GeForce GTX 480
VS
GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

GeForce GTX 480 vs GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 480

2010Core: 700 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. 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

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 GTX 480 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 191.8% higher G3D Mark score and 433.3% more VRAM (8 GB vs 2 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 480.

InsightGeForce GTX 480GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
Performance
Lower raw frame rates (-191.8%)
Leading raw performance (+191.8%)
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
Standard Size (267mm)
📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $150 (vs $100), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 94.6% better value per dollar than the GeForce GTX 480.

InsightGeForce GTX 480GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+94.6%)
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($100)
⚠️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 GTX 480 and GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX 480

The GeForce GTX 480 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 26 2010. It features the Fermi architecture. The core clock speed is 700 MHz. It has 480 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 250W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 4,075 points. Launch price was $499.

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 GTX 480 scores 4,075 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM's 11,892 — the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM leads by 191.8%. The GeForce GTX 480 is built on Fermi while the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM uses Ampere, both on 40 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 480 (GeForce GTX 480) vs 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Raw compute: 1.345 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 480) vs 8.986 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM).

FeatureGeForce GTX 480GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
G3D Mark Score
4,075
11,892+192%
Architecture
Fermi
Ampere
Process Node
40 nm
8 nm
Shading Units
480
2560+433%
Compute (TFLOPS)
1.345 TFLOPS
8.986 TFLOPS+568%
ROPs
48+50%
32
TMUs
60
80+33%
L1 Cache
0.94 MB
2.5 MB+166%
L2 Cache
0.75 MB
2 MB+167%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce GTX 480GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
Upscaling Tech
FSR 2.1 (Compatible)
DLSS 2.0
Frame Generation
FSR 3 (Compatible)
FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible)
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
Standard
NVIDIA Reflex
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 480 comes with 2 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM offers 433.3% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 177.4 GB/s (GeForce GTX 480) vs 224 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) — a 26.3% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM. Bus width: 384-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 0.75 MB (GeForce GTX 480) vs 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) — the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce GTX 480GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
VRAM Capacity
1.5 GB
8 GB+433%
Memory Type
GDDR5
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
177.4 GB/s
224 GB/s+26%
Bus Width
384-bit+200%
128-bit
L2 Cache
0.75 MB
2 MB+167%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (11_0) (GeForce GTX 480) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Vulkan: 1.2 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce GTX 480GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
DirectX
12 (11_0)
12.2+2%
Vulkan
1.2
1.3+8%
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
2
4+100%
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: PureVideo HD VP4 (GeForce GTX 480) vs 8th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP4 vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 ASP (GeForce GTX 480) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode) (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM).

FeatureGeForce GTX 480GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
Encoder
PureVideo HD VP4
8th Gen NVENC
Decoder
PureVideo HD VP4
5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs
H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 ASP
MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode)
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 480 draws 250W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM's 130W — a 63.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 600W (GeForce GTX 480) vs 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Power connectors: 6-pin + 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 235mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 90°C vs 75°C.

FeatureGeForce GTX 480GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
TDP
250W
130W-48%
Recommended PSU
600W
450W-25%
Power Connector
6-pin + 8-pin
8-pin
Length
267mm
235mm
Height
111mm
124mm
Slots
2
2
Temp (Load)
90°C
75°C-17%
Perf/Watt
16.3
91.5+461%
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 480 launched at $499 MSRP and currently averages $100, while the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM launched at $249 and now averages $150. The GeForce GTX 480 costs 33.3% less ($50 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 40.8 (GeForce GTX 480) vs 79.3 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) — the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM offers 94.4% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2010).

FeatureGeForce GTX 480GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
MSRP
$499
$249-50%
Avg Price (30d)
$100-33%
$150
Performance per Dollar
40.8
79.3+94%
Codename
GF100
GA106
Release
March 26 2010
January 4 2022
Ranking
#488
#224