How the GeForce RTX 3050 performs at 1080p, 1440p and 4K
At 1080p the GeForce RTX 3050 averages about 59 fps on High across the 14 games people check most. Most games hold 60 fps, and the heaviest need a step down from High.
At 1440p the typical result drops to 43 fps. 1440p is playable, but expect to lower settings or use upscaling in newer games. At 4K it is about 24 fps. 4K is not what this card is for.
The heaviest game we checked is Black Myth: Wukong, at 31 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
Eight gigabytes covers 1080p and most 1440p play. A few recent games at Ultra textures want more, and that is the first thing that will date this card.
The GeForce RTX 3050 is rated at 130 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 2022, the GeForce RTX 3050 is a few years old but still capable. The next card up in our list is the GeForce RTX 2060, about 6% faster (launch price $349). The next card down is the GeForce GTX 1070, about 6% slower.
It launched at $249, which works out to 6.8 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 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.