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 RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU 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 RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU: 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

✅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).
✅Draws 70W instead of 100W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 6 GB vs 12 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌Fewer Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation (72 vs 160), which can reduce FPS gains in supported games.
❌RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU is the safer long-term pick here because the hardware is newer and the feature stack is stronger.

RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU

2023

Why buy it

✅85.2% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅122.2% more Tensor Cores for AI-powered features like DLSS and frame generation, which can increase overall FPS in supported games (160 vs 72).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (12 GB vs 6 GB).
✅Better long-term bet: Ada Lovelace on 5nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌No DLSS support; it relies on Upscaling support instead.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 63.6 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $169 MSRP).
❌42.9% higher power demand at 100W vs 70W.

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?

RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 85.2% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 82.9% in PassMark G3D (19,656 vs 10,749), so the answer here is pretty clean.

Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?

RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: 12 GB vs 6 GB of VRAM, a 5nm process instead of 8nm, and 40 vs 18 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 today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and some 1440p, GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and lighter 1440p headroom, RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU has the stronger long-term case.

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU 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.

RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU

The RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 21 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 1110 MHz to 1545 MHz. It has 5120 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 100W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 40 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 19,656 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB scores 10,749 versus the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU's 19,656 — the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU leads by 82.9%. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is built on Ampere while the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU uses Ada Lovelace, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 2,304 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 5,120 (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU). Raw compute: 6.774 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 15.82 TFLOPS (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU). Boost clocks: 1470 MHz vs 1545 MHz. Ray tracing: 18 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 40 (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU) with 72 Tensor cores vs 160.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU
G3D Mark Score	10,749	19,656+83%
Architecture	Ampere	Ada Lovelace
Process Node	8 nm	5 nm
Shading Units	2304	5120+122%
Compute (TFLOPS)	6.774 TFLOPS	15.82 TFLOPS+134%
Boost Clock	1470 MHz	1545 MHz+5%
ROPs	32	64+100%
TMUs	72	160+122%
L1 Cache	2.3 MB	5 MB+117%
L2 Cache	2 MB	48 MB+2300%
Ray Tracing Cores	18	40+122%
Tensor Cores	72	160+122%

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU supports the newer Upscaling support, whereas the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is capped at DLSS 2 Super Resolution.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU
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 RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU carries 12 GB. RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU gives you 100% 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 432 GB/s (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU) — a 157.1% advantage for the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU. Memory bus width is 96-bit on the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB and 192-bit on the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 48 MB (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU) — the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU
VRAM Capacity	6 GB	12 GB+100%
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	168 GB/s	432 GB/s+157%
Bus Width	96-bit	192-bit+100%
L2 Cache	2 MB	48 MB+2300%

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 12 Ultimate (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12 Ultimate
Vulkan	1.3	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs NVENC 8th gen (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU). 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 (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU
Encoder	NVENC (5th Gen)	NVENC 8th gen
Decoder	NVDEC (7th Gen)	NVDEC 5th gen
Codecs	H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only)	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB draws 70W versus the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU's 100W — a 35.3% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 150W (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU). Power connectors: None vs Mobile. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 80°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU
TDP	70W-30%	100W
Recommended PSU	300W	150W-50%
Power Connector	None	Mobile
Length	160mm	—
Slots	2	0-100%
Temp (Load)	75°C-6%	80°C
Perf/Watt	153.6	196.6+28%

💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (2024 vs 2023).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU
MSRP	$169	—
Codename	GA107	AD104
Release	February 2 2024	March 21 2023
Ranking	#252	#81

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