GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs Quadro K420

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024Core: 1042 MHzBoost: 1470 MHz
RTX family
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VS
NVIDIA

Quadro K420

2014Core: 771 MHzBoost: 784 MHz
Similar parts
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GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs Quadro K420 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 Quadro K420 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 3050 6GB vs Quadro K420: 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

  • 500.3% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Delivers 1214.1% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 4.8 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
  • Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
  • 500% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 1 GB).
  • Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • Fewer clear downsides in this head-to-head, aside from the usual pricing and availability swings.

Quadro K420

2014

Why buy it

  • Costs $19 less on MSRP ($150 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3050 6GB across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 1 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
  • 2014 hardware with 1 GB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 4.8 vs 63.6 G3D/$ ($150 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. In our data, it leads by 500.3% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 1380.6% in PassMark G3D (10,749 vs 726), 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 1 GB of VRAM, the newer upscaling stack, DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack, a 8nm process instead of 28nm, 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 1214.1% (63.6 vs 4.8), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs Quadro K420 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.

NVIDIA

Quadro K420

The Quadro K420 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in July 22 2014. It features the Kepler architecture. The core clock ranges from 771 MHz to 784 MHz. It has 1344 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 108W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 726 points. Launch price was $854.99.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB scores 10,749 versus the Quadro K420's 726 — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB leads by 1380.6%. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is built on Ampere while the Quadro K420 uses Kepler, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 1,344 (Quadro K420). Raw compute: 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 2.107 TFLOPS (Quadro K420). Boost clocks: 1470 MHz vs 784 MHz.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBQuadro K420
G3D Mark Score
10,749+1381%
726
Architecture
Ampere
Kepler
Process Node
8 nm
28 nm
Shading Units
2304+71%
1344
Compute (TFLOPS)
6.774 TFLOPS+221%
2.107 TFLOPS
Boost Clock
1470 MHz+88%
784 MHz
ROPs
32
32
TMUs
72
112+56%
L1 Cache
2.3 MB+1991%
0.11 MB
L2 Cache
2 MB+300%
0.5 MB

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Quadro K420 leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBQuadro K420
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 Quadro K420 carries 1 GB. GeForce RTX 3050 6GB gives you 500% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bus width is 96-bit on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB and 64-bit on the Quadro K420. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 0.5 MB (Quadro K420) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBQuadro K420
VRAM Capacity
6 GB+500%
1 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR5
Bus Width
96-bit+50%
64-bit
L2 Cache
2 MB+300%
0.5 MB
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB draws 70W versus the Quadro K420's 108W — a 42.7% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 350W (Quadro K420). Power connectors: None vs PCIe-powered.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBQuadro K420
TDP
70W-35%
108W
Recommended PSU
300W-14%
350W
Power Connector
None
PCIe-powered
Length
160mm
Slots
2
Temp (Load)
75°C
Perf/Watt
153.6+2193%
6.7
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB came in at $169, while the Quadro K420 launched at $150. On MSRP, Quadro K420 was 11.2% cheaper ($19 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 63.6 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 4.8 (Quadro K420) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 1225% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (2024 vs 2014).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBQuadro K420
MSRP
$169
$150-11%
Performance per Dollar
63.6+1225%
4.8
Codename
GA107
GK104
Release
February 2 2024
July 22 2014
Ranking
#252
#475

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