2560 cores, 8GB RAM and just enough to call it an upgrade
Nvidia has finally stuck the GeForce RTX 5050 desktop GPU on its website, and while it’s not breaking any records, it’s clearly angling for the sweet spot of entry-level gamers who fancy a whiff of Blackwell architecture without torching their wallets.
Built around the GB207 die, the RTX 5050 has 2560 CUDA cores, 8 GB of GDDR6 memory and a 130W TDP. That puts it on paper exactly where the RTX 3050 left off, with the same core count, power draw and VRAM. But the devil’s in the speed bumps.
The memory runs at 20 Gbps, which, coupled with a 128-bit interface, gives it a bandwidth of 320 GB/s. That’s 43 per cent more than its predecessor and the same uplift over the RTX 4050’s GDDR6. The laptop version might get fancier GDDR7, but you’re stuck with GDDR6 on the desktop.
NVIDIA is pushing this as a proper Blackwell upgrade, touting 5th gen Tensor Cores, 4th gen ray tracing units and up to 421 TOPs of AI horsepower. It claims this is nearly six times more than the RTX 3050. Actual gaming numbers show more modest gains, with 50 to 60 per cent improvements in eSports staples like Apex Legends and CS2 and about four times the performance when DLSS 4 gets involved.
Clock speeds sit at 2.31 GHz base and 2.57 GHz boost, while power comes via a single 8-pin connector, with a 550W PSU recommended. There’s no Founders Edition on offer but AIB partners are expected to slap together their usual assortment of RGB-stuffed variants when the card hits shelves in the second half of July.
The RTX 5050 will retail at $249, lining it up against Intel’s Arc B580 and B570 GPUs, which offer more memory for similar money. It is also being positioned just beneath the RTX 5060, which carries a $299 tag.
NVIDIA is hoping that DLSS 4 and the faster memory will help the RTX 5050 stand out in what’s already a pretty crowded and cut-throat price segment. Whether gamers bite on yet another 8 GB card in 2025 remains to be seen.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 GPU Specs
| Graphics Card Name | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPU Name | Blackwell GB202-300 | Blackwell GB203-400 | Blackwell GB203-300-A1 | Blackwell GB205-300-A1 | Blackwell GB206-300 | Blackwell GB206-250 | Blackwell GB207-300 |
| GPU SMs | 170 (192 Full) | 84 (84 Full) | 70 (84 Full) | 50 (50 Full) | 36 (36 Full) | 30 | 20 (20 Full) |
| GPU Cores | 21760 | 10752 | 8960 | 6144 | 4608 | 3840 | 2560 |
| Clock Speeds | 2.41 GHz | 2.62 GHz | 2.45 GHz | 2.51 GHz | 2.57 GHz | 2.49 GHz | 2.57 GHz |
| Memory Capacity | 32 GB GDDR7 | 16 GB GDDR7 | 16 GB GDDR7 | 12 GB GDDR7 | 16 GB / 8 GB GDDR7 | 8 GB GDDR7 | 8 GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 512-bit | 256-bit | 256-bit | 192-bit | 128-bit | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| Memory Speed | 28 Gbps | 30 Gbps | 28 Gbps | 28 Gbps | 28 Gbps | 28 Gbps | 20 Gbps |
| Bandwidth | 1792 GB/s | 960 GB/s | 896 GB/s | 672 GB/s | 448 GB/s | 448 GB/s | 320 GB/s |
| Power Interface | 1 12V-2×6 (16-Pin) | 1 12V-2×6 (16-Pin) | 1 12V-2×6 (16-Pin) | 1 12VHPWR (16-Pin) | 1 12VHPWR (16-Pin) | 8-Pin | 8-Pin |
| Launch | 30th January, 2025 | 30th January, 2025 | 20th February, 2025 | 5th March, 2025 | 16th April, 2025 | 19th May, 2025 | July 2025 |
| TBP | 575W | 360W | 300W | 250W | 180W | 145W | 130W |
| Price | $1999 US | $999 US | $749 US | $549 US | $429/$379 | $299 | $249 |
