Is the RTX 2060 or 3050 better?

This guide compares the Nvidia RTX 3050 and RTX 2060 graphics cards. We’ll list the main difference between them to help you decide which card is the right one for your needs.

RTX 3050 vs RTX 2060

Clock speed

The RTX 3050 has a 1,545 MHz clock base and you can boost it up to 1,780. The RTX 2060 has a 1,365 MHz base clock speed. You can overclock it up to 1,680 MHz.

Processing power

The RTX 2060 is better than the RTX 3050 in terms of processing power. It can process 10.483 TFLOPS in half-precision and you can boost it up to 12.902 TFLOPS.

The RTX 3050 can deliver 7.946 TFLOPS in half-precision format. You can boost it up to 9.098 TFLOPS.

If we’re talking ray tracing performance, RTX 2060 can deliver 25.2 TFLOPS TFLOPS when boosted, while the RTX 3050 can only deliver 18.2 TFLOPS.

FPS

According to benchmark tests, the RTX 2060 can deliver 114 FPS in lighting tests, 117 FPS in reflection tests, 134 FPS in rendering tests, and 101 FPS in particle system tests.

On the other hand, the RTX 3050 can deliver 103 FPS in lighting tests, 86.6 FPS in reflection tests, 84 FPS in rendering tests, and 73.4 FPS in particle system tests.

Ports

The RTX 2060 gives you more port options compared to its RTX 3050 counterpart. The RTX 3050 sports one HDMI 2.1 port and two DisplayPort 1.4a ports, while the RTX 2060 sports an additional DVI and a USB-C port.

RTX 3050 vs RTX 2060 specs

Specs30502060NVIDIA CUDA Cores2560 / 23042176 / 1920Accelerated frequency (GHz)1,78 / 1,761,65 / 1,68Normal clock frequency (GHz)1,55 / 1,511,47 / 1,37Standard memory configuration8 GB GDDR612GB GDDR6 /
6GB GDDR6Memory interface width128-bit192-bitRay tracing cores2nd generation1nd generationTensor Cores3rd generation2nd generationNVIDIA ArchitectureAmpereTuringMicrosoft DirectX 12 UltimateYesYesNVIDIA DLSSYesYesNVIDIA ReflexYesYesNVIDIA BroadcastYesYesPCI Express Gen 4YesYesResizable BARYesYesNVIDIA GeForce ExperienceYesYesNVIDIA AnselYesYesNVIDIA FreestyleYesYesNVIDIA ShadowPlayYesYesNVIDIA HighlightsYesYesNVIDIA G-SYNCYesYesGame Ready ControllersYesYesNVIDIA Studio DriversYesYesNVIDIA OmniverseYesYesNVIDIA GPU BoostYesYesVulkan RT API, OpenGL 4.6YesYesNVIDIA Encoder (NVENC)7nd generation7nd generationNVIDIA Decoder (NVDEC)5nd generation4nd generationCUDA Capacity8.67.5VR ReadyYesYes

Conclusion

The RTX 2060 marginally outperforms the RTX 3050 in terms of processing power, ray tracing capabilities, FPS, and connectivity. They’re both good 1080p cards but they’ll struggle at 1440p. However, the RTX 2060 performs better at higher settings than the RTX 3050.

If you’re building a PC, the RTX 2060 is the better option for most users. Its only weak point is the 6GB VRAM. You can tweak your resolution and graphics settings to use less VRAM and improve GPU performance. The 6 vs 8 GB VRAM difference doesn’t matter that much. At 1440P, 6GB should still be enough for most games.

However, when running graphically-demanding games at 1440p, you may need to play at low settings to get a stable frame rate on your RTX 2060 computer. As you scale up the resolution to 1440p, FPS will drop to 60 in most games.

If you’re planning to play the latest AAA games at the highest settings, consider buying a better GPU and adding more RAM.

The RTX 3050 Vs 2060 is an interesting battle. While the RTX 3050 costs more, the RTX 2060 performs relatively better, giving more for less.

By

Abde Manaf

-

September 17, 2022

Over the previous decade, graphics cards have come a long way in performance. Considering that a decade-old GPU cannot compete today, it shows how quickly technology is moving forward. However, with the lightning-fast pace of upcoming technology, people tend to get confused between certain pieces of hardware. Therefore, let’s discuss the affordable RTX 3050 Vs 2060 graphics cards today.

While numerous amazing graphics cards are on the market, not all are affordable for the masses. Especially the high-end models that get the most attraction from marketers and tech reviewers alike. On the other hand, we often neglect affordable graphics cards by NVIDIA and AMD because of their weaker performance.

Also, since consumers can use raytracing and DLSS, GPUs that can avail of the technology are popular. But it’s important to note that affordable graphics cards, although availing RTX, cannot give the same performance. To explain, the phenomenon is due to a difference in RT Cores.

In addition to AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards, Intel has also been trying to penetrate the market. Although, unless they come out with better features and newer innovations, Intel probably doesn’t stand many chances. Even so, the Intel Arc GPUs are affordable, making them good competitors for the RTX 3050 Vs 2060.

Thus, to know whether affordable GPUs are worth it, let’s look at the specifications of the RTX 3050 & 2060. By doing so, we can get a rough estimate of which graphics card will perform better. On the contrary, we shouldn’t rely completely on paper specifications because real tests can differ considerably.

Also read: RTX 2060 Vs 3060


Table Of Contents

  1. Key Takeaways
  2. Specifications Comparison
  3. Gaming Benchmarks For The RTX 3050 Vs 2060
    1. RTX 3050 Vs 2060 Testing Rig
    2. God Of War
    3. Forza Horizon 5
    4. Cyberpunk 2077
    5. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
    6. Microsoft Flight Simulator
    7. Horizon Zero Dawn
    8. Red Dead Redemption 2
    9. Hitman 3
    10. Player’s Unknown Battlegrounds (PUBG)
    11. Witcher 3
    12. RTX 3050 Vs 2060 Gaming Benchmarks Verdict
  4. Laptops For The RTX 3050 Vs 2060
    1. Laptops For The RTX 3050
    2. Laptops For The RTX 2060
  5. RTX 3050 Vs 2060 Super
  6. Who Is This Article For?
  7. Why Should You Trust Tech4Gamers?

Key Takeaways

  • Understanding the differences between the RTX 3050 and RTX 2060 graphics cards.
  • Realizing which graphics card of the two has a better Thermal Design Power (TDP).
  • Comparing the performance per dollar of both graphics cards through several games.
  • Looking at a beefier version of the RTX 2060, paired against the RTX 3050.
  • Going through a few laptops that house the RTX 3050 and RTX 2060 GPUs.

Specifications Comparison

In any case, before we look at the practical results, let’s look at the on-paper specifications of both graphics cards. Moreover, knowing what to expect from a GPU is important before we see it in action.

RTX 3050 Vs 2060NameNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060NodeSamsung 8nmTSMC 12nmArchitectureAmpereTuringCUDA Cores25601920Core Clock1552 MHz1365 MHzBoost Clock1777 MHz1680 MHzMemory8 GB GDDR66 GB GDDR6Memory Clock14 Gbps14 GbpsMemory Bandwidth224 GB/s336 GB/sRT Cores2030Tensor Cores80240Transistors12 billion10.8 billionTDP130W160WPower Connector1 x 8 pin1 x 8 pinLaunch YearJanuary 27, 2022January 15, 2019MSRP$249$349Current Price$299$250

To that end, if we look at the table, we see that the RTX 2060 probably performs better. To explain, the RTX 2060 has a significantly greater number of tensor cores. Subsequently, the RTX 2060 has a better memory bandwidth too.

However, the RTX 3050 might have a better TDP, requiring 130 watts of power. Additionally, the RTX 3050 has a greater number of transistors as well. While the RTX 3050 has more VRAM, the 12 GB 2060 variant is even stronger. On the other hand, thanks to the different architectures, we will see variant temperatures for both GPUs in our tests.

Lastly, regarding the price, the RTX 2060 has a lower price than the RTX 3050. Although the pricing for the RTX 3050 is absurd, if its performance is lower than the RTX 2060s, then the battle will be one-sided. Overall, the price gap between both graphics cards stands at ~20%, with the RTX 3050 costing more.

Gaming Benchmarks For The RTX 3050 Vs 2060

Of course, after looking at the specifications of both graphics cards, it’s important to view their actual performance. For that reason, we shall test both GPUs at 1080P in several games to figure out which is better. Also, the main purposes of the tests will be to determine the performance per dollar ratio and raw rasterization power. Testing Games has conducted the following benchmarks.

RTX 3050 Vs 2060 Testing Rig

  • Processor: Intel i9-12900K
  • Motherboard: MSI MPG Z690 Force
  • RAM: ADATA 32 GB DDR5 5200 MHz
  • CPU Cooler: Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4
  • Storage: 2 x SAMSUNG 970 EVO M.2 2280 1TB
  • Graphics Card: GeForce RTX 2060 6GB & GeForce RTX 3050 8GB

Firstly, taking a look at the processor, the Intel i9-12900K is a beast for a gaming processor. At least you won’t have to worry about any bottlenecks, whether it’s an RTX 3050 or 3090 Ti! Furthermore, we have the MSI MPG Z690 motherboard to complement the processor. 

Moreover, alongside the 12th gen Intel processor, we’re going with DDR5 RAM for maximum performance gains. However, DDR5 RAM isn’t necessary for better gaming performance. Although, you will find the RAM useful for other creative tasks. Now, talking about the storage, we have two NVMe M.2 SSDs to make up 1 TB of storage. Therefore, there won’t be any delays in loading the games whatsoever.

Lastly, glancing at the CPU cooler, we see the Be Quiet Dark Rock Pro 4 can manage the 12900K. But, it’s important to note that the processor runs extremely hot under pressure. So, if the benchmarks show high temperatures for the processor, it’s merely the processor working as it should.

God Of War

Is the RTX 2060 or 3050 better?
Is the RTX 2060 or 3050 better?
Testing the performance of God of War at 1080P for the RTX 3050 Vs 2060 graphics cards. Source: YT/Testing Games

Consequently, interesting things are going on, starting with the highly popular game God of War, developed by Santa Monica Studios. Given that God of War is famous on the Playstation 4, its reputation also presides in the computer version. Also, the game is well optimized, so even low-end graphics cards can run efficiently. However, it would help if you had a high-end graphics card and processor for optimal gameplay.

Now, talking about the frame times, the RTX 3050 has slower frames than the RTX 2060. Of course, this would be a problem if the game was a shooter-type competitive one. Although God of War isn’t a competitive game, the slower frames won’t affect gameplay much. The RTX 3050 has ~11.59% slower frames than the RTX 2060.

Furthermore, looking at the temperatures, we see that the RTX 3050 is cooler than the RTX 2060. While the improved architecture plays a role, it’s important to note that the RTX 2060 performs better. Moreover, if we analyze the power draw, we see that the RTX 3050 utilizes significantly lower watts. Thus, the RTX 3050 has a better TDP, but the RTX 2060 might have better cooling.

Lastly, glancing at the FPS, we notice that the RTX 2060 is a bit faster than the RTX 3050. To explain, the RTX 2060 is ~10.7% faster than its competitor. If we take a look at the pricing, the RTX 3050 is ~20% more expensive. Therefore, the RTX 2060 has a much better performance per dollar ratio, making it more valuable.

Forza Horizon 5

Is the RTX 2060 or 3050 better?
Is the RTX 2060 or 3050 better?
Rasterization performance test of the RTX 3050 Vs 2060 in Forza Horizon 5.

Firstly, we have Forza Horizon 5 for our next game, by Playground Games Studios. For one thing, the game is extremely famous among racing enthusiasts. Not only for its graphics but its realistic handling and various vehicles too. However, the game requires a high-end graphics card and processor due to its graphics. Therefore, benchmarking the RTX 3050 and RTX 2060 will be interesting.

Now, talking about the frame times, we see that the RTX 3050 has significantly slower frames than its competitor. While both graphics cards show slow frame times, the RTX 3050 is exceptionally slow. To explain, the RTX 3050 has ~25% slower frames. Of course, if the game were competitive, we suggest going with the RTX 2060. But, Forza Horizon 5 isn’t a shooter-type game, so that it won’t affect your gameplay.

Furthermore, looking at the temperatures, we realize that the RTX 3050 is slightly cooler than the RTX 2060. Also, the RTX 3050 consumes significantly lower power than the RTX 2060, making it more efficient. Although we see that the RTX 2060 has more performance, it has better cooling than its adversary. On the other hand, the RTX 3050 has a better TDP due to lower power usage.

Lastly, glancing at the FPS, we notice that the RTX 2060 is slightly faster than the RTX 3050. But, for the RTX 3050, the slight performance decreases couples to a severe disadvantage due to its price. In summary, the RTX 2060 is ~11% faster than the RTX 3050. Therefore, the RTX 2060 has a better performance per dollar ratio, making it more valuable.

Cyberpunk 2077

Is the RTX 2060 or 3050 better?
Is the RTX 2060 or 3050 better?
Testing the raytracing performance of the RTX 2060 Vs 3050 graphics cards at 1080P resolution in Cyberpunk 2077.

By and large, for our next game, we have Cyberpunk 2077 by CD Projekt Red. One of the most famous games before its launch failed due to its heavy requirements and many bugs. While the bugs don’t exist anymore, the requirements remain the same. For that reason, Cyberpunk 2077 has become a great benchmarking test for graphics cards and processors. Also, for the test, we have enabled raytracing to check the RTX performance of both GPUs.

Firstly, looking at the frame times, we see that both graphics cards have extremely slow frames. However, the RTX 3050 has slower frames than the RTX 2060. To explain, the RTX 3050 has ~25% slower frames than its challenger, which stays in the lead for frame times. Be that as it may, the frame times won’t affect the gaming performance much because Cyberpunk 2077 isn’t competitive.

Secondly, talking about the temperatures, we realize that the RTX 3050 is slightly cooler than the RTX 2060. Although the RTX 2060 has better performance, its cooling abilities are greater. But, in retrospect, the RTX 3050 consumes lower power than the RTX 2060, making it more efficient.

Lastly, glancing at the FPS, we notice that both graphics cards barely hang around 30 FPS. But this is because of testing the RTX 3050 Vs 2060 ray tracing performance. Moreover, the RTX 2060 is ~21% faster than the RTX 3050 in Cyberpunk 2077 with enabling RTX. Therefore, not only is the RTX 2060 faster, it has a better performance per dollar ratio too.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

Is the RTX 2060 or 3050 better?
Is the RTX 2060 or 3050 better?
RTX 3050 Vs 2060 benchmark test in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla at 1080P resolution, high settings.

Now, we have Assassin’s Creed Valhalla by Ubisoft for our next game. By all means, one of Ubisoft’s most popular titles, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, has amazing graphics with a stellar storyline. For that reason, we acclaim the game as one of the best of its time. However, to run Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, you need a suitable graphics card and processor. So, testing the game at 1080P entry-level graphics cards shall prove interesting.

Firstly, talking about the frame times, we see that the RTX 3050 has significantly slower frames. While we see similar frame times in the other games, the difference is massive for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. In other words, the RTX 3050 has ~30% slower frames than the RTX 2060. Of course, not being a shooter-type competitive game, there isn’t going to be much of a difference in gameplay. But the difference in frame times is present, making the RTX 2060 better.

Furthermore, glancing at the temperatures, we notice that the RTX 3050 is significantly cooler than its adversary. Moreover, the former has lower power usage, making it more efficient. Thus, the RTX 3050 has better cooling and TDP, at least in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.

Lastly, looking at the FPS, we understand that the RTX 2060 is slightly faster than the RTX 3050. Because the RTX 3050 costs more, it should have better performance, not its competitor. Although, what we see in the benchmarks is the complete opposite. To explain, the RTX 2060 is ~10.3% faster than the RTX 3050. Therefore, the RTX 2060 is faster and has a better performance per dollar ratio.

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Is the RTX 2060 or 3050 better?
Is the RTX 2060 or 3050 better?
Microsoft Flight Simulator raw rasterization performance with the RTX 2060 Vs 3050 at 1080P resolution, high settings.

By and large, for our next game, we have Microsoft Flight Simulator by Microsoft. In addition to being a great game, Microsoft Flight Simulator’s main purpose is to train pilots with its realistic controls. The game is extremely popular among enthusiasts because of its amazing graphics and portrayals of reality. However, the game is extremely heavy and requires a high-end graphics card to run properly.

Be that as it may, looking at the frame times, we see that the RTX 3050 has slightly slower frames. While both graphics cards show terrible frame times, the RTX 3050 is above and beyond the RTX 2060. To that end, the RTX 3050 has ~13% slower frame times than its competitor. But, the slower frame times won’t affect gameplay much because it doesn’t require quick reflexes.

Furthermore, talking about temperatures, we notice that the RTX 3050 is slightly cooler than the RTX 2060. Also, the RTX 3050 uses significantly lower power, improving its overall TDP. On the other hand, because the RTX 2060 has better performance, its cooling capabilities are better.

To conclude, we glance at the FPS and realize that the RTX 2060 is slightly faster than the RTX 3050. Because the RTX 3050 has a higher price tag, it loses in pricing and performance. So, the RTX 2060 has a better performance per dollar ratio and greater overall performance. Therefore, if you’re looking for an affordable 1080P gaming graphics card, the RTX 2060 might fit the bill.

Horizon Zero Dawn

Is the RTX 2060 or 3050 better?
Is the RTX 2060 or 3050 better?
Horizon Zero Dawn 1080P performance benchmark at max settings.

As can be seen, for our next game, we’re looking at Horizon Zero Dawn by Guerrilla Games. One of the most famous games in 2017, Horizon Zero Dawn, is still loved today for its graphics. Additionally, the game portrays an amazing storyline, gripping players day in and night out. However, Horizon Zero Dawn has hefty system requirements so you will need a high-end graphics card and processor.

First, looking at the frame times, we see that the RTX 3050 has significantly slower frames than its competitor. Although both graphics cards have gruesome frame times, the RTX 3050s are worse. To explain, the RTX 3050 has ~23% slower frames than the RTX 2060. But as the game isn’t competitive, the frame times won’t affect the gameplay much.

Secondly, talking about the temperatures, we realize that the RTX 3050 is remarkably cooler than the RTX 2060. Furthermore, the RTX 3050 uses significantly lower power than its rival. So, the RTX 3050 has a better TDP and cooling than the RTX 2060. But it’s important to note that the RTX 2060 performs better than the 3050, which affects higher usage and temperatures.

Lastly, glancing at the FPS, we notice that the RTX 2060 is quite faster than the RTX 3050. To that end, the RTX 2060 has a lower price tag too. In summary, the RTX 2060 costs ~20% less while having a performance boost of ~18.33% in Horizon Zero Dawn. Thus, the RTX 2060 is the GPU to go with if you want great 1080P performance at a low cost.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Is the RTX 2060 or 3050 better?
Is the RTX 2060 or 3050 better?
Red Dead Redemption 2 FPS benchmark with the RTX 3050 & 2060 at 1080P resolution.

In particular, to get the most out of our benchmarks, we have Red Dead Redemption 2 by Rockstar Games for our next game. In case someone is unsure, the game is by the same developers of Grand Theft Auto 5. For that reason, enthusiasts wholeheartedly love the game, its graphics, and its amazing storyline. But, similar to GTA 5, you need a high-end processor and a decent graphics card to get optimal performance.

In any case, glancing at the frame times, we understand that the RTX 3050 has slightly slower frames. That is to say; the RTX 3050 has ~12% slower frames than the RTX 2060. However, as Red Dead Redemption 2 isn’t a competitive game, the frame delay won’t affect gameplay.

Furthermore, talking about the temperatures, we see that the RTX 2060 has a lower temperature for once. Although the difference isn’t large, this is the first out of all the games tested until now. On the other hand, the RTX 3050 is more efficient with significantly lower power usage. So, the RTX 2060 has better cooling while the RTX 3050 is significantly more efficient in terms of power.

Lastly, looking at the FPS, the RTX 2060 is slightly faster than the RTX 3050. In contrast, out of all the other games, RDR2 is alone in having a performance gap of lower than 10%. In other words, the RTX 2060 is ~9.2% faster than the RTX 3050 in Red Dead Redemption 2. But that doesn’t mean that the RTX 3050 performs better per dollar; the crown is still with the RTX 2060.

Hitman 3

Is the RTX 2060 or 3050 better?
Is the RTX 2060 or 3050 better?
Hitman 3 rasterization test with the RTX 3050 & 2060 at high settings.

We have Hitman 3, by IO Interactive Studios, for the next game. While the Hitman series is popular for its unique take on assassin-based games, Hitman 3 is similar. Many consumers love the game because of its amazing storyline and superb graphics. Also, the unique gameplay mode makes Hitman 3 one of the most famous games on the market. However, due to its intensive system requirements, many consumers have not been able to play Hitman 3.

Firstly, talking about the frame times, for once, we see that there is barely any difference between both graphics cards. To explain, the RTX 3050 has slightly slower frames by ~4% than the RTX 2060. Until now, we have seen greater gaps between the frame times in the other games. Of course, the frame times won’t matter much in gameplay, as Hitman 3 isn’t a competitive shooter-type game.

Secondly, looking at the temperatures, the RTX 3050 is slightly cooler than the RTX 2060. Moreover, the RTX 3050 uses remarkably lower power making it more efficient than its adversary. But, it’s important to note that the RTX 2060 has greater performance than the RTX 3050, causing a rise in temperatures. Overall, the RTX 3050 is more power efficient, while the RTX 2060 has better cooling.

Lastly, glancing at the FPS, we see that the RTX 2060 is slightly faster than the RTX 3050. In summary, the RTX 2060 is ~5.68% faster than the RTX 3050. Therefore, if you’re looking for a budget graphics card for raw rasterization, the RTX 2060 is the better choice. Because you not only get more FPS, the performance per dollar ratio is better as well.

Player’s Unknown Battlegrounds (PUBG)

Is the RTX 2060 or 3050 better?
Is the RTX 2060 or 3050 better?
PUBG FPS test at 1080P with the RTX 2060 Vs 3050 graphics cards.

Next up on our list is Player’s Unknown Battlegrounds (PUBG) by PUBG Corporation. While originally for mobile gamers only, the game’s continued popularity has also given it a PC version. Thus, we can test the game for the RTX 3050 Vs 2060 desktop graphics cards. Also, PUBG is similar to the famous battle royale Fortnite. But, many consumers don’t prefer the comparison due to PUBG’s origins.

In any case, talking about the frame times, there is a major difference between the frame times of both GPUs. The RTX 3050 has significantly slower frames than the RTX 2060. To explain, the RTX 3050 has ~55% slower frames than its competitor. Above all, as the game is competitive and supports shooter-type gameplay, the loss in frame times is massive. For that reason, we don’t recommend the RTX 3050 if you’re going to play competitive games.

Secondly, glancing at the temperatures, both graphics cards show almost identical temperatures. However, the RTX 3050 is 1C cooler than the RTX 2060. In terms of power usage, the RTX 3050 uses less power than its competitor. Therefore, the RTX 2060 has better cooling while the RTX 3050 is more power efficient. But we must remember that the RTX 2060 has greater performance, affecting power consumption.

Lastly, taking note of the FPS, we realize that the RTX 2060 is slightly faster than the RTX 3050. In summary, the RTX 2060 is ~9.6% faster than the RTX 3050. So, the RTX 2060 has a lower price yet better performance, increasing its value. Additionally, as PUBG is a shooter-type game, more FPS can give players a slight advantage, granting them a win.

Witcher 3

Is the RTX 2060 or 3050 better?
Is the RTX 2060 or 3050 better?
Raw rasterization performance of the RTX 2060 Vs 3050 at 1080P resolution in The Witcher 3.

For our final game, we have Witcher 3 by CD Projekt Red. While the oldest game in our benchmark criteria, it can give modern hardware a run for its money. Also, many consumers and enthusiasts love Witcher 3 because of its amazing graphics, storyline, and controls. But, to enjoy the game, you need a high-end PC with a good graphics card that can support raytracing.

In any case, talking about the frame times, we see that the RTX 3050 has slightly slower frames. To explain, the RTX 3050 has ~12.65% slower frames than the RTX 2060. However, as Witcher 3 isn’t a shooter-type competitive game, the gameplay will not be affected as much.

Furthermore, looking at the temperatures, we realize that the RTX 3050 is moderately cooler than the RTX 2060. Moreover, the RTX 3050 uses remarkably less power than the RTX 2060, making it more power efficient. Although, it’s important to note that the RTX 2060 has better performance, which leads to higher temperatures and power usage. Overall, the RTX 3050 is more power efficient, while the RTX 2060 has better cooling.

Lastly, looking at the FPS, we notice that the RTX 2060 performs better than its competitor, the RTX 3050. In summary, the RTX 2060 is ~12.5% faster than the RTX 3050. So, we see that the RTX 2060 has a lower cost, and its performance is greater than its rivals. Therefore, the RTX 2060 is the graphics card to purchase if you want an upgrade. While it’s an old-gen card, it can still perform adequately.

RTX 3050 Vs 2060 Gaming Benchmarks Verdict

After looking at a few games at 1080P resolution, it’s time to find out which graphics card is better. At least for 1080P gaming, both graphics cards can get you 60 FPS in almost all games. Although, if you enable ray tracing, then the RTX 2060 begins to take the lead, and the RTX 3050 can barely manage 30 FPS.

In any case, adding the average FPS of every game, we see that the RTX 2060 is ~11% faster. Additionally, along with its low price, the RTX 2060 has a greater value than the RTX 3050. To explain, the RTX 3050 costs ~20% more than the RTX 2060 and offers ~11% lower performance.

Furthermore, looking into the RTX 3050 Vs 2060 ray tracing performance, we see that the RTX 2060 is better. Even though the RTX 3050 is a new-generation card, it has a lower number of RT Cores. For that reason, the RTX 2060 manages to fare better with RTX in games that support it.

In contrast, if we look at temperatures and power usage, the RTX 3050 easily wins the match. While the RTX 2060 performs better, the RTX 3050 has an amazing TDP. So, if you care more about the temperatures and power consumption, we recommend you choose the RTX 3050. Similarly, if you’re a competitive gamer wanting fast frame times and more FPS, you should buy the RTX 2060.

In conclusion, the GPU you should buy depends on your use-case scenario. However, looking at raw rasterization performance and performance per dollar ratios, the RTX 2060 wins. Of course, these tests are at 1080P resolution, and we do not recommend buying either graphics card for 1440P.

Laptops For The RTX 3050 Vs 2060

Consumers in the tech niche tend to look for ways to cut their amount of work. For that reason, laptops were invented for people who traveled and couldn’t take their desktop PCs. Moreover, with the advent of time, laptops started getting upgrades. What’s more, today, we see laptops with high-end graphics cards and processors through which you can play games. So, we must look at the laptops that house the RTX 3050 and RTX 2060 graphics cards.

Laptops For The RTX 3050

Firstly, starting with the RTX 3050, we have the Acer Nitro 5 laptop. In summary, the laptop houses an Intel i5-10300H. Also, the Nitro 5 comes with 8 GB of DDR4 RAM. While less RAM, having an RTX GPU and a 10th gen processor is massive for a budget laptop.

Furthermore, the Acer Nitro 5 has a 144 Hz 1080P display showing crystal clear images. Because of the high refresh rate, you won’t have to worry about wasting any FPS. In contrast, you only get a 256 GB SSD. In case you don’t know, 256 GB storage devices aren’t sufficient for anything other than storing the operating system.

Lastly, looking at the price, the Acer Nitro 5 laptop comes with a price tag of $777. Although a bit expensive considering the hardware, it’s not a completely bad deal. Especially as you’re getting a 144 Hz display panel and an RTX GPU. In any case, let’s take a look at a laptop for the RTX 2060 now.

Laptops For The RTX 2060

Be that as it may, looking into laptops for the RTX 2060, we have the Acer Helios 300. While there is a model with the RTX 3060, we are looking at the one with the RTX 2060. Firstly, the Acer Helios 300 showcases an Intel i7-10750H processor. Also, we get 16 GB of DDR4 RAM.

Furthermore, the Acer Helios 300, like its other model, retains its 144 Hz 1080P display panel. So, you don’t have to worry about a slow refresh rate monitor or wasting your FPS. However, the laptop only has a 512 GB NVMe M.2 SSD. Although it’s greater than the Nitro 5, a 512 GB storage device isn’t enough to store data today.

Lastly, looking at the price tag, the Acer Helios 300 costs ~$1,100. Even though it’s ~$300 more expensive than the Acer Nitro 5, we recommend the Helios 300. The recommendation comes because of the greater amount of RAM, storage, faster processor, and graphics card. Therefore, if your budget allows, you should buy the Acer Helios 300.

RTX 3050 Vs 2060 Super

Now that we have discussed the RTX 3050 and the RTX 2060 let’s look at the latter’s beefier version. While it’s obvious that the RTX 2060 Super is faster, is it worth spending more and going with it? Therefore, to find out, let’s look at their on-paper specifications.

RTX 3050 Vs 2060 SuperNameNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SuperNodeSamsung 8nmTSMC 12nmArchitectureAmpereTuringCUDA Cores25602176Core Clock1552 MHz1470 MHzBoost Clock1777 MHz1650 MHzMemory8 GB GDDR68 GB GDDR6Memory Clock14 Gbps14 GbpsMemory Bandwidth224 GB/s448 GB/sRT Cores2034Tensor Cores80272Transistors12 billion10.8 billionTDP130W175WPower Connector1 x 8 pin1 x 8 pinLaunch YearJanuary 27, 2022July 9, 2019MSRP$249$399Current Price$299$340

In light of the chart above, there are a few interesting things that we need to address. Firstly, the RTX 3050 has a higher CUDA Core count. On the other hand, the RTX 2060 Super has a significantly faster memory bandwidth.

Furthermore, the RTX 2060 Super has more RT Cores and almost three times more tensor cores. However, if we look at the TDP, the RTX 3050 has a better TDP of 130 watts. So, if you’re looking for a graphics card with lower power usage, buy the RTX 3050.

Lastly, looking at the price, the RTX 2060 Super costs ~13.7% more than the RTX 3050. But, as the RTX 2060 is ~11% faster than the RTX 3050, the RTX 2060 Super is even better. Therefore, the RTX 2060 Super is worth its cost, and if you have the budget, we recommend buying the GPU.

Also Read: GTX 1650 vs RTX 3050

Who Is This Article For?

By and large, the RTX 3050 Vs 2060 article is for customers who might want to upgrade their systems. For that reason, we discussed the on-paper specifications of both graphics cards through a table.

Moreover, we tested both graphics cards in several games after looking at the specifications. Coupled with the specifications and the results, we concluded which graphics card is better.

Furthermore, we reviewed two laptops with the RTX 3050 and RTX 2060 graphics cards. Lastly, we looked at the on-paper specifications of the RTX 3050 & 2060 Super. Overall, the article should prove helpful for consumers who can’t decide which GPU to buy in their budget.

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Moreover, our tech photographers and reviewers take high-quality pictures of products we use in relevant articles. Furthermore, Tech4Gamers has news, comparison, and review sections through which you can navigate to find numerous articles on various topics.

In conclusion, many famous brands such as Asus, Gigabyte, MSI, and DeepCool acknowledge Tech4Gamers for providing accurate information.

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Abde Manaf

Abdemanaf has been a creative writer since 2011. He first dwelled in the tech world in early 2015 and has since compared many product offerings by different companies. Abdemanaf started working for Tech4Gamers in February 2022 as a blog and comparison writer.

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