GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile vs GeForce GTX 970

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 Mobile is positioned at rank #110 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Balanced cost-benefit for your build. 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 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 Per Dollar

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

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 RTX 3050 4GB Mobile	GeForce GTX 970
Cost Efficiency	❌Lower cost efficiency	✅Better overall value (+204.6%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($150)	✅More affordable ($50)

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 RTX 3050 4GB Mobile Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 970 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

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

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.

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 Mobile scores 9,494 and the GeForce GTX 970 reaches 9,640 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.5% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile 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 Mobile) vs 1,664 (GeForce GTX 970). Boost clocks: 1500 MHz vs 1178 MHz.

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

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile 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 Mobile	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 Mobile) 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 Mobile	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%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.2 (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile) 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 Mobile	GeForce GTX 970
DirectX	12.2+2%	12 (FL 12_1)
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 8.0 (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile) vs NVENC 2nd gen (GeForce GTX 970). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP11 vs PureVideo VP6. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode) (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 970).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile	GeForce GTX 970
Encoder	NVENC 8.0	NVENC 2nd gen
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP11	PureVideo VP6
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode)	H.264,H.265/HEVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile draws 60W versus the GeForce GTX 970's 150W — a 85.7% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 500W (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile) vs 500W (GeForce GTX 970). Power connectors: Mobile vs 2x 6-pin. Card length: 0mm vs 267mm, occupying 0 vs 2 slots.

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

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 970 costs 66.7% less ($100 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 63.3 (GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile) vs 192.8 (GeForce GTX 970) — the GeForce GTX 970 offers 204.6% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile is the newer GPU (2021 vs 2014).