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

✅+335.9% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Costs $220 less on MSRP ($169 MSRP vs $389 MSRP).
✅Delivers 903.3% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 6.3 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $389 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 2 GB).

Trade-offs

❌Fewer clear downsides in this head-to-head, aside from the usual pricing and availability swings.

P106-090

2017

Why buy it

✅Competitive enough if your priority is price, power, or specific feature preference.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (2,466 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.
❌Very weak future-proofing: 2017-era hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
❌
130.2% HIGHER MSRP
$389 MSRPvs$169 MSRP

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024

P106-090

2017

Why buy it

✅+335.9% higher PassMark G3D performance.
✅Costs $220 less on MSRP ($169 MSRP vs $389 MSRP).
✅Delivers 903.3% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 6.3 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $389 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅200% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 2 GB).

Why buy it

✅Competitive enough if your priority is price, power, or specific feature preference.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer clear downsides in this head-to-head, aside from the usual pricing and availability swings.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark G3D performance (2,466 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.
❌Very weak future-proofing: 2017-era hardware with 2 GB of VRAM is already obsolete for modern gaming and is hard to recommend today.
❌
130.2% HIGHER MSRP
$389 MSRPvs$169 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB better than P106-090?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is clearly the better overall GPU here. You are also looking at 10,749 vs 2,466 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is a 2024 card with DLSS Super Resolution, while P106-090 is a 2017 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 2017, 335.9% 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 about $220 cheaper on MSRP at $169 MSRP versus $389 MSRP, and you are getting 335.9% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 903.3%. That is why the better overall card still comes out as the smarter buy today, not just the faster one.

Is P106-090 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

Yes. P106-090 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 $389 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

P106-090 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	P106-090
1080p
low	85 FPS	111 FPS
medium	72 FPS	89 FPS
high	60 FPS	74 FPS
ultra	40 FPS	55 FPS
1440p
low	74 FPS	83 FPS
medium	64 FPS	67 FPS
high	47 FPS	55 FPS
ultra	30 FPS	42 FPS
4K
low	27 FPS	41 FPS
medium	25 FPS	38 FPS
high	17 FPS	26 FPS
ultra	15 FPS	23 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Open P106-090

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	P106-090
1080p
low	174 FPS	111 FPS
medium	149 FPS	89 FPS
high	118 FPS	74 FPS
ultra	87 FPS	55 FPS
1440p
low	129 FPS	83 FPS
medium	106 FPS	67 FPS
high	83 FPS	50 FPS
ultra	62 FPS	37 FPS
4K
low	74 FPS	40 FPS
medium	62 FPS	31 FPS
high	48 FPS	27 FPS
ultra	34 FPS	20 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Open P106-090

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	P106-090
1080p
low	484 FPS	111 FPS
medium	387 FPS	89 FPS
high	322 FPS	74 FPS
ultra	242 FPS	55 FPS
1440p
low	363 FPS	83 FPS
medium	290 FPS	67 FPS
high	242 FPS	55 FPS
ultra	181 FPS	42 FPS
4K
low	242 FPS	55 FPS
medium	193 FPS	44 FPS
high	161 FPS	37 FPS
ultra	121 FPS	28 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Open P106-090

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	P106-090
1080p
low	243 FPS	111 FPS
medium	210 FPS	89 FPS
high	171 FPS	74 FPS
ultra	144 FPS	55 FPS
1440p
low	185 FPS	83 FPS
medium	166 FPS	67 FPS
high	131 FPS	55 FPS
ultra	109 FPS	42 FPS
4K
low	104 FPS	55 FPS
medium	87 FPS	44 FPS
high	69 FPS	37 FPS
ultra	55 FPS	28 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 6GB Open P106-090

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3050 6GB and P106-090

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.

P106-090

The P106-090 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in July 31 2017. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1354 MHz to 1531 MHz. It has 768 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 2,466 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB scores 10,749 versus the P106-090's 2,466 — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB leads by 335.9%. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is built on Ampere while the P106-090 uses Pascal, both on 8 nm vs 16 nm. Shader units: 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 768 (P106-090). Raw compute: 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 2.352 TFLOPS (P106-090). Boost clocks: 1470 MHz vs 1531 MHz.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	P106-090
G3D Mark Score	10,749+336%	2,466
Architecture	Ampere	Pascal
Process Node	8 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	2304+200%	768
Compute (TFLOPS)	6.774 TFLOPS+188%	2.352 TFLOPS
Boost Clock	1470 MHz	1531 MHz+4%
ROPs	32	48+50%
TMUs	72+50%	48
L1 Cache	2.3 MB+721%	0.28 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB+33%	1.5 MB

✨

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 P106-090 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	P106-090
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 P106-090 has 2 GB. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 200% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 96-bit vs 64-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 1.5 MB (P106-090) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	P106-090
VRAM Capacity	6 GB+200%	2 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR5
Bus Width	96-bit+50%	64-bit
L2 Cache	2 MB+33%	1.5 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 12 (P106-090). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 0.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	P106-090
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12
Vulkan	1.3	1.4+8%
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	0

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs NVENC (Pascal) (P106-090). Decoder: NVDEC (7th Gen) vs NVDEC. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs H.264,H.265,VP9 (P106-090).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	P106-090
Encoder	NVENC (5th Gen)	NVENC (Pascal)
Decoder	NVDEC (7th Gen)	NVDEC
Codecs	H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only)	H.264,H.265,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB draws 70W versus the P106-090's 75W — a 6.9% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 350W (P106-090). Power connectors: None vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 160mm vs 250mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 60°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	P106-090
TDP	70W-7%	75W
Recommended PSU	300W-14%	350W
Power Connector	None	PCIe-powered
Length	160mm	250mm
Height	—	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75°C	60°C-20%
Perf/Watt	153.6+367%	32.9

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB launched at $169 MSRP, while the P106-090 launched at $389. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB costs 56.6% less ($220 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 63.6 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 6.3 (P106-090) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 909.5% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the newer GPU (2024 vs 2017).