GeForce GTX 970 vs GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile

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 Mobile

#100

Radeon RX 550X (móvel)

MSRP: $35|Avg: $35

270%

#102

GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

245%

#103

GeForce GTX 1060 with Max-Q Design

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $100

244%

#107

GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50

222%

#108

Radeon RX 6300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $40

220%

#110

GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

100%

#114

Radeon RX 470 (móvel)

MSRP: $179|Avg: $40

97%

#116

GeForce GTX 880M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $150

95%

#117

GeForce MX570

MSRP: $150|Avg: $120

95%

#118

Radeon RX 6500

MSRP: $199|Avg: $150

95%

#119

GeForce 825M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $30

95%

#121

Radeon HD 6970M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $48

94%

#123

Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

⚠️ Generational Difference

The GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile is significantly newer (2021 vs 2014). The GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile 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 1.5% 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 Mobile.

Insight	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile
Performance	✅Leading raw performance (+1.5%)	❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.5%)
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

The GeForce GTX 970 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $50 versus $150 for the GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile, it costs 67% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 204.6% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+204.6%)	❌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 4GB Mobile Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

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

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 Mobile

The GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 11 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1238 MHz to 1500 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 60W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 9,494 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 970 scores 9,640 and the GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile reaches 9,494 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.5% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 970 is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 1,664 (GeForce GTX 970) vs 2,048 (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile). Boost clocks: 1178 MHz vs 1500 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile
G3D Mark Score	9,640+2%	9,494
Architecture	Maxwell 2.0	Ampere
Process Node	28 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	1664	2048+23%
Boost Clock	1178 MHz	1500 MHz+27%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile
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 Mobile) — a 16.7% advantage for the GeForce GTX 970. Bus width: 256-bit vs 128-bit.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile
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

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 (FL 12_1) (GeForce GTX 970) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile). 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 Mobile
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 NVENC 8.0 (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile). Decoder: PureVideo VP6 vs PureVideo HD VP11. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 970) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode) (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile).

Feature	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile
Encoder	NVENC 2nd gen	NVENC 8.0
Decoder	PureVideo VP6	PureVideo HD VP11
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 4GB Mobile's 60W — a 85.7% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 970) vs 500W (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs Mobile. Card length: 267mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots.

Feature	GeForce GTX 970	GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile
TDP	150W	60W-60%
Recommended PSU	500W	500W
Power Connector	2x 6-pin	Mobile
Length	267mm	0mm
Height	111mm	0mm
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	80°C	—
Perf/Watt	64.3	158.2+146%

💰

Value Analysis

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 63.3 (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile) — the GeForce GTX 970 offers 204.6% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2014).