Unveiling the Pricing & Details of RTX 2070, 2080, and 2080 Ti

Unveiling the Pricing & Details of RTX 2070, 2080, and 2080 Ti

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. The Disparity in Prices
3. Scaling Price with Performance
4. The Advantage of TX-specific Features
5. The Need for Game Engine Support
6. Impressive Ray Tracing Effects
7. DLSS: Enhancing Graphics with Machine Learning
8. Performance Gains with the Turing Architecture
9. The Question of Compatibility with Existing Games
10. Conclusion

Introduction

In the world of high-performance graphics cards, Nvidia has always been at the forefront. Recently, they unveiled their latest lineup of GPUs, the RTX series, which promises to revolutionize gaming with features like real-time ray tracing and DLSS. However, there have been concerns regarding the pricing and compatibility of these new cards. In this article, we will explore these issues in detail and delve into the performance and capabilities of the RTX series.

The Disparity in Prices

One of the major criticisms aimed at Nvidia's RTX series is the disparity in prices. During the announcement, Nvidia's CEO unveiled a set of prices, but it was later discovered that the pre-order prices on Nvidia's website were higher than the announced prices. This left consumers confused and frustrated, as they were unsure about the true cost of these new GPUs. While the announced prices seemed reasonable, the higher pre-order prices seemed excessive, especially considering the comparable prices of previous generations.

Scaling Price with Performance

Upon closer examination, it becomes clear that the pricing strategy for the RTX series is based on scaling the price proportional to the Raster performance. In other words, the price increases as the performance of the GPU increases. This is a departure from previous pricing models, where the prices were relatively consistent across different generations. While this may seem like a disadvantage to some, it is actually beneficial for those who require the latest and most advanced graphical capabilities.

The Advantage of TX-specific Features

One of the key selling points of the RTX series is the inclusion of TX-specific features, such as ray tracing. These features require extra silicon on the new GPUs, which enables them to achieve more realistic lighting and reflections in games. However, it is important to note that these features can only be fully utilized if the game engine supports them. Without proper support, the new capabilities of the RTX series may not be noticeable in older games.

The Need for Game Engine Support

To fully benefit from the ray tracing capabilities of the RTX series, game developers need to update their game engines to support these new features. Without the necessary code changes, older games will not be able to take advantage of the enhanced graphical effects offered by the RTX series. While some games have already implemented ray tracing, it remains to be seen how many titles will adopt this technology in the future.

Impressive Ray Tracing Effects

The ray tracing effects offered by the RTX series are undeniably impressive. They allow for realistic reflections, advanced lighting, and more immersive graphics. A demo of Battlefield 5 showcasing the ray tracing effects has been making waves in the gaming community. However, it is important to remember that the full benefits of ray tracing can only be experienced with proper game engine support. Without it, older games will not be able to harness the power of ray tracing.

DLSS: Enhancing Graphics with Machine Learning

Another exciting feature of the RTX series is DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), which utilizes machine learning to enhance graphics. DLSS can take lower resolution images and use AI to upscale them to a convincing 4K resolution. This technology allows for higher frame rates without sacrificing visual quality, providing a smoother gaming experience. While currently limited to specific RTX-powered games, DLSS has the potential to revolutionize gaming graphics in the future.

Performance Gains with the Turing Architecture

The RTX series is powered by Nvidia's Turing architecture, which boasts significant performance gains compared to previous generations. According to Nvidia's claims, the RTX 2080 is roughly 1.5 times faster than the GTX 1080 in terms of raster performance. These performance gains are even more impressive considering the additional ray tracing capabilities. While the exact numbers need to be evaluated by reviewers, the RTX series promises to deliver a substantial boost in gaming performance.

The Question of Compatibility with Existing Games

One concern that arises with the release of new GPUs is the compatibility with existing games. The majority of games in the market are older or aged, and implementing ray tracing or DLSS in these titles may not always be feasible. It remains to be seen how the existing crop of games will perform on the RTX series, and whether the performance gains are substantial enough to justify the upgrade for gamers who primarily play older titles.

Conclusion

The release of Nvidia's RTX series has generated both excitement and skepticism within the gaming community. While the new GPUs offer cutting-edge features like real-time ray tracing and DLSS, there are concerns about the pricing and compatibility. As with any new technology, it is important to evaluate the benefits and drawbacks before making a purchase decision. The true potential of the RTX series will be realized once reviewers have thoroughly tested and assessed the performance and capabilities of these new GPUs.

Highlights:

• Nvidia's RTX series offers advancements in real-time ray tracing and DLSS.
• Concerns arise due to disparity in prices and compatibility with existing games.
• Pricing strategy scales price with raster performance, providing advantages to those needing advanced graphical capabilities.
• Game engine support is crucial for utilizing the full benefits of ray tracing.
• DLSS utilizes machine learning to enhance graphics and upscale lower resolution images.
• Performance gains with the Turing architecture are expected, but real-world applications and availability remain to be seen.
• Compatibility with older games is a potential challenge.
• Evaluating the benefits and drawbacks is essential before making a purchase decision.

FAQ:

Q: Are the higher pre-order prices for the RTX series justified? A: The higher pre-order prices have received criticism from consumers. While the pricing strategy may seem excessive, it is important to consider the advanced features and capabilities offered by the RTX series. Scaling the price with raster performance ensures that those in need of the latest and most powerful GPUs can obtain them.

Q: Will older games benefit from ray tracing? A: For older games to fully benefit from ray tracing, game developers need to update their game engines to support this feature. Without proper support, the enhanced graphical effects of ray tracing may not be noticeable in older titles.

Q: How does DLSS enhance graphics? A: DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) utilizes machine learning to upscale lower resolution images to a convincing 4K resolution. This technology allows for higher frame rates without sacrificing visual quality, providing a smoother gaming experience. However, DLSS is currently limited to specific RTX-powered games.

Q: Should gamers upgrade to the RTX series if they primarily play older titles? A: The compatibility with existing games is a valid concern. While the RTX series offers significant performance gains, especially in terms of ray tracing capabilities, it may not be necessary for gamers who primarily play older titles. It is advisable to evaluate the performance gains and benefits of the RTX series on a game-by-game basis before making a decision.