GeForce GTS 250
VS
GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

GeForce GTS 250 vs GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

NVIDIA

GeForce GTS 250

2010Core: 783 MHz
VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

2022Core: 1515 MHzBoost: 1755 MHz

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 GTS 250 is positioned at rank #246 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar GeForce GTS 250

#1
GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
MSRP: $399|Avg: $280
1645%
#2
GeForce RTX 5060
MSRP: $299|Avg: $299
1580%
#3
Radeon RX 5600 XT
MSRP: $279|Avg: $180
1562%
#4
Radeon RX 9060
MSRP: $249|Avg: $249
1559%
#5
GeForce RTX 5050
MSRP: $249|Avg: $249
1556%
#6
GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
MSRP: $249|Avg: $150
1547%
#7
Arc A580
MSRP: $179|Avg: $179
1528%
#8
Radeon RX 9060 XT
MSRP: $299|Avg: $299
1522%
#9
Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB
MSRP: $299|Avg: $299
1508%
#10
Radeon RX 7600
MSRP: $269|Avg: $250
1504%
#11
Radeon RX 6600
MSRP: $329|Avg: $180
1486%
#12
GeForce RTX 4060
MSRP: $299|Avg: $299
1483%
#13
Arc B570
MSRP: $219|Avg: $219
1456%
#14
Arc B580
MSRP: $249|Avg: $249
1455%
#231
Radeon R5 430 OEM
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $13
1814%
#246
GeForce GTS 250
MSRP: $129|Avg: $20
100%
#247
GeForce G100
MSRP: $40|Avg: $5
100%
#249
Radeon R7 M265
MSRP: $130|Avg: $30
98%
#250
Radeon HD 8250
MSRP: $50|Avg: $50
96%
#251
Radeon HD 3300
MSRP: $30|Avg: $5
96%
#252
Radeon R5 220
MSRP: $35|Avg: $15
95%
#254
Radeon HD 7350
MSRP: $40|Avg: $10
94%
#255
GeForce GTX 285
MSRP: $359|Avg: $30
93%
#256
Radeon HD 7570
MSRP: $150|Avg: $150
92%
#257
Radeon HD 6380G
MSRP: $50|Avg: $10
91%
#258
Radeon HD 4550
MSRP: $59|Avg: $15
91%
#259
RADEON HD7450
MSRP: $50|Avg: $15
90%
#260
GeForce GT 330
MSRP: $99|Avg: $30
90%
Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

#1
GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
MSRP: $399|Avg: $280
106%
#2
GeForce RTX 5060
MSRP: $299|Avg: $299
102%
#3
Radeon RX 5600 XT
MSRP: $279|Avg: $180
101%
#4
Radeon RX 9060
MSRP: $249|Avg: $249
101%
#5
GeForce RTX 5050
MSRP: $249|Avg: $249
101%
#6
GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
MSRP: $249|Avg: $150
100%
#7
Arc A580
MSRP: $179|Avg: $179
99%
#8
Radeon RX 9060 XT
MSRP: $299|Avg: $299
98%
#9
Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB
MSRP: $299|Avg: $299
97%
#10
Radeon RX 7600
MSRP: $269|Avg: $250
97%
#11
Radeon RX 6600
MSRP: $329|Avg: $180
96%
#12
GeForce RTX 4060
MSRP: $299|Avg: $299
96%
#13
Arc B570
MSRP: $219|Avg: $219
94%
#14
Arc B580
MSRP: $249|Avg: $249
94%
#15
Radeon RX 6500 XT
MSRP: $199|Avg: $150
94%
#16
GeForce RTX 3070
MSRP: $499|Avg: $200
93%
#17
Radeon RX 6700
MSRP: $379|Avg: $300
92%
#18
Radeon RX 6600 XT
MSRP: $379|Avg: $170
91%
#19
Radeon RX590 GME
MSRP: $173|Avg: $115
91%
#20
Radeon RX 6650 XT
MSRP: $399|Avg: $230
90%
#21
GeForce RTX 5060 Ti
MSRP: $379|Avg: $379
89%
Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

⚠️ Generational Difference

The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is significantly newer (2022 vs 2010). The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTS 250 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1990% higher G3D Mark score and 700% more VRAM (8 GB vs 1 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTS 250.

InsightGeForce GTS 250GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
Performance
Lower raw frame rates (-1990%)
Leading raw performance (+1990%)
Longevity
🛑Obsolete Architecture (2010 / Fermi (2010−2014))
🏆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
📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $150 (vs $20), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 178.7% better value per dollar than the GeForce GTS 250.

InsightGeForce GTS 250GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+178.7%)
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($20)
⚠️Higher upfront cost ($150)

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 GTS 250 and GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

NVIDIA

GeForce GTS 250

The GeForce GTS 250 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 13 2010. It features the Fermi architecture. The core clock speed is 783 MHz. It has 192 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 106W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 569 points. Launch price was $129.

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 4 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1515 MHz to 1755 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: 11,892 points.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTS 250 scores 569 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM's 11,892 — the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM leads by 1990%. The GeForce GTS 250 is built on Fermi while the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM uses Ampere, both on 40 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 192 (GeForce GTS 250) vs 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Raw compute: 0.6013 TFLOPS (GeForce GTS 250) vs 8.986 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM).

FeatureGeForce GTS 250GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
G3D Mark Score
569
11,892+1990%
Architecture
Fermi
Ampere
Process Node
40 nm
8 nm
Shading Units
192
2560+1233%
Compute (TFLOPS)
0.6013 TFLOPS
8.986 TFLOPS+1394%
ROPs
16
32+100%
TMUs
32
80+150%
L1 Cache
0.25 MB
2.5 MB+900%
L2 Cache
0.25 MB
2 MB+700%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce GTS 250GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
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 GTS 250 comes with 1 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM offers 700% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 0.25 MB (GeForce GTS 250) vs 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) — the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce GTS 250GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
VRAM Capacity
1 GB
8 GB+700%
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
Unknown
224 GB/s
Bus Width
128-bit
128-bit
L2 Cache
0.25 MB
2 MB+700%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce GTS 250) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce GTS 250GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
DirectX
11.1 (10_0)
12.2+10%
OpenGL
3.3
4.6+39%
Max Displays
2
4+100%
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: PureVideo HD VP5 (GeForce GTS 250) vs 8th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP5 vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTS 250) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode) (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM).

FeatureGeForce GTS 250GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
Encoder
PureVideo HD VP5
8th Gen NVENC
Decoder
PureVideo HD VP5
5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs
H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2
MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode)
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTS 250 draws 106W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM's 130W — a 20.3% difference. The GeForce GTS 250 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce GTS 250) vs 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 229mm vs 235mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 90°C vs 75°C.

FeatureGeForce GTS 250GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
TDP
106W-18%
130W
Recommended PSU
450W
450W
Power Connector
1x 6-pin
8-pin
Length
229mm
235mm
Height
111mm
124mm
Slots
2
2
Temp (Load)
90°C
75°C-17%
Perf/Watt
5.4
91.5+1594%
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTS 250 launched at $129 MSRP and currently averages $20, while the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM launched at $249 and now averages $150. The GeForce GTS 250 costs 86.7% less ($130 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 28.4 (GeForce GTS 250) vs 79.3 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) — the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM offers 179.2% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2010).

FeatureGeForce GTS 250GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
MSRP
$129-48%
$249
Avg Price (30d)
$20-87%
$150
Performance per Dollar
28.4
79.3+179%
Codename
GF106
GA106
Release
September 13 2010
January 4 2022
Ranking
#791
#224