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 965M 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 965M 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 965M

2016

Why buy it

✅Draws 50W instead of 70W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3050 6GB across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 4 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌2016 hardware with 4 GB 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

✅93.8% 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).
✅50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 4 GB).
✅Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌40% higher power demand at 70W vs 50W.

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 93.8% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 178.5% in PassMark G3D (10,749 vs 3,860), 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 4 GB 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 today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

GeForce GTX 965M vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Technical Specifications

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

GeForce GTX 965M

The GeForce GTX 965M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in 2016. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 944 MHz to 1150 MHz. It has 1024 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 50W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,860 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 965M scores 3,860 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 10,749 — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB leads by 178.5%. The GeForce GTX 965M is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 1,024 (GeForce GTX 965M) vs 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Raw compute: 2.355 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 965M) vs 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Boost clocks: 1150 MHz vs 1470 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 965M	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
G3D Mark Score	3,860	10,749+178%
Architecture	Maxwell 2.0	Ampere
Process Node	28 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	1024	2304+125%
Compute (TFLOPS)	2.355 TFLOPS	6.774 TFLOPS+188%
Boost Clock	1150 MHz	1470 MHz+28%
ROPs	32	32
TMUs	64	72+13%
L1 Cache	0.38 MB	2.3 MB+505%
L2 Cache	1 MB	2 MB+100%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB supports the newer DLSS 2 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce GTX 965M is capped at Upscaling support.

Feature	GeForce GTX 965M	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 965M has 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB carries 6 GB. GeForce RTX 3050 6GB gives you 50% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 80 GB/s (GeForce GTX 965M) vs 168 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) — a 110% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. Memory bus width is 128-bit on the GeForce GTX 965M and 96-bit on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. L2 Cache: 1 MB (GeForce GTX 965M) vs 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce GTX 965M	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
VRAM Capacity	4 GB	6 GB+50%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	80 GB/s	168 GB/s+110%
Bus Width	128-bit+33%	96-bit
L2 Cache	1 MB	2 MB+100%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce GTX 965M) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 965M	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.4+8%	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 5th Gen (HEVC) (GeForce GTX 965M) vs NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Decoder: PureVideo HD (VP6) vs NVDEC (7th Gen). Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 965M) vs H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB).

Feature	GeForce GTX 965M	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
Encoder	NVENC 5th Gen (HEVC)	NVENC (5th Gen)
Decoder	PureVideo HD (VP6)	NVDEC (7th Gen)
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only)

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 965M draws 50W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 70W — a 33.3% difference. The GeForce GTX 965M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce GTX 965M) vs 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs None. Card length: 0mm vs 160mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 75°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 965M	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
TDP	50W-29%	70W
Recommended PSU	350W	300W-14%
Power Connector	1x 6-pin	None
Length	0mm	160mm
Height	0mm	—
Slots	0-100%	2
Temp (Load)	80°C	75°C-6%
Perf/Watt	77.2	153.6+99%

💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (2024 vs 2016).

Feature	GeForce GTX 965M	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
MSRP	—	$169
Codename	GM206S	GA107
Release	2016	February 2 2024
Ranking	#510	#252

Search GeForce GTX 965M 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.