GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs Radeon RX 5500

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024Core: 1042 MHzBoost: 1470 MHz

Popular choices:

VS
AMD

Radeon RX 5500

2019Boost: 1845 MHz

Popular choices:

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, raw graphics performance, VRAM, feature set, power efficiency, pricing context, and long-term value so you can see which GPU actually makes more sense.

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024

Why buy it

  • +21.6% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • Costs $10 less on MSRP ($169 MSRP vs $179 MSRP).
  • Delivers 28.8% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 49.4 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $179 MSRP).
  • Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
  • 50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 4 GB).

Trade-offs

  • No equivalent frame-generation stack like FSR Frame Generation (2023).

Radeon RX 5500

2019

Why buy it

  • Access to a newer frame-generation stack with FSR Frame Generation (2023).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (8,837 vs 10,749).
  • Less VRAM, with 4 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • No DLSS support; it relies on FSR Upscaling / FSR 4 (2025) instead.
  • Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
  • 5.9% HIGHER MSRP
    $179 MSRPvs$169 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB better than Radeon RX 5500?
Yes. GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 21.6% higher PassMark G3D performance, DLSS 2 Super Resolution, and 6 GB vs 4 GB of VRAM. It also comes from 2024 instead of 2019, which helps its case as the more complete modern gaming card.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2024 generation instead of 2019, 21.6% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 6 GB instead of 4 GB, and the stronger feature stack with DLSS Super Resolution instead of FSR upscaling + limited Frame Generation. That leaves it with more room for heavier textures, tougher ray tracing loads, and higher-end 1440p or 4K gaming over the next few years.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is about $10 cheaper on MSRP at $169 MSRP versus $179 MSRP, and you are getting 21.6% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 28.8%. That is why the better overall card still comes out as the smarter buy today, not just the faster one.
Is Radeon RX 5500 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?
Yes. Radeon RX 5500 is still a strong modern gaming GPU: it is still comfortable for 1080p and decent for 1440p, though 4K is more situational. It remains a good buy when you can get it meaningfully cheaper than the alternative around $179 MSRP, even if GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is still the cleaner recommendation on overall value today.

Games Benchmarks

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 9800X3D 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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3050 6GBRadeon RX 5500
1080p
low109 FPS106 FPS
medium92 FPS92 FPS
high77 FPS76 FPS
ultra45 FPS45 FPS
1440p
low95 FPS94 FPS
medium81 FPS81 FPS
high59 FPS61 FPS
ultra34 FPS35 FPS
4K
low30 FPS32 FPS
medium28 FPS29 FPS
high19 FPS20 FPS
ultra16 FPS17 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3050 6GBRadeon RX 5500
1080p
low174 FPS113 FPS
medium149 FPS79 FPS
high118 FPS54 FPS
ultra87 FPS37 FPS
1440p
low129 FPS76 FPS
medium106 FPS47 FPS
high83 FPS34 FPS
ultra62 FPS25 FPS
4K
low74 FPS36 FPS
medium62 FPS24 FPS
high48 FPS19 FPS
ultra34 FPS14 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce RTX 3050 6GBRadeon RX 5500
1080p
low484 FPS349 FPS
medium387 FPS304 FPS
high322 FPS238 FPS
ultra242 FPS198 FPS
1440p
low363 FPS285 FPS
medium290 FPS239 FPS
high242 FPS199 FPS
ultra181 FPS149 FPS
4K
low242 FPS176 FPS
medium193 FPS151 FPS
high161 FPS101 FPS
ultra121 FPS74 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce RTX 3050 6GBRadeon RX 5500
1080p
low243 FPS170 FPS
medium210 FPS140 FPS
high171 FPS124 FPS
ultra144 FPS97 FPS
1440p
low185 FPS121 FPS
medium166 FPS100 FPS
high131 FPS90 FPS
ultra109 FPS69 FPS
4K
low104 FPS69 FPS
medium87 FPS56 FPS
high69 FPS46 FPS
ultra55 FPS34 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3050 6GB and Radeon RX 5500

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.

AMD

Radeon RX 5500

The Radeon RX 5500 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in October 7 2019. It features the RDNA 1.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1845 MHz. It has 1408 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 110W. Manufactured using 7 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 8,837 points.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB scores 10,749 versus the Radeon RX 5500's 8,837 — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB leads by 21.6%. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is built on Ampere while the Radeon RX 5500 uses RDNA 1.0, both on 8 nm vs 7 nm. Shader units: 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 1,408 (Radeon RX 5500). Raw compute: 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 5.196 TFLOPS (Radeon RX 5500). Boost clocks: 1470 MHz vs 1845 MHz.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBRadeon RX 5500
G3D Mark Score
10,749+22%
8,837
Architecture
Ampere
RDNA 1.0
Process Node
8 nm
7 nm
Shading Units
2304+64%
1408
Compute (TFLOPS)
6.774 TFLOPS+30%
5.196 TFLOPS
Boost Clock
1470 MHz
1845 MHz+26%
ROPs
32
32
TMUs
72
88+22%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

A critical advantage for the Radeon RX 5500 is support for FSR Frame Generation. This allows it to generate entire frames using AI/Algorithms, essentially doubling the frame rate in CPU-bound scenarios or heavy ray-tracing titles. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The Radeon RX 5500 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBRadeon RX 5500
Upscaling Tech
DLSS 2 Super Resolution
FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
Frame Generation
Not Supported
FSR Frame Generation
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
AMD Anti-Lag
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon RX 5500 has 4 GB. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 168 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 224 GB/s (Radeon RX 5500) — a 33.3% advantage for the Radeon RX 5500. Bus width: 96-bit vs 128-bit.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBRadeon RX 5500
VRAM Capacity
6 GB+50%
4 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
168 GB/s
224 GB/s+33%
Bus Width
96-bit
128-bit+33%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 12.1 (Radeon RX 5500). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBRadeon RX 5500
DirectX
12 Ultimate
12.1
Vulkan
1.3+8%
1.2
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs VCN 2.0 (Radeon RX 5500). Decoder: NVDEC (7th Gen) vs VCN 2.0. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9 (Radeon RX 5500).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBRadeon RX 5500
Encoder
NVENC (5th Gen)
VCN 2.0
Decoder
NVDEC (7th Gen)
VCN 2.0
Codecs
H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only)
MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB draws 70W versus the Radeon RX 5500's 110W — a 44.4% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 450W (Radeon RX 5500). Power connectors: None vs 8-pin. Card length: 160mm vs 180mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 75°C.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBRadeon RX 5500
TDP
70W-36%
110W
Recommended PSU
300W-33%
450W
Power Connector
None
8-pin
Length
160mm
180mm
Height
110mm
Slots
2
2
Temp (Load)
75°C
75°C
Perf/Watt
153.6+91%
80.3
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB launched at $169 MSRP, while the Radeon RX 5500 launched at $179. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB costs 5.6% less ($10 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 63.6 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 49.4 (Radeon RX 5500) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 28.7% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the newer GPU (2024 vs 2019).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBRadeon RX 5500
MSRP
$169-6%
$179
Performance per Dollar
63.6+29%
49.4
Codename
GA107
Navi 14
Release
February 2 2024
October 7 2019
Ranking
#252
#297