The German portal, Computer Base, has published a comprehensive review of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card with 6GB of memory. They compared the new product against similar affordable accelerators like GeForce RTX 3050 with 8GB, GeForce GTX 1650 Super, Radeon RX 6600 and Intel Arc A380.
As expected, the budget version of the GeForce RTX 3050 with 6GB memory was about 20-25% slower than the 8GB version. The flagship model not only differs in memory but also its GPU, the GA106-150, boasts 2560 CUDA cores, 10% more than the GA107-325’s 2304. The frequency also varies between the two chips. The junior’s GPU operates from 1042 to 1470 MHz, while the senior’s GPU operates between 1552 to 1777 MHz. Both cards memory operate at a similar speed of 14 Gbps per contact. However, the 6GB version has its memory bus cut from 128 to 96 bits.
Computer Base tested the GeForce RTX 3050 with 6GB memory in seven games: Baldur’s Gate III, Counter-Strike II, Cyberpunk 2077, Diablo IV, Dota II, F1 23, and Ratchet & Clank. All games were launched at 1080p resolution and with high graphic settings, excluding Diablo IV, which was set to medium graphics.
In the 3DMark Time Spy synthetic benchmark, the newbie was seen lagging by 29% compared to the 8GB version. It was 73% slower than Radeon RX 6600, but 4% slower than Radeon RX 6500 XT and 3% faster than GeForce GTX 1650 Super.
In Counter-Strike II, there was a performance difference of 17%, tilting towards the favor of the 8GB model. On the other hand, the GeForce GTX 1650 Super displayed a similar performance rate as the new product.
In Cyberpunk 2077, the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB was 21% faster than the 6GB version. Nevertheless, the 6GB version was 16% faster than the GeForce GTX 1650 Super with obvious video memory shortages at selected graphic settings.
In Diablo IV, the 8GB version outperformed the 6GB by 24%. While the GeForce GTX 1650 Super showed almost the same level of performance as the RTX 3050 6GB.
The 8GB version of RTX 3050 was up to 26% faster than the 6GB variant in Dota II which performed on par with the GeForce GTX 1650 Super.
In F1 23, the 26% speed difference was again noticed between the 8GB and 6GB versions, favoring the more memory card. Meanwhile, the newbie showed a speed increase of 16% more than the GeForce GTX 1650 Super.
In Baldur’s Gate III, the 8GB version outperformed the 6GB by 28%. The 4GB video cards (Radeon RX 6500 XT, GeForce GTX 1650, and GTX 1650 Super) and even the Intel Arc A380 with 6GB, faced problems in this game test.
In Ratchet & Clank, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB version was up to 14% slower than the 8GB variant. Among the 4GB memory cards, GeForce GTX 1650 Super lagged behind the RTX 3050 6GB by 44%, Intel Arc A380 by 48%, and Radeon RX 6500 XT by a whole 79%, ranking it the lowest in this comparison.
ComputerBase notes that there’s no point in criticizing the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. The card provides the same performance level as the GeForce GTX 1650 Super and even has lower power consumption without requiring an additional power outlet. Like the 8GB version, the RTX 3050 6GB model can decode AV1 video at the hardware level, distinguishing it from the GeForce GTX 1650 Super and Radeon RX 6500 XT. However, unlike the Arc A380 6GB, the new product doesn’t have AV1 video encoding capabilities.
In closing, the source names the RTX 3050 6GB, currently priced at 185 euros in Germany, the top choice for those who want the most economical video card. If the cost is not such an issue, and higher power consumption is not a concern, one can opt for the faster RTX 3050 8GB model for 225 euros which offers superior performance and is more future-proof. However, the Radeon RX 6600 at 210 euros would be the ideal choice, offering the best level of gaming performance in this price segment not necessarily for ray tracing, which doesn’t matter much for cards in this segment.
