GeForce GTX 970 vs GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

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 2014). 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 970 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 23.4% 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 970.

Insight	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-23.4%)	✅Leading raw performance (+23.4%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / 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	Standard Size (267mm)	📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 970 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $50 versus $150 for the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM, it costs 67% less. While it maintains lower overall performance, this results in a 143.2% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+143.2%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($50)	⚠️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.

GeForce GTX 970 Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 970 and GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

GeForce GTX 970

The GeForce GTX 970 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 19 2014. It features the Maxwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1050 MHz to 1178 MHz. It has 1664 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 9,640 points. Launch price was $329.

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 970 scores 9,640 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM's 11,892 — the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM leads by 23.4%. The GeForce GTX 970 is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 1,664 (GeForce GTX 970) vs 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Raw compute: 3.92 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 970) vs 8.986 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Boost clocks: 1178 MHz vs 1755 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
G3D Mark Score	9,640	11,892+23%
Architecture	Maxwell 2.0	Ampere
Process Node	28 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	1664	2560+54%
Compute (TFLOPS)	3.92 TFLOPS	8.986 TFLOPS+129%
Boost Clock	1178 MHz	1755 MHz+49%
ROPs	56+75%	32
TMUs	104+30%	80
L1 Cache	0.61 MB	2.5 MB+310%
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce 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 970 comes with 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 256-bit vs 128-bit.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
VRAM Capacity	4 GB	8 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	224 GB/s	224 GB/s
Bus Width	256-bit+100%	128-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (FL 12_1) (GeForce GTX 970) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
DirectX	12 (FL 12_1)	12.2+2%
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 2nd gen (GeForce GTX 970) vs 8th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Decoder: PureVideo VP6 vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 970) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode) (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM).

Feature	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
Encoder	NVENC 2nd gen	8th Gen NVENC
Decoder	PureVideo VP6	5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode)

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 970 draws 150W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM's 130W — a 14.3% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 970) vs 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 235mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 75°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
TDP	150W	130W-13%
Recommended PSU	500W	450W-10%
Power Connector	2x 6-pin	8-pin
Length	267mm	235mm
Height	111mm	124mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	80°C	75°C-6%
Perf/Watt	64.3	91.5+42%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 970 launched at $329 MSRP and currently averages $50, while the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM launched at $249 and now averages $150. The GeForce GTX 970 costs 66.7% less ($100 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 192.8 (GeForce GTX 970) vs 79.3 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) — the GeForce GTX 970 offers 143.1% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2014).