RTX 5050 vs RTX 3060 12GB: $250 GPU Face-Off in 50+ Games
8/06/2025RTX 5050 vs RTX 3060 12GB: $250 GPU Face-Off in 50+ Games
Hardware reviewer Daniel Owen has delivered an extensive, side-by-side comparison of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050 (8GB VRAM) and the RTX 3060 12GB, testing over 50 games at 1080p and 1440p with both medium and maximum settings—and DLSS where applicable. If you’re deciding between these two budget GPUs for your next build in 2025, here’s what his data reveals.
Key Benchmark Results
| Scenario | RTX 5050 | RTX 3060 12GB | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average FPS (1080p, Medium Settings, DLSS where possible) | 10% higher than 3060 | - | 5050 leads when VRAM isn’t exceeded |
| Average FPS (1080p, Max Settings, no DLSS) | - | 5% higher than 5050 | 3060 leads when VRAM is used up |
| Oblivion Remastered (1080p Max, Native) | 27 FPS | 27 FPS | DLSS: 5050 VRAM limited (37 FPS 3060, 27 FPS 5050) |
| Oblivion Remastered (1080p Medium, DLSS) | 71 FPS | 61 FPS | DLSS favors 5050 at medium settings |
| Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (1440p Max) | 7 FPS | 20 FPS | 5050 VRAM limited, 3060 leads |
| KCD2 (1080p Medium, Native) | 91 FPS | 80 FPS | 5050 leads |
| KCD2 (1440p Medium, DLSS Balanced) | 85 FPS | 75 FPS | 5050 leads |
| Assassin’s Creed Shadows (1080p Max) | 20 FPS | 22 FPS | Both VRAM limited |
| AC Shadows (1080p Medium) | 58 FPS | 47 FPS | 5050 slightly ahead, lighting differences noted |
| Overall (Max Settings, Aggregate of 50 Games) | - | 5% faster | 3060 wins where 8GB VRAM is not enough |
| Overall (Medium Settings, Aggregate of 50 Games) | 10-13% faster | - | 5050 edges out in raw FPS, except in VRAM-heavy games |
Summary & Buying Advice
- The RTX 3060 12GB handles games with high VRAM requirements better—less stutter, fewer drops, and stronger 1% lows at ultra/max settings. If you intend to push details or play heavy mods, more VRAM is vital.
- The RTX 5050 typically delivers higher average FPS—by 10–13%—in new, less VRAM-straining games and at medium settings. At $249 MSRP and lower power draw, it’s an excellent card for 1080p gaming in 2025.
- DLSS further evens the field. On some games, upscaling allows both GPUs to be playable in scenarios that would struggle natively, and the 5050 can jump ahead depending on how VRAM is managed.
- Neither is great for maxed-out 1440p or for future-proofing high-end needs. For modern eSports or AAA at moderate settings and in systems with modest power supplies, both are solid—just pick based on price, VRAM needs, and availability.
These results underline the need to consider both performance and VRAM for a GPU purchase in 2025. If you mostly play modern titles at 1080p/medium and want efficiency, the RTX 5050 impresses; for modded or extra-demanding games, the proven RTX 3060 12GB’s extra VRAM can’t be ignored.