GeForce RTX 3060 12GB against GeForce RTX 5050
Level on the overall index; the details below decide it. Typical prices, not live ones.
The verdict
- The RTX 5050 is 8% faster at 1440p.
- At 4K the gap is 33% in the RTX 3060 12GB's favour.
- RTX 3060 12GB carries 12 GB of video memory against 8 GB.
- The RTX 5050 typically costs $20 less.
- Per dollar, the RTX 5050 is the better buy: 10.8 points per $100 against 9.7.
Head to head
| Measure | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 5050 | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spec score | 26 | 27 | 1 ptsright |
| Games at 1080p | 30 | 34 | 4 ptsright |
| Games at 1440p | 25 | 27 | 2 ptsright |
| Games at 4K | 20 | 15 | 5 ptsleft |
| Rendering and video | 30 | 30 | level |
| Value, points per $100 | 9.7 | 10.8 | 11%right |
| Typical price | $269 | $249 | $20right |
| Video memory | 12 GB | 8 GB | 50%left |
| Board power | 170 W | 130 W | 31%right |
| Length | 240 mm | 220 mm | 9%right |
Which one for what
| Use | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Office & everyday | GeForce RTX 5050 | 30 vs 33 for snappy single-core speed, quiet running, and a card that drives two or three screens without fuss. |
| Coding & development | Either | Within 1 points; buy on price. |
| Light gaming | GeForce RTX 5050 | 30 vs 34 for 1080p frame rates per dollar. |
| Gaming | GeForce RTX 5050 | 25 vs 27 for 1440p frame rates, with a CPU that will not hold the card back. |
| Heavy gaming | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | 20 vs 15 for the strongest graphics card the budget allows. |
| Content creation | Either | Within 1 points; buy on price. |
| 3D & rendering | Either | Within 0 points; buy on price. |
| Gaming & streaming | Either | Within 1 points; buy on price. |
| AI & local models | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | 31 vs 28 for video memory first, then card speed, then system memory. |
Specifications
| Spec | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | GeForce RTX 5050 |
|---|---|---|
| Video memory | 12 GB | 8 GB |
| Board power | 170 W | 130 W |
| Length | 240 mm | 220 mm |
| Power connector | PCIe 8-pin | PCIe 8-pin |
| Brand | Nvidia | Nvidia |
| Released | 2021 | 2025 |
| Typical price | $269 | $249 |