GeForce RTX 3050 8GB vs Maxwell GPU Surface Book
GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
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Maxwell GPU Surface Book
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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 3050 8GB
Performance Per Dollar Maxwell GPU Surface Book
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is significantly newer (2022 vs 2015). 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 Maxwell GPU Surface Book 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 278.6% higher G3D Mark score and 300% more VRAM (8 GB vs 2 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Maxwell GPU Surface Book.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+278.6%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-278.6%) |
| Longevity | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2015 / Maxwell (2014−2017)) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 3/4 + Frame Gen Support | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (8 GB) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | Normal Efficiency | Normal Efficiency |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | — |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $209 (vs $75), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 35.9% better value per dollar than the Maxwell GPU Surface Book.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+35.9%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($209) | ✅More affordable ($75) |
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 Maxwell GPU Surface Book
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.
Maxwell GPU Surface Book
The Maxwell GPU Surface Book is manufactured by an unknown manufacturer. It was released in October 1 2015. It features the Maxwell architecture. The core clock ranges from 954 MHz to 993 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 30W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,311 points.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB scores 12,535 versus the Maxwell GPU Surface Book's 3,311 — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB leads by 278.6%. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is built on Ampere while the Maxwell GPU Surface Book uses Maxwell, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 384 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book). Boost clocks: 1777 MHz vs 993 MHz.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 12,535+279% | 3,311 |
| Architecture | Ampere | Maxwell |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 2560+567% | 384 |
| Boost Clock | 1777 MHz+79% | 993 MHz |
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 Maxwell GPU Surface Book relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Maxwell GPU Surface Book has 2 GB. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB offers 300% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 128-bit.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB+300% | 2 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 224 GB/s | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 12 (11_0) (Maxwell GPU Surface Book). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.1. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 3.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12 (11_0) |
| Vulkan | 1.4+27% | 1.1 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4+33% | 3 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs None (Maxwell GPU Surface Book). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs PureVideo VP6. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th gen | None |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th gen | PureVideo VP6 |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB draws 130W versus the Maxwell GPU Surface Book's 30W — a 125% difference. The Maxwell GPU Surface Book is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 350W (Maxwell GPU Surface Book). Power connectors: 8-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 242mm vs 0mm, occupying 2 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 66°C vs 85.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 130W | 30W-77% |
| Recommended PSU | 450W | 350W-22% |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | PCIe-powered |
| Length | 242mm | 0mm |
| Height | 112mm | 0mm |
| Slots | 2 | 0-100% |
| Temp (Load) | 66°C-22% | 85 |
| Perf/Watt | 96.4 | 110.4+15% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB launched at $249 MSRP and currently averages $209, while the Maxwell GPU Surface Book launched at $150 and now averages $75. The Maxwell GPU Surface Book costs 64.1% less ($134 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 60.0 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 44.1 (Maxwell GPU Surface Book) — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB offers 36.1% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2015).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Maxwell GPU Surface Book |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $249 | $150-40% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $209 | $75-64% |
| Performance per Dollar | 60.0+36% | 44.1 |
| Codename | GA106 | Surface Book |
| Release | January 4 2022 | October 1 2015 |
| Ranking | #211 | #779 |
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The most powerful gpus ranked by G3D Mark benchmark scores.
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