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Test Setup
We are using an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D for testing. We are using the motherboard’s current default BIOS settings on the latest release BIOS. PCI-Express Resizable BAR is enabled. We have enabled EXPO I in the BIOS for the memory. We are using a fresh install of Windows 11 Pro with the latest Windows Updates. We have the latest drivers installed at the time of testing, which are 581.08 and Adrenalin 25.9.2, including the latest chipset drivers. We are using the “Balanced” power profile in Windows Settings, and Core Isolation/Memory Integrity (VBS) is enabled.
The GeForce RTX 5050 provides a big upgrade to the four year old GeForce RTX 3050, allowing a better gameplay experience in modern games at 1080p, with lowered settings, or DLSS Upscaling. The GeForce RTX 5050 provides modern features, and current generation NVIDIA RTX features, and video encoding/decoding. The GeForce RTX 4060 is almost a GeForce RTX 4060 in performance, but at a lower price point, and more power efficient, which makes it a great choice for entry-level, and small form factor gaming builds. This is a great way to step into gaming, though to really be a "game changer" 12GB of VRAM would have been preferred at this price point of $249.
Introduction Is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 a game-changer at $249 MSRP? Let’s find out. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 was launched late July of 2025, as the entry-level GPU for the GeForce RTX 50 Series family of graphics cards. Like all cards in the lineup for the RTX 50 Series, the GeForce RTX 5050 […]
Seems like a particularly hard sell when the 50-series' biggest party trick is at its least useful when the base framerate is a little tenuous.
The 130w/8GB combo is also kind of harsh. That's high enough draw that going for the modern card on an efficiency basis (while it will help a bit) won't be as dramatic an effect as you might like; and if you hit a VRAM wall anywhere it will be in the same place you would on a 3050; and one of the 12GB 3060s will still be chugging along for 40 watts more.
DAPUNISHER
👍 1
OEMs love these low end SKUs.
GodisanAtheist
"DAPUNISHER, post: 98739, member: 10800" wrote:
OEMs love these low end SKUs.
- Yeah, this is basically a repurposed laptop chip that would otherwise be used to bump a $499 office laptop into the $799 "entry gaming laptop" market.
These cards absolutely have their place however, good way to stand up a hella basic gaming PC that will be thesus' shipped into something respectable over time.
If you know what you're doing though, used 3080's and 6800XT's are starting to hit the $299 and lower price point (while 3070 and 6700XT are at $250 and below) and you'd get a helluva lot more bang from your buck there.
Former managing editor of GPUs at HardOCP for 18 years, Brent Justice has been reviewing computer components since the late 90s, educated in the art and method of the computer hardware review, he brings experience, knowledge, and hands-on testing with a gamer-oriented and hardware enthusiast perspective.
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Discussion (4 replies)
Join Discussion →Buy a used 4060.
Seems like a particularly hard sell when the 50-series' biggest party trick is at its least useful when the base framerate is a little tenuous.
The 130w/8GB combo is also kind of harsh. That's high enough draw that going for the modern card on an efficiency basis (while it will help a bit) won't be as dramatic an effect as you might like; and if you hit a VRAM wall anywhere it will be in the same place you would on a 3050; and one of the 12GB 3060s will still be chugging along for 40 watts more.
OEMs love these low end SKUs.
- Yeah, this is basically a repurposed laptop chip that would otherwise be used to bump a $499 office laptop into the $799 "entry gaming laptop" market.
These cards absolutely have their place however, good way to stand up a hella basic gaming PC that will be thesus' shipped into something respectable over time.
If you know what you're doing though, used 3080's and 6800XT's are starting to hit the $299 and lower price point (while 3070 and 6700XT are at $250 and below) and you'd get a helluva lot more bang from your buck there.