FirePro W8100 vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

FirePro W8100

2014Core: 824 MHz
Similar parts
·······
VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024Core: 1042 MHzBoost: 1470 MHz
RTX family
·······

FirePro W8100 vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Performance Spectrum

About G3D Mark

G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.

FirePro W8100 vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

FirePro W8100

2014

Why buy it

  • 33.3% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 6 GB).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (6,812 vs 10,749).
  • No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
  • 2014 hardware with 8 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
  • 1378.7% HIGHER MSRP
    $2,499 MSRPvs$169 MSRP
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 2.7 vs 63.6 G3D/$ ($2,499 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024

Why buy it

  • +57.8% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • Costs $2,330 less on MSRP ($169 MSRP vs $2,499 MSRP).
  • Delivers 2233.3% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 2.7 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $2,499 MSRP).
  • Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
  • Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 57.8% in PassMark G3D (10,749 vs 6,812), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, a 8nm process instead of 28nm, 18 vs 0 ray-tracing units, and a newer 2024 generation instead of 2014. That gives it the more rounded hardware package for newer games.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB makes the most sense to buy today. It is $2,330 cheaper on MSRP at $169 vs $2,499, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 2233.3% (63.6 vs 2.7), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

FirePro W8100 vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

AMD

FirePro W8100

The FirePro W8100 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in June 23 2014. It features the GCN 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 824 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 220W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 6,812 points.

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 2 2024. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1042 MHz to 1470 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 70W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 18 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,749 points. Launch price was $179.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the FirePro W8100 scores 6,812 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 10,749 — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB leads by 57.8%. The FirePro W8100 is built on GCN 2.0 while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (FirePro W8100) vs 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Raw compute: 4.219 TFLOPS (FirePro W8100) vs 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB).

FeatureFirePro W8100GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
G3D Mark Score
6,812
10,749+58%
Architecture
GCN 2.0
Ampere
Process Node
28 nm
8 nm
Shading Units
2560+11%
2304
Compute (TFLOPS)
4.219 TFLOPS
6.774 TFLOPS+61%
ROPs
64+100%
32
TMUs
160+122%
72
L1 Cache
0.63 MB
2.3 MB+265%
L2 Cache
1 MB
2 MB+100%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The FirePro W8100 leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

FeatureFirePro W8100GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
Upscaling Tech
Upscaling support
DLSS 2 Super Resolution
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
Standard
NVIDIA Reflex
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The FirePro W8100 has 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB carries 6 GB. FirePro W8100 gives you 33.3% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 256-bit on the FirePro W8100 and 96-bit on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. L2 Cache: 1 MB (FirePro W8100) vs 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureFirePro W8100GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
VRAM Capacity
8 GB+33%
6 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR6
Bus Width
256-bit+167%
96-bit
L2 Cache
1 MB
2 MB+100%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (FirePro W8100) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 6 vs 4.

FeatureFirePro W8100GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
DirectX
12
12 Ultimate
Vulkan
1.2
1.3+8%
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
6+50%
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: VCE 2.0 (FirePro W8100) vs NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Decoder: UVD 4.2 vs NVDEC (7th Gen). Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 Part 2,MVC (FirePro W8100) vs H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB).

FeatureFirePro W8100GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
Encoder
VCE 2.0
NVENC (5th Gen)
Decoder
UVD 4.2
NVDEC (7th Gen)
Codecs
H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 Part 2,MVC
H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only)
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The FirePro W8100 draws 220W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 70W — a 103.4% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (FirePro W8100) vs 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs None. Card length: 241mm vs 160mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 87°C vs 75°C.

FeatureFirePro W8100GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
TDP
220W
70W-68%
Recommended PSU
350W
300W-14%
Power Connector
PCIe-powered
None
Length
241mm
160mm
Height
111mm
Slots
2
2
Temp (Load)
87°C
75°C-14%
Perf/Watt
31.0
153.6+395%
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the FirePro W8100 came in at $2499, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB launched at $169. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 3050 6GB was 93.2% cheaper ($2330 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 2.7 (FirePro W8100) vs 63.6 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 2255.6% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (2024 vs 2014).

FeatureFirePro W8100GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
MSRP
$2499
$169-93%
Performance per Dollar
2.7
63.6+2256%
Codename
Hawaii
GA107
Release
June 23 2014
February 2 2024
Ranking
#361
#252

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.