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 FX 5500 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 FX 5500 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 FX 5500

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $132 less on MSRP ($37 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).
✅Draws 25W instead of 70W, a 45W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3050 6GB across 50 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.
❌Older hardware, 256 MB of VRAM, and weaker feature support mean it will age faster in newer AAA releases.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0.2 vs 63.6 G3D/$ ($37 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024

Why buy it

✅8724.0% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 29316.6% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 0.2 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $37 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅2300% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 256 MB).
✅Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌180% higher power demand at 70W vs 25W.

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 8724.0% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 134262.5% in PassMark G3D (10,749 vs 8), 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 12nm, 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 $132 more expensive on MSRP at $169 vs $37, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 29316.6% (63.6 vs 0.2), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce FX 5500 vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Technical Specifications

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

GeForce FX 5500

The GeForce FX 5500 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in December 17 2021. It features the Rankine architecture. The core clock ranges from 1065 MHz to 1320 MHz. It has 1024 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 25W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 8 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 FX 5500 scores 8 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 10,749 — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB leads by 134262.5%. The GeForce FX 5500 is built on Rankine while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB uses Ampere, both on 12 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 1,024 (GeForce FX 5500) vs 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Raw compute: 2.703 TFLOPS (GeForce FX 5500) vs 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Boost clocks: 1320 MHz vs 1470 MHz.

Feature	GeForce FX 5500	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
G3D Mark Score	8	10,749+134263%
Architecture	Rankine	Ampere
Process Node	12 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	1024	2304+125%
Compute (TFLOPS)	2.703 TFLOPS	6.774 TFLOPS+151%
Boost Clock	1320 MHz	1470 MHz+11%
ROPs	16	32+100%
TMUs	32	72+125%
L1 Cache	2 MB	2.3 MB+15%
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB supports the newer DLSS 2 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce FX 5500 is capped at Upscaling support.

Feature	GeForce FX 5500	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 FX 5500 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 128-bit on the GeForce FX 5500 and 96-bit on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB.

Feature	GeForce FX 5500	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
VRAM Capacity	0.25 GB	6 GB+2300%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	168 GB/s
Bus Width	128-bit+33%	96-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 9.0a (GeForce FX 5500) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Vulkan: None vs 1.3. OpenGL: 1.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce FX 5500	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
DirectX	9.0a	12 Ultimate+33%
Vulkan	None	1.3
OpenGL	1.5	4.6+207%
Max Displays	2	4+100%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: No (GeForce FX 5500) vs NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Decoder: No vs NVDEC (7th Gen).

Feature	GeForce FX 5500	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
Encoder	No	NVENC (5th Gen)
Decoder	No	NVDEC (7th Gen)
Codecs		H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only)

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce FX 5500 draws 25W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 70W — a 94.7% difference. The GeForce FX 5500 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce FX 5500) vs 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Power connectors: Legacy vs None. Card length: 171mm vs 160mm, occupying 1 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 70°C vs 75°C.

Feature	GeForce FX 5500	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
TDP	25W-64%	70W
Recommended PSU	350W	300W-14%
Power Connector	Legacy	None
Length	171mm	160mm
Height	111mm	—
Slots	1-50%	2
Temp (Load)	70°C-7%	75°C
Perf/Watt	0.3	153.6+51100%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce FX 5500 came in at $37, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB launched at $169. On MSRP, GeForce FX 5500 was 78.1% cheaper ($132 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 0.2 (GeForce FX 5500) vs 63.6 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 31700% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (2024 vs 2021).

Feature	GeForce FX 5500	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
MSRP	$37-78%	$169
Performance per Dollar	0.2	63.6+31700%
Codename	TU117S	GA107
Release	December 17 2021	February 2 2024
Ranking	#468	#252

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