NVIDIA launches GeForce RTX 3050 entry-level graphics card with raytracing and DLSS support
Graphics card maker launches its slowest desktop Ampere graphics card yet.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 is a 250 USD entry-level model featuring GA106-160 GPU with 2560 CUDA cores. This SKU is equipped with 8GB GDDR6 memory attached to a 128-bit bus, clearly aiming at 1080p gamers.
The RTX 3050 is yet another XX50-class model to launch with hardware acceleration for ray tracing, following the mobile RTX 3050 series (based on GA107 GPU) and later RTX 2050 (Turing). This model also comes with DLSS support, which can make this card a lot more compelling based on how many games already support this technology.
One of the drawbacks of RTX 3050 is the limited PCIe Gen4 interface to eight lanes. It is said that NVIDIA might at some point decide to switch production to GA107 GPU, which would not support 16 lanes due to its hardware limitations.
In terms of pricing, NVIDIA promises that at least some cards today are launching with an MSRP of 249 USD. However, even in NVIDIA supplied MSRP list, it seems that this pricing was rather forced upon board partners, who will be offering much more expensive cards at the same time.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050, Source: GamersNexus
The RTX 3050 should now be available from all major retailers. It might be the only chance to purchase this card at MSRP in the coming weeks, so be prepared.
| NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Specifications | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| VideoCardz | GeForce RTX 3060 | GeForce RTX 3050 | Radeon RX 6500 XT |
| Picture |  |  |  |
| GPU | GA106-400 | GA106-150 | Navi 24 XT |
| Cores | 3584 | 2560 | 1024 |
| RT Cores | 28 | 20 | 16 |
| Tensors | 112 | 80 | – |
| Memory | 12GB GDDR6 | 8GB GDDR6 | 4GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Clock | 15 Gbps | 14 Gbps | 18 Gbps |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit | 128-bit | 64-bit |
| TGP/TBP | 170W | 130W | 107W |
| Maximum Bandwidth | 360 GB/s | 224 GB/s | 144 GB/s |
| MSRP | 329 USD | 249 USD | 199 USD |
| Release Date | February 2021 | January 2022 | January 2022 |