GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs M1 8-Core GPU

CPU

GPU

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024Core: 1042 MHzBoost: 1470 MHz

Popular choices:

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M1 8-Core GPU

2020Core: 1278 MHz

Popular choices:

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Performance Spectrum - GPU

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

6 GB 70

10,749

+115.0%

GeForce GTX 770

GeForce GTX 1650 (móvel)

GeForce GTX Titan

GeForce RTX 3050 4GB Mobile

GeForce RTX 4050 Mobile

GeForce RTX 2070 Super Mobile

5,000

0.0%

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.

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 6GB

2024

Why buy it

✅+115% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 0 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 2 GB).
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌133.3% higher power demand at 70W vs 30W.

M1 8-Core GPU

2020

Why buy it

✅Draws 30W instead of 70W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (5,000 vs 10,749).
❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 63.6 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $169 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024

M1 8-Core GPU

2020

Why buy it

✅+115% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 0 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 2 GB).
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Why buy it

✅Draws 30W instead of 70W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌133.3% higher power demand at 70W vs 30W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (5,000 vs 10,749).
❌Less VRAM, with 2 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 63.6 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $169 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB better than M1 8-Core GPU?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is clearly the better overall GPU here. You are also looking at 10,749 vs 5,000 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is a 2024 card with DLSS Super Resolution, while M1 8-Core GPU is a 2020 model from an older generation with no meaningful modern upscaling stack. So this is not really a tight same-tier comparison. It is more a modern card against an older, weaker alternative.

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

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2024 generation instead of 2020, 115.0% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 6 GB instead of 2 GB, and better upscaling support with DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020) instead of no meaningful modern upscaling stack. That leaves it with more room for heavier textures, tougher ray tracing loads, and higher-end 1440p or 4K gaming over the next few years.

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

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is priced in an unclear MSRP range at $169 MSRP versus an unclear MSRP, and you are getting 115.0% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 100+%. That is why the better overall card still comes out as the smarter buy today, not just the faster one.

Is M1 8-Core GPU still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

Yes. M1 8-Core GPU is still a strong modern gaming GPU: it is still comfortable for 1080p and decent for 1440p, though 4K is more situational. It remains a good buy when you can get it meaningfully cheaper than the alternative around an unclear MSRP, even if GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is still the cleaner recommendation on overall value today.

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 6GB Benchmark Check

M1 8-Core GPU Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	M1 8-Core GPU
1080p
low	109 FPS	91 FPS
medium	92 FPS	81 FPS
high	77 FPS	56 FPS
ultra	45 FPS	44 FPS
1440p
low	95 FPS	74 FPS
medium	81 FPS	63 FPS
high	59 FPS	42 FPS
ultra	34 FPS	33 FPS
4K
low	30 FPS	35 FPS
medium	28 FPS	33 FPS
high	19 FPS	20 FPS
ultra	16 FPS	18 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Open M1 8-Core GPU

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	M1 8-Core GPU
1080p
low	174 FPS	123 FPS
medium	149 FPS	92 FPS
high	118 FPS	66 FPS
ultra	87 FPS	43 FPS
1440p
low	129 FPS	83 FPS
medium	106 FPS	56 FPS
high	83 FPS	41 FPS
ultra	62 FPS	29 FPS
4K
low	74 FPS	37 FPS
medium	62 FPS	27 FPS
high	48 FPS	21 FPS
ultra	34 FPS	15 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Open M1 8-Core GPU

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	M1 8-Core GPU
1080p
low	484 FPS	225 FPS
medium	387 FPS	180 FPS
high	322 FPS	150 FPS
ultra	242 FPS	112 FPS
1440p
low	363 FPS	169 FPS
medium	290 FPS	135 FPS
high	242 FPS	112 FPS
ultra	181 FPS	84 FPS
4K
low	242 FPS	112 FPS
medium	193 FPS	90 FPS
high	161 FPS	75 FPS
ultra	121 FPS	56 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Open M1 8-Core GPU

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	M1 8-Core GPU
1080p
low	243 FPS	184 FPS
medium	210 FPS	139 FPS
high	171 FPS	125 FPS
ultra	144 FPS	102 FPS
1440p
low	185 FPS	147 FPS
medium	166 FPS	109 FPS
high	131 FPS	89 FPS
ultra	109 FPS	72 FPS
4K
low	104 FPS	78 FPS
medium	87 FPS	58 FPS
high	69 FPS	51 FPS
ultra	55 FPS	40 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Open M1 8-Core GPU

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3050 6GB and M1 8-Core GPU

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.

M1 8-Core GPU

The M1 8-Core GPU is manufactured by Apple. It was released in November 10 2020. The core clock speed is 1278 MHz. It has 8 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 30W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 5,000 points.

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Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB scores 10,749 versus the M1 8-Core GPU's 5,000 — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB leads by 115%. Shader units: 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 8 (M1 8-Core GPU).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	M1 8-Core GPU
G3D Mark Score	10,749+115%	5,000
Process Node	8 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	2304+28700%	8

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The M1 8-Core GPU relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	M1 8-Core GPU
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	Upscaling support
Frame Generation	Not Supported	Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the M1 8-Core GPU has 2 GB. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 200% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 168 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 68 GB/s (M1 8-Core GPU) — a 147.1% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. Bus width: 96-bit vs Unified.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	M1 8-Core GPU
VRAM Capacity	6 GB+200%	2 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	Shared
Memory Bandwidth	168 GB/s+147%	68 GB/s
Bus Width	96-bit	Unified

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs N/A (M1 8-Core GPU). OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.1 (Rosetta 2). Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	M1 8-Core GPU
DirectX	12 Ultimate	N/A
OpenGL	4.6+12%	4.1 (Rosetta 2)
Max Displays	4+100%	2

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs Apple M1 Video Encoder (M1 8-Core GPU). Decoder: NVDEC (7th Gen) vs Apple M1 Video Decoder. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs H.264,HEVC,ProRes,ProRes RAW (M1 8-Core GPU).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	M1 8-Core GPU
Encoder	NVENC (5th Gen)	Apple M1 Video Encoder
Decoder	NVDEC (7th Gen)	Apple M1 Video Decoder
Codecs	H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only)	H.264,HEVC,ProRes,ProRes RAW

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB draws 70W versus the M1 8-Core GPU's 30W — a 80% difference. The M1 8-Core GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 350W (M1 8-Core GPU). Power connectors: None vs PCIe-powered.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	M1 8-Core GPU
TDP	70W	30W-57%
Recommended PSU	300W-14%	350W
Power Connector	None	PCIe-powered
Length	160mm	—
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	75°C	—
Perf/Watt	153.6	166.7+9%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB launched at $169 MSRP, while the M1 8-Core GPU launched at $0. The M1 8-Core GPU costs 100+% less ($169 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 63.6 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs Infinity (M1 8-Core GPU) — the M1 8-Core GPU offers Infinity% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the newer GPU (2024 vs 2020).