GeForce RTX 5050 vs GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
GeForce RTX 5050
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GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
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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 5050
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The GeForce RTX 5050 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 1.8% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 5050 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+1.8%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-1.8%) |
| Longevity | 🏆Elite Architecture (Blackwell / 5nm) | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) | 🎮 High Capacity (12 GB) |
| Efficiency | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption |
| 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 $340 for the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB, it costs 27% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 39.1% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 5050 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+39.1%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅More affordable ($249) | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($340) |
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 5050 and GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
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.
GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 11 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1260 MHz to 1710 MHz. It has 8960 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 350W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 70 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 16,777 points. Launch price was $799.
Graphics Performance
The GeForce RTX 5050 scores 17,087 and the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB reaches 16,777 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 1.8% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce RTX 5050 is built on Blackwell 2.0 while the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB uses Ampere, both on 5 nm vs 8 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce RTX 5050) vs 8,960 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB). Raw compute: 13.17 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 5050) vs 30.64 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB). Boost clocks: 2572 MHz vs 1710 MHz. Ray tracing: 20 RT cores (GeForce RTX 5050) vs 70 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) with 80 Tensor cores vs 280.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 5050 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 17,087+2% | 16,777 |
| Architecture | Blackwell 2.0 | Ampere |
| Process Node | 5 nm | 8 nm |
| Shading Units | 2560 | 8960+250% |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 13.17 TFLOPS | 30.64 TFLOPS+133% |
| Boost Clock | 2572 MHz+50% | 1710 MHz |
| ROPs | 32 | 96+200% |
| TMUs | 80 | 280+250% |
| L1 Cache | 2.5 MB | 8.8 MB+252% |
| L2 Cache | 24 MB+300% | 6 MB |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 20 | 70+250% |
| Tensor Cores | 80 | 280+250% |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | GeForce RTX 5050 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | DLSS 2.0 |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | NVIDIA Reflex | NVIDIA Reflex |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce RTX 5050 comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB has 12 GB. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 320 GB/s (GeForce RTX 5050) vs 360 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) — a 12.5% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. Bus width: 128-bit vs 192-bit. L2 Cache: 24 MB (GeForce RTX 5050) vs 6 MB (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) — the GeForce RTX 5050 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 5050 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 12 GB+50% |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 320 GB/s | 360 GB/s+13% |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 192-bit+50% |
| L2 Cache | 24 MB+300% | 6 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12.2 (GeForce RTX 5050) vs 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 5050 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12.2+2% | 12 Ultimate |
| Vulkan | 1.4+8% | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: 9th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 5050) vs NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB). Decoder: 6th Gen NVDEC vs NVDEC 5th gen. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (GeForce RTX 5050) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 5050 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | 9th Gen NVENC | NVENC 7th gen |
| Decoder | 6th Gen NVDEC | NVDEC 5th gen |
| Codecs | MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 5050 draws 130W versus the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB's 350W — a 91.7% difference. The GeForce RTX 5050 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce RTX 5050) vs 550W (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 241mm vs 242mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 75°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 5050 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 130W-63% | 350W |
| Recommended PSU | 450W-18% | 550W |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 8-pin |
| Length | 241mm | 242mm |
| Height | 111mm | 112mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 75°C | 75°C |
| Perf/Watt | 131.4+174% | 47.9 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 5050 launched at $249 MSRP and currently averages $249, while the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB launched at $329 and now averages $340. The GeForce RTX 5050 costs 26.8% less ($91 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 68.6 (GeForce RTX 5050) vs 49.3 (GeForce RTX 3060 12GB) — the GeForce RTX 5050 offers 39.1% better value. The GeForce RTX 5050 is the newer GPU (2025 vs 2022).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 5050 | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $249-24% | $329 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $249-27% | $340 |
| Performance per Dollar | 68.6+39% | 49.3 |
| Codename | GB207 | GA102 |
| Release | June 24 2025 | January 11 2022 |
| Ranking | #112 | #38 |
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