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 GeForce3 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 GeForce3: 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

✅8724.0% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Costs $330 less on MSRP ($169 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Delivers 634663.4% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 0.0 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅9423.8% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 65 MB).

Trade-offs

❌112.1% higher power demand at 70W vs 33W.

GeForce3

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 33W instead of 70W, a 37W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3050 6GB across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 65 MB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌2015 hardware with 65 MB of VRAM is already well past its comfortable zone for modern gaming, so it is hard to recommend now.
❌
195.3% HIGHER MSRP
$499 MSRPvs$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 8724.0% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 214880% in PassMark G3D (10,749 vs 5), 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 65 MB 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 $330 cheaper on MSRP at $169 vs $499, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 634663.4% (63.6 vs 0.0), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs GeForce3 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

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.

GeForce3

The GeForce3 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 13 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 928 MHz to 941 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 33W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB scores 10,749 versus the GeForce3's 5 — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB leads by 214880%. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is built on Ampere while the GeForce3 uses Maxwell, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 384 (GeForce3). Raw compute: 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 0.7227 TFLOPS (GeForce3). Boost clocks: 1470 MHz vs 941 MHz.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	GeForce3
G3D Mark Score	10,749+214880%	5
Architecture	Ampere	Maxwell
Process Node	8 nm	28 nm
Shading Units	2304+500%	384
Compute (TFLOPS)	6.774 TFLOPS+837%	0.7227 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1470 MHz+56%	941 MHz
ROPs	32+300%	8
TMUs	72+200%	24
L1 Cache	2.3 MB+1111%	0.19 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB+100%	1 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce3 supports the newer Upscaling support, whereas the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	GeForce3
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	Upscaling support
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 GeForce3 carries 65 MB. GeForce RTX 3050 6GB gives you 9423.8% 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 GeForce3. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 1 MB (GeForce3) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	GeForce3
VRAM Capacity	6 GB+9424%	0.063 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR5
Bus Width	96-bit+50%	64-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB+100%	1 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 8.1 (GeForce3). Vulkan: 1.3 vs N/A. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 1.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	GeForce3
DirectX	12 Ultimate+48%	8.1
Vulkan	1.3	N/A
OpenGL	4.6+254%	1.3
Max Displays	4+100%	2

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs None (GeForce3). Decoder: NVDEC (7th Gen) vs None. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs MPEG-1,MPEG-2 (GeForce3).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	GeForce3
Encoder	NVENC (5th Gen)	None
Decoder	NVDEC (7th Gen)	None
Codecs	H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only)	MPEG-1,MPEG-2

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB draws 70W versus the GeForce3's 33W — a 71.8% difference. The GeForce3 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 350W (GeForce3). Power connectors: None vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 160mm vs 165mm, occupying 2 vs 1 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 85.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	GeForce3
TDP	70W	33W-53%
Recommended PSU	300W-14%	350W
Power Connector	None	PCIe-powered
Length	160mm	165mm
Height	—	100mm
Slots	2	1-50%
Temp (Load)	75°C-12%	85
Perf/Watt	153.6+76700%	0.2

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB came in at $169, while the GeForce3 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 0.0 (GeForce3) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 100+% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (2024 vs 2015).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	GeForce3
MSRP	$169-66%	$499
Performance per Dollar	63.6	0.0
Codename	GA107	GM108
Release	February 2 2024	March 13 2015
Ranking	#252	#810

Search GeForce RTX 3050 6GB on Amazon

Search GeForce3 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.