GTX 1650 vs RTX 3050: Which One is Better for You?

GTX 1650 vs RTX 3050 – Are two popular options for many gamers. Both offer solid performance for Gaming, but which one is better for you? In this article, we’ll compare these two graphics cards’ performance, features, and pricing to help you make an informed decision.

Performance Comparison

The performance of a graphics card is a critical factor to consider when choosing one. Let’s compare the GTX 1650 and the RTX 3050 to see which one comes out on top.

GTX 1650 vs RTX 3050 Benchmarks

Regarding performance benchmarks, the RTX 3050 outperforms the GTX 1650 in almost every way. The RTX 3050 has a higher core clock speed, more CUDA cores, and higher memory bandwidth than the GTX 1650. These differences translate into better frame rates and more stable performance.

In tests conducted by TechRadar, the RTX 3050 outperformed the GTX 1650 by a significant margin in games like Battlefield V and Shadow of the Tomb Raider. In both cases, the RTX 3050 achieved an average frame rate of 60fps at 1080p resolution, while the GTX 1650 struggled to maintain a stable frame rate.

Which Graphics Card is Better for 1080p Gaming?

If you’re a 1080p gamer, the GTX 1650 and the RTX 3050 are viable options. However, given the significant performance differences between these two cards, the RTX 3050 is the better choice if you want to play the latest games at 1080p resolution.

The RTX 3050 can deliver stable frame rates in games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla at 1080p resolution. On the other hand, the GTX 1650 struggles to maintain a steady frame rate in these games, even at low settings.

Which Graphics Card is Better for 1440p Gaming?

If you’re a 1440p gamer, the RTX 3050 is the obvious choice. The GTX 1650 must be more powerful to run games at this resolution, while the RTX 3050 can offer respectable frame rates in many games.

In tests conducted by PC Gamer, the RTX 3050 achieved an average frame rate of 45fps in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p resolution. While this isn’t an ultra-smooth frame rate, it’s still playable, especially if you don’t mind sacrificing some graphical fidelity.

Features Comparison

Besides improving performance, graphics cards provide additional features that enhance the gaming experience. Let’s compare the features of the GTX 1650 and the RTX 3050.

Feature	GTX 1650	RTX 3050
GPU	Architecture Turing	Ampere
Cores	896	2560
Base Clock	1365 MHz	1550 MHz
Boost Clock	1530 MHz	1740 MHz
Memory	4 GB GDDR5	8 GB GDDR6
Memory Speed	8 Gbps	14 Gbps
Memory Bandwidth	128 GB/s	224 GB/s
TDP	75W	130W
Ray Tracing	No	Yes
DLSS	No	Yes
Price	$150 – $200	$250 – $300

RTX 3050 Ray Tracing vs GTX 1650

The most significant feature difference between the GTX 1650 and the RTX 3050 is ray tracing. Video games can achieve more realistic lighting and shadows with ray tracing, a rendering technique. While the GTX 1650 can trace some rays, the RTX 3050 is much more capable in this area.

The RTX 3050 offers dedicated ray tracing cores, which enable real-time ray tracing in games that support it. This feature can significantly improve the visual fidelity of games, especially in poorly lit environments.

DLSS vs FSR 

Another feature that the RTX 3050 offers is Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS). DLSS is an upscaling technique that uses artificial intelligence to improve image quality. It can make games look sharper and more detailed, even at lower resolutions.

While the GTX 1650 doesn’t offer DLSS, it does support FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR). FSR is a similar upscaling technique, but DLSS is more sophisticated. While FSR can improve image quality, it doesn’t offer the same level of improvement as DLSS.

Which Graphics Card Has More VRAM?

Graphics cards use VRAM, or video random access memory, to store data for graphical calculations. The amount of VRAM on a graphics card determines the data it can hold, affecting performance.

The GTX 1650 has 4GB of GDDR5 VRAM, while the RTX 3050 has 4GB of GDDR6 VRAM. While the amount of VRAM is the same, the type of VRAM matters. GDDR6 is faster than GDDR5, which can result in better performance, especially in memory-intensive games.

Price Comparison

When purchasing a graphics card, factoring in the price is essential. Let’s compare the costs of the GTX 1650 and the RTX 3050.

How Much Does the RTX 3050 Cost?

The recommended retail price for the RTX 3050 is $199, making it an affordable mid-range graphics card. The price might fluctuate based on the particular brand and model you go for.

How Much Does the GTX 1650 Cost?

The GTX 1650 is slightly cheaper, with a recommended retail price of $149. However, given the significant performance differences between these two cards, the extra $50 is well worth the investment.

Which Graphics Card Is the Better Value?

While the RTX 3050 is slightly more expensive than the GTX 1650, it offers significantly better performance and features. In terms of value, the RTX 3050 is undoubtedly the better investment, especially if you want to play the latest games at a high frame rate.

Conclusion

So, which graphics card should you buy? Overall, the RTX 3050 is the better choice for most gamers. It offers significantly better performance, features, and value than the GTX 1650. However, if you’re on a tight budget, the GTX 1650 is still a viable option, especially if you only plan on playing older games or running less demanding applications. Regardless of your choice, both graphics cards offer excellent performance and value, making them great options for mid-range Gaming.

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