GeForce RTX 3050 8GB vs GeForce RTX 3070
GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
Popular choices:
GeForce RTX 3070
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3070
Why is GeForce RTX 3070 better than GeForce RTX 3050 8GB?
The comparison between the entry-level GeForce RTX 3050 8GB and its larger sibling, the GeForce RTX 3070, highlights the difference between basic 1080p gaming and high-performance 1440p supremacy. The RTX 3070 is roughly 60-80% faster than the 3050 across all benchmarks, providing the necessary horsepower to move from "Medium" 1080p to "Ultra" 1440p. While both share the Ampere architecture, the 3070 is in a completely different performance bracket.
Technically, the RTX 3070 features significantly more CUDA cores and a much wider memory bus, which allows it to handle complex shaders and high resolutions with much better stability. While the RTX 3050 8GB is a solid "ultra-budget" choice for 1080p, it lacks the core counts needed for a modern high-fidelity experience in demanding titles. Both support DLSS and Ray Tracing, but only the 3070 has the raw muscle to make those features truly shine in modern AAA environments.
The GeForce RTX 3070 is the definitive winner in this comparison, providing a level of speed and visual impact that elevates the gaming experience. It is the superior choice for anyone looking for high-refresh 1080p or consistent 1440p performance. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB remains a win for those on a tight budget who need a reliable card for mainstream titles, but for anyone who can afford the jump, the RTX 3070 is the much better investment for 2026.
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 3070 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 76.9% 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 8GB.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-76.9%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+76.9%) |
| Longevity | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) |
| Efficiency | Normal Efficiency | Normal Efficiency |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 3070 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $200 versus $209 for the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB, it costs 4% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 84.8% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+84.8%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($209) | ✅More affordable ($200) |
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3050 8GB and GeForce RTX 3070
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 3070
The GeForce RTX 3070 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1500 MHz to 1725 MHz. It has 5888 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 220W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 46 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 22,172 points. Launch price was $499.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB scores 12,535 versus the GeForce RTX 3070's 22,172 — the GeForce RTX 3070 leads by 76.9%. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3070 uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 5,888 (GeForce RTX 3070). Raw compute: 9.098 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 20.31 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3070). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 1725 MHz. Ray tracing: 20 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 46 (GeForce RTX 3070) with 80 Tensor cores vs 184.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 12,535 | 22,172+77% |
| Architecture | Ampere | Ampere |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 2560 | 5888+130% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 9.098 TFLOPS | 20.31 TFLOPS+123% |
| Boost Clock | 1777 MHz+3% | 1725 MHz |
| ROPs | 32 | 96+200% |
| TMUs | 80 | 184+130% |
| L1 Cache | 2.5 MB | 5.8 MB+132% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 4 MB+100% |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 20 | 46+130% |
| Tensor Cores | 80 | 184+130% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | DLSS 2.0 | DLSS 2.0 |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | NVIDIA Reflex | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
Both cards feature 8 GB of GDDR6. Memory bandwidth: 224 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3070) — a 100% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3070. Bus width: 128-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 4 MB (GeForce RTX 3070) — the GeForce RTX 3070 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 224 GB/s | 448 GB/s+100% |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 256-bit+100% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 4 MB+100% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3070). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12 Ultimate |
| Vulkan | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3070). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3070).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th gen | NVENC 7th gen |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th gen | NVDEC 5th gen |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB draws 130W versus the GeForce RTX 3070's 220W — a 51.4% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 3070). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 66°C vs 75°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 130W-41% | 220W |
| Recommended PSU | 450W-31% | 650W |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 242mm | 242mm |
| Height | 112mm | 112mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 66°C-12% | 75°C |
| Perf/Watt | 96.4 | 100.8+5% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB launched at $249 MSRP and currently averages $209, while the GeForce RTX 3070 launched at $499 and now averages $200. The GeForce RTX 3070 costs 4.3% less ($9 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 60.0 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 110.9 (GeForce RTX 3070) — the GeForce RTX 3070 offers 84.8% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2020).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | GeForce RTX 3070 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $249-50% | $499 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $209 | $200-4% |
| Performance per Dollar | 60.0 | 110.9+85% |
| Codename | GA106 | GA104 |
| Release | January 4 2022 | September 1 2020 |
| Ranking | #211 | #63 |
Top Performing GPUs
The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar GPU comparisons based on GeForce RTX 3050 8GB and GeForce RTX 3070
