In a current characteristic we titled “2016 Flagship GPU vs 2022 Finances GPU,” we revisited the outdated GeForce GTX 1080 to see how Nvidia’s 2016 high-end Pascal GPU stacked up in 2022, and since the Radeon RX 6600 is among the only a few GPUs we are able to actually suggest proper now — it may be had for as little as $260 — we thought that could possibly be an fascinating matchup.
The comparability didn’t favor the venerable GeForce although because the a lot newer Radeon was on common 20% sooner at 1080p and 14% sooner at 1440p. Nonetheless, it was spectacular to see that after six years the GTX 1080 stays a succesful graphics processor, even when it is not one thing try to be looking out for on the used market.
This received us pondering although. Seeing that GTX 1080s usually promote for ~$200 used, or round what you’d pay for a used Radeon 6600, how does the newer GeForce RTX 3050 evaluate in all this?
To rapidly recap, the GeForce GTX 1080 was launched again in 2016 (after we gave it an ideal 100 rating, no kidding) for $600 earlier than dropping to ~$500 the next yr. That signifies that six years later the RTX 3050 arrived at half that value, or at the very least it was meant to be in line with the official $250 MSRP (you recognize, GPU shortages and inflation of yesteryear).
In actuality, the RTX 3050 by no means turned out there at that value and even right now it prices at the very least $300, so half the worth of the unique GTX 1080 MSRP, so let’s go along with that. After a few years and a number of GPU generations, can 2022’s $300 GeForce GPU beat 2016’s $600 GPU?
On paper it is an fascinating match up. Evaluating CUDA core depend is pointless, although they each pack 2560, however the GTX 1080 has 100% extra texture mapping and render output items. The GTX 1080 would possibly solely use GDDR5X reminiscence whereas the RTX 3050 has moved to GDDR6, however with half the reminiscence bus width, the funds Ampere processor really has much less reminiscence bandwidth at 224 GB/s against 320 GB/s, which is a large 30% discount there.
Processing energy is roughly the identical although, and the RTX 3050 advantages from {hardware} help for applied sciences equivalent to async compute and DirectX 12, and naturally, through the use of Nvidia’s most up-to-date structure, it will get higher driver optimization.
For testing we’re utilizing our Ryzen 7 5800X3D take a look at system utilizing 32GB of DDR4-3200 CL14 reminiscence together with the most recent out there show drivers. Resizable BAR has been used for all 50 video games we examined at 1080p and 1440p. We’ll take an in depth take a look at the info for a few dozen of the titles earlier than leaping into the same old breakdown graphs.
Benchmarks
Beginning with the Hitman 3, we discover that the RTX 3050 was 18% sooner at 1080p and 21% sooner at 1440p, some severely giant efficiency good points for the newer Ampere GPU. That stated, it is a very poor exhibiting for the GTX 1080 as we noticed it doing poorly relative to the RX 6600 and Vega 64 in earlier assessments, so we’re not anticipating these margins to be the norm.
One other dangerous title for Pascal is Warhammer III, the place the GTX 1080’s efficiency is horrible, averaging simply 42 fps at 1440p. The RTX 3050 was roughly 50% sooner at each examined resolutions and we imagine that is partly because of the lack of async compute on the {hardware} stage on the GTX.
Subsequent we now have Conflict Thunder, which is an outdated sport that is nonetheless highly regarded right now, and also you’d count on a reasonably good stage of optimization for Pascal for this one. That actually seems to be the case because the GTX 1080 was nearly 30% sooner at each examined resolutions.
Shifting on to Rainbow Six Siege, we discover aggressive efficiency between the 2 GeForce GPUs and each are actually greater than quick sufficient to take pleasure in this title, even in a aggressive setting.
The 1% lows of the newer RTX 3050 had been extra constant, however total the expertise was nonetheless good with the GTX 1080.
One other sport the place the RTX 3050 performs nicely relative to the GTX 1080 is Cyberpunk 2077, delivering round 10% extra efficiency at each examined resolutions. We suspect driver help for Pascal is at a good stage for this massively hyped launch, and as a substitute the GTX 1080’s shortcomings listed here are all the way down to the growing older Pascal structure.
Demise Stranding is just a few years outdated at this level, so the GTX 1080 wasn’t that outdated when it was launched. Subsequently it is not that unsurprising to see the RTX 3050 being outpaced with the GTX 1080 having fun with a 15% efficiency benefit at 1080p and nearly a 20% benefit at 1440p.
F1 22 is a brand new sport and but the GTX 1080 nonetheless managed to get the higher of the GTX 1080, providing 12% higher efficiency at 1080p and 9% at 1440p. That is a powerful end result for the outdated Pascal graphics and F1 followers who invested in a single 5-6 years in the past would little question be very happy, ought to they nonetheless be utilizing it to today.
For race sim followers, the GTX 1080 continues to be very a lot alive and kicking and definitely extra succesful than the RTX 3050 because it was 14% sooner at 1080p after which a fairly huge 19% sooner at 1440p. A transparent victory right here for older know-how, when a contemporary $300 GeForce GPU is struggling to take out the outdated gun.
Halo Infinite is a brand new sport and it is an instance the place the RTX 3050 is ready to battle the GTX 1080, beating it by a slim margin at 1080p after which matching it at 1440p.
The Hunt: Showdown outcomes are fascinating, each GPUs delivered the identical 101 fps at 1080p, however the Pascal GPU took over at 1440p providing 17% extra frames and we might put this distinction all the way down to reminiscence bandwidth.
We have seen just a few instances that the GTX 1080 fare higher at the next decision because it enjoys a 30% bandwidth benefit, that is sensible.
Counter-Strike World Offensive is one other traditional, so unsurprisingly the GTX 1080 performs nicely right here. The 1080p outcomes look a bit system restricted, however as soon as we get to 1440p it turns into extra GPU restricted and once more the superior bandwidth of the GTX 1080 provides it a transparent benefit, partially permitting for as much as 29% higher efficiency.
The God of Conflict efficiency is tragic for the RTX 3050. Simply 60 fps at 1080p, making the GTX 1080 57% sooner after which 78% sooner at 1440p. Given it is a new title, at the very least for PC, you’d in all probability have anticipated the RTX 3050 to do rather a lot higher, at the very least matching the outdated GTX 1080, however apparently not.
Forza Horizon 5 ends in a tie at each examined resolutions. The GTX 1080 was just a few frames sooner however it’s shut sufficient to name a tie and each GPUs delivered extremely playable efficiency utilizing the “prime quality” preset, so a great end result total.
Efficiency Abstract
It is exhausting to say conclusively how these two GPUs evaluate based mostly on the pattern of video games we simply checked out. Typically the RTX 3050 was a lot sooner, different instances a lot slower, and what appeared like half the time, they had been about the identical.
Nonetheless we now have examined a complete of fifty video games, so let’s take a look at the complete breakdown…
At 1080p we see that total the RTX 3050 was really 6% slower than the GTX 1080, and that is a really disappointing end result. There was a small number of video games the place the newer Ampere GPU was sooner and whereas it was a lot sooner in just a few cases, it was a lot slower in lots of extra.
There have been simply 14 video games the place the margins had been 5% or much less in both course, with 20 the place the RTX 3050 was slower by a ten% margin or higher. So total, in 2022 the GTX 1080 continues to be the superior product when it comes to gaming efficiency, popping out on prime much more typically.
Once we take a look at the 1440p outcomes issues look even higher for the outdated Pascal GPU. Right here we discover 22 video games the place the RTX 3050 was slower by a ten% margin or higher. That is nearly half of the video games examined.
What We Discovered
It is truthful to say that progress within the funds GPU phase has been fairly stagnant for the previous few generations. You possibly can argue that getting the equal of two older generations high-end efficiency on the entry-level is sweet, however you then notice the entry stage has moved to $300, and never $200 or much less, and that rapidly turns into rather a lot much less thrilling.
The opposite difficulty with that value level is that at its present $300 asking value, the RTX 3050 is getting embarrassed by the Radeon RX 6600. AMD’s GPU is all the way down to round $260 and usually presents a lot better efficiency. So realistically the RTX 3050 ought to be priced no larger than $220, or nearer to $200 to make it extra interesting.
The GeForce GTX 1080 has additionally managed to final six years as a really usable GPU. Six years is plenty of time in pc {hardware}, not to mention graphics efficiency, so we predict remaining very usable is the gold customary for such an outdated product. At half the worth, the RTX 3050 could be a great bit cheaper, however will you comfortably get six years out of it? We’re not certain, neither are we assured, however we’re eager to see you once more in 2028 for a 50 sport revisit.
Till then, the RTX 3050 will stay as essentially the most disappointing Ampere GPU and a whole thriller as to how the inexperienced crew is ready to shift a sub-par product at such a premium.
Buying Shortcuts:
- AMD Radeon RX 6600 on Amazon
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 on Amazon
- AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT on Amazon
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 on Amazon
- AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT on Amazon
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti on Amazon