GT? GTX? GTS? etc.

[MontanaFX]

When checking out GPU you get the above mentioned letters after the series number. I am pretty sure GTs are the basic model and GTXs are the top of the range. My question is, do these letters have any real meaning. Do GTXs include a certain type of technology oppesed to a GT?

[qazwsx]

meh its all really confusing at the moment. You right about the GT being the lower model, GTS the mid-range and GTX being the top.
In the 8800 series the GT is a newer core with 112 Stream processes(ers?) with 256 bit memory rate

The 8800GTS is the same core with 128 stream proesses(ers?) with 256 bit memory rate

The 8800GTX however is based on the older G80 core and has 128 Stream processers more memory and a 384 bit memory rate

The new 9800 series is different however. Only the GTX is released and that is just an overclocked 8800GTS so its not that impressive and doesnt fit the rule well at all.

[Hitman]

No not really, it's similar to how vehicle manufactures rate the different features of the same model car. I am sure the letters probably stand for something, but it's not of any importance.

[gvblake22]

The current naming schemes are super confusing to anyone just tuning in to the nVidia GPU market (I'm glad AMD/ATI ditched the letter suffixes). In general, the GT is lowest, with GTS in the middle and GTX being the highest (best). The problem comes in that there are some cases where a GT can beat a GTS. The only example I can think of right now is the 8800GT 512MB and the 8800GTS 320MB. The 8800GT 512MB will probably perform better than the 8800GTS 320MB.

But there are two other 8800GTS parts, the 512MB and the 640MB. Contrary to what you might think, they are not the same. The 512MB 8800GTS is actually built on the same basic core architecture as the 640MB and 320MB, but manufactured on a smaller process and given some tweaks (more shader units). The 8800GTS 512MB will perform better than all GeForce 8 series cards except the GTX and Ultra.

The letters themselves really don't have any meaning, they just sounded good to the marketing gurus at nVidia.

So in all, nVidia has really shot themselves in the foot when it comes to product naming schemes because of the overlap the newer G92 parts (8800GT and 8800GTS 512MB) have with the older G80 parts (8800GTS 320MB, 8800GTS 640MB, 8800GTX, and 8800 Ultra). Even the new 9800GTX is essentially just an overclocked G92 core. If you want the bottom line on a certain GPU, you can check the manufacturer's website for specific specifications on each part, read up on some reviews of the individual products as they are released, and post here (or the forum of your choice) to get peoples' opinion on the cluster f#%& of parts.

Here is a nice table breakdown of the current mid-range to high-end GPU offerings from ATI and nVidia...

[MontanaFX]

All this info is a little overwhelming, but I am sure I will fully understand it all in the end. Am I right in thinking that memory size is more important than the letters (GT-GTX) in any given series. So basically look for the higher numbers opposed to judging the card on its GT* rating.

[screwballl]

look at the core (G80, G90, G92) and then decide from there. The higher number is better

[MontanaFX]

Sweet :Thumbsup:

[azianai]

or just do what i did and get the GX2 =)
Another code to confuse you!

[gvblake22]

Yeah, just looking at the amount of memory will not always tell the whole story (even within the same series and suffix category) as I pointed out in my first post. As Screwballl mentioned, check the core code name (G80, G92, etc) and then check the model numbers and memory size from there. Only compare G92 to G92 and G80 to G80 and so on. Usually the higher ordered the core code number, the more recent (and hopefully better) the performance of the architecture.