GPU naming schemes can be unnecessarily complicated, and it can seem like the biggest graphics card manufacturers are just throwing random numbers and letters together. But that’s not true: Every letter and number on a card represents important information about the product, and understanding how Nvidia names its GPUs is essential to getting the best graphics card for your setup.
The numbers on Nvidia GPUs consist of two parts. The first two digits (or the first digit on older Nvidia cards) represent the generation, while the last two indicate the performance level. Simply put, an RTX 5060 and an RTX 4060 are from different generations but have similar performance, while an RTX 4060 and an RTX 4080 are from the same generation but perform differently. Knowing the generation is important if you want to use modern features like Nvidia’s DLSS, because older cards were made when these technologies weren’t available or weren’t as developed as they are today. A newer generation means the GPU is more optimized for technologies like ray tracing and DLSS, and it also means the card is more efficient at handling processes.
Modern Nvidia GPU generations include the GTX 10 and GTX 16 series, as well as the RTX 20, RTX 30, RTX 40, and RTX 50 series, the latter being its current generation. The GTX prefix means a card is older and suitable for general gaming, while RTX means the cards support ray tracing and DLSS. These series are also often referred to as four digits by consumers. So note that the RTX 50 and RTX 5000 series are one and the same. Before these GPUs, Nvidia used a three-digit numbering convention. This included the GTX 200, GTX 400, GTX 500, GTX 600, GTX 700, and GTX 900 series.
Performance Levels
Eclipse_images/Getty Images
The generation of an Nvidia graphics card doesn’t tell you how much workload the GPU can handle. To do this, you refer to the last two numbers, which indicate the performance level. The lowest tier of Nvidia’s current lineups is the xx50, which encompasses budget-friendly entry-level GPUs. These are fine for casual gaming, but struggle with anything graphics-heavy and are not intended for high frame rates in demanding games.
Next are the xx60 cards, which are mid-range consumer cards used by most avid gamers. These offer good performance at 1080p resolutions and decent frame rates, but can’t run high-end games at the highest graphics settings. xx70 cards are high-end GPUs that support high-quality gaming at 1440p, while cards ending in 80 offer even more graphics processing power, which is necessary for 4K gaming. Finally, the xx90 cards are Nvidia’s highest-end GPUs for a given generation and are generally overkill for most people, both in terms of price and performance.
Figuring out which Nvidia graphics card you need is easy when you understand these numbering conventions. In terms of generations, higher is almost always better. However, if you don’t need fancy features like ray tracing or AI scaling, opting for a more powerful card from an older generation may be cheaper. For performance levels, decide what resolution you want to game on, whether you’re comfortable at medium settings or want higher-level visuals, and whether you want high frame rates. It’s also worth noting that Nvidia graphics cards often have suffixes that also affect performance. For example, a card ending in Ti means it has a slight improvement over the non-Ti variant.
