NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 vs NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN Comparison

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN represent two distinct eras of GPU engineering, separated by a generational leap in architecture and process technology. The GTX 580, built on the Fermi 2.0 architecture, was a flagship of the GeForce 500 series, while the GTX TITAN, using the Kepler architecture, launched the GeForce 700 series as a new performance tier. The data shows a clear performance hierarchy, with the GTX TITAN delivering substantially higher raw compute throughput, though the GTX 580 holds its own in certain legacy metrics. This analysis examines their architectural differences, benchmark results, and specification gaps to determine which card suits specific use cases.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 has a higher average benchmark score of 15,283 compared to the NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN's 14,373. This is counterintuitive given the TITAN's superior raw specifications, but the average is skewed by the TITAN's inclusion of multiple benchmark tests, including Metal and Vulkan scores that are lower than its OpenCL result.

Q: How significant is the GTX TITAN's advantage in OpenCL performance?

A: In the head-to-head OpenCL benchmark, the GTX TITAN scores 24,873 versus the GTX 580's 15,283, representing a 38.6% lead for the TITAN. This is the only direct comparison available, and it shows a decisive victory for the newer architecture.

Q: What is the difference in memory capacity between the two cards?

A: The GTX TITAN features 6 GB of GDDR5 memory, which is four times the 1,536 MB (1.5 GB) found on the GTX 580. Both cards use a 384-bit memory bus, but the TITAN's higher memory clock yields significantly greater bandwidth.

Q: Do both cards support the same PCIe interface?

A: No, the GTX 580 uses PCIe 2.0 x16, while the GTX TITAN uses the newer PCIe 3.0 x16 interface. This provides the TITAN with double the theoretical bandwidth for data transfer between the GPU and the system.

Q: Which card has a higher transistor density?

A: The GTX TITAN, built on a 28 nm process, has a transistor density of 12.6M per mm², more than double the GTX 580's 5.8M per mm². The GTX 580 uses a larger 40 nm process node.

Q: Are there any differences in display outputs?

A: Yes. The GTX 580 offers 2x DVI and 1x mini-HDMI 1.3a, while the GTX TITAN provides 2x DVI, 1x HDMI 1.4a, and 1x DisplayPort 1.2. The TITAN's inclusion of DisplayPort and newer HDMI standards offers more modern connectivity options.

Architecture Differences

The GTX 580 and GTX TITAN are built on fundamentally different architectures that reflect a major shift in NVIDIA's design philosophy. The GTX 580 uses the GF110 chip, based on the Fermi 2.0 architecture, manufactured on a 40 nm process at TSMC. This older design packs 3,000 million transistors into a 520 mm² die, resulting in a transistor density of 5.8M per mm². In contrast, the GTX TITAN employs the GK110 chip with the Kepler architecture, also fabricated by TSMC but on a more advanced 28 nm process. The TITAN's die is slightly larger at 561 mm², but it crams in 7,080 million transistors, achieving a density of 12.6M per mm². This density advantage is a direct result of the smaller process node.

The architectural differences extend to core configurations. The GTX 580 features 512 shading units, 64 texture mapping units (TMUs), and 48 raster output units (ROPs). The GTX TITAN dramatically increases these counts, offering 2,688 shading units, 224 TMUs, and the same 48 ROPs. This represents a 5.25x increase in shading units and a 3.5x increase in TMUs, which explains the TITAN's massive lead in compute-heavy workloads. The Kepler architecture also introduced a different approach to clock management, with the TITAN having a base clock of 836 MHz and a boost clock of 876 MHz, whereas the GTX 580's clocks are not listed in the data.

Both cards support DirectX 12 (11_0) and OpenGL 4.6, but the GTX TITAN adds Vulkan support (version 1.2.175), which the GTX 580 lacks entirely. This makes the TITAN compatible with a broader range of modern APIs and applications. The manufacturing process and architecture differences also impact power characteristics, with the GTX 580 rated at 244 W TDP and the GTX TITAN slightly higher at 250 W. Despite the TITAN having more than double the shading units, its TDP increase is modest, highlighting the efficiency gains of the 28 nm Kepler design over the 40 nm Fermi 2.0.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only direct benchmark comparison available is the Geekbench OpenCL test, and it decisively favors the GTX TITAN. The TITAN scores 24,873, while the GTX 580 trails at 15,283, giving the TITAN a 38.6% lead. This is a substantial margin that underscores the TITAN's superior compute throughput, driven by its 2,688 shading units and 4.709 TFLOPS of FP32 performance, compared to the GTX 580's 512 shading units and 1.581 TFLOPS. In raw compute terms, the TITAN is roughly three times faster, and the benchmark result reflects that advantage.

However, the GTX 580's average benchmark score of 15,283 is higher than the TITAN's average of 14,373. This discrepancy arises because the TITAN's average includes its Geekbench Metal score of 8,218 and Vulkan score of 10,027, both of which are significantly lower than its OpenCL score. The GTX 580 only has an OpenCL score, so its average is not diluted by other API tests. This means that in OpenCL-specific workloads, the TITAN is clearly superior, but in Metal or Vulkan scenarios, the TITAN's performance drops considerably, potentially falling below the GTX 580's OpenCL level.

Looking at the nearest rivals provides context for each card's standing. The GTX 580's closest competitor is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060, with a delta of 0% (score 15,290), and the AMD Radeon 680M at 0.1% (15,270). The GTX TITAN's nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon RX Vega 11 at -0.1% (14,385) and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 965M at -0.2% (14,404). This places the GTX 580 in a slightly higher performance bracket than the TITAN when considering average scores, despite the TITAN's superior peak performance in OpenCL. The data suggests that the TITAN's overall score is hampered by its weaker Metal and Vulkan results, which may be due to driver maturity or architectural quirks.

Specification Differences

The two cards differ in nearly every measurable specification, with the GTX TITAN generally offering superior hardware. The memory subsystem is a prime example: the GTX 580 has 1,536 MB of GDDR5 on a 384-bit bus, delivering 192.4 GB/s of bandwidth. The GTX TITAN quadruples capacity to 6 GB, keeps the same 384-bit bus, but increases bandwidth to 288.4 GB/s thanks to a higher memory clock (1,502 MHz vs 1,002 MHz, effective 6 Gbps vs 4 Gbps). This gives the TITAN a 50% bandwidth advantage, which is critical for high-resolution textures and large datasets.

Compute resources are heavily skewed toward the TITAN. The GTX 580 offers 512 shading units, 64 TMUs, and 48 ROPs, producing a pixel rate of 24.70 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 49.41 GTexel/s. The GTX TITAN has 2,688 shading units and 224 TMUs, pushing its pixel rate to 49.06 GPixel/s and texture rate to 196.2 GTexel/s. While the pixel rates are similar (the TITAN is actually slightly lower), the texture rate is nearly 4x higher on the TITAN, and FP32 performance jumps from 1.581 TFLOPS to 4.709 TFLOPS—a 2.98x increase.

Power and connectivity also differ. The GTX 580 has a 244 W TDP and requires a 550 W suggested PSU, while the GTX TITAN has a 250 W TDP and a 600 W suggested PSU. Both use dual-slot coolers and 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin power connectors, but the TITAN's PCIe 3.0 x16 interface is a generational upgrade over the GTX 580's PCIe 2.0 x16. Display outputs differ as well: the GTX 580 has 2x DVI and 1x mini-HDMI 1.3a, while the TITAN offers 2x DVI, 1x HDMI 1.4a, and 1x DisplayPort 1.2. The TITAN is also slightly thicker at 38 mm (1.5 inches) compared to the GTX 580, which lists no width. Both cards share the same length (267 mm) and height (111 mm), and both are end-of-life products.

The Verdict

The data presents a nuanced picture. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN is the clear winner in raw OpenCL compute, delivering a 38.6% higher score than the GTX 580 in the direct head-to-head test. Its 6 GB memory capacity, 288.4 GB/s bandwidth, and 4.709 TFLOPS FP32 performance make it the superior choice for compute-heavy tasks, modern API support (Vulkan), and high-resolution workloads. The TITAN's 2,688 shading units and 224 TMUs provide nearly 3x the FP32 throughput and 4x the texture rate, making it a far more capable card for rendering and simulation.

However, the GTX 580 has a higher average benchmark score (15,283 vs 14,373) and a better percentile ranking (58th vs 56th). Its nearest rivals include the RTX 2060, while the TITAN competes with integrated graphics like the Radeon Vega 11. This suggests that in real-world aggregated performance, the GTX 580 is more consistent, likely due to the TITAN's poor Metal and Vulkan scores dragging down its average. For users prioritizing OpenCL-specific applications, the TITAN is unquestionably better. For general-purpose gaming or legacy workloads where OpenCL is not the primary API, the GTX 580's steadier performance may be preferable.

Ultimately, the choice depends on the workload. The GTX TITAN is the pick for developers, researchers, or enthusiasts running OpenCL-accelerated compute tasks that leverage its massive shading unit count and memory pool. The GTX 580, despite its age, offers a higher average score and sits in a stronger competitive position relative to its nearest rivals, making it a viable option for those needing consistent performance across a broader range of benchmarks. The TITAN's higher launch MSRP (999 USD vs 499 USD) reflects its intended premium positioning, but the data shows that raw compute superiority does not always translate to a better aggregate score.