RTX stands for Ray Tracing Texel eXtreme.
It’s a branding used by NVIDIA to denote their graphics cards that are equipped with advanced ray tracing capabilities to bring Hollywood-level lighting to your screen.
One of the key features of RTX GPUs is their ability to perform real-time ray tracing. These video cards track each ray of light, mimicking how it reflects and refracts across surfaces.
This means shadows look deeper, water glistens better, and your virtual world feels just a notch closer to real.
Key Features of RTX
Before you dive deeper into the RTX card’s features, it is important to learn more about the RTX architecture.
The architecture within is all about how rays of light intersect and even interact with virtual objects to simulate and enhance realism.
But there is more:
Ray Tracing
RTX cards use the RTX tech for Ray Tracing. This feature simulates light interaction, depending on the scene in play.
You get realistic visuals, especially the shadows.
A good example would be when you play games like Metro Exodus. With RTX Ray Tracing, light filters through the ruins, shadows stretch over the landscape, and night scenes are vividly terrifying.
Tensor Cores
Tensor Cores in RTX cards are specially designed to accelerate deep learning and AI computations. They’re like the brains behind the brawn, speeding up how quickly your system can learn and adapt.
Sure, RTX cards can make games look amazing, but they’re also incredibly useful for professional tasks like image processing and voice recognition.
For tech-savvy professionals, these cores can drastically reduce the time it takes to train AI models. This makes it a valuable tool if you’re involved in machine learning or data science.
DLSS
Deep Learning SuperSampling or DLSS uses artificial intelligence to smartly upscale lower-resolution images. This means it can boost your game’s visuals without putting extra load on your GPU.
It’s the secret behind buttery smooth frame rates in demanding games like Death Stranding. DLSS ensures you get the most out of every pixel without sacrificing performance.
It’s not just about speed; DLSS also enhances visual fidelity. This makes everything from shadow details to textures look sharper and more realistic.
RTX IO
RTX IO cuts down those dreaded load times by optimizing how game assets are processed.
This feature ensures that textures and scenes are not just loaded but streamed seamlessly. So, when you’re maneuvering through the ever-changing landscapes of Fortnite, everything feels incredibly fluid and responsive.
VRS
Variable Rate Shading is all about adjusting the pixel shading rate dynamically. This means not every pixel is treated equally; some areas get more detail, and others less, based on what’s needed.
This is particularly noticeable in action-packed games like Wolfenstein: Youngblood. It smartly allocates resources to intense scenes, ensuring that the fast-paced action looks great without bogging down your GPU.
Mesh Shaders
These shaders (associated with a top-notch RTX card) take charge of geometry processing. It processes intricate details and complex scenes without overwhelming your system.
For instance, if you are playing Cyberpunk 2077—mesh shaders can add layers of detail to every corner of its sprawling urban environments, from shimmering skyscrapers to grungy alleyways.
RTX vs. GTX
Here is a quick table with all the key differences:
Feature | RTX | GTX |
Ray Tracing | Supports real-time ray tracing for enhanced realism in lighting effects. | No native support. |
Tensor Cores | Equipped with Tensor Cores for AI-driven processes and DLSS. | Lacks Tensor Cores; no support for DLSS. |
Architecture | Based on the Turing or Ampere architectures, which are newer | Primarily based on older Pascal architecture, some on Turing. |
AI Features | Enhanced AI features for image upscaling. | Limited AI capabilities compared to RTX. |
Performance | Generally higher performance and more power-efficient. | Performance varies, generally lower compared to RTX. |
DLSS | Supports Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) for better frame rates. | Does not support DLSS. |
RTX IO | Supports RTX IO for faster loading and processing of game assets. | Does not support RTX IO. |
Price | Generally more expensive due to advanced features. | More budget-friendly, offering a good price-to-performance ratio. |
Target Use | Targeted towards gamers and professionals. | Targets a broader market, including budget gamers and general users. |
Energy Efficiency | More energy-efficient due to newer technology and design improvements. | Less energy-efficient compared to RTX models. |
Let us now get more hands-on with the differences, picking the likes of the RTX 2080 Ti and the GTX 1080 Ti to compare.

Performance benchmarks:
The RTX variant, under similar working conditions, boasts a 37% better score, combining lighting, reflection-handling, and more. The overclocking enhancement is whopping 44% whereas the GameFPS is up at 25%.

When tested with top games like GTA-V and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, the RTX-variant can help churn out 140fps and 173fps, respectively at 1080p Max.
The GTX variant, on the other hand, can hit 107fps and 115fps, on good days.
Who should get the RTX?
If you’re wondering whether an RTX card is worth the investment, here’s who stands to benefit the most:
Gamers
RTX cards can enhance gaming scenes, making for more immersive experiences. Think: gaming in HD versus VHS.
For games like Battlefield V, the visual fidelity gets a serious boost. It’s like putting on glasses for the first time—who knew things could be this sharp?
The transformative impact is all about taking your gaming to a professional level, offering near-cinematic quality for most games.
Basically, your games will look so good that you’ll wonder if you accidentally walked into a movie theater.
Quick Note for Gamers
If you’re building a gaming rig with an RTX card, here are some CPU suggestions for the RTX 2060 and the RTX 2080.
Film production
With low rendering times, all thanks to the RTX-series cards, you can meet tight film production deadlines. No more waiting forever for those render bars to crawl across the screen!
Plus, upscaling footage isn’t an issue with the tensor cores in play.
Virtual reality
VR simulations are powered by RTX cards. This leads to smoother frame rates and high-res visuals. (Goodbye, choppy VR. Hello, smooth sailing.)
With these elements in play, you can indulge in animation and 3D modelling bits. It helps you get a better hang of the creative processes.
Interior design
RTX cards offer advanced lighting and material simulation capabilities. Imagine showing your clients not just plans, but realistic previews of how light plays across their future spaces, mimicking real-world scenarios.
With RTX, your design presentations can transform from flat diagrams to dynamic, three-dimensional experiences, making it easier for clients to visualize and approve your creative visions.
Cryptocurrency mining
RTX cards offer good hash rate performance, helping keep networks secure and giving miners better chances at winning rewards.
However, before investing in these video cards, consider the power efficiency and higher costs. Because no one wants a nasty surprise on their electric bill.
In some cases, the costs might not justify the rewards. So do the math before you dive in headfirst.