GeForce GTX 260M SLI vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

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 260M SLI 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 260M SLI 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 260M SLI

2009

Why buy it

✅Competitive enough if your priority is price, power, or specific feature preference.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3050 6GB across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 512 MB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌2009 hardware with 512 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 63.6 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $169 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024

Why buy it

✅645.3% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 0 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅1100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 512 MB).
✅Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer clear downsides in this head-to-head, aside from the usual pricing and availability swings.

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 645.3% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 1728.1% in PassMark G3D (10,749 vs 588), 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 512 MB of VRAM, the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, a 8nm process instead of 55nm, 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 today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

GeForce GTX 260M SLI vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Technical Specifications

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

GeForce GTX 260M SLI

The GeForce GTX 260M SLI is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 2 2009. It features the G9x architecture. The core clock speed is 550 MHz. It has 224 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 55 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 588 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.

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Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 260M SLI scores 588 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 10,749 — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB leads by 1728.1%. The GeForce GTX 260M SLI is built on G9x while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB uses Ampere, both on 55 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 224 (GeForce GTX 260M SLI) vs 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB).

Feature	GeForce GTX 260M SLI	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
G3D Mark Score	588	10,749+1728%
Architecture	G9x	Ampere
Process Node	55 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	224	2304+929%

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Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB supports the newer DLSS 2 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce GTX 260M SLI is capped at Upscaling support.

Feature	GeForce GTX 260M SLI	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

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Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 260M SLI has 512 MB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB carries 6 GB. GeForce RTX 3050 6GB gives you 1100% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 64-bit on the GeForce GTX 260M SLI and 96-bit on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB.

Feature	GeForce GTX 260M SLI	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
VRAM Capacity	0.5 GB	6 GB+1100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	168 GB/s
Bus Width	64-bit	96-bit+50%

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Display & API Support

DirectX support: 11.1 (10_0) (GeForce GTX 260M SLI) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 260M SLI	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
DirectX	11.1 (10_0)	12 Ultimate+8%
OpenGL	3.3	4.6+39%
Max Displays	2	4+100%

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Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: PureVideo HD VP2 (GeForce GTX 260M SLI) vs NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP2 vs NVDEC (7th Gen). Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce GTX 260M SLI) vs H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB).

Feature	GeForce GTX 260M SLI	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
Encoder	PureVideo HD VP2	NVENC (5th Gen)
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP2	NVDEC (7th Gen)
Codecs	H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2	H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only)

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Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 260M SLI draws 150W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 70W — a 72.7% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 260M SLI) vs 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs None. Typical load temperature: 90°C vs 75°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 260M SLI	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
TDP	150W	70W-53%
Recommended PSU	350W	300W-14%
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	None
Length	—	160mm
Slots	0-100%	2
Temp (Load)	90°C	75°C-17%
Perf/Watt	3.9	153.6+3838%

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Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (2024 vs 2009).

Feature	GeForce GTX 260M SLI	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
MSRP	—	$169
Codename	NB9E-GTX	GA107
Release	March 2 2009	February 2 2024
Ranking	#806	#252

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