News Nvidia slashes memory capacity with new entry-level GPU — cut-down RTX 3050 has 6GB of memory, down from 8GB two years ago, but cheaper

[Admin]

Nvidia has quietly launched its newest entry-level GPU, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. Meanwhile, AIB partner models are starting to appear in online listings

Nvidia slashes memory capacity with new entry-level GPU — cut-down RTX 3050 has 6GB of memory, down from 8GB two years ago, but cheaper : Read more

 

[mac_angel]

I hear about a lot of people trashing these GPUs, but I think they are a good idea. It has been a long time since NVidia released a decent media GPU. Something for running Plex or the like, just something to be able to encode/decode media streams.
I upgraded my son's computer, which was running an RTX 3050, and took the RTX 3050 and stuck it in my Plex server. Before, it was running a low profile GTX 750ti. That was definitely a big upgrade.

 

[Deleted member 2731765]

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the key specs of the new RTX 3050 6GB, which is starting to become available in retail, and the model we reviewed almost exactly two years ago. GA107 with 2,048 cores

Nvidia has quietly launched its newest entry-level GPU, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB (h/t TechPowerUp).

It appears that TechPowerUp and the Mindfactory.de webpage link has got the CUDA core count wrong (2048). Because, the exact and correct core count appears to be 2304 as evident from official links of some custom cards.

You should make the necessary correction if this is indeed the case. TPU hasn't provided any links whatsoever though. Anyway., these are some links, and all of them come with 2304 CUDA cores.

PALIT:

https://www.palit.com/palit/vgapro.php?id=5147&lang=en&pn=NE63050018JE-1070H&tab=sp

MSI:

• MSI RTX 3050 6 GB Gaming X - $179.99 US
• MSI RTX 3050 6 GB Ventus 2X - $169.99 US
• MSI RTX 3050 6 GB LP OC - $179.99 US

Even Videocardz confirmed that the core count is indeed 2304, and not 2048.

https://videocardz.com/newz/palit-reveals-fanless-geforce-rtx-3050-6gb-kalmx-gpu-with-dvi-port

 

[Deleted member 2731765]

BTW, Gigabyte has also updated their website with 2 new 6GB models. Again, the core count is 2304, which seems to be confirmed and accurate at this point.

https://www.gigabyte.com/Graphics-Card/GV-N3050OC-6GL/sp#sp

https://www.gigabyte.com/Graphics-Card/GV-N3050EAGLE-OC-6GD/sp#sp

EDIT:

One review. 20% slower. But much more power efficient ? 46% reduced power consumption seems to make up though.

Erste Tests: Gaming-Benchmarks zur GeForce RTX 3050 6 GB mit 70 Watt

Die GeForce RTX 3050 6 GB ist offiziell und schon in der Redaktion. Erste Benchmarks zeigen ihre Leistung im Vergleich zur RTX 3050 8 GB.

www.computerbase.de

 

[Alvar "Miles" Udell]

As a refresher, the 3050 8GB pulls 85FPS at 1920x1080 vs the RX 6500XT's 65 fps. If the cut down version loses 20% performance (based on core count reduction) it'd still score higher than the 6500XT, which currently retails on Newegg for $150 (and even one XFX model for $200), and for $30 more you gain DLSS and other nVidia specific features as well as 2GB more VRAM.

I don't particularly like what nVidia is doing, but AMD bringing a 4GB card to market in that price bracket is even worse.

 

[jlake3]

As a refresher, the 3050 8GB pulls 85FPS at 1920x1080 vs the RX 6500XT's 65 fps. If the cut down version loses 20% performance (based on core count reduction) it'd still score higher than the 6500XT, which currently retails on Newegg for $150 (and even one XFX model for $200), and for $30 more you gain DLSS and other nVidia specific features as well as 2GB more VRAM.

I don't particularly like what nVidia is doing, but AMD bringing a 4GB card to market in that price bracket is even worse.

AMD did bring that card to market OVER TWO YEARS AGO DURING ONGOING SHORTAGES.

Not that the 6500XT is a good card by any means, but if the cut down 3050 loses 20% performance that means it would average 68FPS, or a 5% FPS improvement over the 6500XT for 20% more money. Without DLSS this might be a worse FPS/$ than even the hated 6500XT, despite launching two years after it.

And my local brick & mortar computer store seems to have dropped most SKUs of the 6500XT and has little inventory of the ones they still carry, like they might be letting it quietly go away. What they have more of are RX 6600s, which go as low as $190. That makes it 64% better than the estimated 3050 6gb for 5% more money, and you also get 2gb more VRAM.

If you need low-profile, Gigabyte makes a 4060 SFF that is more powerful and a newer architecture, but that does need an 8-pin power cable. That leaves this as the best option that's entirely PCIe slot powered... but otherwise uncompetitive.

 

[Alvar "Miles" Udell]

And with the lack of competition means nVidia is free to rip people off all they want.

 

[thestryker]

As a refresher, the 3050 8GB pulls 85FPS at 1920x1080 vs the RX 6500XT's 65 fps. If the cut down version loses 20% performance (based on core count reduction) it'd still score higher than the 6500XT, which currently retails on Newegg for $150 (and even one XFX model for $200), and for $30 more you gain DLSS and other nVidia specific features as well as 2GB more VRAM.

I'd be surprised if it's that fast as you have to keep in mind it's also going from 130W TDP to 70W which will have a huge impact on boost capability.

I upgraded my son's computer, which was running an RTX 3050, and took the RTX 3050 and stuck it in my Plex server. Before, it was running a low profile GTX 750ti. That was definitely a big upgrade.

Curious what hardware you're using for your Plex server. When I upgraded my old server from SNB to ADL I just opted for the onboard as I didn't want to waste the PCIe slot on a GPU nor have the added power consumption.

I hear about a lot of people trashing these GPUs, but I think they are a good idea.

I think it'd be a good idea if the price actually made sense, but it really doesn't.

It has been a long time since NVidia released a decent media GPU. Something for running Plex or the like, just something to be able to encode/decode media streams.

This is one place where Intel just stands above AMD and nvidia currently depending on availability as you can get a low profile A310 for ~$100 and it has better media support than any competition anywhere near it in price.

 

[MrN1ce9uy]

I wish Nvidia would stop finding new ways to provide the consumer market with sub-par GPUs.

 

[Deleted member 2731765]

One review. 20% slower. But much more power efficient ? 46% reduced power consumption seems to make up though.

Erste Tests: Gaming-Benchmarks zur GeForce RTX 3050 6 GB mit 70 Watt

Die GeForce RTX 3050 6 GB ist offiziell und schon in der Redaktion. Erste Benchmarks zeigen ihre Leistung im Vergleich zur RTX 3050 8 GB.

www.computerbase.de

 

[Third-Eye]

As a refresher, the 3050 8GB pulls 85FPS at 1920x1080 vs the RX 6500XT's 65 fps. If the cut down version loses 20% performance (based on core count reduction) it'd still score higher than the 6500XT, which currently retails on Newegg for $150 (and even one XFX model for $200), and for $30 more you gain DLSS and other nVidia specific features as well as 2GB more VRAM.

I don't particularly like what nVidia is doing, but AMD bringing a 4GB card to market in that price bracket is even worse.

I expect the 3050 6GB will be as fast as a GTX 1650 Super or maybe a bit faster.

 

[KemeticAmun]

First look, benchmark and performance review for the Gigabyte version of the card (Special thanks to Artyom Explains)

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQBeRa_VN9A




Safe to say this card is an upgrade only for those who own a GTX 16 series card like in my case for a casual gamer like me. And only DLSS give it the credit and I'm trying my best not to be too harsh on that GPU. I might consider it, but aside from that it's not worth it for anyone that has a decent GPU. Or just go for a 2060 and up if you're not on a tight budget.

 

[MrN1ce9uy]

I expect the 3050 6GB will be as fast as a GTX 1650 Super or maybe a bit faster.

This brings up the question, where's the RTX 4050 (desktop)?

 

[mac_angel]

I'd be surprised if it's that fast as you have to keep in mind it's also going from 130W TDP to 70W which will have a huge impact on boost capability.

Curious what hardware you're using for your Plex server. When I upgraded my old server from SNB to ADL I just opted for the onboard as I didn't want to waste the PCIe slot on a GPU nor have the added power consumption.

I think it'd be a good idea if the price actually made sense, but it really doesn't.

This is one place where Intel just stands above AMD and nvidia currently depending on availability as you can get a low profile A310 for ~$100 and it has better media support than any competition anywhere near it in price.

It's an X299 platform, so no on board video. I did consider buying an Intel Arc for a media GPU, but I felt that would be wasted money since I wanted to upgrade my son's RTX 3050 anyway. Better to just upgrade him to something good and then use his RTX 3050.
Not to mention, I can't say for Intel GPUs, but I know of the driver hacks that let you unlock the number of encoding/decoding streams. The whole house uses Plex, as well as I've given a few friends access, too.

 

[thestryker]

It's an X299 platform, so no on board video.

I figured it was something like that, and that was one of the factors that led me to just building a whole new machine rather than using my spare X99. My SNB box idled around 95W with 9 HDDs and 1 SSD so I was concerned about the extra idle from adding in a video card on top of the higher platform power consumption.

I can't say for Intel GPUs, but I know of the driver hacks that let you unlock the number of encoding/decoding streams.

Quick Sync doesn't have limits like NVENC does which is one of the advantages.