Nvidia posted 3rd quarter net income of $25.9 million, or 15 cents a share, on sales of $515.6 million compare to earning of $6.4 million, or 4 cents a share, on sales of $486.1 million last year.

Analysts had, on average, expected earnings of 9 cents a share and sales of $509 million, according to a survey taken by Thomson First Call.

On Oct. 25, Nvidia announced preliminary sales would be between $510 million and $515 million and as gross margin expanded to between 31.7 percent and 32.7 percent.

For the fourth quarter, Nvidia predicted its sales would be flat to slightly higher.