Features of Nvidia Geforce GTX 1050 And GTX 1050 Ti

With its Pascal-based graphics processing units (GPUs), Nvidia has dominated the high-end market. With their cards based on the Polaris architecture, AMD is generating quite a stir in the mainstream market. The 14/16 nm CPUs developed by the two firms were destined to overlap at some point. The arrival of AMD's Vega graphics processing units (GPUs), which promise performance that is comparable to that of the highest-tier GeForce cards, is probably the development that has the PC industry most captivated. However, this won't occur until the first half of 2017 at the earliest (presumably closer to mid-year).

Both versions make use of an updated graphics processing unit known as GP107. It has 3.3 billion transistors and was created using 14-nanometer FinFET technology, significantly different from TSMC's 16FF+ node. The GP107 continues to represent the total resource allocation of the Pascal design, even though a separate foundry manufactured the CPU.

Understanding GeForce GTX 1050 Ti

As we get into lower price brackets, it stands to reason that some of Pascal's most notable characteristics will become less applicable. For example, Simultaneous Multi-Projection uses a specialized hardware block to receive geometry input and process it via as many as 16 different projections from a single viewport. This is done simultaneously. Applications that might benefit from this include gaming on numerous displays or via a virtual reality head-mounted display (VR HMD). On the other hand, neither is possible with a graphics card costing less than $150.

Still, you can anticipate the GeForce GTX 1050 and 1050 Ti to ruffle feathers in the price range of $100 to $150. According to information provided by Nvidia, the base model of 1050 should retail for $110, while the 1050 Ti begins at $140. In related news, AMD's Radeon RX 460 4 GB was also priced at $110 at launch. Currently, the price of a 460 with 2 GB is $110, while the cost of a model with 4 GB is at least $130. We can only hope that the pressure from GP107 will keep AMD's board partners a bit more truthful than they have been... assuming that the 1050s aren't blown out of proportion right from the off.

GeForce GTX 1050 Ti: Raising The Bar At 75 W

It obtained all the power required via a PCIe slot with 16 lanes. Some GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics cards can replicate that achievement by staying below a 75 W power limit, while others will purposefully push beyond that limit and add six-pin power connections to provide more leeway for overclocking.

According to Nvidia, the starting price for GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics cards will be $140. This places them at least $10 above the price of the majority of 4 GB Radeon RX 460s. However, if there is one thing we have learned from the launches of graphics cards this year, the suggested pricing is just that. We have learned this from the launches of graphics cards this year.

GeForce GTX 1050: Downclocked

Nvidia anticipates that the GeForce GTX 1050 will be available for purchase for $110, placing it in direct competition with the Radeon RX 460 (AMD's 2 GB graphics cards are priced at $110, while the 4 GB variant begins at roughly $130). The 1050 Ti and the 1050 samples we received from MSI seem to have the same dimensions. A dual-slot heat sink conceals all nuances that differentiate them from one another. To begin, the GP107 processor used by 1050 has one of its SMs deactivated, resulting in a loss of 128 CUDA cores and eight texture units. The left graphics processing unit (GPU) has 640 CUDA cores and 40 texture units. With slightly increased clock speeds, Nvidia can compensate for some of the lost resources and take advantage of the lower overall power usage. The basic clock of the GTX 1050 is 1354 MHz, and its GPU Boost rate can go up to 1455 MHz.

However, those interested in HTPCs should be prepared to wait for the GeForce GTX 1050 to become available. According to Nvidia's guidelines, the more affordable variant won't be available until the second week of November, while the 1050 Ti should become available for purchase as soon as possible. There will not be any reference designs included in the Founders Edition. Be sure to pay strict attention to the product details, especially if you want a model without a power connection, since all 1050 and 1050 Ti cards will be sourced from board partners.