GeForce GTX 960 vs GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
GeForce GTX 960
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GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
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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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is significantly newer (2022 vs 2015). The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce GTX 960 lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 104.4% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (8 GB vs 4 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 960.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 960 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-104.4%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+104.4%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019)) | 🏆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 | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GTX 960 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $45 versus $209 for the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB, it costs 78% less. While it maintains significantly lower raw performance, this results in a 127.2% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 960 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+127.2%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($45) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($209) |
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 960 and GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
GeForce GTX 960
The GeForce GTX 960 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 22 2015. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1127 MHz to 1178 MHz. It has 1024 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 6,133 points. Launch price was $199.
GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 4 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1552 MHz to 1777 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: 12,535 points. Launch price was $249.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce GTX 960 scores 6,133 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB's 12,535 — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB leads by 104.4%. The GeForce GTX 960 is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 1,024 (GeForce GTX 960) vs 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Raw compute: 2.413 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 960) vs 9.098 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Boost clocks: 1178 MHz vs 1777 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 6,133 | 12,535+104% |
| Architecture | Maxwell 2.0 | Ampere |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 1024 | 2560+150% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 2.413 TFLOPS | 9.098 TFLOPS+277% |
| Boost Clock | 1178 MHz | 1777 MHz+51% |
| ROPs | 32 | 32 |
| TMUs | 64 | 80+25% |
| L1 Cache | 0.38 MB | 2.5 MB+558% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 2 MB+100% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| 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 960 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 112 GB/s (GeForce GTX 960) vs 224 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) — a 100% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 1 MB (GeForce GTX 960) vs 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 8 GB+100% |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 112 GB/s | 224 GB/s+100% |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 2 MB+100% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 (12_1) (GeForce GTX 960) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (12_1) | 12 Ultimate |
| Vulkan | 1.3 | 1.4+8% |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce GTX 960) vs NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Decoder: NVDEC (2nd Gen) vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: HEVC,H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,VP8 (GeForce GTX 960) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC (5th Gen) | NVENC 7th gen |
| Decoder | NVDEC (2nd Gen) | NVDEC 5th gen |
| Codecs | HEVC,H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1,VP8 | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 960 draws 100W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB's 130W — a 26.1% difference. The GeForce GTX 960 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 960) vs 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Power connectors: 6-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 241mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 C vs 66°C.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 100W-23% | 130W |
| Recommended PSU | 400W-11% | 450W |
| Power Connector | 6-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 241mm | 242mm |
| Height | 111mm | 112mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75 C | 66°C-12% |
| Perf/Watt | 61.3 | 96.4+57% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 960 launched at $199 MSRP and currently averages $45, while the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB launched at $249 and now averages $209. The GeForce GTX 960 costs 78.5% less ($164 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 136.3 (GeForce GTX 960) vs 60.0 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) — the GeForce GTX 960 offers 127.2% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2015).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 960 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $199-20% | $249 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $45-78% | $209 |
| Performance per Dollar | 136.3+127% | 60.0 |
| Codename | GM206 | GA106 |
| Release | January 22 2015 | January 4 2022 |
| Ranking | #393 | #211 |
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