Nvidia claims 1 million times better path tracing performance is coming in future gaming GPUs — says current GPUs are already 10,000x faster than Pascal

Nvidia showcased at GDC 2026 that future gaming GPUs could offer path tracing performance 1 million times better than the RTX 10 series, with current GPUs already 10,000 times faster than Pascal. The company attributes these advancements to AI and neural rendering technologies like RT and Tensor cores. Nvidia aims to achieve photorealistic visuals through AI advancements, as traditional silicon advancements alone may not be sufficient. The upcoming Rubin GPUs, expected around 2027-2028, could bring this enhanced path tracing reality to gamers, with games potentially resembling films while maintaining smooth performance. New path tracing technologies like ReSTIR and RTX Mega Geometry were also highlighted in the presentation, showcasing the potential for highly detailed and realistic graphics in future games.