GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs M1 8-Core GPU

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024Core: 1042 MHzBoost: 1470 MHz
RTX family
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VS

M1 8-Core GPU

2020Core: 1278 MHz
Similar parts
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GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs M1 8-Core GPU 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 3050 6GB vs M1 8-Core GPU: 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 3050 6GB

2024

Why buy it

  • +115% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 0 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs Unknown 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

  • 133.3% higher power demand at 70W vs 30W.

M1 8-Core GPU

2020

Why buy it

  • Draws 30W instead of 70W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (5,000 vs 10,749).
  • Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
  • GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the safer long-term pick here because the hardware is newer and the feature stack is stronger.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 63.6 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $169 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the faster gaming card right now based on the synthetic data we have. It leads by 115% in PassMark G3D (10,749 vs 5,000), which is the best performance signal available in this matchup.
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, 18 vs 0 ray-tracing units, and a newer 2024 generation instead of 2020. 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 today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup.

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs M1 8-Core GPU Technical Specifications

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

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.

M1 8-Core GPU

The M1 8-Core GPU is manufactured by Apple. It was released in November 10 2020. The core clock speed is 1278 MHz. It has 8 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 30W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,000 points.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB scores 10,749 versus the M1 8-Core GPU's 5,000 — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB leads by 115%. Shader units: 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 8 (M1 8-Core GPU).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBM1 8-Core GPU
G3D Mark Score
10,749+115%
5,000
Process Node
8 nm
5 nm
Shading Units
2304+28700%
8

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The M1 8-Core GPU leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBM1 8-Core GPU
Upscaling Tech
DLSS 2 Super Resolution
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
Not Supported
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
Standard
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB has 6 GB of VRAM, while the M1 8-Core GPU carries 2 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: 168 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 68 GB/s (M1 8-Core GPU) — a 147.1% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. Memory bus width is 96-bit on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB and Unified on the M1 8-Core GPU.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBM1 8-Core GPU
VRAM Capacity
6 GB+200%
2 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6
Shared
Memory Bandwidth
168 GB/s+147%
68 GB/s
Bus Width
96-bit
Unified
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs N/A (M1 8-Core GPU). OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.1 (Rosetta 2). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBM1 8-Core GPU
DirectX
12 Ultimate
N/A
OpenGL
4.6+12%
4.1 (Rosetta 2)
Max Displays
4+100%
2
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs Apple M1 Video Encoder (M1 8-Core GPU). Decoder: NVDEC (7th Gen) vs Apple M1 Video Decoder. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs H.264,HEVC,ProRes,ProRes RAW (M1 8-Core GPU).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBM1 8-Core GPU
Encoder
NVENC (5th Gen)
Apple M1 Video Encoder
Decoder
NVDEC (7th Gen)
Apple M1 Video Decoder
Codecs
H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only)
H.264,HEVC,ProRes,ProRes RAW
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB draws 70W versus the M1 8-Core GPU's 30W — a 80% difference. The M1 8-Core GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 350W (M1 8-Core GPU). Power connectors: None vs PCIe-powered.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBM1 8-Core GPU
TDP
70W
30W-57%
Recommended PSU
300W-14%
350W
Power Connector
None
PCIe-powered
Length
160mm
Slots
2
0-100%
Temp (Load)
75°C
Perf/Watt
153.6
166.7+9%
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB came in at $169, while the M1 8-Core GPU launched at $0. On MSRP, M1 8-Core GPU was 100+% cheaper ($169 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 63.6 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs Infinity (M1 8-Core GPU) — the M1 8-Core GPU offers Infinity% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (2024 vs 2020).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBM1 8-Core GPU
MSRP
$169
$0-100%
Performance per Dollar
63.6
Infinity
Codename
GA107
Release
February 2 2024
November 10 2020
Ranking
#252
#428

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