When building a custom gaming PC, selecting the right graphics card is crucial. However, the naming conventions of GPUs can be confusing, especially with the latest releases from NVIDIA and AMD. This guide aims to demystify the naming schemes of NVIDIA’s RTX 5000 series and AMD’s RX 9000 series, helping you make informed decisions for your next build.
NVIDIA’s RTX 5000 Series: Breaking Down the Names
NVIDIA’s RTX 5000 series, based on the Blackwell architecture, continues the company’s tradition of using a three-digit model number following the ‘RTX’ prefix. Here’s how to interpret these names:
- RTX 5090: The flagship model, offering top-tier performance suitable for 4K gaming and intensive workloads.
- RTX 5080: A high-end card that balances performance and cost, ideal for high settings for 4k gaming.
- RTX 5070 Ti / 5070: For 1440P gaming
- RTX 5060 Ti / 5060: For 1080P gaming it can also handle some 1440P games.
The ‘RTX’ prefix denotes support for real-time ray tracing and AI-driven features like DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling). The model numbers indicate the relative performance tier within the series.
AMD’s RX 9000 Series: Understanding the New Naming Convention
AMD’s RX 9000 series marks a shift in their naming strategy, aligning more closely with their Ryzen CPU lineup. The naming convention follows the ‘RX’ prefix, indicating a Radeon graphics card, followed by a four-digit number:
- RX 9070 XT / 9070: A high-performance card targeting enthusiasts seeking top-tier 1440p gaming experiences.
The first digit ‘9’ signifies the series generation, while the subsequent digits indicate the performance tier. The ‘XT’ suffix typically denotes a higher-performing variant within that tier.
It’s essential to match your GPU choice with your monitor’s resolution and refresh rate to maximize performance.
By understanding the naming conventions of NVIDIA and AMD’s latest GPU series, you can make more informed decisions when selecting the right graphics card for your custom gaming PC.