GeForce GTX 850A 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 850A 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 850A 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 850A

2015

Why buy it

✅Costs $19 less on MSRP ($150 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).

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.
❌2015 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 5.1 vs 63.6 G3D/$ ($150 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024

Why buy it

✅572.6% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 1143.9% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 5.1 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $150 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 572.6% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 1301.4% in PassMark G3D (10,749 vs 767), 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 28nm, 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 $19 more expensive on MSRP at $169 vs $150, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 1143.9% (63.6 vs 5.1), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce GTX 850A vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Technical Specifications

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

GeForce GTX 850A

The GeForce GTX 850A is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 13 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 993 MHz to 1124 MHz. It has 640 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 767 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 850A scores 767 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 10,749 — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB leads by 1301.4%. The GeForce GTX 850A is built on Maxwell while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 640 (GeForce GTX 850A) vs 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Raw compute: 1.439 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 850A) vs 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Boost clocks: 1124 MHz vs 1470 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 850A	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
G3D Mark Score	767	10,749+1301%
Architecture	Maxwell	Ampere
Process Node	28 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	640	2304+260%
Compute (TFLOPS)	1.439 TFLOPS	6.774 TFLOPS+371%
Boost Clock	1124 MHz	1470 MHz+31%
ROPs	16	32+100%
TMUs	40	72+80%
L1 Cache	0.31 MB	2.3 MB+642%
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB supports the newer DLSS 2 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce GTX 850A is capped at Upscaling support.

Feature	GeForce GTX 850A	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 850A 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 128-bit on the GeForce GTX 850A and 96-bit on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB.

Feature	GeForce GTX 850A	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
VRAM Capacity	0.5 GB	6 GB+1100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	Unknown	168 GB/s
Bus Width	128-bit+33%	96-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 850A 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: 350W (GeForce GTX 850A) vs 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Power connectors: PCIe-powered vs None.

Feature	GeForce GTX 850A	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
TDP	75W	70W-7%
Recommended PSU	350W	300W-14%
Power Connector	PCIe-powered	None
Length	—	160mm
Slots	—	2
Temp (Load)	—	75°C
Perf/Watt	10.2	153.6+1406%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce GTX 850A came in at $150, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB launched at $169. On MSRP, GeForce GTX 850A was 11.2% cheaper ($19 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 5.1 (GeForce GTX 850A) vs 63.6 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 1147.1% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (2024 vs 2015).

Feature	GeForce GTX 850A	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
MSRP	$150-11%	$169
Performance per Dollar	5.1	63.6+1147%
Codename	GM107	GA107
Release	March 13 2015	February 2 2024
Ranking	#621	#252

Search GeForce GTX 850A on Amazon

Search GeForce RTX 3050 6GB on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.