GeForce GTX 970 vs GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU

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 4GB Laptop GPU

#16

Radeon RX 7600S

MSRP: $269|Avg: $250

91%

#30

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

172%

#32

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

156%

#33

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

155%

#37

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

141%

#38

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

140%

#40

GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#46

Radeon RX 5500M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

94%

#48

GeForce GTX 980 (móvel)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

93%

#49

GeForce 610M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $20

92%

#50

GeForce GTX 1650 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $75

92%

#53

GeForce GTX 980M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $80

89%

#54

GeForce GTX 770M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $40

88%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

⚠️ Generational Difference

The GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU is significantly newer (2022 vs 2014). The GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU 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 GTX 970 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.6% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU.

Insight	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+1.6%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.6%)
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 (4 GB)
Efficiency	⚡ Higher Power Consumption	💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
Case Fit	Standard Size (267mm)	—

💎 Value Proposition

While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce GTX 970 remains the clear technical winner. Check real-time availability to determine if the performance gap justifies the market price.

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 4GB Laptop GPU Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 970 and GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU

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 4GB Laptop GPU

The GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 27 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1545 MHz to 1740 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 90W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 16 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 9,489 points. Launch price was $199.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 970 scores 9,640 and the GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU reaches 9,489 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 970 is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 1,664 (GeForce GTX 970) vs 2,048 (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU). Raw compute: 3.92 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 970) vs 7.127 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU). Boost clocks: 1178 MHz vs 1740 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU
G3D Mark Score	9,640+2%	9,489
Architecture	Maxwell 2.0	Ampere
Process Node	28 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	1664	2048+23%
Compute (TFLOPS)	3.92 TFLOPS	7.127 TFLOPS+82%
Boost Clock	1178 MHz	1740 MHz+48%
ROPs	56+75%	32
TMUs	104+63%	64
L1 Cache	0.61 MB	2 MB+228%
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU
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)

Both cards feature 4 GB of video memory. Memory bandwidth: 224 GB/s (GeForce GTX 970) vs 192 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU) — a 16.7% advantage for the GeForce GTX 970. Bus width: 256-bit vs 128-bit.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU
VRAM Capacity	4 GB	4 GB
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	224 GB/s+17%	192 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 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU). 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 4GB Laptop GPU
DirectX	12 (FL 12_1)	12 Ultimate
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 NVENC (7th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU). Decoder: PureVideo VP6 vs NVDEC (5th Gen). Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 970) vs H.264,HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU).

Feature	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU
Encoder	NVENC 2nd gen	NVENC (7th Gen)
Decoder	PureVideo VP6	NVDEC (5th Gen)
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC	H.264,HEVC,AV1,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 970 draws 150W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU's 90W — a 50% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 970) vs 500W (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs Mobile. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 85°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU
TDP	150W	90W-40%
Recommended PSU	500W	500W
Power Connector	2x 6-pin	Mobile
Length	267mm	—
Height	111mm	—
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	80°C-6%	85°C
Perf/Watt	64.3	105.4+64%