GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs GeForce RTX 3070

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

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

GeForce RTX 3070

2020Core: 1500 MHzBoost: 1725 MHz
RTX family
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GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs GeForce RTX 3070 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 GeForce RTX 3070 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 GeForce RTX 3070: 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

  • Costs $330 less on MSRP ($169 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
  • Delivers 43.1% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 44.4 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
  • Draws 70W instead of 220W, a 150W reduction.
  • Measures 160mm instead of 242mm, a 82mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3070 across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (72 vs 184), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.

GeForce RTX 3070

2020

Why buy it

  • 107.6% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • 155.6% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (184 vs 72).
  • 33.3% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 6 GB).

Trade-offs

  • 195.3% HIGHER MSRP
    $499 MSRPvs$169 MSRP
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 44.4 vs 63.6 G3D/$ ($499 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).
  • 214.3% higher power demand at 220W vs 70W.
  • 51.2% longer card at 242mm vs 160mm.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
GeForce RTX 3070 is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 107.6% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 106.3% in PassMark G3D (22,172 vs 10,749), 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: a newer 2024 generation instead of 2020. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB makes the most sense to buy today. It is $330 cheaper on MSRP at $169 vs $499, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 43.1% (63.6 vs 44.4), which is enough to swing the recommendation its way. GeForce RTX 3070 still makes more sense if max raw gaming performance matters more than value.

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs GeForce RTX 3070 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

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 6GB scores 10,749 versus the GeForce RTX 3070's 22,172 — the GeForce RTX 3070 leads by 106.3%. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 3070 uses Ampere, both on a 8 nm process. Shader units: 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 5,888 (GeForce RTX 3070). Raw compute: 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 20.31 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3070). Boost clocks: 1470 MHz vs 1725 MHz. Ray tracing: 18 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 46 (GeForce RTX 3070) with 72 Tensor cores vs 184.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBGeForce RTX 3070
G3D Mark Score
10,749
22,172+106%
Architecture
Ampere
Ampere
Process Node
8 nm
8 nm
Shading Units
2304
5888+156%
Compute (TFLOPS)
6.774 TFLOPS
20.31 TFLOPS+200%
Boost Clock
1470 MHz
1725 MHz+17%
ROPs
32
96+200%
TMUs
72
184+156%
L1 Cache
2.3 MB
5.8 MB+152%
L2 Cache
2 MB
4 MB+100%
Ray Tracing Cores
18
46+156%
Tensor Cores
72
184+156%

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBGeForce RTX 3070
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)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB has 6 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3070 carries 8 GB. GeForce RTX 3070 gives you 33.3% 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 448 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3070) — a 166.7% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3070. Memory bus width is 96-bit on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB and 256-bit on the GeForce RTX 3070. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 4 MB (GeForce RTX 3070) — the GeForce RTX 3070 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBGeForce RTX 3070
VRAM Capacity
6 GB
8 GB+33%
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
168 GB/s
448 GB/s+167%
Bus Width
96-bit
256-bit+167%
L2 Cache
2 MB
4 MB+100%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3070). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBGeForce RTX 3070
DirectX
12 Ultimate
12 Ultimate
Vulkan
1.3
1.4+8%
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3070). Decoder: NVDEC (7th Gen) vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3070).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBGeForce RTX 3070
Encoder
NVENC (5th Gen)
NVENC 7th gen
Decoder
NVDEC (7th Gen)
NVDEC 5th gen
Codecs
H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only)
H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB draws 70W versus the GeForce RTX 3070's 220W — a 103.4% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 650W (GeForce RTX 3070). Power connectors: None vs 8-pin. Card length: 160mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 75°C.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBGeForce RTX 3070
TDP
70W-68%
220W
Recommended PSU
300W-54%
650W
Power Connector
None
8-pin
Length
160mm
242mm
Height
112mm
Slots
2
2
Temp (Load)
75°C
75°C
Perf/Watt
153.6+52%
100.8
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB came in at $169, while the GeForce RTX 3070 launched at $499. On MSRP, GeForce RTX 3050 6GB was 66.1% cheaper ($330 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 63.6 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 44.4 (GeForce RTX 3070) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 43.2% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (2024 vs 2020).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBGeForce RTX 3070
MSRP
$169-66%
$499
Performance per Dollar
63.6+43%
44.4
Codename
GA107
GA104
Release
February 2 2024
September 1 2020
Ranking
#252
#63

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