GeForce GTX 970 vs GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
GeForce GTX 970
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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 2014). 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 970 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 30% 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 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-30%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+30%) |
| 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 $209 for the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB, it costs 76% less. While it maintains lower overall performance, this results in a 221.5% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce GTX 970 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+221.5%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($50) | ⚠️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 970 and GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
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 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 970 scores 9,640 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB's 12,535 — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB leads by 30%. The GeForce GTX 970 is built on Maxwell 2.0 while the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB uses Ampere, both on 28 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 1,664 (GeForce GTX 970) vs 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Raw compute: 3.92 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 970) vs 9.098 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Boost clocks: 1178 MHz vs 1777 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 970 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 9,640 | 12,535+30% |
| Architecture | Maxwell 2.0 | Ampere |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 1664 | 2560+54% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 3.92 TFLOPS | 9.098 TFLOPS+132% |
| Boost Clock | 1178 MHz | 1777 MHz+51% |
| 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 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 970 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. Bus width: 256-bit vs 128-bit.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 970 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| 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 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 970 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 (FL 12_1) | 12 Ultimate |
| Vulkan | 1.3 | 1.4+8% |
| 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 8GB). Decoder: PureVideo VP6 vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 970) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 970 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 2nd gen | NVENC 7th gen |
| Decoder | PureVideo VP6 | NVDEC 5th gen |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265/HEVC | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce GTX 970 draws 150W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB's 130W — a 14.3% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce GTX 970) vs 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 267mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 66°C.
| Feature | GeForce GTX 970 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 150W | 130W-13% |
| Recommended PSU | 500W | 450W-10% |
| Power Connector | 2x 6-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 267mm | 242mm |
| Height | 111mm | 112mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 80°C | 66°C-18% |
| Perf/Watt | 64.3 | 96.4+50% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce GTX 970 launched at $329 MSRP and currently averages $50, while the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB launched at $249 and now averages $209. The GeForce GTX 970 costs 76.1% less ($159 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 192.8 (GeForce GTX 970) vs 60.0 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) — the GeForce GTX 970 offers 221.3% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2014).
| Feature | GeForce GTX 970 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $329 | $249-24% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50-76% | $209 |
| Performance per Dollar | 192.8+221% | 60.0 |
| Codename | GM204 | GA106 |
| Release | September 19 2014 | January 4 2022 |
| Ranking | #269 | #211 |
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