Many users have no secret that Nvidia is their GPU of choice, due in part to their dependable GPUs and extensive gaming experience. However, non-technical users may find it challenging to distinguish between the GPU tiers due to the company’s recent reorganisation of its nomenclature convention. Consequently, the following is comprehensive information regarding Nvidia’s GPU nomenclature scheme.
Category of Nvidia GPUs
Prior to discussing the nomenclature, it is crucial to acknowledge that Nvidia’s GPU lineup comprises three tiers: the RTX, GT, and GTX. Each tier serves a distinct consumer segment. Others, however, may question the continued viability of the GT platform given that the most recent card in the lineup was introduced more than five years ago.
Price and demand provide the response. Nvidia GPUs, especially the most expensive models, have increased in price from less than $500 to more than $1,999 at present. This renders the purchase of a high-end GPU unattainable for a budget-conscious individual. Even worse, the current silicon shortage has prompted individuals to purchase refurbished graphics processing units (GPUs).
RTX
RTX GPUs, the most recent and most powerful among the group, are the only ones that support ray tracing, hence the moniker. To provide further context, ray tracing is an emerging technology that enhances the visual immersion of a game by simulating the interaction of light with virtual objects within a virtual environment.
Furthermore, these graphics cards are equipped with Nvidia’s DLSS technology, which enhances the smoothness of games by inserting AI-generated frames between games and upscales 1080p content to 4K.
GTX
Possibly the most popular GPU category, the GTX series continues to power a significant number of gaming configurations, in part due to its reasonable price. It is essential to note, however, that the GTX series exhibits inferior performance in comparison to the RTX and lacks support for ray tracing and DLSS.
GT
GT, which stands for “Giga Texel Shader,” is a line of entry-level graphics processing units that has not been updated since 2017. Nevertheless, despite the passage of time, these graphics cards continue to be favoured for entry-level configurations and servers where GPU performance is not critical.
How is the nomenclature scheme implemented?
In order to elucidate the nomenclature scheme, consider the GeForce RTX 4090Ti, the premier product of the organisation. The suffix GeForce RTX serves the purpose of designating the type of graphics device in the name.
The numerals are as follows: the initial two denote the GPU generation, with “40” signifying the most recent iteration, and the final two designate the model. Furthermore, “Ti” is utilised on specific cards to denote an improved variant of the same SKU.
The answer, however, is straightforward for users attempting to compare any two models: a greater numerical value signifies superior quality. Comparing the RTX 4080 and the RTX 4090, for instance, reveals that the latter offers superior gaming performance.