The highly anticipated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 GPU is set to launch soon, targeting the budget gaming market with a price that could shake up the entry-level segment.
This new card will feature an 8GB VRAM capacity, just like the RTX 5060 and RTX 4060, but with a slightly different set of specifications that might appeal to gamers looking for performance without breaking the bank.
One of the standout features of the RTX 5050 is its use of the Blackwell architecture, specifically the GB207 GPU, which is the smallest chip in NVIDIA’s gaming family. This chip will come with 2560 cores and a total board power (TBP) of 145W, which is an efficient configuration for low-power gaming. The GPU will also use a single 8-pin connector for power, which is a relatively standard feature at this price point.
In terms of memory, the RTX 5050 will be equipped with 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM running at 20 Gbps, which is similar to the memory configuration found in the RDNA4 series. This will deliver a bandwidth of 320 GB/s over a 128-bit bus, although it might not be as fast as the higher-end GPUs in the market.
Another interesting aspect of the RTX 5050 is its 3+2 Phase VRM design. While most entry-level cards use a simpler configuration, NVIDIA has decided to dedicate 3 phases to the GPU and 2 to the VRAM. This is an unusual choice compared to the RTX 4060, which only uses 1 phase for memory. This design could contribute to more stable performance under load.
The big question for many consumers will be pricing. The RTX 5050 is expected to be priced around $199 to $249, a step down from the RTX 5060’s $299 price tag. While this is still higher than some of the competition, such as Intel’s Arc B580 with 12GB VRAM, it might be an appealing option for gamers who want NVIDIA’s brand and features at a more affordable price.
With the RTX 5050 set to launch in July, all eyes will be on how it competes with Intel’s offerings and whether NVIDIA can capture the budget gaming market with this new card.