As graphics card prices stabilize following shortages that led to the recent surge in prices, you’re probably in the market for a new one. Consequently, you’re likely considering the RTX 3050 and RTX 2060 as both of these cards are powerful and relatively inexpensive. The question remains, which one should you choose? In this article, we’ll take a side-by-side look at the specs, performance, and features of the RTX 3050 and RTX 2060 to help you make an informed decision.
Among other things, we’ll compare their graphics processor, shader cores, TMUs, ROPs, bus width, GPU and boost clock, texture fill rate, and higher floating-point performance. We’ll also take a look at their power consumption, size, and connectivity, and finally, we’ll provide gaming benchmarks for some popular games to give you an idea of their performance in real-world scenarios.
RTX 3050 vs. RTX 2060: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | RTX 3050 | RTX 2060 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | Jan 2022 | Jan 2019 |
| GPU Name | GA106 | TU106 |
| CUDA Cores | 2560 | 1920 |
| TMUs | 160 | 120 |
| ROPs | 32 | 48 |
| VRAM | 8 GB GDDR6 | 6 GB GDDR6 |
| Bus Width | 128-bit | 192-bit |
| GPU Clock | 1,552 MHz | 1,365 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1,777 MHz | 1,680 MHz |
| Memory Clock | 1750 MHz (14 Gbps effective) | 1750 MHz (14 Gbps effective) |
| Texture Fill Rate | 124 GTexel/s | 201 GTexel/s |
| Higher Floating-point Performance | 9.1 TFLOPS | 6.45 TFLOPS |
| TDP | 130W | 160W |
| MSRP | $249 | $349 |
- 2X the FP32 throughput and improved power efficiency
- 2nd Generation RT Cores: 2X the throughput of 1st gen RT Cores
- A whole new level of ray-tracing performance
- Axial-tech fan design, 2-slot design for cooling efficiency
- PCIe 4.0, 8GB GDDR6 Memory
- HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4a, 2-Slot
RTX 3050 vs. RTX 2060: What’s the Difference?
Specifications
The NVIDIA RTX 3050 and RTX 2060 are both powerful graphics cards, but they have some key differences as seen above. The RTX 3050 has more CUDA cores, which means it can perform more parallel calculations, resulting in faster performance.
The RTX 3050 also has more TMUs, and better higher floating point performance, but the RTX 2060 has more ROPs, a higher Boost clock, and Texture fill rate which results in better overall performance. The graphics processor is also different – the RTX 3050 uses the newer Ampere architecture while the RTX 2060 uses the Turing architecture. The VRAM type of base model is the same, but the RTX 3050 has 2GB more VRAM capacity. The RTX 2060 has a wider bus width which enables faster data transfer between the GPU and the VRAM.
The RTX 2060, on the other hand, has a higher boost clock of 1,680 MHz, which means it can perform calculations faster. However, it also has a higher TDP of 160 watts, which means it requires more power and generates more heat. This makes it a better option for high-end gaming experiences like VR and ray tracing, but it may require better cooling solutions and more power to run.
Additionally, the RTX 3050 has a lower TDP (thermal design power) of 130 watts, which means it’s more energy-efficient and generates less heat. This is a significant advantage for small form factor builds or for those who want to save on power bills.
RTX 3050 vs RTX 2060: Power Consumption, Size, and Connectivity
The RTX 3050 has a TDP of 130 watts, which is significantly lower than the RTX 2060’s TDP of 160 watts. This means that the RTX 3050 is more energy-efficient and generates less heat, making it a better option for small form factor builds or for those who want to save on power bills.
Additionally, the RTX 3050 is a smaller card, which will take up less space in your PC build. In terms of connectivity, while both have 3 DisplayPort 1.4 ports, the RTX 3050 has 1 HDMI 2.1 port while the RTX 2060 has 1 HDMI 2.0b port. However, both will allow you to connect multiple monitors and enjoy high-quality visuals.
RTX 3050 vs RTX 2060: Gaming Benchmarks
| Game | RTX 3050 Average FPS | RTX 2060 Average FPS | Quality Setting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 87 FPS | 99 FPS | High |
| Watch Dogs:Legion | 88 FPS | 104 FPS | High |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 41 FPS | 51 FPS | Medium |
| Far Cry 6 | 96 FPS | 102 FPS | Medium |
| Hitman 3 | 112 FPS | 116 FPS | Medium |
This table provides a side-by-side comparison of the gaming performance of the RTX 3050 and RTX 2060 graphics cards obtained with display options set to 1080p.
As the results show, the RTX 3050 and RTX 2060 have somewhat similar performance for some games, but the RTX 2060 has significantly higher FPS for some games like Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Watch Dogs:Legion and Cyberpunk 2077.
It is therefore worth noting that the choice between these two graphics cards will depend on the specific games you play and your desired level of performance.
Pricing
Pricing for the RTX 3050 and RTX 2060 can vary depending on the retailer and the specific model of the card but the RTX 3050 is generally a more budget-friendly option.
- PCI Express graphics card interface
- 1470MHz GPU clock speed
- 8GB GDDR6 graphics RAM
- 2176 processors
RTX 3050 vs. RTX 2060: 6 Must-Know Facts
- The RTX 3050 has more CUDA cores, which means it can perform more parallel calculations, resulting in faster performance.
- The RTX 3050 has a lower TDP of 130 watts, making it more energy-efficient and generating less heat.
- The RTX 2060 has a higher boost clock of 1,680 MHz, which means it can perform calculations faster.
- The RTX 2060 has a higher TDP of 160 watts, which means it requires more power and generates more heat.
- The RTX 3050 is better for esports and competitive gaming as it has a lower input lag and offers a more responsive experience.
- The RTX 2060 is better for immersive gaming experiences like VR and ray tracing.
RTX 3050 vs. RTX 2060: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Choose?
- If you’re looking for a more energy-efficient card that’s better for gaming at 1080p and 1440p, the RTX 3050 is a great choice. It’s also a great choice for budget-conscious buyers who don’t want to spend too much on a graphics card.
- If you’re looking for a powerful card that’s better for gaming at 4K and for high-end gaming experiences, the RTX 2060 is a great choice. It’s also a good option for those who want to play the latest AAA games at the highest settings and at high frame rates.
It’s worth noting that the RTX 3050 is better for esports and competitive gaming as it has a lower input lag and offers a more responsive experience, while the RTX 2060 is better for immersive gaming experiences like virtual reality, and ray tracing.
Another thing to consider is the power consumption and the thermal design of the graphics card, the RTX 3050 is 130W TDP which means it will generate less heat and it is more energy-efficient, so it’s a better option for small form factor builds or for those who want to save on power bills.
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