When it comes to choosing the right GPU, gamers, creators, and professionals often find themselves asking one question: Should I buy a GTX or RTX graphics card?
NVIDIA’s GTX series has been a long-time favorite for gamers, while the newer RTX series introduced powerful features like real-time ray tracing and DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling). But are those features worth the extra cost? And how does performance really compare?
This guide explores the key differences between GTX and RTX GPUs, analyzes performance benchmarks, reviews pricing trends in 2024–2025, and helps you decide which card is right for your workflow.
GTX vs RTX – Quick Comparison Table
| Feature / Spec | GTX Series (10xx, 16xx) | RTX Series (20xx, 30xx, 40xx) |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Pascal (10xx) / Turing (16xx) | Turing (20xx), Ampere (30xx), Ada Lovelace (40xx) |
| Ray Tracing | ❌ Not supported | ✅ Hardware-accelerated ray tracing cores |
| DLSS (AI Upscaling) | ❌ Not available | ✅ Supported (DLSS 2.0, DLSS 3, DLSS 3.5) |
| Tensor Cores | ❌ None | ✅ Yes (AI & deep learning acceleration) |
| Performance | Good for 1080p / entry-level 1440p gaming | Excellent for 1440p / 4K gaming & creative tasks |
| Power Efficiency | Lower efficiency, older manufacturing process | Higher efficiency with newer architecture |
| VR & AI Workloads | Basic VR support, no AI acceleration | Advanced VR, AI, 3D rendering, ML workflows |
| Price Range (2025) | $150 – $350 | $250 – $1,800+ |
| Best For | Budget gamers, casual use, older systems | Gamers, streamers, creators, professionals |
Architecture Differences: GTX vs RTX
The biggest difference between GTX and RTX lies in their GPU architecture.
- GTX cards are based on Pascal (GTX 10 series) or Turing (GTX 16 series without RT/Tensor cores). These cards focus purely on rasterization, which is the traditional method of rendering images in games.
- RTX cards, starting from the RTX 20 series (Turing), introduced dedicated RT cores for real-time ray tracing and Tensor cores for AI operations. The newer RTX 30 series (Ampere) and RTX 40 series (Ada Lovelace) further improved ray tracing performance and introduced DLSS 3.5, making gaming more immersive and efficient.
Performance Comparison
Gaming Benchmarks
According to data from TechSpot, Tom’s Hardware, and UserBenchmark (2024):
- GTX 1660 Super runs most AAA titles at 1080p / 60 FPS on medium-high settings.
- RTX 3060 delivers ~ 70–100 FPS at 1080p Ultra and strong 1440p performance.
- RTX 4070 Ti handles 1440p Ultra and 4K High settings at 80–120 FPS, depending on the game.
- GTX cards struggle with ray-traced games, while RTX cards excel with ray tracing + DLSS enabled.
Example FPS Benchmarks (Cyberpunk 2077, Ultra, 1080p)
| GPU Model | Avg FPS (No RT/DLSS) | Avg FPS (RT On, DLSS On) |
|---|
| GTX 1660 Ti | ~42 FPS | ❌ Not supported |
| RTX 2060 | ~60 FPS | ~72 FPS |
| RTX 3060 Ti | ~88 FPS | ~108 FPS |
| RTX 4070 Ti | ~135 FPS | ~160 FPS |
Takeaway: GTX cards remain playable for budget 1080p gaming, but RTX cards offer future-proof features and high-end performance, especially for ray tracing and AI-enhanced gaming.
Pricing Trends: GTX vs RTX
GTX Pricing (2024–2025)
- GTX cards (like GTX 1650, 1660 Super) are cheaper, ranging from $150–$300 new or refurbished.
- Due to being older, GTX cards are often discounted but may not support future game technologies.
RTX Pricing (2024–2025)
- RTX 20 series (older gen) can be found from $250–$400.
- RTX 30 series (mid-range, e.g., RTX 3060, 3070) range $350–$600.
- RTX 40 series (latest, e.g., 4070, 4080, 4090) cost $600–$1,800+.
Statista 2024 Data:
- Over 78% of PC gamers upgrading in 2023–24 chose RTX cards, while GTX sales dropped by ~45% compared to 2021.
GTX vs RTX: Which Should You Choose?
Choose GTX if:
- You’re on a tight budget.
- You mainly play esports titles (CS2, Valorant, Dota 2, Fortnite) that don’t need ray tracing.
- You have an older PC build and don’t want to upgrade PSU / motherboard.
Choose RTX if:
- You play modern AAA games and want future-proof graphics.
- You use your PC for video editing, 3D rendering, AI, or streaming.
- You want ray tracing and DLSS for cinematic visuals and higher FPS.
- You can invest a bit more for long-term value.
Industry Trends & Market Share
Steam Hardware Survey (2024):
- GTX 1650 still holds 5.2% share (popular budget card).
- RTX 3060 is the most popular GPU at 7.9% share.
- RTX adoption is increasing rapidly, while GTX is fading.
IDC Report 2024:
- RTX GPUs dominate the high-end gaming and AI markets.
- GTX cards are mostly limited to entry-level users and older systems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is GTX still good in 2025?
Yes, GTX cards like the 1660 Super or GTX 1650 still run esports and many AAA games at 1080p. But for future titles with ray tracing, RTX is better.
Q2. Does RTX mean better FPS than GTX?
Not always. In pure rasterization, some GTX and RTX cards perform similarly. The difference is RTX adds DLSS + RT cores, giving an edge in supported games.
Q3. What’s the cheapest RTX card worth buying?
The RTX 3050 is entry-level but supports ray tracing + DLSS. For best value, RTX 3060 Ti is recommended.
Q4. Which is better for creators — GTX or RTX?
RTX. It accelerates video rendering, Blender, AI workloads, and offers better driver support for creative software.
Q5. Should I upgrade from GTX to RTX?
If you want higher FPS, ray tracing, and DLSS, or play upcoming AAA titles, upgrading is worthwhile.
Conclusion
When choosing between GTX vs RTX, the decision comes down to your workflow and budget.
- For budget gamers and casual users, GTX still delivers solid 1080p performance.
- For serious gamers, streamers, and professionals, RTX cards are the clear winner with future-proof AI features, ray tracing, and stronger overall performance.
If you’re upgrading in 2025, investing in RTX is a smarter choice — it not only delivers better FPS today but ensures compatibility with future technolog
