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NVIDIA has already completely updated the line of older graphics cards, introducing the GeForce GTX 1080, GeForce GTX 1070 and two versions of the GeForce GTX 1060 with different memory sizes and different numbers of computing units. The budget segment remained, where there were no new products for a long time, only AMD periodically updated its lineup in this price category. Once upon a time, NVIDIA launched a new Maxwell architecture with GeForce GTX 750/750 Ti video cards, which never received receivers in the next generation. The simplest solution based on second-generation Maxwell chips was the GeForce GTX 950 video adapter, but it was a step up in price and performance. Now the GeForce GTX 1050 Ti and GeForce GTX 1050 are introduced, which, as the name suggests, are the heirs of the GTX 750 series models, but should raise the performance bar for budget graphics solutions. We will talk about the GeForce GTX 1050 Ti in detail in this article.
GeForce GTX 1050/1050 Ti
GeForce GTX 1050 Ti and GeForce GTX 1050 are based on the GP107 processor with the new Pascal architecture, which offers all the improvements available in older graphics cards. Thanks to the new technical process, this is a significantly increased frequency potential. Improved color data compression improves video memory efficiency. Pascals offer better support for Async Compute, allowing you to improve performance in DirectX 12. The new architecture is optimized for virtual reality (VR) mode. Simultaneous Multi-Projection technology is supported for processing up to 16 geometric projections simultaneously, which greatly enhances VR rendering and improves the experience in a multi-display configuration. The new video processing unit supports hardware encoding and decoding of data in H.264, H.265 (HEVC), VP9 formats up to 4K. Supports the new HDR hardware standard with an extended color gamut.
According to the numbering, the GP107 processor can be considered as the successor of the GM107 (GeForce GTX 750 Ti). This chip consists of two GPC clusters of three multiprocessor SMs, each of which is combined with its own Polymorph Engine geometry processing unit. It should be noted that the older Pascal GPUs have one cluster with five SMs. And the old GM107 consisted of only one cluster with five multiprocessors. As a result, GP107 received the smallest clusters, but only two of them, which allows for more flexible management of available resources. The SM structure is the same for all Pascals – these are 128 CUDA stream processors and eight texture units. The total potential of the GP107 chip is 768 CUDA processors and 48 texture units. The number of ROPs reaches 32, associated with a shared L2 cache of 1 MB. Four 32-bit controllers form a common 128-bit memory bus.
The GP107 is NVIDIA’s first 14nm processor. It is possible that they were produced at Samsung factories, like AMD Polaris chips. The older Pascals are made using the 16nm process technology and generally demonstrate higher frequencies compared to the newer AMD models. Therefore, I wonder what the potential of the GP107 is.
The initial frequencies are not high. The GeForce GTX 1050 Ti will receive a full configuration of all 768 stream processors at a base frequency of 1290 MHz and an average Boost Clock of 1392 MHz. For older Pascals, the base frequency is above 1.5 GHz. Also GeForce GTX 1050 Ti is equipped with 4 GB of video memory, which is already a necessity for Full HD. Many budget models suffer from a small volume of 2 GB, and the GeForce GTX 1050 Ti does not have this drawback. The effective frequency of the GDDR5 memory is 7012 MHz, which, combined with better data compression, will give higher bandwidth compared to even the GeForce GTX 950/960. If we compare it with the GeForce GTX 750 Ti, then the difference will be simply huge, because the old video adapters were equipped with 5400 MHz memory.
The junior video card GeForce GTX 1050 will receive 640 active CUDA processors and 40 texture units. The GPU cutback is partially offset by an increase in frequencies – a base value of 1354 MHz with a Boost Clock of 1455 MHz. The GeForce GTX 1050 is already equipped with 2 GB of memory while maintaining a frequency of 7 GHz.
Note that the configuration of the blocks of the GeForce GTX 1050 Ti video adapter is identical to the GeForce GTX 950. Given the increase in frequencies, we can expect the newcomer to be at the level of the GeForce GTX 960. Also, acceleration in new games will provide a large amount of memory.
| Video adapter | GeForce GTX 1050 Ti | GeForce GTX 1050 | GeForce GTX 960 | GeForce GTX 950 | GeForce GTX 750 Ti | GeForce GTX 750 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core | GP107 | GP107 | GM206 | GM206 | GM107 | GM107 |
| Number of transistors, million pieces | 3300 | 3300 | 2940 | 2940 | 1870 | 1870 |
| Process technology, nm | 14 | 14 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
| Core area, sq. mm | 228 | 228 | 148 | 148 | ||
| Number of stream processors | 768 | 640 | 1024 | 768 | 640 | 512 |
| Number of texture blocks | 48 | 40 | 64 | 48 | 40 | 32 |
| Number of render units | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 16 | 16 |
| Core frequency, MHz | 1290–1392 | 1354–1455 | 1126–1178 | 1024–1188 | 1020–1085 | 1020–1085 |
| Memory bus, bit | 128 | 128 | 128 | 128 | 128 | 128 |
| Memory type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 | GDDR5 | GDDR5 | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory frequency, MHz | 7012 | 7012 | 7010 | 6610 | 5400 | 5010 |
| Memory size, MB | 4096 | 2048 | 4096/2048 | 2048 | 2048 | 1024 |
| Supported version of DirectX | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Interface | PCI-E 3.0 | PCI-E 3.0 | PCI-E 3.0 | PCI-E 3.0 | PCI-E 3.0 | PCI-E 3.0 |
| TDP level, W | 75 | 75 | 120 | 90 | 60 | 55 |
Thanks to the progressive 14nm process technology, the GeForce GTX 1050 Ti and GeForce GTX 1050 are limited to a TDP of 75W, which is extremely low. Video adapters do not require additional power. High cost efficiency and availability of DisplayPort 1.3/1.4 and HDMI 2.b ports make them the best choice for mini PCs. And this is with the expected performance at the level of the GeForce GTX 950/960.
NVIDIA draws analogies with the direct predecessors of this level from the old generation. The increase in performance relative to the GeForce GTX 750 Ti should be more than 50%. Relative to the even older GeForce GTX 650, the acceleration should be three times. The potential of the new GeForce GTX 1050 series already allows you to play all modern games. Perhaps the maximum graphics quality and heavy anti-aliasing will not stretch these models, but the user will not be limited in the choice of current games. Also, these solutions are optimal for eSports games. If your interests are limited to Dota 2 or Overwatch, then the GP107-based GeForce will easily provide high fps and a comfortable gaming experience.
NVIDIA did not provide reference reference video cards. The partners of the company have received a certain freedom, so many different models have already been presented. Since we are talking about budget solutions, many cards are limited to simple design and cooling, although there are top-end improved options.
We will start our acquaintance with the latest NVIDIA products using the GeForce GTX 1050 Ti from ASUS as an example. Consider a simple video card with standard frequencies, which will give you a complete picture of the regular versions of the GeForce GTX 1050 Ti series.
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