NVIDIA is one of the leading graphics card manufacturers in the world and is known for delivering high-performance graphics cards to cater to the needs of both gamers and professionals. In recent years, NVIDIA has launched two lines of graphics cards: RTX and GTX. These two lines are different from each other in terms of performance, features, and price. In this article, we will take a closer look at the differences between NVIDIA RTX and GTX graphics cards.
First, let’s talk about the NVIDIA RTX line of graphics cards. The RTX line was launched in 2018 and is based on the Turing architecture. The main feature that sets the RTX line apart from the GTX line is the addition of real-time ray tracing. Ray tracing is a technique used to simulate the behavior of light in a 3D environment. With real-time ray tracing, the RTX graphics cards can produce more realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections. This makes them ideal for use in professional applications, such as architecture, film, and video game development.
The NVIDIA RTX graphics cards also come equipped with other features such as AI-based denoising, which helps to remove noise from the images, and DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), which uses AI to upscale the image quality. Additionally, the RTX line of graphics cards supports hardware-accelerated AI inferencing, which can be used for tasks such as image and video classification.
On the other hand, the NVIDIA GTX line of graphics cards was launched in 2016 and is based on the Pascal architecture. The GTX line of graphics cards does not have real-time ray tracing capabilities and is focused on delivering high performance for gaming and other demanding applications. The GTX line of graphics cards also supports hardware-accelerated AI inferencing, but to a lesser extent compared to the RTX line.
Another key difference between the RTX and GTX lines of graphics cards is the number of CUDA cores. CUDA cores are the processing units in a graphics card that handle graphical calculations. The RTX line of graphics cards typically has more CUDA cores compared to the GTX line, which results in better performance. However, the number of CUDA cores alone is not the only factor that determines the performance of a graphics card. The clock speed, memory, and other components also play a role in determining the overall performance.
The NVIDIA RTX and GTX lines of graphics cards also differ in terms of pricing. The RTX line of graphics cards is typically more expensive compared to the GTX line, due to the added features and performance benefits. For example, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080, a high-end RTX graphics card, costs around $700, while the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080, a high-end GTX graphics card.
In conclusion, the NVIDIA RTX and GTX lines of graphics cards are different in terms of performance, features, and pricing. The RTX line of graphics cards is ideal for use in professional applications, such as architecture, film, and video game development, due to the real-time ray tracing capabilities and other advanced features. The GTX line of graphics cards, on the other hand, is focused on delivering high performance for gaming and other demanding applications. When choosing between the two lines of graphics cards, it is important to consider your specific needs and budget.
In summary, if you’re a gamer, or looking for a powerful graphics card for demanding applications, and don’t need the advanced features of real-time ray tracing, then the NVIDIA GTX line of graphics cards may be the better choice for you. However, if you’re a professional who needs the added features of real-time ray tracing, then the NVIDIA RTX line of graphics cards may be the way to go.