GeForce RTX 3050 8GB vs Radeon R9 M485X
GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
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Radeon R9 M485X
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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 Radeon R9 M485X
Why is GeForce RTX 3050 8GB better than Radeon R9 M485X?
Comparing the Radeon R9 M485X to the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB demonstrates the gap between previous-generation mobile high-end graphics and modern entry-level desktop performance. The Radeon R9 M485X was a notable mobile GPU for its time (2016), while the RTX 3050 8GB is a 2022 desktop card designed for reliable 1080p gaming.\n\nIn raw performance, the RTX 3050 8GB is significantly more powerful, typically offering 4 to 5 times the frame rates of the older mobile chip. It also benefits from modern features like hardware-accelerated Ray Tracing and DLSS support, which are completely absent on the R9 M485X. The Radeon chip lacks the driver support and hardware horsepower required for modern AAA titles, and its memory configuration is now a major bottleneck for current software. The RTX card enables a high-fidelity experience, whereas the R9 M485X is now a legacy component found in older high-end laptops.\n\nUltimately, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the better choice for any user seeking a modern gaming or creative experience. The Radeon R9 M485X remains a specialized tool for maintaining old workstation hardware, but for any current workflow or gaming, the RTX 3050 offers a level of performance that makes the older mobile chip look ancient by comparison.
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
⚠️ Generational Difference
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is significantly newer (2022 vs 2016). 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 R9 M485X 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 229.8% 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 Radeon R9 M485X.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Radeon R9 M485X |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+229.8%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-229.8%) |
| Longevity | 🏆Elite Architecture (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / GCN 3.0 (2014−2019)) |
| 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
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Although it costs $209 (vs $150), its significant performance lead justifies the premium, offering 136.7% better value per dollar than the Radeon R9 M485X.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Radeon R9 M485X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+136.7%) | ❌Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($209) | ✅More affordable ($150) |
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 R9 M485X
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 R9 M485X
The Radeon R9 M485X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in May 15 2016. It features the GCN 3.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 723 MHz. It has 2048 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 250W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 3,801 points.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB scores 12,535 versus the Radeon R9 M485X's 3,801 — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB leads by 229.8%. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is built on Ampere while the Radeon R9 M485X uses GCN 3.0, both on 8 nm vs 28 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 2,048 (Radeon R9 M485X). Raw compute: 9.098 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 2.961 TFLOPS (Radeon R9 M485X).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Radeon R9 M485X |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 12,535+230% | 3,801 |
| Architecture | Ampere | GCN 3.0 |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 28 nm |
| Shading Units | 2560+25% | 2048 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 9.098 TFLOPS+207% | 2.961 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 32 | 32 |
| TMUs | 80 | 128+60% |
| L1 Cache | 2.5 MB+400% | 0.5 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 R9 M485X relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Radeon R9 M485X |
|---|---|---|
| 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 R9 M485X 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. L2 Cache: 2 MB (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 0.5 MB (Radeon R9 M485X) — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Radeon R9 M485X |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB+300% | 2 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 12 (Radeon R9 M485X). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Radeon R9 M485X |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12 |
| Vulkan | 1.4+17% | 1.2 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs VCE 3.0 (Radeon R9 M485X). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs UVD 6.0. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs H.264,HEVC,VP9 (Radeon R9 M485X).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Radeon R9 M485X |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th gen | VCE 3.0 |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th gen | UVD 6.0 |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 | H.264,HEVC,VP9 |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB draws 130W versus the Radeon R9 M485X's 250W — a 63.2% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 350W (Radeon R9 M485X). Power connectors: 8-pin vs Mobile. Typical load temperature: 66°C vs 80°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Radeon R9 M485X |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 130W-48% | 250W |
| Recommended PSU | 450W | 350W-22% |
| Power Connector | 8-pin | Mobile |
| Length | 242mm | — |
| Height | 112mm | — |
| Slots | 2 | — |
| Temp (Load) | 66°C-18% | 80°C |
| Perf/Watt | 96.4+534% | 15.2 |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB launched at $249 MSRP and currently averages $209, while the Radeon R9 M485X launched at $450 and now averages $150. The Radeon R9 M485X costs 28.2% less ($59 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 60.0 (GeForce RTX 3050 8GB) vs 25.3 (Radeon R9 M485X) — the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB offers 137.2% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2016).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB | Radeon R9 M485X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $249-45% | $450 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $209 | $150-28% |
| Performance per Dollar | 60.0+137% | 25.3 |
| Codename | GA106 | Amethyst |
| Release | January 4 2022 | May 15 2016 |
| Ranking | #211 | #519 |
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