So you‘re looking to upgrade your aging graphics card and came across the Nvidia RTX 3050. It seems affordable enough. But is it the right pick in 2023? You may have already discerned that more powerful and better-valued options exist.
Let‘s explore five outstanding RTX 3050 alternatives suited for a range of budgets and needs. Whether you have $250 or $500 to spend, these GPUs deliver superior 1080p, 1440p and even 4K gaming performance compared to the vanilla 3050.
Understanding the RTX 3050 and Its Target 1080p Gamer
First, let‘s recap what the RTX 3050 delivers and where it fits into Nvidia‘s product stack:
- Released January 2022 priced at $249 MSRP
- 1080p gaming focused with decent 1440p potential
- Competent entry-level ray tracing support
- 8GB GDDR6 memory
- GA106 GPU with 2560 CUDA cores
The RTX 3050 squarely targets budget-focused 1080p gamers. It provides very playable framerates over 60 FPS at that resolution in virtually any game with reasonable quality settings. Here‘s how it performs in some popular titles:
| Game | Avg FPS @ 1080p | Settings |
|---|---|---|
| Apex Legends | 130 | Medium |
| Fortnite | 105 | High |
| Call of Duty MWII | 90 | High |
With an effective speed comparable to the GTX 1660 Super, the RTX 3050 gives solid if unspectacular Full HD performance. It also touts entry-level ray tracing support powered by its 20 RT cores. Unfortunately, frame rates tank below 60 FPS if you turn ray tracing above low settings at 1080p.
The RTX 3050 hit the market at $249 MSRP in early 2022. Today it sells for $220 to $270 depending on model, rebates and availability. This price point caters nicely to gamers seeking good 1080p speed at a moderate cost.
But as we‘ll see, better options exist even at slightly higher price points that leave the RTX 3050 in the dust…
Choice #1: GeForce RTX 3060 Ti ($330-380)
Our first recommendation is Nvidia‘s own GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, an outstanding GPU delivering 70% faster 1080p and 1440p gaming performance versus the RTX 3050.
Costing around $350 depending on model, the venerable 3060 Ti fits neatly between the 3050 and 3070 in Nvidia‘s product stack. It wields considerably more rendering and RT hardware including:
- 4864 CUDA cores (+88% vs 3050)
- 38 RT cores (+90% vs 3050)
- 8GB GDDR6 memory
Benchmarks from reliable sources like Tom‘s Hardware and TechPowerUp show the 3060 Ti achieving 70% higher average FPS across top games at 1080p and 1440p resolutions.
Let‘s compare some benchmark results:
| Resolution | 1080p | 1440p |
| Game Benchmark | Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla | Red Dead Redemption 2 |
| RTX 3050 FPS | 71 | 55 |
| RTX 3060 Ti FPS | 107 (+51%) | 89 (+62%) |
The 3060 Ti also handles ray tracing much better thanks to its superior dedicated hardware. It keeps frame rates comfortably over 60 FPS at 1080p in titles like Control and Cyberpunk 2077 with medium ray tracing enabled.
Compared to the $250 RTX 3050, the $350 RTX 3060 Ti gives substantially faster gaming speed for under $100 more. That‘s excellent value. It also provides more future-proofing if you eventually upgrade to a higher resolution monitor.
For gamers targeting smooth 1080p or 1440p gameplay, the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is a supercharged alternative to the RTX 3050.
Choice #2: Radeon RX 6700 XT ($300-400)
If your budget can flex a little higher and you don‘t require intensive ray tracing, AMD‘s Radeon RX 6700 XT trades blows with Nvidia‘s RTX 3060 Ti for less money. It retails between $300 to $400 now following recent discounts.
The RX 6700 XT makes smart tradeoffs to become a formidable high FPS 1080p/1440p gaming card:
- 2560 stream processors
- 12GB GDDR6 memory
- Up to 16 Gbps memory speed
It demonstrates roughly 10% faster average frame rates over the RTX 3060 Ti in conventional gaming thanks to AMD‘s excellent optimized rasterization technology.
However, ray tracing does suffer more on this card versus Nvidia‘s specialized RT core design, especially at higher resolutions. The 6700 XT will handle basic ray-traced effects smoothly at 1080p, but suffers more heavily at 1440p.
If stunning conventional rasterization and high refresh rates are your priority, the Radeon RX 6700 XT brings outstanding value hardly above RTX 3050 pricing. But Nvidia still rules for robust ray tracing.
Choice #3: GeForce RTX 3070 ($400-500)
For gamers intent on enabling intense ray tracing effects at higher resolutions like 1440p, Nvidia‘s RTX 3070 and its considerable RT hardware justify the higher cost over AMD alternatives and the RTX 3050.
Retailing between $400 to $500, the RTX 3070 still delivers excellent value despite its age. It wields considerable GPU resources including:
- 5888 CUDA cores
- 8GB GDDR6 RAM
- 256-bit memory bus
- 46 RT cores
In conventional rasterization, the venerable RTX 3070 outmuscles the 3060 Ti by a solid 15% thanks to its beefier SM configuration and memory bandwidth. It runs AAA titles a whopping 90% faster than the RTX 3050, allowing max settings 1440p gaming in the 60+ FPS range.
Where the RTX 3070 really shines over alternatives is robust ray tracing operation. Its considerable RT hardware enables smooth frame rates even with ray tracing set to high in many titles. Here‘s how it compares to the 3050 specifically:
| Game | Cyberpunk 2077 @ 1440p |
| RTX 3050 FPS (Medium Ray Tracing) | 32 FPS |
| RTX 3070 FPS (High Ray Tracing) | 48 FPS |
If you desire strong triple-A gaming performance AND great ray tracing, the venerable RTX 3070 remains an outstanding choice in 2023 well above the RTX 3050‘s capabilities.
Choice #4: Radeon RX 6650 XT ($260-320)
Back to team red, if staying near the RTX 3050‘s budget is crucial, AMD‘s new Radeon RX 6650 XT offers unmatched value with excellent 1080p and 1440p speeds. Discounting has brought prices down to just $260 to beat even RTX 3050 sales.
AMD‘s latest budget gaming card cuts some specs versus pricier models but retains excellent raw power:
- 8GB GDDR6 memory
- 2048 stream processors
- 17.5 Gbps memory bandwidth
Reviews unanimously applaud the RX 6650 XT for delivering RTX 3060-like 1080p and 1440p gaming performance for WAY less cost. It runs popular titles a huge 50% above the RTX 3050 thanks to AMD‘s optimization.
Want maximum FPS for minimum spend? The $260 Radeon RX 6650 XT brings outstanding 1080p and 1440p speed for cost-conscious gamers. Just don‘t expect robust ray tracing.
Choice #5: GeForce RTX 3060 12GB ($300-350)
If you prefer Nvidia‘s gaming and streaming software ecosystem but need to watch budget, the venerable GeForce RTX 3060 offers a nice mid-point before reaching high-end territory. Discounts place retail pricing around $300 to $350 now.
For $100+ more than a 3050, this upper mainstream card brings a host of upgrades:
- 3584 CUDA cores
- 12GB GDDR6 RAM
- 192-bit bus
- 28 RT cores
In terms of raw power, reviewers peg the 3060‘s 1080p and 1440p gaming speeds at ~20% behind the RTX 3060 Ti on average. It still runs popular titles a very playable 15-25% faster than the RTX 3050.
The 3060 also packs enough RT capabilities to enable meaningful ray tracing without tanking performance, especially at 1080p. Expect to maintain 45-60 FPS in titles with medium ray tracing enabled.
Splitting the difference in price and performance between lower-end cards like the 3050 and high-tier offerings like the 3070, the venerable RTX 3060 brings excellent 1080p and 1440p speed plus passable ray tracing for under $350.
Key Factors When Picking the Right RTX 3050 Alternative
With so many enticing options beyond the RTX 3050 available, let‘s recap a framework for selecting the best match:
Budget – How much can you spend right now? The good news is better options exist at nearly every increment past the 3050‘s ~$250 buy-in.
Monitor Resolution – The 3050 fits 1080p gaming. If you have a higher resolution monitor (or plan to upgrade later), choose a faster alternative.
Ray Tracing Demands – Do you care about cutting edge lighting/shadows? Lean Nvidia. Prefer raw rasterization power and speed? Get an AMD card.
Noise and Thermals – The 3050 runs cool and quiet. Ensure any upgraded GPU fits your PC case without issue.
Brand Preference – Both AMD and Nvidia make excellent cards today. Understand their technology strengths before buying.
Once you balance your performance needs, budget, and other factors, picking the right RTX 3050 alternative becomes easy. Let‘s summarize our recommendations again:
Summary – The Best Bang-For-Buck Alternatives to the RTX 3050
- For a budget under $400, choose the Nvidia RTX 3060 Ti
- If maximizing gaming FPS matters most, get the AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
- If you want great ray tracing too, choose the Nvidia RTX 3070
- For top value under $300, pick the AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT
- On a very tight budget, get the Nvidia RTX 3060
The era of the RTX 3050 has likely ended as faster GPUs encroach on its pricing with way better performance. But that ultimately benefits us gamers! With a range of GPUs now surpassing the 3050, we have fantastic alternatives to pick from.
Whether you want more raw rendering muscle, built-in ray tracing, or future-proof 1440p and 4K readiness, upgrading over the vanilla RTX 3050 brings excellent value. Consider what matters most performance and budget-wise, shop smartly, and enjoy your next card!
Enjoyed this guide? Let me know if you have any other questions around upgrading your graphics card!
