GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU vs GeForce GTX 970
GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU
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GeForce GTX 970
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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. The GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU is positioned at rank #40 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Great cost-benefit for your build. 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 GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU
Performance Per Dollar
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 RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU | GeForce GTX 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.6%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.6%) |
| Longevity | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2014 / Maxwell 2.0 (2014−2019)) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (4 GB) | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| 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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU and GeForce GTX 970
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.
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.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU scores 9,489 and the GeForce GTX 970 reaches 9,640 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.6% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU is built on Ampere while the GeForce GTX 970 uses Maxwell 2.0, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 2,048 (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU) vs 1,664 (GeForce GTX 970). Raw compute: 7.127 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU) vs 3.92 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 970). Boost clocks: 1740 MHz vs 1178 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU | GeForce GTX 970 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 9,489 | 9,640+2% |
| Architecture | Ampere | Maxwell 2.0 |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 2048+23% | 1664 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 7.127 TFLOPS+82% | 3.92 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1740 MHz+48% | 1178 MHz |
| ROPs | 32 | 56+75% |
| TMUs | 64 | 104+63% |
| L1 Cache | 2 MB+228% | 0.61 MB |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 2 MB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
The GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The GeForce GTX 970 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU | GeForce GTX 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | DLSS 2.0 | FSR 2.1 (Compatible) |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) | FSR 3 (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | NVIDIA Reflex | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
Both cards feature 4 GB of video memory. Memory bandwidth: 192 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU) vs 224 GB/s (GeForce GTX 970) — a 16.7% advantage for the GeForce GTX 970. Bus width: 128-bit vs 256-bit.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU | GeForce GTX 970 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 192 GB/s | 224 GB/s+17% |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 256-bit+100% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 2 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU) vs 12 (FL 12_1) (GeForce GTX 970). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU | GeForce GTX 970 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12 (FL 12_1) |
| Vulkan | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC (7th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU) vs NVENC 2nd gen (GeForce GTX 970). Decoder: NVDEC (5th Gen) vs PureVideo VP6. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 970).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU | GeForce GTX 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC (7th Gen) | NVENC 2nd gen |
| Decoder | NVDEC (5th Gen) | PureVideo VP6 |
| Codecs | H.264,HEVC,AV1,VP9 | H.264,H.265/HEVC |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU draws 90W versus the GeForce GTX 970's 150W — a 50% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU) vs 500W (GeForce GTX 970). Power connectors: Mobile vs 2x 6-pin. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 80°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU | GeForce GTX 970 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 90W-40% | 150W |
| Recommended PSU | 500W | 500W |
| Power Connector | Mobile | 2x 6-pin |
| Length | — | 267mm |
| Height | — | 111mm |
| Slots | 0-100% | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 85°C | 80°C-6% |
| Perf/Watt | 105.4+64% | 64.3 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2014).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Laptop GPU | GeForce GTX 970 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $329 |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $50 |
| Codename | GA107 | GM204 |
| Release | January 27 2022 | September 19 2014 |
| Ranking | #276 | #269 |
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