NVIDIA Unleashes GeForce RTX 5050: Blackwell Enters the Mainstream at $249

NVIDIA has officially unveiled the GeForce RTX 5050, the latest addition to its next-generation Blackwell architecture, aiming to bring cutting-edge features and performance to the entry-level gaming segment. Announced on June 24th, 2025, with desktop cards expected to hit shelves in mid-July, the RTX 5050 arrives with a compelling MSRP of $249, promising a significant upgrade for budget-conscious gamers and creators.

The launch of the RTX 5050 marks an important step in the expansion of the Blackwell architecture, previously seen in higher-tier RTX 50-series GPUs. This new card is poised to replace older entry-level offerings, delivering modern gaming capabilities, including advanced ray tracing and NVIDIA's latest AI-powered upscaling technology, DLSS 4.

Specifications at a Glance:

The GeForce RTX 5050 desktop variant is built on the GB207 graphics processor, utilizing a 5nm manufacturing process. Key specifications include:

CUDA Cores: 2560
Memory: 8GB GDDR6 (with some laptop variants potentially featuring GDDR7)
Memory Interface: 128-bit
Boost Clock: Up to 2.57 GHz (with factory overclocked models from AIB partners likely reaching higher speeds)
TDP (Thermal Design Power): 130W
Interface: PCIe 5.0 x8
Launch Price: $249 USD

Blackwell's Core Power and AI Capabilities

The RTX 5050 leverages the advancements of the Blackwell architecture, incorporating 5th-generation Tensor Cores and 4th-generation RT Cores. This enables the card to deliver substantial AI performance, rated up to 421 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second), a notable improvement over its predecessors.

A major highlight is the support for DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation. NVIDIA claims that with DLSS 4 activated, the RTX 5050 can achieve up to four times faster performance compared to traditional rendering, significantly boosting frame rates in compatible titles. This is particularly crucial for entry-level cards, allowing them to deliver a smoother experience in demanding modern games.

Performance Expectations

While initial raw rasterization performance may place it below the RTX 4060, the RTX 5050 is touted to be up to 60% faster than the RTX 3050 in traditional rasterization. Its inclusion of DLSS 4's Multi Frame Generation is a key differentiator, as older cards like the RTX 3050 do not support this feature, making the direct performance comparisons with DLSS active particularly favorable for the RTX 5050.

For gamers targeting 1080p resolution, the RTX 5050 is positioned as an excellent choice, capable of pushing over 150 FPS in many modern titles with DLSS 4 enabled. It also supports display outputs for up to 4K at 480Hz or 8K at 165Hz with Display Stream Compression (DSC), making it versatile for various monitor setups.

Availability and Market Positioning

While laptops equipped with the RTX 5050 have already begun shipping, the desktop graphics cards from NVIDIA’s add-in board (AIB) partners (including ASUS, Colorful, GIGABYTE, MSI, and ZOTAC) are expected to be widely available from the second half of July 2025. There will be no Founders Edition from NVIDIA for this model.

The RTX 5050 is clearly aimed at the budget-conscious gamer or those looking for a significant upgrade from older generation cards (e.g., RTX 20 or RTX 30 series). Its focus on Blackwell features like DLSS 4 and improved ray tracing at an accessible price point makes it a compelling option for those looking to jump into the latest RTX ecosystem without a hefty investment.

As the GPU market continues to evolve, the RTX 5050's introduction underlines NVIDIA's strategy to democratize its newest architecture and AI capabilities across a broader range of price points.