GeForce 945A vs GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
GeForce 945A
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GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
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Performance Spectrum - GPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. The GeForce 945A is positioned at rank #262 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce 945A
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is significantly newer (2022 vs 2015). The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce 945A lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 576.8% higher G3D Mark score and 1500% more VRAM (8 GB vs 512 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce 945A.
| Insight | GeForce 945A | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-576.8%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+576.8%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | — | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce 945A offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $25 versus $209 for the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB, it costs 88% less. While it maintains basic entry-level capabilities, this results in a 23.5% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce 945A | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+23.5%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($25) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($209) |
Performance Check
Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.
Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce 945A and GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
GeForce 945A
The GeForce 945A is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 13 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 1006 MHz to 1189 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 33W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,852 points.
GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 4 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1552 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 130W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 20 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 12,535 points. Launch price was $249.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce 945A scores 1,852 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB's 12,535 — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB leads by 576.8%. The GeForce 945A is built on Maxwell while the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 384 (GeForce 945A) vs 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Raw compute: 0.9132 TFLOPS (GeForce 945A) vs 9.098 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Boost clocks: 1189 MHz vs 1777 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce 945A | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 1,852 | 12,535+577% |
| Architecture | Maxwell | Ampere |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 384 | 2560+567% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 0.9132 TFLOPS | 9.098 TFLOPS+896% |
| Boost Clock | 1189 MHz | 1777 MHz+49% |
| ROPs | 8 | 32+300% |
| TMUs | 24 | 80+233% |
| L1 Cache | 0.19 MB | 2.5 MB+1216% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 2 MB+100% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce 945A | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | DLSS 2.0 |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | Standard | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce 945A comes with 512 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB offers 1500% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (GeForce 945A) vs 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce 945A | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 0.5 GB | 8 GB+1500% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | 224 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 2 MB+100% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce 945A) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce 945A | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (11_0) | 12 Ultimate |
| Vulkan | 1.3 | 1.4+8% |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 2 | 4+100% |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: 4th Gen NVENC (Maxwell) (GeForce 945A) vs NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP6 vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC (GeForce 945A) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB).
| Feature | GeForce 945A | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | 4th Gen NVENC (Maxwell) | NVENC 7th gen |
| Decoder | PureVideo HD VP6 | NVDEC 5th gen |
| Codecs | H.264,HEVC | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce 945A draws 33W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB's 130W — a 119% difference. The GeForce 945A is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce 945A) vs 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Power connectors: Legacy vs 8-pin. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 66°C.
| Feature | GeForce 945A | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 33W-75% | 130W |
| Recommended PSU | 350W-22% | 450W |
| Power Connector | Legacy | 8-pin |
| Length | — | 242mm |
| Height | — | 112mm |
| Slots | 0-100% | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 80°C | 66°C-18% |
| Perf/Watt | 56.1 | 96.4+72% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce 945A launched at $100 MSRP and currently averages $25, while the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB launched at $249 and now averages $209. The GeForce 945A costs 88% less ($184 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 74.1 (GeForce 945A) vs 60.0 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) — the GeForce 945A offers 23.5% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2015).
| Feature | GeForce 945A | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $100-60% | $249 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $25-88% | $209 |
| Performance per Dollar | 74.1+23% | 60.0 |
| Codename | GM108 | GA106 |
| Release | March 13 2015 | January 4 2022 |
| Ranking | #705 | #211 |
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