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.

GeForce 6800 GT vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

GeForce 6800 GT 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.

GeForce 6800 GT

2008

Why buy it

✅Competitive enough if your priority is price, power, or specific feature preference.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3050 6GB across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 256 MB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌2008 hardware with 256 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌
136.1% HIGHER MSRP
$399 MSRPvs$169 MSRP

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024

Why buy it

✅2888.4% more average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Costs $230 less on MSRP ($169 MSRP vs $399 MSRP).
✅Delivers 17771.7% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 0.4 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $399 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅2300% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 256 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Fewer clear downsides in this head-to-head, aside from the usual pricing and availability swings.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 2888.4% in average FPS across 49 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 7469.7% in PassMark G3D (10,749 vs 142), so the answer here is pretty clean.

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: 6 GB vs 256 MB of VRAM, the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, a 8nm process instead of 65nm, and 18 vs 0 ray-tracing units. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB makes the most sense to buy today. It is $230 cheaper on MSRP at $169 vs $399, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 17771.7% (63.6 vs 0.4), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce 6800 GT vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Technical Specifications

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

GeForce 6800 GT

The GeForce 6800 GT is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in July 15 2008. It features the G9x architecture. The core clock speed is 500 MHz. It has 224 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 65 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 142 points.

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 GeForce 6800 GT scores 142 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 10,749 — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB leads by 7469.7%. The GeForce 6800 GT is built on G9x while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB uses Ampere, both on 65 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 224 (GeForce 6800 GT) vs 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB).

Feature	GeForce 6800 GT	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
G3D Mark Score	142	10,749+7470%
Architecture	G9x	Ampere
Process Node	65 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	224	2304+929%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB supports the newer DLSS 2 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce 6800 GT is capped at Upscaling support.

Feature	GeForce 6800 GT	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	DLSS 2 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce 6800 GT has 256 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB carries 6 GB. GeForce RTX 3050 6GB gives you 2300% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 64-bit on the GeForce 6800 GT and 96-bit on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB.

Feature	GeForce 6800 GT	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
VRAM Capacity	0.25 GB	6 GB+2300%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	168 GB/s
Bus Width	64-bit	96-bit+50%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 9.0c (GeForce 6800 GT) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Vulkan: None vs 1.3. OpenGL: 2.1 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce 6800 GT	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
DirectX	9.0c	12 Ultimate+33%
Vulkan	None	1.3
OpenGL	2.1	4.6+119%
Max Displays	2	4+100%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: No (GeForce 6800 GT) vs NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Decoder: PureVideo vs NVDEC (7th Gen). Supported codecs: MPEG-2 (GeForce 6800 GT) vs H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB).

Feature	GeForce 6800 GT	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
Encoder	No	NVENC (5th Gen)
Decoder	PureVideo	NVDEC (7th Gen)
Codecs	MPEG-2	H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only)

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce 6800 GT draws 150W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 70W — a 72.7% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 6800 GT) vs 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Power connectors: Legacy vs None. Card length: 216mm vs 160mm, occupying 1 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 75°C.

Feature	GeForce 6800 GT	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
TDP	150W	70W-53%
Recommended PSU	350W	300W-14%
Power Connector	Legacy	None
Length	216mm	160mm
Height	111mm	—
Slots	1-50%	2
Temp (Load)	85°C	75°C-12%
Perf/Watt	0.9	153.6+16967%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce 6800 GT came in at $399, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB launched at $169. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 3050 6GB was 57.6% cheaper ($230 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 0.4 (GeForce 6800 GT) vs 63.6 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 15800% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (2024 vs 2008).

Feature	GeForce 6800 GT	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
MSRP	$399	$169-58%
Performance per Dollar	0.4	63.6+15800%
Codename	NB9E-GTX	GA107
Release	July 15 2008	February 2 2024
Ranking	#825	#252

Search GeForce 6800 GT on Amazon

Search GeForce RTX 3050 6GB on Amazon

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.