NVIDIA TITAN RTX
NVIDIA TITAN RTX in 2025: Power for Professionals and Enthusiasts
Overview of the Legendary Hybrid Between Gaming and Professional GPUs
Architecture and Key Features
Turing: The Foundation for Revolution
The NVIDIA TITAN RTX, released in 2018, is based on the Turing architecture—the one that introduced real-time ray tracing to the world. Despite its age, in 2025, this graphics card remains relevant due to its unique blend of technologies. The chip was manufactured using a 12nm process (TSMC), and its key features include Tensor Cores and RT Cores, allowing for the use of DLSS and RTX in even modern projects.
RTX (Ray Tracing): Yes, ray tracing works here, but with caveats. Compared to the RTX 40 series, the TITAN RTX features a modest 34 RT cores, which are not impressive by 2025 standards. However, for compatibility with games like Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty or Alan Wake 2, the card is suitable, albeit on medium settings.
DLSS 2.0: Support is present, but DLSS 3.0 with Frame Generation is unavailable due to hardware limitations. This means that at 4K resolution, FPS will be lower than with new models.
FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR): Thanks to the openness of AMD’s technology, FSR 3.0 works on the TITAN RTX, partially compensating for the lack of DLSS 3.0. For example, in Starfield, enabling FSR 3.0 boosts FPS by 30-40%.
Memory: 24 GB GDDR6 — A Buffer for Years
The TITAN RTX is equipped with 24 GB of GDDR6 memory with a bandwidth of 672 GB/s (384-bit bus). For 2025, this is still an impressive amount, especially for professional tasks:
- 3D rendering in Blender or Maya with heavy scenes.
- Neural network processing (for example, Stable Diffusion), where large memory allows for generating images in 8K without errors.
In gaming, 24 GB is excessive even for 4K, but it acts as insurance against future demands. For instance, GTA VI in 4K with Ultra HD mods could utilize up to 16 GB of VRAM, but the TITAN RTX handles it without stuttering.
Gaming Performance: Realism vs Limitations
Resolutions and Settings
- 1080p: In Cyberpunk 2077 (RT Ultra, DLSS Quality) — 58-65 FPS.
- 1440p: Hogwarts Legacy (Ultra, FSR 3.0 Quality) — 72 FPS.
- 4K: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 (Ultra, DLSS Balanced) — 45-50 FPS.
Ray tracing significantly reduces performance: in Control (4K, RT High), FPS drops to 30-35, but with FSR 3.0 it rises to 50.
Compatibility with New Games
The TITAN RTX supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, including Mesh Shading and Variable Rate Shading. However, in projects optimized for the RTX 40 series (like Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora), optimization issues may arise.
Professional Tasks: Where the TITAN RTX Still Shines
Video Editing and 3D
- DaVinci Resolve: Rendering an 8K project takes 20% less time than with the RTX 3090, thanks to 24 GB of memory.
- Blender (Cycles): The BMW scene is rendered in 2.1 minutes, compared to 2.5 minutes with the RTX 4080.
Scientific Computations
With 4608 CUDA cores and (partial) FP64 support, the TITAN RTX is suitable for tasks in MATLAB or ANSYS. For instance, fluid simulation is performed 15% faster than on the RTX 3090 Ti.
Power Consumption and Heat Dissipation
TDP and System Requirements
The card's TDP is 280 W, which is considered high by 2025 standards. For stable operation, you need:
- A power supply of at least 650 W (750 W is recommended to account for the CPU and peripherals).
- A case with good ventilation: a minimum of 3 fans (2 for intake, 1 for exhaust).
Cooling
The standard NVIDIA cooler does its job, but under load, noise levels reach 42 dB. For quieter operation in a studio, consider installing a liquid cooling system (e.g., NZXT Kraken G12 + compatible AIO).
Comparison with Competitors
AMD Radeon Pro W7900 (2025)
- Pros of AMD: 32 GB HBM2E, support for PCIe 5.0.
- Cons: Weaker in CUDA tasks. Price: $3,500.
NVIDIA RTX 4090
- Pros of RTX 4090: DLSS 3.5, 24 GB GDDR6X, TDP 450 W. Gaming performance is 60% higher.
- Cons: No FP64 support, more expensive ($2,200 vs. $1,800 for the TITAN RTX).
Practical Tips
1. Power Supply: Choose models with an 80+ Gold certification (e.g., Corsair RM750x).
2. Compatibility: The card requires 2 PCIe slots and 2x8-pin connectors.
3. Drivers: Use Studio Drivers for work in professional applications.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- 24 GB of memory for heavy tasks.
- Versatility (gaming + professional software).
- Support for all current APIs (DirectX 12 Ultimate, Vulkan 1.3).
Cons:
- High power consumption.
- Lack of DLSS 3.0.
- Price: the new TITAN RTX in 2025 costs around $1,800, which is more expensive than the RTX 4080 ($1,200).
Final Verdict: Who is the TITAN RTX For?
This card is a choice for professionals who need a balance between gaming and work performance. If you are:
- A 3D artist rendering complex scenes;
- A scientist working with CUDA-accelerated software;
- An enthusiast collecting legendary GPUs,
the TITAN RTX will meet your expectations. However, for pure gamers, it is more cost-effective to opt for the RTX 4070 Ti or 4080—these are cheaper, cooler, and support DLSS 3.5.
Price in 2025: Approximately $1,800 for a new card (official supplies have ceased, but stock remains with resellers).