Key Points
- The RTX 3050 is one of the most affordable graphics cards from the RTX series.
- It can easily run the latest gaming titles at 1080p resolution with high video settings averaging around 120 FPS.
- It features ray-tracing technology and DLSS, which improve graphics and increase frames per second.
The RTX 3050 is an affordable entry-level graphics card that causes a lot of discussion among gamers. On one hand, the RTX 3050 is very decent for the price, but on the other hand, it may not make much sense since there are so many more options in a similar price range.
Let’s break down the best reasons to buy an RTX 3050, because, after all, it’s a very good graphics card for 1080p gaming that could be a good upgrade for your PC.
Background on the RTX Series
The RTX is NVIDIA’s graphics card series that supports real-time ray-tracing technology. Ray-tracing is a visual architecture and computing technique that can be used to boost the visual performance of graphics cards a tiny bit. With this real-time technology, gamers can experience realistic images in much more detail. The RTX graphics cards can track the path of light, use better colors for light reflections, details moving to and from the in-game camera, and more.
At first glance, these details may seem insignificant, but once you try ray-tracing, you’ll notice the difference within the first minute. The technology is especially noticeable in older games.
Some gamers prefer ray-tracing technology for its stunning graphics, and although the concept isn’t new, the RTX series of graphics cards is slowly but surely gaining popularity for the reasons mentioned above.
Of course, we should also mention that ray-tracing can slightly affect in-game rendering FPS, but you only need a PC that is slightly above the minimum requirements for the game you want to play. This way, you can get the most out of ray-tracing technology and still have a smooth and playable experience with decent FPS.
- Supports HDMI 2.1
- 8GB of VRAM
- No power supply connections
- Great for prebuilts
9 Reasons to Buy an RTX 3050
The RTX 3050 is one of the most affordable graphics cards from the RTX series. The fact that it supports ray-tracing technology at such a good price is more than enough to make people buy an RTX 3050. However, there are many more reasons why the RTX 3050 could be a good choice for your PC, so let’s break them down!
Runs the Latest Game Titles
Although the RTX 3050 is an entry-level graphics card in the RTX series, it’s well thought-out since it’s based on NVIDIA’s Ampere architecture. This means that the RTX 3050 is equipped with 2nd generation RT cores, but also 3rd generation Tensor cores. In addition, NVIDIA has multiprocessors and G6 memory (which is considered high-speed memory).
With these specifications, the NVIDIA RTX 3050 can easily run the latest gaming titles. At 1080p resolution, gamers can enjoy high video settings averaging around 120 FPS. The RTX 3050 is even capable of some 1440p games, but we’ll talk more about that below.
Ideal for 1080p Gaming
Considering that the RTX 3050 is one of the most affordable RTX graphics cards, it’s really good news that you can enjoy 1080p gaming at high video settings without worrying about the FPS. You can easily play the latest game titles knowing that the RTX 3050 can handle it and you don’t have to lower your video settings to play.
With the RTX 3050, you can play games like Apex Legends, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Battlefield 2042, Call of Duty: Warzone & Vanguard, Cyberpunk 2077, and more. In addition, it’s worth noting that the RTX 3050 is a very reliable graphics card for eSports games like CS:GO, Fortnite, and more.
Better Visuals with Ray-Tracing
As we’ve already mentioned, ray-tracing can improve graphics and take the gaming experience to a whole new level. It’s best to combine it with the latest game titles so that you can enjoy game visuals to the fullest. However, we should also mention that you can use ray-tracing in older games, where you’ll see the greatest visual improvements.
Even though this entry-level ray-tracing graphics card might lose some FPS in the latest games with the feature on, you shouldn’t worry too much about it at the moment.
Features DLSS
DLSS is another proprietary technology from NVIDIA that stands for Deep Learning Super Sampling. This technology relies on artificial intelligence to improve graphics performance. It’s based on real-time learning that helps create new frames and display improved images while increasing performance.
The DLSS is therefore only included in the RTX graphics cards and is always combined with the ray-tracing technology. While ray-tracing technology makes sure you get better graphics, DLSS works to improve the images and increase the frames per second displayed to match improved graphics.
Although the 3050 is considered an entry-level graphics card, the DLSS is a good feature that improves its performance and helps it run the latest game titles.
Decent for 1440p Gaming
The RTX 3050 is ideal for 1080p gaming, but it’s also great for 1440p gaming. Even if you have to lower the video settings a bit, you can still achieve great graphics and a decent FPS in the latest games.
Thanks to the ray-tracing and DLSS technology, the 3050 can handle new game titles at medium to high settings, depending on the game, while maintaining decent in-game frame rates.
©Zoomik/Shutterstock.com
Low Temperatures and Power Consumption
Another great feature of the RTX 3050 is that it’s not a demanding graphics card. The RTX 3050 only draws a maximum of 115 watts of power. A 6-pin connector is enough to provide the necessary power, and yet some versions of the RTX 3050 may not need the power cable.
Even at its peak performance, the RTX 3050 keeps its temperatures in check thanks to a good single-fan cooler. Some of the 3050 versions are equipped with dual fans for even better cooling. Still, temperatures will never exceed safe limits, even if you put the RTX 3050 under a heavy load.
Supports HDMI 2.1
The RTX 3050 has an HDMI 2.1 port that supports a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. With an average of 120 FPS in the latest gaming titles, this means you can enjoy smoother graphics.
However, if you plan to play competitive eSports games like CS:GO or Fortnite, you can reach between 300 and 400 FPS. In this case, you can connect the RTX 3050 with a DisplayPort cable to achieve the high refresh rate of your monitor.
Overclockable
The RTX 3050 can be overclocked and it’s pretty easy to do so with the manufacturer’s official driver. For example, the MSI version of the RTX 3050 has a higher factory clock of 1,845MHz. You can easily overclock the RTX 3050 to this frequency with the official MSI software.
So, if you want to overclock the 3050, you should pay attention to the version and the manufacturer before purchase.
Great Price-to-Value Ratio
The RTX 3050 has an MSRP of around $249. Even though the graphics card market has been hit by inflation, the good news is that you can still find the RTX 3050 for around its MSRP.
| Reasons to Buy an RTX 3050 |
|---|
| 1. Runs the latest game titles |
| 2. Ideal for 1080p gaming |
| 3. Better visuals with ray-tracing |
| 4. Features DLSS |
| 5. Decent for 1440p gaming |
| 6. Low temperatures and power consumptions |
| 7. Supports HDMI 2.1 |
| 8. Overclockable |
| 9. Great Price-to-Value Ratio |
- Supports HDMI 2.1
- 8GB of VRAM
- No power supply connections
- Great for prebuilts
Wrapping Up
Whether you’re thinking about upgrading your graphics card or putting together a new gaming system, the RTX 3050 offers excellent value for your budget. Although it’s an entry-level graphics card, it’s equipped with technologies like DLSS that significantly improve its performance.
As a result, the RTX 3050 is a very versatile graphics card that is ideal for 1080p gaming and also performs decently at 1440p resolution. Since the RTX 3050 is one of the best entry-level graphics cards on the market, offers such good value for money, and easily meets the average gaming needs in this price range, the list of reasons to buy the RTX 3050 keeps piling up.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©DC Studio/Shutterstock.com.
