Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jan. 26, 2014	Oct. 27, 2013	Jul. 28, 2013	Apr. 28, 2013	Jan. 27, 2013	Oct. 28, 2012	Jul. 29, 2012	Apr. 29, 2012	Jan. 26, 2014	Jan. 27, 2013	Jan. 29, 2012
Segment Reporting
Revenue	$ 1,144,218	$ 1,053,967	$ 977,238	$ 954,739	$ 1,106,902	$ 1,204,110	$ 1,044,270	$ 924,877	$ 4,130,162	$ 4,280,159	$ 3,997,930
Depreciation and amortization expense									239,148	226,235	204,205
Operating income (loss)									496,227	648,239	648,299
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Unallocated corporate expenses and other expenses									(166,483)	(157,680)	(156,268)
Share-based Compensation									(136,295)	(136,662)	(136,354)
Other acquisition-related costs									(31,652)	(36,138)	(37,472)
Other Nonrecurring Expense and Benefits									(38)	(20,127)	(7,300)
Reconciliation total in All other									(70,468)	(86,607)	(117,394)
GPU
Segment Reporting
Revenue									3,468,144	3,251,712	3,186,764
Depreciation and amortization expense									146,571	143,262	129,307
Operating income (loss)									834,763	694,338	721,957
Tegra processor
Segment Reporting
Revenue									398,018	764,447	591,166
Depreciation and amortization expense									49,839	40,793	35,431
Operating income (loss)									(268,068)	40,508	43,736
All Other
Segment Reporting
Revenue									264,000	264,000	220,000
Depreciation and amortization expense									42,738	42,180	39,467
Operating income (loss)									(70,468)	(86,607)	(117,394)
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting
Revenue									4,130,162	4,280,159	3,997,930
Depreciation and amortization expense									239,148	226,235	204,205
Operating income (loss)									$ 496,227	$ 648,239	$ 648,299