RTX 3050 8GB vs RTX 3050 6GB – does 2GB make a difference?

Another 30 series card is here, let's compare the RTX 3050 8GB vs 6GB models

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We’ve previously reviewed the RTX 3050 for the 8GB model, but how does RTX 3050 8GB vs RTX 3050 6GB compare? Now that Nvidia have released the newer 6GB version of this card designed for super budget builds, you may be wondering if it’s even worth considering at all. The 3050 already represents an entry-level card for the 30 series, but an even cheaper and more efficient 6GB variant may be a good alternative for some.

There’s more than just two gigabytes of VRAM separating these two variants. So, we’re going to delve into the specs, pricing, and performance to get a solid understanding of how they match up against each other. For a comparison with a GPU featuring the same level of VRAM, see our RTX 3050 6GB vs RTX 2060 article.

ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 3050 OC

Core Clock Speed

1852 MHz OC, 1822 MHz gaming

CUDA Cores

2560

Memory Size

8GB GDDR6

Dimensions

200 x 123 x 38 mm (7.87 x 4.84 x 1.496 inch)

PSU Required

550W

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RTX 3050 8GB vs RTX 3050 6GB specs

Specification	RTX 3050 8GB	RTX 3050 6GB
GPU	GA106	GA107
Architecture	Ampere	Ampere
GPU process	Samsung 8nm	Samsung 8nm
CUDA cores	2,560	2,304
Base clock speed	1,552 MHz	1,042 MHz
Boost clock speed	1,777 MHz	1,470 MHz
VRAM	8GB GDDR6	6GB GDDR6
Memory bandwidth	224 GB/s	168 GB/s
Memory bus	128-bit	96-bit
Memory clock	14 Gbps	14 Gbps
TDP	130W	70W

Nvidia provide a good amount of specs on their website for their two 3050 SKUs, so we can get a clean comparison of them in this regard. The RTX 3050 8GB is of course the beefier card, but it’s not just down to its extra memory. As we can see from the specs, the 8GB card offers higher clock speeds and a slightly higher number of CUDA cores as well. This tells us that it is the much more capable GPU across the board, and that will reflect on its performance.

To talk about the memory though, the extra 2GB does make a difference and this also is accompanied by a higher bandwidth and memory bus interface. One of the best things to come from the 6GB version though is the better level of efficiency. The weaker specs help drag down the TDP to just 70W, so it is very easy to keep cool and running efficiently with little power consumption.

RTX 3050 8GB vs RTX 3050 6GB performance

When we benchmarked the RTX 3050 8GB, we found that it was a solid performer at 1080p, even offering good FPS at 1440p in some titles. For example, it managed an average of 89 FPS and 54 FPS in Fortnite at Epic settings for 1080p and 1440p respectively – not too shabby whatsoever. For the 6GB card, we can imagine that the 1440p performance takes a hit due to the lower memory, so will definitely be for light 1080p gaming. Tests show that the 8GB model can average around 10 FPS more in titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and 20% overall better performance.

Both cards thrive at the lower full HD resolution, but the extra memory of the 8GB model does help it stretch its legs a little for 1440p gaming. Both of these cards take advantage of 2nd generation Ray Tracing Cores and 3rd generation Tensor Cores, so you can make use of upscaling DLSS tech and ray tracing if you wish, but the latter will cause a massive performance hit.

MSI RTX 3050 Aero ITX OC

Pros

Compact ITX design

RTX and DLSS capability for cheap

Budget friendly and powerful

Cons

Limited overclocking capabilities

Potential for thermal throttling

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RTX 3050 6GB

Pros

Power efficient, 70W TDP

Can run without external power

Inexpensive

Small form factor cards available

Cons

20% worse performance than 8GB model

Limited performance at higher resolutions

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Is the RTX 3050 6GB cheaper than RTX 3050 8GB?

Yes, as you would expect, the 6GB model is a little cheaper than its big sibling. Both of these cards are designed for entry-level gaming and content creation, so they’re at the lower end of the spectrum when it comes to price. For example, Nvidia recommend the newer 6GB model for people still on older budget-friendly cards like the GTX 1650 or GTX 1050. Here are the launch prices for these cards:

• RTX 3050 8GB price: $249
• RTX 3050 6GB price: $169

The 8GB model has been out for a while, so you can find it for much cheaper than its launch price these days, even close to the MSRP of the 6GB based on what we’ve seen at the time of writing. If you can find them for a similar price, then the 8GB model is much better value for money. Nvidia didn’t actually reveal an official price for the 6GB, but we see launch prices starting from $169.99.

Should I buy RTX 3050 8GB or 6GB?

Deciding between the RTX 3050 8GB or 6GB models depends on what kind of performance you’re looking for. For gaming, we’d fully recommend the 3050 8GB due to its solid performance at 1080p and even 1440p in not-so GPU intensive games. Pair it with the best CPU for RTX 3050 and you’re good to go.

The only thing going for the 6GB in our eyes is the lower power consumption, a sizeable 50W lower than the 8GB model. Nvidia suggest just a 300W PSU requirement for this kind of power draw, making it much easier to cater for in an ultra-low budget or small form factor build as it doesn’t require external power either.

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Final word

With the newer RTX 3050 6GB model entering the market, it occupies an even more entry-level slot than the original 8GB model. In all honesty, we don’t think that anyone has been asking for a 6GB graphics card this year, but it does fill a niche for low power builds, especially if the price is competitive versus the 8GB SKU. Even still, the RTX 3050 8GB would be our go-to option for most people, certainly for gaming.

For more comparisons of this card, see our RTX 3050 6GB vs RTX 4060 and RTX 3050 6GB vs GTX 1080 guides while you’re here.