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 vs GeForce GTX 1050 3GB 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 vs GeForce GTX 1050 3GB: 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

2016

Why buy it

✅13.5% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Costs $19 less on MSRP ($110 MSRP vs $129 MSRP).
✅Delivers 15.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 45.8 vs 39.7 G3D/$ ($110 MSRP vs $129 MSRP).
✅Draws 60W instead of 75W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 3 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌2016 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.

GeForce GTX 1050 3GB

2018

Why buy it

✅50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (3 GB vs 2 GB).
✅GeForce GTX 1050 is already obsolete for modern gaming, so GeForce GTX 1050 3GB is the less risky modern option long term.
✅More future proof: Pascal (2016−2021) on 14nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce GTX 1050 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌2018 hardware with 3 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌
17.3% HIGHER MSRP
$129 MSRPvs$110 MSRP
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 39.7 vs 45.8 G3D/$ ($129 MSRP vs $110 MSRP).
❌25% higher power demand at 75W vs 60W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

GeForce GTX 1050 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 13.5% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. PassMark G3D leans toward GeForce GTX 1050 3GB instead at 5,116 vs 5,033, so for this question the real-game FPS result matters more than the synthetic split.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce GTX 1050 3GB is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 3 GB vs 2 GB of VRAM and a newer 2018 generation instead of 2016. That gives it more room for heavier textures and higher settings over time.

Which GPU is the better buy today?

GeForce GTX 1050 makes the most sense to buy today. It is $19 cheaper on MSRP at $110 vs $129, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 15.4% (45.8 vs 39.7), so the value case lines up with the gaming result. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce GTX 1050 is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and some 1440p headroom, GeForce GTX 1050 3GB has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce GTX 1050 vs GeForce GTX 1050 3GB Technical Specifications

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

GeForce GTX 1050

The GeForce GTX 1050 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in October 25 2016. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1290 MHz to 1392 MHz. It has 640 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 60W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,033 points. Launch price was $109.

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.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 1050 scores 5,033 and the GeForce GTX 1050 3GB reaches 5,116 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 1050 is built on Pascal while the GeForce GTX 1050 3GB uses Pascal, both on a 14 nm process. Shader units: 640 (GeForce GTX 1050) vs 768 (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB). Raw compute: 1.862 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1050) vs 2.332 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB). Boost clocks: 1392 MHz vs 1518 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050	GeForce GTX 1050 3GB
G3D Mark Score	5,033	5,116+2%
Architecture	Pascal	Pascal
Process Node	14 nm	14 nm
Shading Units	640	768+20%
Compute (TFLOPS)	1.862 TFLOPS	2.332 TFLOPS+25%
Boost Clock	1392 MHz	1518 MHz+9%
ROPs	32+33%	24
TMUs	40	48+20%
L1 Cache	240 KB	288 KB+20%
L2 Cache	1 MB+33%	0.75 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050	GeForce GTX 1050 3GB
Upscaling Tech	Upscaling support	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 1050 has 2 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1050 3GB carries 3 GB. GeForce GTX 1050 3GB gives you 50% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 112 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1050) vs 84 GB/s (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB) — a 33.3% advantage for the GeForce GTX 1050. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the GeForce GTX 1050 and 96-bit on the GeForce GTX 1050 3GB. L2 Cache: 1 MB (GeForce GTX 1050) vs 0.75 MB (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB) — the GeForce GTX 1050 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050	GeForce GTX 1050 3GB
VRAM Capacity	2 GB	3 GB+50%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	112 GB/s+33%	84 GB/s
Bus Width	128-bit+33%	96-bit
L2 Cache	1 MB+33%	0.75 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

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

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050	GeForce GTX 1050 3GB
DirectX	12 (12_1)	12 (12_1)
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	3	3

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (6th Gen) (GeForce GTX 1050) vs NVENC 6.0 (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB). Decoder: NVDEC (3rd Gen) vs NVDEC 3.0. Supported codecs: HEVC,H.264,VP9 (GeForce GTX 1050) vs H.264,H.265,VP9 (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050	GeForce GTX 1050 3GB
Encoder	NVENC (6th Gen)	NVENC 6.0
Decoder	NVDEC (3rd Gen)	NVDEC 3.0
Codecs	HEVC,H.264,VP9	H.264,H.265,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1050 draws 60W versus the GeForce GTX 1050 3GB's 75W — a 22.2% difference. The GeForce GTX 1050 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce GTX 1050) vs 300W (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB). Power connectors: None vs None. Card length: 145mm vs 145mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 65 C vs 65.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050	GeForce GTX 1050 3GB
TDP	60W-20%	75W
Recommended PSU	300W	300W
Power Connector	None	None
Length	145mm	145mm
Height	111mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	65 C	65
Perf/Watt	83.9+23%	68.2

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce GTX 1050 came in at $110, while the GeForce GTX 1050 3GB launched at $129. On MSRP, GeForce GTX 1050 was 14.7% cheaper ($19 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 45.8 (GeForce GTX 1050) vs 39.7 (GeForce GTX 1050 3GB) — the GeForce GTX 1050 offers 15.4% better value. The newer card here is GeForce GTX 1050 3GB (2018 vs 2016).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1050	GeForce GTX 1050 3GB
MSRP	$110-15%	$129
Performance per Dollar	45.8+15%	39.7
Codename	GP107	GP107
Release	October 25 2016	May 21 2018
Ranking	#443	#440

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