Nvidia’s new entry-level GeForce RTX 5050 has officially hit the market, marking the arrival of their latest Blackwell architecture in a more budget-friendly form.
Retailing for just $249, this GPU targets gamers looking for an affordable entry into the RTX 50-series lineup. Whether you’re gaming on desktops or laptops, the RTX 5050 offers solid performance at a price point that won’t break the bank.
Equipped with 2,560 CUDA cores based on Blackwell architecture, the RTX 5050 brings cutting-edge AI-driven optimizations in real time
. It features 8GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit interface and draws a modest 130W of power, making it a relatively low-power option compared to higher-end GPUs. It requires either a 6-pin or 8-pin power connector to operate.
For those who love speed, the RTX 5050’s boost clocks can reach 2,570 MHz, though some models from third-party manufacturers may offer factory overclocking for even higher performance.
The card also boasts 5th-gen tensor cores for AI workloads, reaching 421 TOPS, and up to 40 TFLOPs of ray tracing performance, which is impressive for a budget card.
Interestingly, the RTX 5050 shares a lot of similarities with its predecessor, the RTX 3050. Despite the same CUDA core count, memory size, and TGP, Nvidia promises that the RTX 5050 offers a 60% performance increase over the 3050 in traditional rasterized games, though don’t expect a huge leap in other areas. Unlike other models, Nvidia has skipped a desktop RTX 4050, making the RTX 5050 the first xx50-class desktop card since the 3050.
One of the standout features of the RTX 5050 is its support for Nvidia’s DLSS 3.5 with Multi-Frame Generation. This new AI-powered upscaling technology isn’t just about improving frame rates-it also introduces Ray Reconstruction, which replaces traditional denoisers in ray-traced games. By leveraging neural networks, DLSS 3.5 aims to provide sharper reflections and cleaner lighting, though results may vary depending on the game.
In practice, DLSS 3.5 can boost frame rates by generating extra frames using AI, but on a lower-end card like the 5050, it might not always live up to expectations. While the technology shows potential, non-enthusiast gamers might not see a significant difference compared to raw performance. Plus, DLSS support is still limited, with not all games offering full compatibility.
Looking at the bigger picture, the RTX 5050 feels somewhat like an incremental upgrade over the RTX 3050. It’s a more efficient, slightly faster version with the new Blackwell architecture, but for a small increase in budget, the RTX 5060 offers much better performance with 50% more CUDA cores and superior memory bandwidth thanks to GDDR7. That said, the RTX 5050 provides an affordable entry point for gamers who are looking for decent gaming performance on a budget.
For laptops, Nvidia has a mobile version of the RTX 5050, which is already being shipped in machines starting at $999. These laptops benefit from the more power-efficient GDDR7 memory, which should help keep them cool and slim while delivering solid gaming performance.
Ultimately, the RTX 5050 is a solid option for those on a tight budget, but don’t expect it to revolutionize the GPU space. With DLSS 3.5 support and a low price tag, it’s a great entry-level option, but if you can stretch your budget a bit further, the RTX 5060 will offer significantly better performance for only $50 more.