

                                                               Exhibit 5.1
WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
650 PAGE MILL ROAD
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94304-1050
TELEPHONE 650-493-9300   FACSIMILE 650-493-6811
WWW.WSGR.COM

January 20, 2000


3Dfx Interactive, Inc.
4435 Fortran Drive
San Jose, California 95134

RE:     Registration Statement on Form S-8

Gentlemen:

We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be
filed by you with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about
January 20, 2000 (the "Registration Statement") in connection with the
registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for an
aggregate of 200,000 shares of your Common Stock under the 1997 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan pursuant to an automatic annual increase.  Such
shares of Common Stock are referred to herein as the "Shares", and such
plan and compensation agreements are referred to herein as the "Plan".
As your counsel in connection with this transaction, we have examined
the proceedings taken and are familiar with the proceedings proposed to
be taken by you in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares
pursuant to the Plan.

It is our opinion that, when issued and sold in the manner
described in the Plan and pursuant to the agreements which accompany
each grant under the Plan, the Shares will be legally and validly
issued, fully-paid and non-assessable.

We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, and further consent to the use of our name
wherever appearing in the Registration Statement and any amendments
thereto.

Very truly yours,

WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
Professional Corporation
/S/ WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI

