GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs GeForce4 MX 420

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

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

GeForce4 MX 420

2020Core: 1395 MHzBoost: 1575 MHz
Similar parts
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GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs GeForce4 MX 420 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 GeForce4 MX 420 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 GeForce4 MX 420: 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.
  • Delivers 125835% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 0.1 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $99 MSRP).
  • Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
  • 9423.8% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 65 MB).
  • Better long-term bet: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • 180% higher power demand at 70W vs 25W.

GeForce4 MX 420

2020

Why buy it

  • Costs $70 less on MSRP ($99 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).
  • Draws 25W instead of 70W, a 45W 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.
  • 2020 hardware with 65 MB of VRAM already sits in legacy territory for modern games.
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0.1 vs 63.6 G3D/$ ($99 MSRP vs $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 12nm, 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 $70 more expensive on MSRP at $169 vs $99, and it leads G3D-per-dollar by 125835% (63.6 vs 0.1), so the value case lines up with the gaming result.

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs GeForce4 MX 420 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

GeForce4 MX 420

The GeForce4 MX 420 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in August 1 2020. It features the Turing architecture. The core clock ranges from 1395 MHz to 1575 MHz. It has 896 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 25W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5 points.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB scores 10,749 versus the GeForce4 MX 420's 5 — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB leads by 214880%. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is built on Ampere while the GeForce4 MX 420 uses Turing, both on 8 nm vs 12 nm. Shader units: 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 896 (GeForce4 MX 420). Raw compute: 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 3.226 TFLOPS (GeForce4 MX 420). Boost clocks: 1470 MHz vs 1575 MHz.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBGeForce4 MX 420
G3D Mark Score
10,749+214880%
5
Architecture
Ampere
Turing
Process Node
8 nm
12 nm
Shading Units
2304+157%
896
Compute (TFLOPS)
6.774 TFLOPS+110%
3.226 TFLOPS
Boost Clock
1470 MHz
1575 MHz+7%
ROPs
32
32
TMUs
72+13%
64

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce4 MX 420 supports the newer Upscaling support, whereas the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBGeForce4 MX 420
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 GeForce4 MX 420 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 GeForce4 MX 420.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBGeForce4 MX 420
VRAM Capacity
6 GB+9424%
0.063 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR5
Bus Width
96-bit+50%
64-bit
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 7.0 (GeForce4 MX 420). OpenGL: 4.6 vs 1.5. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBGeForce4 MX 420
DirectX
12 Ultimate+71%
7.0
OpenGL
4.6+207%
1.5
Max Displays
4+100%
2
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs None (GeForce4 MX 420). Decoder: NVDEC (7th Gen) vs MPEG-2 Decoder. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs MPEG-2 (GeForce4 MX 420).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBGeForce4 MX 420
Encoder
NVENC (5th Gen)
None
Decoder
NVDEC (7th Gen)
MPEG-2 Decoder
Codecs
H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only)
MPEG-2
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB draws 70W versus the GeForce4 MX 420's 25W — a 94.7% difference. The GeForce4 MX 420 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 350W (GeForce4 MX 420). Power connectors: None vs PCIe-powered. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 60°C.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBGeForce4 MX 420
TDP
70W
25W-64%
Recommended PSU
300W-14%
350W
Power Connector
None
PCIe-powered
Length
160mm
Height
100mm
Slots
2
1-50%
Temp (Load)
75°C
60°C-20%
Perf/Watt
153.6+76700%
0.2
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB came in at $169, while the GeForce4 MX 420 launched at $99. On MSRP, GeForce4 MX 420 was 41.4% cheaper ($70 less). Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 63.6 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 0.1 (GeForce4 MX 420) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 63500% better value. The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (2024 vs 2020).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBGeForce4 MX 420
MSRP
$169
$99-41%
Performance per Dollar
63.6+63500%
0.1
Codename
GA107
N17S-G5 / GP107-670-A1
Release
February 2 2024
August 1 2020
Ranking
#252
#523

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