GeForce RTX 3050 8GB vs Radeon HD 6790
GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
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Radeon HD 6790
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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
Why is GeForce RTX 3050 8GB better than Radeon HD 6790?
The matchup between the entry-level GeForce RTX 3050 8GB and the legacy mid-range Radeon HD 6790 highlights more than fifteen years of astronomical GPU progress. The RTX 3050 8GB is more than 3000% faster, representing the jump from the absolute height of 2011 graphics power to a modern engine that masters 1080p Ultra and introduces world-class Ray Tracing depth.
Technically, these two share no ground. The RTX 3050 8GB features 8GB of dedicated fast memory and specialized hardware for Ray Tracing and DLSS support. The Radeon HD 6790 remains a robust piece of hardware history, but it lacks the core count and feature set—like modern Path Tracing—needed for uncompromised graphics in 2026. Moving from any legacy device to a 30-series discrete engine is a life-changing improvement for most users seeking uncompromised speed.
There is no contest here; the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the absolute winner. it provides a level of detail and speed that turns the most demanding games into fluid, immersive experiences. The Radeon HD 6790 is now strictly piece of hardware history. If you are looking to revitalize your PC experience with a performance boost that is truly night and day, the 30-series discrete card is the superior and definitive choice.
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is significantly newer (2022 vs 2011). 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 Radeon HD 6790 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 699.9% 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 Radeon HD 6790.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Radeon HD 6790 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+699.9%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-699.9%) |
| Longevity | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2011 / TeraScale 2 (2009−2015)) |
| 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 $149), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 470.3% better value per dollar than the Radeon HD 6790.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Radeon HD 6790 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+470.3%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($209) | ✅More affordable ($149) |
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 Radeon HD 6790
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 HD 6790
The Radeon HD 6790 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in April 4 2011. It features the TeraScale 2 architecture. The core clock speed is 840 MHz. It has 800 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 150W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 1,567 points. Launch price was $149.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB scores 12,535 versus the Radeon HD 6790's 1,567 — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB leads by 699.9%. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is built on Ampere while the Radeon HD 6790 uses TeraScale 2, both on 8 nm vs 40 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 800 (Radeon HD 6790). Raw compute: 9.098 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 1.344 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 6790).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Radeon HD 6790 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 12,535+700% | 1,567 |
| Architecture | Ampere | TeraScale 2 |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 40 nm |
| Shading Units | 2560+220% | 800 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 9.098 TFLOPS+577% | 1.344 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 32+100% | 16 |
| TMUs | 80+100% | 40 |
| L1 Cache | 2.5 MB+1462% | 0.16 MB |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB+300% | 0.5 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 Radeon HD 6790 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Radeon HD 6790 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | AMD Anti-Lag |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB comes with 8 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon HD 6790 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 0.5 MB (Radeon HD 6790) — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Radeon HD 6790 |
|---|---|---|
| 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+300% | 0.5 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 11.2 (11_0) (Radeon HD 6790). Vulkan: 1.4 vs N/A. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.4. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 3.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Radeon HD 6790 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate+7% | 11.2 (11_0) |
| Vulkan | 1.4 | N/A |
| OpenGL | 4.6+5% | 4.4 |
| Max Displays | 4+33% | 3 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs None (Radeon HD 6790). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs UVD 3.0. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 (Radeon HD 6790).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Radeon HD 6790 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th gen | None |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th gen | UVD 3.0 |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2,MPEG-4 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB draws 130W versus the Radeon HD 6790's 150W — a 14.3% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 450W (Radeon HD 6790). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 2x 6-pin. Card length: 242mm vs 240mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 66°C vs 80.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Radeon HD 6790 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 130W-13% | 150W |
| Recommended PSU | 450W | 450W |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | 2x 6-pin |
| Length | 242mm | 240mm |
| Height | 112mm | 111mm |
| Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Temp (Load) | 66°C-18% | 80 |
| Perf/Watt | 96.4+827% | 10.4 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB launched at $249 MSRP and currently averages $209, while the Radeon HD 6790 launched at $149 and now averages $149. The Radeon HD 6790 costs 28.7% less ($60 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 60.0 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 10.5 (Radeon HD 6790) — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB offers 471.4% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2011).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Radeon HD 6790 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $249 | $149-40% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $209 | $149-29% |
| Performance per Dollar | 60.0+471% | 10.5 |
| Codename | GA106 | Barts |
| Release | January 4 2022 | April 4 2011 |
| Ranking | #211 | #759 |
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