GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
VS
GeForce 8600 GT

GeForce RTX 3050 8GB vs GeForce 8600 GT

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3050 8GB

2022Core: 1552 MHzBoost: 1777 MHz
VS
NVIDIA

GeForce 8600 GT

2008Core: 500 MHz

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3050 8GB

#8
Radeon RX 9060 XT
MSRP: $299|Avg: $299
112%
#9
Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB
MSRP: $299|Avg: $299
111%
#10
Radeon RX 7600
MSRP: $269|Avg: $250
111%
#11
Radeon RX 6600
MSRP: $329|Avg: $180
109%
#12
GeForce RTX 4060
MSRP: $299|Avg: $299
109%
#13
Arc B570
MSRP: $219|Avg: $219
107%
#14
Arc B580
MSRP: $249|Avg: $249
107%
#15
Radeon RX 6500 XT
MSRP: $199|Avg: $150
107%
#16
GeForce RTX 3070
MSRP: $499|Avg: $200
106%
#17
Radeon RX 6700
MSRP: $379|Avg: $300
105%
#18
Radeon RX 6600 XT
MSRP: $379|Avg: $170
103%
#19
Radeon RX590 GME
MSRP: $173|Avg: $115
103%
#20
Radeon RX 6650 XT
MSRP: $399|Avg: $230
102%
#21
GeForce RTX 5060 Ti
MSRP: $379|Avg: $379
101%
#22
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
MSRP: $169|Avg: $179
100%
#23
GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
MSRP: $249|Avg: $209
100%
#24
Radeon RX 6600 LE
MSRP: $329|Avg: $160
100%
#25
GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB
MSRP: $379|Avg: $379
99%
#26
Radeon RX 7700 XT
MSRP: $449|Avg: $380
99%
#27
GeForce RTX 4060 Ti
MSRP: $399|Avg: $380
99%
#28
Radeon RX 6750 GRE 10GB
MSRP: $269|Avg: $318
98%
#29
Radeon RX 6700 XT
MSRP: $479|Avg: $230
98%
#30
GeForce RTX 3060
MSRP: $329|Avg: $289
98%
#31
Radeon RX 7400
MSRP: $199|Avg: $199
98%
#32
Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB
MSRP: $349|Avg: $349
97%
#33
Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB
MSRP: $349|Avg: $349
96%
#34
Radeon RX 5300
MSRP: $129|Avg: $50
94%
#35
GeForce GTX 1650 Ti
MSRP: $150|Avg: $77
93%
#36
Radeon RX 6400
MSRP: $159|Avg: $139
93%
#37
GeForce RTX 3070 Ti
MSRP: $599|Avg: $330
93%
#38
Arc A750
MSRP: $289|Avg: $229
92%
Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar GeForce 8600 GT

#694
Radeon RX 550X (móvel)
MSRP: $35|Avg: $35
12337%
#696
11184%
#697
11155%
#701
GeForce GTX 1050 (Mobile)
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $50
10143%
#702
Radeon RX 6300
MSRP: $60|Avg: $40
10074%
#704
GeForce 8600 GT
MSRP: $159|Avg: $15
100%
#705
Mobility Radeon X1400
MSRP: $49|Avg: $49
100%
#706
GeForce 7900 GT
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
98%
#707
GeForce 6150SE
MSRP: $30|Avg: $5
94%
#708
Mobility Radeon X1350
MSRP: $49|Avg: $15
93%
#709
Mobility Radeon X1300
MSRP: $49|Avg: $15
93%
#710
MOBILITY RADEON 9600/9700
MSRP: $49|Avg: $15
91%
#711
GeForce 7900 GTX
MSRP: $499|Avg: $40
89%
#712
GeForce 6800 GS
MSRP: $249|Avg: $40
88%
#713
GeForce 6150
MSRP: $30|Avg: $10
83%
#714
MOBILITY RADEON 9600
MSRP: $49|Avg: $15
83%
#715
RADEON E4690
MSRP: $558|Avg: $558
83%
#716
MOBILITY RADEON X300
MSRP: $50|Avg: $10
77%
#717
MOBILITY RADEON X700
MSRP: $100|Avg: $20
76%
#718
Mobility Radeon HD 4225
MSRP: $100|Avg: $15
75%
#719
RADEON X800 SE
MSRP: $200|Avg: $15
74%
Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

⚠️ Generational Difference

The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is significantly newer (2022 vs 2008). The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB likely supports modern features like Ray Tracing, Tensor Cores, and DLSS/FSR upscaling, which act as force multipliers for performance. The GeForce 8600 GT lacks this hardware feature set, limiting its longevity in modern titles despite any raw power similarities.

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 8853.6% higher G3D Mark score and 700% more VRAM (8 GB vs 1 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce 8600 GT.

InsightGeForce RTX 3050 8GBGeForce 8600 GT
Performance
Leading raw performance (+8853.6%)
Lower raw frame rates (-8853.6%)
Longevity
🏆Elite Architecture (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm)
🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / G9x (2007−2010))
Ecosystem
✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support
Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM
🎮 High Capacity (8 GB)
❌ Less VRAM capacity
Efficiency
💡 Excellent Perf/Watt
⚡ Higher Power Consumption
Case Fit
📏 Compact / SFF Friendly
📏 Compact / SFF Friendly

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $209 (vs $15), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 542.6% better value per dollar than the GeForce 8600 GT.

InsightGeForce RTX 3050 8GBGeForce 8600 GT
Cost Efficiency
Better overall value (+542.6%)
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️Higher upfront cost ($209)
More affordable ($15)

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 3050 8GB and GeForce 8600 GT

NVIDIA

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.

NVIDIA

GeForce 8600 GT

The GeForce 8600 GT is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in July 15 2008. It features the G9x architecture. The core clock speed is 500 MHz. It has 224 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 65 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 140 points.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB scores 12,535 versus the GeForce 8600 GT's 140 — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB leads by 8853.6%. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is built on Ampere while the GeForce 8600 GT uses G9x, both on 8 nm vs 65 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 224 (GeForce 8600 GT).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 8GBGeForce 8600 GT
G3D Mark Score
12,535+8854%
140
Architecture
Ampere
G9x
Process Node
8 nm
65 nm
Shading Units
2560+1043%
224

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

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 GeForce 8600 GT relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 8GBGeForce 8600 GT
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
Standard
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce 8600 GT has 1 GB. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB offers 700% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 64-bit.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 8GBGeForce 8600 GT
VRAM Capacity
8 GB+700%
1 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth
224 GB/s
Unknown
Bus Width
128-bit+100%
64-bit
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 10.0 (GeForce 8600 GT). Vulkan: 1.4 vs None. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 8GBGeForce 8600 GT
DirectX
12 Ultimate+20%
10.0
Vulkan
1.4
None
OpenGL
4.6+39%
3.3
Max Displays
4+100%
2
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs No (GeForce 8600 GT). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs PureVideo HD VP2. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs MPEG-2,H.264 (GeForce 8600 GT).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 8GBGeForce 8600 GT
Encoder
NVENC 7th gen
No
Decoder
NVDEC 5th gen
PureVideo HD VP2
Codecs
H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9
MPEG-2,H.264
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB draws 130W versus the GeForce 8600 GT's 150W — a 14.3% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 350W (GeForce 8600 GT). Power connectors: 8-pin vs Legacy. Card length: 242mm vs 173mm, occupying 2 vs 1 slots. Typical load temperature: 66°C vs 80°C.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 8GBGeForce 8600 GT
TDP
130W-13%
150W
Recommended PSU
450W
350W-22%
Power Connector
8-pin
Legacy
Length
242mm
173mm
Height
112mm
111mm
Slots
2
1-50%
Temp (Load)
66°C-18%
80°C
Perf/Watt
96.4+10611%
0.9
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB launched at $249 MSRP and currently averages $209, while the GeForce 8600 GT launched at $159 and now averages $15. The GeForce 8600 GT costs 92.8% less ($194 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 60.0 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 9.3 (GeForce 8600 GT) — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB offers 545.2% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2008).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 8GBGeForce 8600 GT
MSRP
$249
$159-36%
Avg Price (30d)
$209
$15-93%
Performance per Dollar
60.0+545%
9.3
Codename
GA106
NB9E-GTX
Release
January 4 2022
July 15 2008
Ranking
#211
#825