GeForce RTX 2050 vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 2050

2018Core: 1515 MHzBoost: 1710 MHz
RTX family
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VS
NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024Core: 1042 MHzBoost: 1470 MHz
RTX family
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GeForce RTX 2050 vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Performance Spectrum

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.

GeForce RTX 2050 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 RTX 2050 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 RTX 2050

2018

Why buy it

  • 15.2% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Costs $19 less on MSRP ($150 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).
  • 411.1% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (368 vs 72).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (7,714 vs 10,749).
  • Less VRAM, with 4 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • Older hardware, 4 GB of VRAM, and weaker feature support mean it will age faster in newer AAA releases.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 51.4 vs 63.6 G3D/$ ($150 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).
  • 207.1% higher power demand at 215W vs 70W.

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024

Why buy it

  • +39.3% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • Delivers 23.7% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 51.4 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
  • 50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 4 GB).
  • Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
  • Draws 70W instead of 215W, a 145W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 2050 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (72 vs 368), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce RTX 2050 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 15.2% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. PassMark G3D leans toward GeForce RTX 3050 6GB instead at 10,749 vs 7,714, so for this question the real-game FPS result matters more than the synthetic split.
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 4 GB of VRAM, a 8nm process instead of 12nm, and a newer 2024 generation instead of 2018. 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 23.7% (63.6 vs 51.4), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. GeForce RTX 2050 still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

GeForce RTX 2050 vs GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Technical Specifications

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

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 2050

The GeForce RTX 2050 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 20 2018. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1515 MHz to 1710 MHz. It has 2944 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 215W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. It features 46 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 7,714 points. Launch price was $699.

NVIDIA

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 RTX 2050 scores 7,714 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 10,749 — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB leads by 39.3%. The GeForce RTX 2050 is built on Turing while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB uses Ampere, both on 12 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,944 (GeForce RTX 2050) vs 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Raw compute: 10.07 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 2050) vs 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Boost clocks: 1710 MHz vs 1470 MHz. Ray tracing: 46 RT cores (GeForce RTX 2050) vs 18 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) with 368 Tensor cores vs 72.

FeatureGeForce RTX 2050GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
G3D Mark Score
7,714
10,749+39%
Architecture
Turing
Ampere
Process Node
12 nm
8 nm
Shading Units
2944+28%
2304
Compute (TFLOPS)
10.07 TFLOPS+49%
6.774 TFLOPS
Boost Clock
1710 MHz+16%
1470 MHz
ROPs
64+100%
32
TMUs
184+156%
72
L1 Cache
2.9 MB+26%
2.3 MB
L2 Cache
4 MB+100%
2 MB
Ray Tracing Cores
46+156%
18
Tensor Cores
368+411%
72

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce RTX 2050GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
Upscaling Tech
DLSS 2 Super Resolution
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 RTX 2050 has 4 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB carries 6 GB. GeForce RTX 3050 6GB gives you 50% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 112 GB/s (GeForce RTX 2050) vs 168 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) — a 50% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. Memory bus width is 64-bit on the GeForce RTX 2050 and 96-bit on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. L2 Cache: 4 MB (GeForce RTX 2050) vs 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) — the GeForce RTX 2050 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 2050GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
VRAM Capacity
4 GB
6 GB+50%
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
112 GB/s
168 GB/s+50%
Bus Width
64-bit
96-bit+50%
L2 Cache
4 MB+100%
2 MB
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.2 (GeForce RTX 2050) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce RTX 2050GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
DirectX
12.2+2%
12 Ultimate
Vulkan
1.3
1.3
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 8.0 (GeForce RTX 2050) vs NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP11 vs NVDEC (7th Gen). Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode) (GeForce RTX 2050) vs H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB).

FeatureGeForce RTX 2050GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
Encoder
NVENC 8.0
NVENC (5th Gen)
Decoder
PureVideo HD VP11
NVDEC (7th Gen)
Codecs
MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode)
H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only)
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 2050 draws 215W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB's 70W — a 101.8% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce RTX 2050) vs 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB). Power connectors: 6-pin vs None. Card length: 0mm vs 160mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots.

FeatureGeForce RTX 2050GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
TDP
215W
70W-67%
Recommended PSU
300W
300W
Power Connector
6-pin
None
Length
0mm
160mm
Height
0mm
Slots
0-100%
2
Temp (Load)
75°C
Perf/Watt
35.9
153.6+328%
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 2050 came in at $150, while the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB launched at $169. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 2050 was 11.2% cheaper ($19 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 51.4 (GeForce RTX 2050) vs 63.6 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 23.7% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (2024 vs 2018).

FeatureGeForce RTX 2050GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
MSRP
$150-11%
$169
Performance per Dollar
51.4
63.6+24%
Codename
TU104
GA107
Release
September 20 2018
February 2 2024
Ranking
#94
#252

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