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 GTX 1050 3GB 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 GTX 1050 3GB 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 GTX 1050 3GB

2018

Why buy it

✅Costs $40 less on MSRP ($129 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).
✅Measures 145mm instead of 160mm, a 15mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3050 6GB across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 3 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌2018 hardware with 3 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 39.7 vs 63.6 G3D/$ ($129 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024

Why buy it

✅119.1% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 60.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 39.7 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $129 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 3 GB).
✅Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌10.3% longer card at 160mm vs 145mm.

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 119.1% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 110.1% in PassMark G3D (10,749 vs 5,116), 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 3 GB of VRAM, the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, a 8nm process instead of 14nm, 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 $40 more expensive on MSRP at $169 vs $129, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 60.4% (63.6 vs 39.7), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce GTX 1050 3GB vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Technical Specifications

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

GeForce GTX 1050 3GB

The GeForce GTX 1050 3GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 21 2018. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1392 MHz to 1518 MHz. It has 768 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,116 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 GTX 1050 3GB scores 5,116 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 10,749 — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB leads by 110.1%. The GeForce GTX 1050 3GB is built on Pascal while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB uses Ampere, both on 14 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 768 (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB) vs 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Raw compute: 2.332 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB) vs 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Boost clocks: 1518 MHz vs 1470 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 3GB	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
G3D Mark Score	5,116	10,749+110%
Architecture	Pascal	Ampere
Process Node	14 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	768	2304+200%
Compute (TFLOPS)	2.332 TFLOPS	6.774 TFLOPS+190%
Boost Clock	1518 MHz+3%	1470 MHz
ROPs	24	32+33%
TMUs	48	72+50%
L1 Cache	0.28 MB	2.3 MB+721%
L2 Cache	0.75 MB	2 MB+167%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB supports the newer DLSS 2 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce GTX 1050 3GB is capped at Upscaling support.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 3GB	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 GTX 1050 3GB has 3 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB carries 6 GB. GeForce RTX 3050 6GB gives you 100% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 84 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB) vs 168 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) — a 100% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. Memory bus width is 96-bit on the GeForce GTX 1050 3GB and 96-bit on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. L2 Cache: 0.75 MB (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB) vs 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 3GB	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
VRAM Capacity	3 GB	6 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	84 GB/s	168 GB/s+100%
Bus Width	96-bit	96-bit
L2 Cache	0.75 MB	2 MB+167%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (12_1) (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 3 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 3GB	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
DirectX	12 (12_1)	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	3	4+33%

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 6.0 (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB) vs NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Decoder: NVDEC 3.0 vs NVDEC (7th Gen). Supported codecs: H.264,H.265,VP9 (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB) vs H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 3GB	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
Encoder	NVENC 6.0	NVENC (5th Gen)
Decoder	NVDEC 3.0	NVDEC (7th Gen)
Codecs	H.264,H.265,VP9	H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only)

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1050 3GB draws 75W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 70W — a 6.9% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB) vs 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Power connectors: None vs None. Card length: 145mm vs 160mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 65 vs 75°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 3GB	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
TDP	75W	70W-7%
Recommended PSU	300W	300W
Power Connector	None	None
Length	145mm	160mm
Height	111mm	—
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	65-13%	75°C
Perf/Watt	68.2	153.6+125%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce GTX 1050 3GB came in at $129, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB launched at $169. On MSRP, GeForce GTX 1050 3GB was 23.7% cheaper ($40 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 39.7 (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB) vs 63.6 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 60.2% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (2024 vs 2018).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050 3GB	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
MSRP	$129-24%	$169
Performance per Dollar	39.7	63.6+60%
Codename	GP107	GA107
Release	May 21 2018	February 2 2024
Ranking	#440	#252

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