AprilB 27, 2014, the remaining period over which the unamortized debt discount will be amortized is 4.6 years.

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014		Jan. 26, 2014
Notes to financial statements [Abstract]	'		'
Aggregate purchase price of acquisition paid initially, net of direct costs	$70,000,000		'
Excess of assessed fair value over acquisition price paid	50,000,000		'
Accrued legal settlement	30,600,000	[1]	30,600,000	[1]
Various administrative expenses and Trustee fees included in conditional settlement payment	5,600,000		'
Conditional settlement assessed to satisfy debts and liabilities owed to the general unsecured creditors of 3dfx	$25,000,000		'
[1]	Please refer to Note 12 of these Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion regarding the 3dfx litigation.

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014	Apr. 28, 2013	Jan. 26, 2014
Accelerated Share Repurchases [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cost of shares repurchased under stock repurchase program	$2,950,000,000	'	'
Aggregate maximum amount of common stock to be repurchased	3,700,000,000	'	'
Stock repurchase program, additional authorized amount	1,000,000,000	'	'
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	20,600,000	'	'
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share	$368,600,000	'	'
Implied value of the ASR forward contract recorded in APIC	131,400,000	'	'
Aggregate number of shares repurchased under stock repurchase program (in shares)	181,800,000	'	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	750,000,000	'	'
Intended return to shareholder in FY2015	'	'	1,000,000,000
stock repurchase prepayment	500,000,000	'	'
Payments of Dividends	46,731,000	46,267,000	'
Dividend per share, cash	0.085	0.075	'
Cash dividend per share - annual	$0.34	'	'
Authorized number of shares of common stock (in shares)	2,000,000,000	'	'
Par value of common stock	$0.00	'	'

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 27, 2014	Apr. 28, 2013	Jan. 26, 2014
Revenue by Operating Segment and Geographic Region	'	'	'
Revenue	$1,102,787	$954,739	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	55,083	59,744	'
Operating income (loss)	151,359	82,781	'
Revenue from significant customers (in percent)	10.00%	21.00%	'
Number of customers with significant revenue	1	2	'
Accounts receivable from significant customers (in percent)	33.00%	'	23.00%
Number of customers with significant accounts receivable balance	2	'	1
Reconciling items included in All Other category	'	'	'
Unallocated corporate opex and other expenses	-43,436	-44,497	'
Stock based compensation expense	-35,521	-33,397	'
Amortization of Acquired Intangible Assets	-9,441	-8,861	'
Taiwan [Member]	'	'	'
Revenue by Operating Segment and Geographic Region	'	'	'
Revenue	372,859	289,881	'
China [Member]	'	'	'
Revenue by Operating Segment and Geographic Region	'	'	'
Revenue	223,462	175,044	'
Other Asia Pacific [Member]	'	'	'
Revenue by Operating Segment and Geographic Region	'	'	'
Revenue	154,850	167,257	'
United States [Member]	'	'	'
Revenue by Operating Segment and Geographic Region	'	'	'
Revenue	172,935	185,978	'
Other Americas [Member]	'	'	'
Revenue by Operating Segment and Geographic Region	'	'	'
Revenue	91,763	65,007	'
Europe [Member]	'	'	'
Revenue by Operating Segment and Geographic Region	'	'	'
Revenue	86,918	71,572	'
GPU	'	'	'
Revenue by Operating Segment and Geographic Region	'	'	'
Revenue	897,363	785,612	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	29,524	38,848	'
Operating income (loss)	235,197	158,526	'
Tegra Processor	'	'	'
Revenue by Operating Segment and Geographic Region	'	'	'
Revenue	139,424	103,127	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	14,168	10,671	'
Operating income (loss)	-61,440	-54,990	'
All Other	'	'	'
Revenue by Operating Segment and Geographic Region	'	'	'
Revenue	66,000	66,000	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	11,391	10,225	'
Operating income (loss)	($22,398)	($20,755)	'

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Billions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 27, 2014
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Stock repurchase program, additional authorized amount	$1