How the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB performs at 1080p, 1440p and 4K
At 1080p the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB averages about 50 fps on High across the 14 games people check most. Newer games need Medium to hold 60 fps.
At 1440p the typical result drops to 36 fps. 1440p is a stretch; stay at 1080p or use upscaling. At 4K it is about 17 fps. 4K is not what this card is for.
The heaviest game we checked is Black Myth: Wukong, at 26 fps on High at 1080p. The lightest is VALORANT, which the card handles at 300+ fps. If your own games are somewhere in between, the table above shows where.
Memory and power
Six gigabytes is enough for 1080p at High in most games, but it runs out at 1440p in the newest ones. If you see stutter that frame rate does not explain, lower the texture setting one step.
The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is rated at 70 W. With a mid-range processor, plan on a 450 W power supply (450 W is the minimum). That is low enough for small cases and basic power supplies, which is part of the appeal.
Where it sits
Released in 2024, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is still a current card. The next card up in our list is the GeForce GTX 1070, about 14% faster (launch price $379). The next card down is the GeForce GTX 1660 Super, about 8% slower.
It launched at $169, which works out to 8.3 points of performance per $100. Prices on the used and discount market are different, so treat this as a way to compare cards, not as today's price.
Which processor to pair it with, and who it suits
To keep a processor from holding it back at 1080p, you want something like a Ryzen 3 1200, and the same chip is enough at 1440p. Slower processors will still work, but you give up some of the card's speed. The best CPU list for this card shows the options for all three resolutions.
The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is an entry level card. It is fine for 1080p at Medium, for older games at High and for esports titles at any setting. If you play new releases, look one tier up.