Pour one out for Nvidia GeForce GTX, as the old graphics card line-up has been discontinued
Mar. 5, 2024Grandma GTX is finally heading into retirement
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It feels like it’s been a long time coming, butNvidiahas finally discontinued its last remaining GeForce GTX graphics card range. Specifically, the green team will pull the plug on supplying board partners with GTX 16 stock, meaning the collection of Turing budget GPUs will soon permanently wear an out-of-stock badge.
At one point Nvidia GeForce GTX was a shiny brand worn by thebest graphics cardcontenders. However, the only options you’ll find bearing the brand today are budget SKUs like the GTX 1660 Super and the even cheaper GTX 1650. Both cards serve as sub $200 options that will technically run games at 1080p, but haven’t got access to shiny new tools like DLSS, not to mention they cap out at 6GB VRAM.
This will sound a little mean, but I’m not remotely surprised that GeForce GTX is finally being laid to rest. After all, Nvidia has budget options that offer features tied to its AI ambitions, and having the old brand still kicking around sort of distracts from its push to sell the idea of “RTX on” to PC builders. I mean, it was only last year that some players seeminglyreverted back to the GTX 1660instead of a new option.
With that in mind, I am now expecting the company to fill the gap with something newer at a similar price range, as I reckon it needs something cheaper than theAMD Radeon RX 7600and Intel Arc A750 in the cost ring. Otherwise, I can see Nvidia becoming better associated with powerhouse enthusiast products, rather than parts that are widely affordable.
For old times sake, I think I might get out my old Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 card and let it run some classics. It feels like only yesterday that I completed Dark Souls 3 using the GPU, and I didn’t have to tweak any settings at 1080p. Still, ten years is a millennia when it comes to PC gaming tech, so the brand’s retirement is only natural.
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