NVIDIA Launches GeForce RTX 3050 6GB: An Economical Choice for 1080p Gaming at $169
The budget gaming world has welcomed a new star – the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 6GB video card, offered at a price of $169. Aimed at 1080p gaming, this model is based on the Ampere architecture, boasts 6 GB of memory, and does not require external power to operate, making it the perfect choice for upgrading old systems. The RTX 3050 6GB promises up to a fourfold increase in performance compared to previous generations of cards, such as the GTX 1650 and GTX 1050, as highlighted by the Steam Hardware Survey results.
With the new GPU, players will gain access to advanced technologies, including RTX Ray Tracing and DLSS Super Resolution, previously unavailable in the lower price segment. Importantly, the video card is powered directly from the PCI-E slot, eliminating the need for power supply upgrades and simplifying integration into compact systems.
The official retail price of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 6 GB is set at $169, with overclocked models available at a slightly higher price. Key specifications include 2048 cores and 6 GB VRAM with a 96-bit bus, which is 20% and 17% less, respectively, compared to the 8 GB model. Such a reduction in specifications allows for a decrease in overall power consumption to 70-100W, depending on the model, while maintaining outputs for connecting four displays.
Various RTX 3050 6 GB models from NVIDIA partners, including ASUS and MSI, are already available on the market, with prices starting at $169.99. This offer will be an attractive upgrade for players looking for a balance between price and performance, especially considering that the previous RTX 3050 8 GB model was sold at $250-$280.
In conclusion, although the RTX 3050 6GB may be considered a worthy upgrade for players who prefer the NVIDIA ecosystem, there are other competitive options on the market, such as the Intel Arc A580 and AMD RX 6600 8 GB. However, for budget gamers moving from cards with 3 or 4 GB of memory, the new RTX 3050 6GB represents a significant improvement, offering advanced gaming technologies at an affordable price.