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 8GB

2022

Why buy it

✅1.4% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.

Trade-offs

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

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

2022

Why buy it

✅Measures 235mm instead of 242mm, a 7mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3050 8GB across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.

GeForce RTX 3050 8GB

2022

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

2022

Why buy it

✅1.4% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.

Why buy it

✅Measures 235mm instead of 242mm, a 7mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

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

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3050 8GB across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3050 8GB better than GeForce RTX 3050 OEM?

Yes, but this is not really about a huge raw performance gap. GeForce RTX 3050 8GB averages 1.4% more FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. The broader synthetic picture is also very close at 12,535 vs 11,892 in G3D Mark. The bigger reason to prefer GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the overall package: you are getting DLSS Super Resolution.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the safer long-term GPU choice because it gives you the stronger overall hardware and feature outlook for modern games.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?

GeForce RTX 3050 8GB can still make sense if you find it at the right price, especially around $249 MSRP. GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is still the smarter buy for most people, though, because the raw performance is close while the overall package is cleaner. GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is in basically the same MSRP band at $249 MSRP versus $249 MSRP, and you are getting 1.4% more estimated average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and 5.4% higher G3D Mark. Moving to $249 MSRP gets you and DLSS Super Resolution.

Is GeForce RTX 3050 OEM still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is still a strong gaming card in 2026: it is still comfortable for 1080p and decent for 1440p, though 4K is more situational. Price is really the swing factor here. If you find it at or below $249 MSRP, it remains a very sensible buy. GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is still the safer recommendation for most fresh builds because it offers a cleaner overall package with DLSS Super Resolution.

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.

GeForce RTX 3050 8GB Benchmark Check

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
1080p
low	130 FPS	130 FPS
medium	113 FPS	113 FPS
high	99 FPS	99 FPS
ultra	83 FPS	83 FPS
1440p
low	119 FPS	119 FPS
medium	96 FPS	96 FPS
high	81 FPS	81 FPS
ultra	69 FPS	69 FPS
4K
low	64 FPS	64 FPS
medium	57 FPS	57 FPS
high	39 FPS	39 FPS
ultra	33 FPS	33 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 8GB Open GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
1080p
low	245 FPS	239 FPS
medium	211 FPS	206 FPS
high	165 FPS	164 FPS
ultra	128 FPS	128 FPS
1440p
low	163 FPS	163 FPS
medium	135 FPS	135 FPS
high	112 FPS	112 FPS
ultra	92 FPS	92 FPS
4K
low	89 FPS	88 FPS
medium	74 FPS	74 FPS
high	62 FPS	62 FPS
ultra	49 FPS	49 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 8GB Open GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
1080p
low	564 FPS	535 FPS
medium	451 FPS	428 FPS
high	376 FPS	357 FPS
ultra	282 FPS	268 FPS
1440p
low	423 FPS	401 FPS
medium	338 FPS	321 FPS
high	282 FPS	268 FPS
ultra	212 FPS	201 FPS
4K
low	282 FPS	268 FPS
medium	226 FPS	214 FPS
high	188 FPS	178 FPS
ultra	141 FPS	134 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 8GB Open GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
1080p
low	469 FPS	467 FPS
medium	415 FPS	414 FPS
high	336 FPS	335 FPS
ultra	282 FPS	268 FPS
1440p
low	373 FPS	372 FPS
medium	326 FPS	321 FPS
high	237 FPS	236 FPS
ultra	198 FPS	197 FPS
4K
low	200 FPS	199 FPS
medium	175 FPS	175 FPS
high	152 FPS	150 FPS
ultra	126 FPS	125 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 8GB Open GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3050 8GB and GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

GeForce RTX 3050 8GB

The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 4 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1552 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 130W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 20 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 12,535 points. Launch price was $249.

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 4 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1515 MHz to 1755 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 130W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 20 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 11,892 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB scores 12,535 versus the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM's 11,892 — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB leads by 5.4%. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Raw compute: 9.098 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 8.986 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1755 MHz. Ray tracing: 20 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 20 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) with 80 Tensor cores vs 80.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
G3D Mark Score	12,535+5%	11,892
Architecture	Ampere	Ampere
Process Node	8 nm	8 nm
Shading Units	2560	2560
Compute (TFLOPS)	9.098 TFLOPS+1%	8.986 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1777 MHz+1%	1755 MHz
ROPs	32	32
TMUs	80	80
L1 Cache	2.5 MB	2.5 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB
Ray Tracing Cores	20	20
Tensor Cores	80	80

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	DLSS 2 Super Resolution
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	NVIDIA Reflex

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

Both cards feature 8 GB of GDDR6. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
VRAM Capacity	8 GB	8 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	224 GB/s	224 GB/s
Bus Width	128-bit	128-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12.2+2%
Vulkan	1.4+8%	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 8th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs 5th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode) (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
Encoder	NVENC 7th gen	8th Gen NVENC
Decoder	NVDEC 5th gen	5th Gen NVDEC
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode)

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB draws 130W versus the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM's 130W — a 0% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 235mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 66°C vs 75°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
TDP	130W	130W
Recommended PSU	450W	450W
Power Connector	8-pin	8-pin
Length	242mm	235mm
Height	112mm	124mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	66°C-12%	75°C
Perf/Watt	96.4+5%	91.5

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB launched at $249 MSRP, while the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM launched at $249. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 50.3 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 47.8 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB offers 5.2% better value.