Want to try ray tracing without spending too much? The RTX 3050 might be just what you need! So, is the Nvidia Geforce RTX 3050 good for gaming? This budget-friendly graphics card runs most games well at 1080p. It gets 98 FPS on medium settings, so your games will run smoothly. Plus, it has cool features like DLSS that make games look better.
Here’s something cool: The RTX 3050 is 26% faster than AMD’s RX 6500 XT. It can also do ray tracing, which makes game lighting look more real. Let’s see what this card can do for your gaming setup!
How Well Does It Run Games at 1080p? 
The RTX 3050 works best with 1080p screens. Here’s how many frames per second (FPS) you’ll get in different games:
Game Performance at 1080p
Game | Best Settings | High Settings | With DLSS On |
---|---|---|---|
Final Fantasy XIV | 143 FPS | 165 FPS | N/A |
Metro Exodus | 46 FPS | 58 FPS | Over 60 FPS |
Cyberpunk 2077 | 45 FPS | 56 FPS | Over 70 FPS |
Fortnite | 98 FPS | Over 120 FPS | Over 140 FPS |
What Makes It Good at 1080p:
- Most games run at over 60 FPS on high settings
- Great for competitive games like Fortnite
- DLSS helps boost FPS even higher
- Stays cool while gaming
Also read: How to Access the RTX Menu
DLSS and Ray Tracing: Making Games Look Better
DLSS is like magic for your FPS. Here’s what it does:
How DLSS Helps:
- The quality mode makes games 60% faster
- Ultra mode can make games 70% faster
- Balanced mode gives you good looks and speed
- Works with most new games
Ray Tracing Performance
The RTX 3050 can do ray tracing, but keep these things in mind:
- Works best at 1080p
- Turn on DLSS for better FPS
- Use medium ray tracing settings
- Some games run better than others
Can It Handle 1440p gaming?
While the RTX 3050 is best at 1080p, it can run games at 1440p too. Here’s how it does:
1440p Gaming Performance
Type of Game | FPS You’ll Get | Best Settings to Use |
---|---|---|
Esports Games | Over 120 | High/Best |
Big AAA Games | 44-60 | Medium/High with DLSS |
Games with Ray Tracing | 30-45 | Low/Medium with DLSS |
Tips for gaming at 1440p:
- Use DLSS when you can
- Pick medium settings in big games
- Lower the resolution if games run slow
- Watch how much VRAM you’re using
What’s Inside the RTX 3050?
Part | What It Has |
---|---|
CUDA Cores | 2,304 |
Memory | 8GB GDDR6 |
Memory Bus | 128-bit |
Power Use | 130 Watts |
Speed | 1.74 GHz |
Best Settings for Popular Games
How to Set Up Your Games
For Fast-Paced Games:
- Fortnite: High settings + DLSS Quality
- Valorant: Highest settings
- CS2: Highest settings
- Apex Legends: High settings
For Big Story Games:
- Cyberpunk 2077: Medium + DLSS Balanced
- Elden Ring: Medium-High
- Assassin’s Creed: Medium + DLSS Quality
- Red Dead 2: Medium-High + DLSS Quality
Should You Buy the RTX 3050?
The RTX 3050 is great at several things:
- Runs games very well at 1080p
- Has DLSS to boost FPS
- Can do basic ray tracing
- Doesn’t use much power or get too hot
This card is perfect if you:
- Mostly play at 1080p
- Want to try ray tracing and DLSS
- Need a card that uses less power
- Want something that will last a while
Also read: NVIDIA RTX 3060 Review: Should You Buy It in 2025?
If you want to play at 1440p with high FPS or use lots of ray tracing, you might want to get an RTX 3060 instead.
Remember: How well games run depends on your PC’s other parts. Make sure your power supply can handle this card before you buy it!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will the RTX 3050 be good for?
If you adjust your game settings, the RTX 3050 should last 3 to 5 years for gaming at 1080p. It might not run the newest big games at their highest settings, but it works well for older and simpler games. Lowering your graphics settings or screen resolution can make it last longer.
Is the RTX 3050 still good in 2025?
In early 2025, the RTX 3050 is still a good choice if you want to save money. It can smoothly play most current games at 1080p, especially when using DLSS. You’ll need to lower your graphics settings for the most demanding games to get smooth gameplay. While newer graphics cards are better, the RTX 3050 still gives you a good gaming experience.
Can the RTX 3050 run GTA V?
Yes! The RTX 3050 runs GTA V very well. You can play at high settings and get over 60 FPS at 1080p.
Can the RTX 3050 run all games?
The RTX 3050 can’t run every game at the highest settings or sharp resolutions. It works best at 1080p, and you may need to lower settings in newer or more demanding games. It handles many popular games well, but you’ll need to adjust settings for graphics-heavy games to get the best performance.