Although Nvidia manufactures most of its products primarily for desktop use, it does launch some specific chips that are purposefully designed for laptops and mobile devices. One such graphics card is the RTX 3050Ti.
It is a slightly faster variant of the desktop-oriented RTX 3050 with a much smaller TGP for mobile use. If you want a dedicated graphics card that can display an identical performance, this article is the perfect read for you.
The RTX 3050Ti delivers a 1080p gaming output with its 4GB video memory and highly optimal clock speeds for mobile use. It has multiple core units comprising 20 Raytracing/80 Tensor cores with over 2500 CUDA engines. These cores operate at a very modest 735 – 1000 MHz speed to convey enough frames for a buttery 1080p experience on a laptop.
GPU equivalent to the RTX 3050 Ti
Being an entry-level GPU, it isn’t as powerful as other dedicated display cards of its era. However, it performs comfortably alongside the RTX 2060 and GTX 1660. The RTX 3050Ti is a very low-consumption card with a TGP of only 75W, and it is pretty usual for mobile graphics chips to be limited. Let’s see how these stand with features and compatibility relative to the 3050Ti.
EVGA GeForce RTX 2060
The RTX 2060 is a mid-end GPU designed to consume moderate power while familiarizing the masses with Nvidia’s raytracing and upscaling technologies. Introduced back in 2018, the RTX 2060 deploys the Turing architecture and starts a new chapter in Nvidia’s GPU development.
Besides an exquisite architectural design, the RTX 2060 has an 8nm chip with 1920 CUDA cores, 30 first-generation RT units, and 240 Tensor cores. It has 6GB memory, which is satisfactory for its targeted 1080p output, and the cores we mentioned clock at 1365 – 1680 MHz frequency rates.
With these faculties, the RTX 2060 is equipped to deliver a mid-range experience that has generally received positive reviews upon its release. However, with more sugar added to the mix, you can probably get more value from its “Super” variant, as it is arguably better with a substantially meaningful future-proofing.
| Feature | EVGA GeForce RTX 2060 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Turing | Ampere |
| Core Clock (MHz) | 1365 MHz | 735 MHz |
| Boost Clock (MHz) | 1680 MHz | 1035 MHz |
| CUDA Cores | 1920 | 2560 |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Size (GB) | 6 GB | 4GB |
| Memory Bus Width (bits) | 192 bit | 128 bit |
| Memory Speed (Gbps) | 1750 MHz 14 Gbps effective | 1500 MHz 12 Gbps effective |
| TDP (Watts) | 160 W | 75 W |
| DirectX Version | 12 Ultimate (12_2) | 12 Ultimate (12_2) |
| OpenGL Version | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| VR Ready | - | - |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 34 | 20 |
| Ports | 1x DVI 1x HDMI 2.0 1x DisplayPort 1.4a | Portable Device Dependent |
| Price | $349.99 | $899 |
MSI GTX 1660
The GTX 1660 uses the same microarchitecture as the RTX 20 series but doesn’t incorporate raytracing cores. This card is from a simpler time when in-game raytracing was considered a premium feature, only seen in CGI-animated movies.
Still, the GTX 1660 packs a punch with its mid-end specs and a surprisingly cautious selling price. It has 6GB memory with a slower-by-today-standards GDDR5 type, 1400 CUDA units that can clock to 1.8 GHz.
This card facilitates a good-looking graphical output on most titles, even without specialized upscaling and lighting cores. It is also designed for full-HD resolution gaming and doesn’t disappoint in most cases.
| Feature | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Turing | Ampere |
| Core Clock (MHz) | 1530 MHz | 735 MHz |
| Boost Clock (MHz) | 1785 MHz | 1035 MHz |
| CUDA Cores | 1408 | 2560 |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Size (GB) | 6 GB | 4GB |
| Memory Bus Width (bits) | 192 bit | 128 bit |
| Memory Speed (Gbps) | 2001 MHz 8 Gbps effective | 1500 MHz 12 Gbps effective |
| TDP (Watts) | 120 W | 75 W |
| DirectX Version | 12 (12_1) | 12 Ultimate (12_2) |
| OpenGL Version | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| VR Ready | - | - |
| Ray Tracing Cores | - | 20 |
| Ports | 1x DVI 1x HDMI 2.0 1x DisplayPort 1.4a | Portable Device Dependent |
| Price | $421.001 | $899 |
Conclusion
With the RTX 2060 and GTX 1660 for comparison, it is obvious that the RTX 3050 Ti allows good gaming performance. The 3050Ti reaps the benefits of modern and efficient architecture while comprising highly optimized and somewhat latest iteration of Nvidia’s cores.
But as you might expect, mobile graphics chips are inherently slower or lower-powered than their dedicated counterparts due to thermal and power constraints. This is why the RTX 3050Ti only has a nominal clock range and a limited performance that is only plausible for laptops or handheld devices.
Nonetheless, the RTX 3050Ti is still a better choice because of its superior optimization and incorporation of Nvidia’s signature features. These attributes will help you with a reasonable number of years ahead, and you won’t need an upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is RTX 3050 Ti worthwhile in 2024?
It is an impeccable choice for mid-range gaming laptops and works well within its constraints. Its core count and VRAM are perfect for mobile usage. However, it is not a good option against the dedicated GPUs we have seen. Its reliability and formidability end at mobile devices or laptops.
Which laptops have the RTX 3050 Ti in them?
The best laptops incorporating the RTX 3050 Ti graphics chip are the MSI Katana GF66 series, Acer Nitro 5, ASUS TUF Gaming F15, and HP OMEN series. These are the best-performing laptops with an RTX 3050 Ti chip, enabling users to push this graphics card to its limits.
