GeForce RTX 3050 8GB vs Radeon RX 6500

CPU

GPU

GeForce RTX 3050 8GB

2022Core: 1552 MHzBoost: 1777 MHz

Popular choices:

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Radeon RX 6500

Popular choices:

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Performance Spectrum - GPU

GeForce RTX 3050 8GB

8 GB 130

12,535

+64.7%

GeForce GTX 1650 (móvel)

GeForce GTX Titan

GeForce RTX 2060 with Max-Q Design

RTX 500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU

GeForce RTX 2060 12GB

GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER

GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB

GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Mobile

Radeon RX 6500

4 GB 75

7,610

0.0%

Radeon R9 270 / R7 370

Radeon RX 5300M

Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire

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 8GB

2022

Why buy it

✅124.4% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 31.6% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 50.3 vs 38.2 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 4 GB).
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like FSR Frame Generation + AFMF (2023).
❌73.3% higher power demand at 130W vs 75W.
❌40.7% longer card at 242mm vs 172mm.

Radeon RX 6500

Why buy it

✅Costs $50 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with FSR Frame Generation + AFMF (2023).
✅Draws 75W instead of 130W, a 55W reduction.
✅Measures 172mm instead of 242mm, a 70mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3050 8GB across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 4 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on FSR 3 (2023) instead.
❌Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 38.2 vs 50.3 G3D/$ ($199 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).

GeForce RTX 3050 8GB

2022

Radeon RX 6500

Why buy it

✅124.4% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
✅Delivers 31.6% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 50.3 vs 38.2 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
✅Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
✅100% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (8 GB vs 4 GB).
✅More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Why buy it

✅Costs $50 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
✅Access to a newer frame-generation stack with FSR Frame Generation + AFMF (2023).
✅Draws 75W instead of 130W, a 55W reduction.
✅Measures 172mm instead of 242mm, a 70mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

❌No equivalent frame-generation stack like FSR Frame Generation + AFMF (2023).
❌73.3% higher power demand at 130W vs 75W.
❌40.7% longer card at 242mm vs 172mm.

Trade-offs

❌Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3050 8GB across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
❌Less VRAM, with 4 GB vs 8 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
❌No DLSS support; it relies on FSR 3 (2023) instead.
❌Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
❌Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 38.2 vs 50.3 G3D/$ ($199 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3050 8GB better than Radeon RX 6500?

Yes. GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is clearly the better overall GPU here. GeForce RTX 3050 8GB averages 124.4% more FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data. You are also looking at 12,535 vs 7,610 in G3D Mark. On top of that, GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is a 2022 card with DLSS Super Resolution, while Radeon RX 6500 is a 0 model from an older generation with FSR 3 + AFMF. 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 8GB is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2022 generation instead of 0, 64.7% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 8 GB instead of 4 GB, and the stronger feature stack with DLSS Super Resolution instead of FSR 3 + AFMF. 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 8GB is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is about 25.1% more expensive on MSRP at $249 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and you are getting 124.4% more estimated average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and 64.7% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 31.6%. That is why the better overall card still comes out as the smarter buy today, not just the faster one.

Is Radeon RX 6500 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?

Yes. Radeon RX 6500 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 $199 MSRP, even if GeForce RTX 3050 8GB 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 8GB Benchmark Check

Radeon RX 6500 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	Radeon RX 6500
1080p
low	130 FPS	78 FPS
medium	113 FPS	68 FPS
high	99 FPS	54 FPS
ultra	83 FPS	35 FPS
1440p
low	119 FPS	71 FPS
medium	96 FPS	60 FPS
high	81 FPS	43 FPS
ultra	69 FPS	28 FPS
4K
low	64 FPS	25 FPS
medium	57 FPS	24 FPS
high	39 FPS	16 FPS
ultra	33 FPS	14 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 8GB Open Radeon RX 6500

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	Radeon RX 6500
1080p
low	245 FPS	106 FPS
medium	211 FPS	73 FPS
high	165 FPS	49 FPS
ultra	128 FPS	33 FPS
1440p
low	163 FPS	72 FPS
medium	135 FPS	44 FPS
high	112 FPS	32 FPS
ultra	92 FPS	23 FPS
4K
low	89 FPS	34 FPS
medium	74 FPS	23 FPS
high	62 FPS	18 FPS
ultra	49 FPS	13 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 8GB Open Radeon RX 6500

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	Radeon RX 6500
1080p
low	564 FPS	299 FPS
medium	451 FPS	258 FPS
high	376 FPS	196 FPS
ultra	282 FPS	160 FPS
1440p
low	423 FPS	221 FPS
medium	338 FPS	198 FPS
high	282 FPS	157 FPS
ultra	212 FPS	121 FPS
4K
low	282 FPS	135 FPS
medium	226 FPS	117 FPS
high	188 FPS	81 FPS
ultra	141 FPS	53 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 8GB Open Radeon RX 6500

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	Radeon RX 6500
1080p
low	469 FPS	131 FPS
medium	415 FPS	107 FPS
high	336 FPS	91 FPS
ultra	282 FPS	77 FPS
1440p
low	373 FPS	99 FPS
medium	326 FPS	82 FPS
high	237 FPS	71 FPS
ultra	198 FPS	58 FPS
4K
low	200 FPS	58 FPS
medium	175 FPS	47 FPS
high	152 FPS	37 FPS
ultra	126 FPS	29 FPS

Open GeForce RTX 3050 8GB Open Radeon RX 6500

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3050 8GB and Radeon RX 6500

GeForce RTX 3050 8GB

The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 4 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1552 MHz to 1777 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 130W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 20 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 12,535 points. Launch price was $249.

Radeon RX 6500

The Radeon RX 6500 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in sem dados. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. G3D Mark benchmark score: 7,610 points.

⚡

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB scores 12,535 versus the Radeon RX 6500's 7,610 — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB leads by 64.7%.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	Radeon RX 6500
G3D Mark Score	12,535+65%	7,610

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

A critical advantage for the Radeon RX 6500 is support for FSR Frame Generation + AFMF. This allows it to generate entire frames using AI/Algorithms, essentially doubling the frame rate in CPU-bound scenarios or heavy ray-tracing titles. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The Radeon RX 6500 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	Radeon RX 6500
Upscaling Tech	DLSS 2 Super Resolution	FSR 3
Frame Generation	Not Supported	FSR Frame Generation + AFMF
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	NVIDIA Reflex	AMD Anti-Lag

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon RX 6500 has 4 GB. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 224 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 144 GB/s (Radeon RX 6500) — a 55.6% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB. Bus width: 128-bit vs 64-bit.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	Radeon RX 6500
VRAM Capacity	8 GB+100%	4 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6	GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth	224 GB/s+56%	144 GB/s
Bus Width	128-bit+100%	64-bit

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 12.2 (Radeon RX 6500). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	Radeon RX 6500
DirectX	12 Ultimate	12.2+2%
Vulkan	1.4+8%	1.3
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
Max Displays	4+100%	2

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs None (Radeon RX 6500). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs VCN 3.0. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9 (Radeon RX 6500).

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	Radeon RX 6500
Encoder	NVENC 7th gen	None
Decoder	NVDEC 5th gen	VCN 3.0
Codecs	H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB draws 130W versus the Radeon RX 6500's 75W — a 53.7% difference. The Radeon RX 6500 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 400W (Radeon RX 6500). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 1x 6-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 172mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 66°C vs 85°C.

Feature	GeForce RTX 3050 8GB	Radeon RX 6500
TDP	130W	75W-42%
Recommended PSU	450W	400W-11%
Power Connector	8-pin	1x 6-pin
Length	242mm	172mm
Height	112mm	112mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	66°C-22%	85°C
Perf/Watt	96.4	101.5+5%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB launched at $249 MSRP, while the Radeon RX 6500 launched at $199. The Radeon RX 6500 costs 20.1% less ($50 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 50.3 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 38.2 (Radeon RX 6500) — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB offers 31.7% better value.