Placed two spots above the GeForce MX and a spot above the GeForce GT is the Nvidia GeForce GTX series of mid-range discrete graphics processing units or GPUs from Nvidia Corporation. The GPUs under this sub-brand might not be as powerful as high-end GPUs like the Nvidia GeForce RTX but it is more powerful than most entry-level GPUs and can provide users an above-average computing experience for gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks.
Pros of Nvidia GeForce GTX: Notable Features and Advantages
The GTX sub-brand and series was first introduced in 2008 as a successor to the Nvidia GeForce 900 series. The first product under the line was the GTX 280. It was marketed as a high-end graphics processor targeting PC gamers and enthusiasts. Newer models under the same line featuring advanced architectures and capabilities have since been introduced.
Remember that the GTX sub-brand is now positioned as a mid-range line of GPUs. This means that it is a good choice for users who are looking for capable graphics processors at a reasonable price. These GPUs are designed for above-average PC gaming and graphics-intensive tasks like extensive periods and high-end photo editing and video editing.
These GPUs are available on desktop and laptop computers. Most PC manufacturers like Dell and Lenovo use GTX GPUs for their mid-range laptops while dedicated gaming laptop brands like Asus ROG and Alienware use them for their mid-range models. These GPUs are also available as standalone products for custom-built computers.
An advantage of the Nvidia GeForce GTX is that the latest series generation features the most latest technologies from Nvidia. Consider the GeForce GTX 16 Series as an example. It is based on the same Turing architecture and specific Turing Shaders based on the latest CUDA architecture used in the high-end GeForce RTX 20 Series.
The GTX GPUs can run most high-end PC game titles at specific settings. The particular GTX 1650 Super is considered one of the best budget-friendly video cards for desktop PCs that can run 1080p gaming at average settings while the GTX 1660 Ti is the best desktop PC graphics card for mainstream 1080p gaming at above-average settings.
Below are the specific advantages of the GTX line of GPUs:
1. Overall Performance
Turing Shaders are a new generation of CUDA cores that provide up to 50 percent faster general-computing-on-graphics-processor performance than the previous CUDA cores. The series 16 also uses GDDR6 memory that offers up to twice faster performance than the previous generation of GDDR5 memory. These make GTX GPUs a suitable co-processor to support general-purpose computing.
2. Gaming Capabilities
Remember that these GPUs are developed for graphics-intensive applications. The Turing Shaders provide concurrent execution of floating point and integer operations, adaptive shading technology, and a new unified memory architecture for a faster, cooler, quieter, and more power-efficient gaming experience. These GPUs also support high-FPS gaming via Nvidia Reflex at 144 frames per second.
3. Nvidia Exclusives
Purchasing and using an Nvidia graphics processor comes with access to exclusive Nvidia platform of technologies. These include Nvidia Ansel for capturing 360 degrees of in-game shots, the post-processing tool Nvidia Freestyle for adding filters and effects to games in real-time, and the GeForce Experience for supporting high-quality and in-game video sharing, screenshots, and livestream.
4. Software Support
Another advantage of GeForce GTX GPUs is that they receive regular driver updates for optimizing performance, adding new features, and providing bug fixes. Nvidia has a proven track record of providing strong after-sales support. This ensures that users can maximize the capabilities of their graphics processor and remain up to date with the latest software advancements.
5. Notable Comparisons
The entire GTX series competes with Intel Iris Xe Max and the AMD Radeon. The Series 16 of GTX graphics processors outcompete Intel Iris Xe Max for the simplest reason that the latter does not have the raw power for high-end PC gaming. These processors also outcompete older series generations of AMD Radeon like the Radeon RX 4000 and Radeon RX 5000 series.
Cons of Nvidia GeForce GTX: Key Issues and Disadvantages
It is important to underscore the fact that the Nvidia GeForce GTX is a series of mid-range graphics processors. This means that it is more powerful than entry-level counterparts but not as powerful as high-tier graphics processors like the Nvidia GeForce RTX series and more recent generations of AMD Radeon RX starting from the RX 6000 series.
There are also notable differences between the GTX and the RTX line. The former does not have Tensor cores and Ray Tracing cores. Take note that tensor processors are co-processors or artificial intelligence accelerators designed for tasks involving artificial intelligence or machine learning processes. The GTX has limited AI capabilities than the RTX.
Furthermore, because of the absence of ray tracing or real-time ray tracing, GTX graphics processors do not produce or render realistic lighting and shadows in games. The RTX graphics processors and even the newer generations of Radeon RX graphics processors starting from the RX 6000 series have better graphics rendering capabilities.
Below are the specific disadvantages of the GTX line of GPUs:
1. Relative Pricing
Remember that these GPUs are considered to be affordable based on their processing capabilities. However, because newer mid-range GPUs from other manufacturers have emerged, some models are considered more expensive. The Radeon RX 6500 is more affordable than the GTX 1660 Ti in different stores but the performance of the former eclipses the latter based on synthetic benchmark tests.
2. Specific Comparison
The GTX 1650 has a score of 2984 based on GFLOPS. The same benchmark has shown that the low-tier RX 6400 has a better performance at 3072 benchmark score. The RX 6500 XT has a score of 5765 while the GTX 1660 Ti has a score of 5437. It is important to note that higher-tier AMD Radeon RX models such as the RX 6600 up to the RX 6950 XT outcompete the GTX 1660 Ti.
3. Tensor Processing
Another disadvantage of the GeForce GTX line is its limited AI capabilities due to the absence of tensor processors or dedicated AI accelerators. Advancements in the field of AI have expanded its applications. AI accelerators have now become an integral part of general-purpose computing and dedicated computing tasks like video gaming, video editing, and scientific computing.
4. Power Consumption
The latest generation of these GPUs has better power efficiency and produces less noise and heat. However, under certain circumstances, especially when running resource-intensive applications under prolonged periods and when used in an environment with high ambient temperature, these GPUs would consume more power as they max their processing capabilities and trigger cooling systems.
5. Irrelevant Applications
Users who are not into PC gaming or video editing might be better off using desktop or laptop computers with less expensive graphics processors and even integrated graphics processing solutions. Laptops with Intel Iris Xe and based on the Intel Evo or Intel vPro platforms have decent graphics processing capabilities that even outperform dedicated graphics processors like the GeForce GX.
