GeForce MX230 vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

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 MX230 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 MX230 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 MX230

2019

Why buy it

✅Costs $19 less on MSRP ($150 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).
✅Draws 10W instead of 70W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3050 6GB across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌2019 hardware with 2 GB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 12.2 vs 63.6 G3D/$ ($150 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024

Why buy it

✅362.5% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 422.5% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 12.2 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 2 GB).
✅Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌600% higher power demand at 70W vs 10W.

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 362.5% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 488.7% in PassMark G3D (10,749 vs 1,826), 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 2 GB of VRAM, the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, a 8nm process instead of 14nm, 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 to buy today. It is $19 more expensive on MSRP at $169 vs $150, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 422.5% (63.6 vs 12.2), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce MX230 vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Technical Specifications

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

GeForce MX230

The GeForce MX230 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 21 2019. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1519 MHz to 1582 MHz. It has 256 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 10W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,826 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 MX230 scores 1,826 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 10,749 — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB leads by 488.7%. The GeForce MX230 is built on Pascal while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB uses Ampere, both on 14 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 256 (GeForce MX230) vs 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Raw compute: 0.81 TFLOPS (GeForce MX230) vs 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Boost clocks: 1582 MHz vs 1470 MHz.

Feature	GeForce MX230	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
G3D Mark Score	1,826	10,749+489%
Architecture	Pascal	Ampere
Process Node	14 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	256	2304+800%
Compute (TFLOPS)	0.81 TFLOPS	6.774 TFLOPS+736%
Boost Clock	1582 MHz+8%	1470 MHz
ROPs	16	32+100%
TMUs	16	72+350%
L1 Cache	0.09 MB	2.3 MB+2456%
L2 Cache	0.5 MB	2 MB+300%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB supports the newer DLSS 2 Super Resolution, whereas the GeForce MX230 is capped at Upscaling support.

Feature	GeForce MX230	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 MX230 has 2 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB carries 6 GB. GeForce RTX 3050 6GB gives you 200% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 48 GB/s (GeForce MX230) vs 168 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) — a 250% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. Memory bus width is 64-bit on the GeForce MX230 and 96-bit on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. L2 Cache: 0.5 MB (GeForce MX230) vs 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce MX230	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
VRAM Capacity	2 GB	6 GB+200%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	48 GB/s	168 GB/s+250%
Bus Width	64-bit	96-bit+50%
L2 Cache	0.5 MB	2 MB+300%

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce MX230 draws 10W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 70W — a 150% difference. The GeForce MX230 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 350W (GeForce MX230) vs 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Power connectors: Mobile vs None.

Feature	GeForce MX230	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
TDP	10W-86%	70W
Recommended PSU	350W	300W-14%
Power Connector	Mobile	None
Length	—	160mm
Slots	—	2
Temp (Load)	—	75°C
Perf/Watt	182.6+19%	153.6

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce MX230 came in at $150, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB launched at $169. On MSRP, GeForce MX230 was 11.2% cheaper ($19 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 12.2 (GeForce MX230) vs 63.6 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 421.3% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (2024 vs 2019).

Feature	GeForce MX230	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
MSRP	$150-11%	$169
Performance per Dollar	12.2	63.6+421%
Codename	GP108	GA107
Release	February 21 2019	February 2 2024
Ranking	#708	#252

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