GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
VS
GeForce GTS 250M

GeForce RTX 3050 8GB vs GeForce GTS 250M

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3050 8GB

2022Core: 1552 MHzBoost: 1777 MHz
VS
NVIDIA

GeForce GTS 250M

2010Core: 783 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 GTS 250M

#1
GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
MSRP: $399|Avg: $280
349%
#2
GeForce RTX 5060
MSRP: $299|Avg: $299
335%
#3
Radeon RX 5600 XT
MSRP: $279|Avg: $180
331%
#4
Radeon RX 9060
MSRP: $249|Avg: $249
331%
#5
GeForce RTX 5050
MSRP: $249|Avg: $249
330%
#6
GeForce RTX 3050 OEM
MSRP: $249|Avg: $150
328%
#7
Arc A580
MSRP: $179|Avg: $179
324%
#8
Radeon RX 9060 XT
MSRP: $299|Avg: $299
323%
#9
Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB
MSRP: $299|Avg: $299
320%
#10
Radeon RX 7600
MSRP: $269|Avg: $250
319%
#11
Radeon RX 6600
MSRP: $329|Avg: $180
315%
#12
GeForce RTX 4060
MSRP: $299|Avg: $299
314%
#13
Arc B570
MSRP: $219|Avg: $219
309%
#14
Arc B580
MSRP: $249|Avg: $249
308%
#69
Radeon R5 430 OEM
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $13
385%
#79
Iris Xe Graphics MAX
MSRP: $55|Avg: $40
70%
#80
GeForce RTX 5090
MSRP: $1999|Avg: $2700
69%
#84
GeForce GTS 250M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#85
98%
#86
Radeon R5 A6-7480
MSRP: $35|Avg: $30
96%
#87
GeForce GT 710
MSRP: $35|Avg: $50
85%
#89
GeForce GT 740
MSRP: $89|Avg: $89
77%
#90
Radeon R7 A8-7680
MSRP: $50|Avg: $10
76%
#92
Radeon HD 7730
MSRP: $75|Avg: $15
75%
#93
Radeon 540
MSRP: $99|Avg: $40
71%
#97
Radeon R7 A8-7690K
MSRP: $80|Avg: $40
69%
#98
GeForce GT 1010
MSRP: $70|Avg: $70
67%
#99
Radeon R7 430
MSRP: $79|Avg: $15
67%
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 2010). 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 GTS 250M 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 2310.6% 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 GTS 250M.

InsightGeForce RTX 3050 8GBGeForce GTS 250M
Performance
Leading raw performance (+2310.6%)
Lower raw frame rates (-2310.6%)
Longevity
🏆Elite Architecture (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm)
🛑Obsolete Architecture (2010 / Fermi (2010−2014))
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

💎 Value Proposition

While current pricing data is unavailable, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB remains the clear technical winner. Check real-time availability to determine if the performance gap justifies the market price.

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 GTS 250M

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 GTS 250M

The GeForce GTS 250M is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 13 2010. It features the Fermi architecture. The core clock speed is 783 MHz. It has 192 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 106W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 520 points. Launch price was $129.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB scores 12,535 versus the GeForce GTS 250M's 520 — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB leads by 2310.6%. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is built on Ampere while the GeForce GTS 250M uses Fermi, both on 8 nm vs 40 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 192 (GeForce GTS 250M). Raw compute: 9.098 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 0.6013 TFLOPS (GeForce GTS 250M).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 8GBGeForce GTS 250M
G3D Mark Score
12,535+2311%
520
Architecture
Ampere
Fermi
Process Node
8 nm
40 nm
Shading Units
2560+1233%
192
Compute (TFLOPS)
9.098 TFLOPS+1413%
0.6013 TFLOPS
ROPs
32+100%
16
TMUs
80+150%
32
L1 Cache
2.5 MB+900%
0.25 MB
L2 Cache
2 MB+700%
0.25 MB

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 GTS 250M relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 8GBGeForce GTS 250M
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 GTS 250M 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 128-bit. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 0.25 MB (GeForce GTS 250M) — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 8GBGeForce GTS 250M
VRAM Capacity
8 GB+700%
1 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth
224 GB/s
Unknown
Bus Width
128-bit
128-bit
L2 Cache
2 MB+700%
0.25 MB
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 11.1 (10_1) (GeForce GTS 250M). OpenGL: 4.6 vs 2.1. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 8GBGeForce GTS 250M
DirectX
12 Ultimate+8%
11.1 (10_1)
OpenGL
4.6+119%
2.1
Max Displays
4+100%
2
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs PureVideo HD VP4 (GeForce GTS 250M). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs PureVideo HD VP4. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP (GeForce GTS 250M).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 8GBGeForce GTS 250M
Encoder
NVENC 7th gen
PureVideo HD VP4
Decoder
NVDEC 5th gen
PureVideo HD VP4
Codecs
H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9
H.264,VC-1,MPEG-4 ASP
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB draws 130W versus the GeForce GTS 250M's 106W — a 20.3% difference. The GeForce GTS 250M is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 300W (GeForce GTS 250M). Power connectors: 8-pin vs Legacy. Typical load temperature: 66°C vs 85°C.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 8GBGeForce GTS 250M
TDP
130W
106W-18%
Recommended PSU
450W
300W-33%
Power Connector
8-pin
Legacy
Length
242mm
Height
112mm
Slots
2
0-100%
Temp (Load)
66°C-22%
85°C
Perf/Watt
96.4+1867%
4.9
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2010).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 8GBGeForce GTS 250M
MSRP
$249
Avg Price (30d)
$209
Codename
GA106
GF106
Release
January 4 2022
September 13 2010
Ranking
#211
#791