GeForce RTX 3060 vs GeForce RTX 5050
GeForce RTX 3060
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GeForce RTX 5050
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Performance Spectrum - GPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3060
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 5050
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 5050 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.5% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce RTX 3060 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 5050 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.5%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.5%) |
| Longevity | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere / 8nm) | 🏆Elite Architecture (Blackwell / 5nm) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 5050 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $249 versus $289 for the GeForce RTX 3060, it costs 14% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 16.7% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 5050 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+16.7%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($289) | ✅More affordable ($249) |
Performance Check
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 7800X3D 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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3060 and GeForce RTX 5050
GeForce RTX 3060
The GeForce RTX 3060 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 12 2021. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1320 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 3584 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 170W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 28 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 16,995 points. Launch price was $329.
GeForce RTX 5050
The GeForce RTX 5050 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in June 24 2025. It features the Blackwell 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 2317 MHz to 2572 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 130W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 20 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 17,087 points. Launch price was $249.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce RTX 3060 scores 16,995 and the GeForce RTX 5050 reaches 17,087 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.5% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce RTX 3060 is built on Ampere while the GeForce RTX 5050 uses Blackwell 2.0, both on 8 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 3,584 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 2,560 (GeForce RTX 5050). Raw compute: 12.74 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 13.17 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 5050). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 2572 MHz. Ray tracing: 28 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 20 (GeForce RTX 5050) with 112 Tensor cores vs 80.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 5050 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 16,995 | 17,087 |
| Architecture | Ampere | Blackwell 2.0 |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 5 nm |
| Shading Units | 3584+40% | 2560 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 12.74 TFLOPS | 13.17 TFLOPS+3% |
| Boost Clock | 1777 MHz | 2572 MHz+45% |
| ROPs | 48+50% | 32 |
| TMUs | 112+40% | 80 |
| L1 Cache | 3.5 MB+40% | 2.5 MB |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB | 24 MB+700% |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 28+40% | 20 |
| Tensor Cores | 112+40% | 80 |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
The GeForce RTX 3060 gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The GeForce RTX 5050 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 5050 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | DLSS 2.0 | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | NVIDIA Reflex | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce RTX 3060 comes with 12 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 5050 has 8 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 320 GB/s (GeForce RTX 5050) — a 12.5% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060. Bus width: 192-bit vs 128-bit. L2 Cache: 3 MB (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 24 MB (GeForce RTX 5050) — the GeForce RTX 5050 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 5050 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 12 GB+50% | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 360 GB/s+13% | 320 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 192-bit+50% | 128-bit |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB | 24 MB+700% |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 12.2 (GeForce RTX 5050). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.4. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 5050 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12.2+2% |
| Vulkan | 1.3 | 1.4+8% |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th Gen (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 9th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 5050). Decoder: NVDEC 5th Gen vs 6th Gen NVDEC. Supported codecs: AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 5050).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 5050 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th Gen | 9th Gen NVENC |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th Gen | 6th Gen NVDEC |
| Codecs | AV1,H.265,H.264,VP9 | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3060 draws 170W versus the GeForce RTX 5050's 130W — a 26.7% difference. The GeForce RTX 5050 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 550W (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 450W (GeForce RTX 5050). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 241mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75 vs 75°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 5050 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 170W | 130W-24% |
| Recommended PSU | 550W | 450W-18% |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 242mm | 241mm |
| Height | 112mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75 | 75°C |
| Perf/Watt | 100.0 | 131.4+31% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3060 launched at $329 MSRP and currently averages $289, while the GeForce RTX 5050 launched at $249 and now averages $249. The GeForce RTX 5050 costs 13.8% less ($40 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 58.8 (GeForce RTX 3060) vs 68.6 (GeForce RTX 5050) — the GeForce RTX 5050 offers 16.7% better value. The GeForce RTX 5050 is the newer GPU (2025 vs 2021).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 5050 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $329 | $249-24% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $289 | $249-14% |
| Performance per Dollar | 58.8 | 68.6+17% |
| Codename | GA106 | GB207 |
| Release | January 12 2021 | June 24 2025 |
| Ranking | #114 | #112 |
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