Jani Dushman
In a significant move signaling the end of an era, NVIDIA has officially ceased production of its GTX 16-series “Turing” GPUs, marking the closure of the last chapter featuring the iconic “GTX” brand extension. The GTX 16-series, which served as the entry-level offering for NVIDIA, has paved the way for the company’s transition towards its Ampere architecture, epitomized by the RTX 40-series “Ada” GPUs.
The GTX 16-series, comprising GPUs like the GTX 1650 and GTX 1660 Super, played a crucial role in NVIDIA’s product lineup since its inception in 2018. However, as newer generations emerged, such as the RTX 20-series and subsequently the Ampere-based RTX 30-series, the relevance of the GTX 16-series dwindled. The absence of real-time ray tracing (RT) and Tensor cores in the GTX 16-series was a notable differentiator from its higher-end counterparts, limiting its appeal in a market increasingly focused on advanced graphics rendering techniques.
Despite its age and the emergence of more advanced architectures, the GTX 16-series continued to be sought after by graphics card manufacturers and notebook original design manufacturers (ODMs). Certain SKUs found a new lease of life in laptops and budget-oriented desktop configurations, retaining a loyal user base.
NVIDIA’s decision to discontinue the GTX 16-series comes as no surprise, given the company’s strategic shift towards promoting its Ampere architecture. The recent introduction of cut-down variants of the Ampere-based GA107 silicon, such as the desktop RTX 3050 6 GB, further underscored NVIDIA’s commitment to phasing out older architectures in favor of more efficient and feature-rich alternatives.
According to sources within the industry, NVIDIA has exhausted its inventories of GTX 16-series GPUs, and the remaining stock in the channel is expected to be depleted within the next 1-3 months. This move aligns with NVIDIA’s broader vision of streamlining its product stack and focusing resources on driving innovation within its newer architectures.
The GTX 16-series, with its emphasis on raster 3D graphics performance, served as a bridge between the older Pascal architecture and the more advanced Turing and Ampere architectures. However, with the rapid evolution of gaming technology and the increasing demand for immersive visual experiences, NVIDIA deemed it necessary to retire the GTX 16-series and usher in a new era of graphics processing.
While enthusiasts and gamers may reminisce about the contributions of the GTX 16-series to the gaming landscape, NVIDIA’s decision to bid farewell to these GPUs signifies a bold step towards embracing the future of graphics technology. As the industry awaits further advancements from NVIDIA, the legacy of the GTX 16-series will be remembered as a pivotal chapter in the company’s storied history of GPU innovation.
I'm Jani, a dedicated Tech Writer and Reviewer at Xiaomitoday. With a passion for exploring and dissecting the latest in technology, my mission is to bring you insightful and comprehensive reviews that empower your decision-making in the fast-evolving world of gadgets and tech.
