If you're looking for a new graphics card for your PC , you've probably heard of NVIDIA's RTX and GTX series . But what's the difference between these two product lines? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? And how do you choose the one that best suits your needs and budget ? In this article, we'll explain everything you need to know about RTX and GTX graphics cards and help you make the right choice.
What is an RTX graphics card?
cards are NVIDIA's latest and most powerful models . They were launched in 2018 with the 20 series, followed by the 30 series in 2020. The name RTX refers to ray tracing technology , which creates realistic lighting effects by simulating the behavior of light rays in a 3D environment. Ray tracing is used in animated films and video games to make scenes more immersive and detailed.
RTX graphics cards feature ray tracing cores , which are dedicated processing units for this technology. They also include Tensor Cores, which are processing units specialized in artificial intelligence. These Tensor Cores enable the use of DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) , a system for optimizing image resolution based on deep learning. DLSS increases the visual quality and frame rate (FPS) of compatible games by reducing the workload on the GPU.
RTX graphics cards are therefore designed to offer an optimal gaming experience, with stunning graphics and maximum fluidity. They are also suitable for professional applications that require significant computing power, such as video editing, 3D modeling , or rendering.
What is a GTX graphics card?
GTX graphics cards are NVIDIA's older and more affordable models . They were launched in 2005 with the 7000 series, then in 2014 with the 900 series, in 2016 with the 10 series, and in 2019 with the 16 series. The name GTX refers to Giga Texel Shader eXtreme , which is a system for optimizing texture rendering in video games.
cards do not have ray tracing cores or Tensor cores . Therefore, they are not compatible with ray tracing or DLSS. They rely solely on CUDA cores , which are generic computing units used for graphics processing and parallel computing.
GTX graphics cards are therefore designed to offer a satisfying gaming experience, with decent graphics and acceptable smoothness. They are also suitable for common applications that do not require high computing power, such as web browsing , streaming , or office work .
What is the difference between RTX and GTX?
The main difference between RTX and GTX lies in the level of performance and features offered by each range.
cards are more powerful and innovative than GTX graphics cards . They allow users to fully benefit from the latest technological advancements in graphics, such as ray tracing and DLSS. They are also more expensive and consume more power than GTX graphics cards.
GTX graphics cards, on the other hand, are more affordable and economical than RTX graphics cards . They allow you to play most current games at a decent level, but without visual effects . They are also more limited for professional applications that require significant computing power.
Here is a comparison table of the main features of NVIDIA's RTX and GTX series :
| Characteristic | RTX 30 series | RTX 20 series | GTX 16 series | GTX 10 series | GTX 900 series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ampere | Turing | Turing | Pascal | Maxwell |
| CUDA Hearts | 2x FP32 | 1x FP32 | 1x FP32 | 1x FP32 | 1x FP32 |
| Ray tracing cores | 2nd generation | 1st generation | – | – | – |
| Tensor Hearts | 3rd generation | 2nd generation | – | – | – |
| DLSS | DLSS 2 (Super Resolution) | DLSS 2 (Super Resolution) | – | – | – |
| PCIe | 4th generation | 3rd generation | 3rd generation | 3rd generation | 3rd generation |
| NVIDIA Encoder (NVENC) | 7th generation | 7th generation | 6th generation | 6th generation | 5th generation |
| NVIDIA decoder (NVDEC) | 5th generation | 4th generation | 4th generation | 3rd generation | 2nd generation |
| AV1 Encoding | Yes | – | – | – | – |
| AV1 Decoding | Yes | – | – | – | – |
| CUDA capacity | 8.6 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 6.1 | 5.2 |
| DX12 Ultimate | Yes | Yes | – | – | – |
| Video outputs | DisplayPort (2) HDMI (1) | DisplayPort (2) HDMI (1) | DisplayPort (2) HDMI (1) | DisplayPort (2) HDMI (1) | DisplayPort (2) HDMI (1) |
How to choose between RTX and GTX?
The choice between RTX and GTX depends on several factors, such as your budget, your system configuration, your needs, and your preferences. Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you make the right choice:
What is your budget?
RTX graphics cards are more expensive than GTX graphics cards. Expect to pay around €1500 for an RTX 3090, €700 for an RTX 3070, €400 for a GTX 1660 Ti, €250 for a GTX 1650 Super, and €150 for a GTX 1050 Ti. Of course, these prices can vary depending on the availability, demand, and supply of the different models.
What is your configuration?
RTX graphics cards are more power-hungry than GTX graphics cards. Therefore, you need to check that your power supply is sufficient to support them and that your case is spacious enough to accommodate them. For example, an RTX 3090 consumes approximately 350W and is about 31cm long, while a GTX 1050 Ti consumes approximately 75W and is about 14cm long.
What are your needs?
RTX graphics cards are better suited to demanding users who want to take advantage of the latest graphics technologies , such as ray tracing or DLSS . They are also more powerful for professional applications that require significant computing power, such as video editing, 3D modeling, or rendering .
cards are better suited to casual users who want to play less demanding or older games, or who are happy with less realistic graphics. They are also more powerful for everyday applications that don't require a lot of processing power .
What are your preferences?
RTX graphics cards are more appealing to fans of stunning graphics and maximum fluidity . They allow for gaming in high resolution (4K or higher), with high frame rates and realistic lighting effects. They also optimize the visual quality and frame rate of DLSS-compatible games using artificial intelligence.
GTX graphics cards are more appealing to those who prefer decent graphics and acceptable smoothness. They allow you to play at medium resolutions ( 1080p or 1440p ), with an average frame rate, and without realistic lighting effects . They also save energy and money, being less expensive and more energy-efficient than RTX graphics cards .
What RTX and GTX graphics card models are available?
RTX and GTX graphics cards are available in several models, corresponding to different performance and price ranges. Here is a comparison table of the main RTX and GTX graphics card models :
| Model | Performance | Price |
|---|---|---|
| RTX 3090 | Very high | Approximately €1500 |
| RTX 3080 | High | Approximately €700 |
| RTX 3070 | Medium-high | Approximately €500 |
| RTX 3060 Ti | Average | Approximately €400 |
| RTX 3060 | Medium-low | Approximately €300 |
| GTX 1660 Ti | Medium-low | Approximately €250 |
| GTX 1660 Super | Low average | Approximately €200 |
| GTX 1650 Super | Low | Approximately €150 |
| GTX 1050 Ti | Very low | Approximately €100 |
What is the difference between RTX and GTX for VR?
Virtual reality (VR ) is a technology that allows the user to be immersed in a 3D environment using a VR headset . VR requires significant graphics power, as it is necessary to display two high-resolution images ( one for each eye ) at a high frame rate ( 90 Hz or more ) to prevent motion sickness.
The difference between RTX and GTX for VR lies in the performance level and features offered by each range . RTX graphics cards are more powerful than GTX graphics cards for VR because they have ray tracing cores, Tensor cores, and DLSS, which improve the visual quality and smoothness of compatible VR games. RTX graphics cards are also better suited to the latest generation of VR headsets, which display higher resolutions ( 4K or higher ).
What is the difference between RTX and GTX for streaming?
Streaming is the activity of broadcasting your video game gameplay live over the internet , using software such as OBS or XSplit. Streaming requires a good internet connection, but also significant graphics processing power , as the video needs to be encoded and transmitted in real time.
The difference between RTX and GTX for streaming lies in the performance level and features offered by each range. RTX graphics cards are more powerful than GTX graphics cards for streaming because they feature a 7th generation NVIDIA encoder (NVENC) , which allows for higher-quality video encoding with minimal impact on game performance. RTX graphics cards also include NVIDIA Broadcast , software that uses artificial intelligence to enhance the streamer's audio and video quality by removing background noise, blurring the background, and tracking facial movements.
GTX graphics cards are less powerful than RTX graphics cards for streaming because they use a 6th generation or earlier NVIDIA encoder (NVENC), which offers lower quality and a greater impact on game performance. GTX cards also lack NVIDIA Broadcast, which is exclusive to RTX cards. However, they are sufficient for casual streaming or streaming at lower resolutions (720p or 1080p).
Conclusion
In conclusion, there's no single answer to the question: RTX or GTX? It all depends on your budget , your system configuration , your needs , and your preferences . If you want to take advantage of the latest technological innovations in graphics, and if you can afford a powerful, energy-intensive graphics card, then opt for an RTX graphics card . If you want to play less demanding or older games, and if you have a more limited budget or a more modest system configuration, then opt for a GTX graphics card. In any case, you'll find the right graphics card for you at NVIDIA!
If you're a gamer looking for stunning graphics or a professional for 4K UHD video editing , we suggest you take a look at our comparison of the best graphics cards for 4K gaming !
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