NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 vs NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop
Detailed gaming performance comparison
Reference CPU: Intel Core i5-13400
We compare the RTX 3050 and the RTX 4050 Laptop with real FPS across the most popular games at 1080p, 1440p and 4K, plus specs, launch price and AI upscaling support (DLSS/FSR/XeSS). See at a glance which is better for your resolution and budget.
The RTX 4050 Laptop is ~16% faster than the RTX 3050 on average at 1080p.
RTX 4050 Laptop
- Index (1080p)
- 38/100
- VRAM
- 6 GB
- Price (MSRP)
- —
- Upscaling
- DLSS + Frame Gen
Average FPS by resolution
Estimated average FPS for each graphics card across the most popular games. The gap usually shows at 1080p and 1440p; at 4K both lose smoothness and upscaling (DLSS/FSR) helps.
| Resolution | RTX 3050 | RTX 4050 Laptop | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 37 | 43 | +16% |
| 1440p | 25 | 30 | +20% |
| 4K | 11 | 13 | +18% |
Specifications
Side-by-side specs of the RTX 3050 and RTX 4050 Laptop: VRAM, power draw (TDP), performance index and launch price. The better value in each row is highlighted in blue.
| Spec | RTX 3050 | RTX 4050 Laptop |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | NVIDIA | NVIDIA |
| VRAM | 8 GB | 6 GB |
| TDP | 130W | 75W |
| Tier | Entry-level | Mid-range |
| Score 1080p | 33 | 38 |
| Score 1440p | 25 | 30 |
| Score 4K | 14 | 17 |
| Price (MSRP) | $249 | — |
Gaming Performance
Per-game FPS detail at 1080p Ultra. The graphics card that wins each title is highlighted in blue.
| Game | RTX 3050 | RTX 4050 Laptop | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition | 38FPS | 44FPS | RTX 4050 Laptop |
| Grand Theft Auto VI | 30FPS | 34FPS | RTX 4050 Laptop |
| Halloween: The Game | 37FPS | 43FPS | RTX 4050 Laptop |
| Kena: Scars of Kosmora | 38FPS | 44FPS | RTX 4050 Laptop |
| Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV | 43FPS | 49FPS | RTX 4050 Laptop |
| Mortal Shell II | 34FPS | 39FPS | RTX 4050 Laptop |
| Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival | 37FPS | 43FPS | RTX 4050 Laptop |
| Valor Mortis | 34FPS | 39FPS | RTX 4050 Laptop |
| Star Wars Zero Company | 43FPS | 49FPS | RTX 4050 Laptop |
| Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve | 38FPS | 44FPS | RTX 4050 Laptop |
Verdict
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop wins in 10 out of 10 games
We recommend NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop as the best option for gaming.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions when comparing the RTX 3050 with the RTX 4050 Laptop.
Which is better, the RTX 3050 or the RTX 4050 Laptop?
On average at 1080p, the RTX 4050 Laptop is 16% faster than the RTX 3050. The best one for you depends on your resolution, budget and whether you prioritise ray tracing or price.
Which is better at 4K?
At 4K Ultra, the RTX 3050 averages 11 FPS and the RTX 4050 Laptop 13 FPS across the most popular games. For smooth 4K, enabling upscaling (DLSS/FSR) helps on both.
Is it worth paying more for the faster one?
At 1080p or 1440p the FPS gap may not justify the extra cost; at 4K or with ray tracing the faster card matters more. Check the by-resolution table to decide.
Which has better ray tracing and upscaling?
AI upscaling (DLSS on NVIDIA, FSR on AMD, XeSS on Intel) raises FPS on both; for ray tracing, GeForce RTX cards usually lead. See each card’s support above.
How big is the FPS difference between them?
On average across top games, the gap is around 16% at 1080p. At higher resolutions (1440p and 4K) the relative difference usually stays similar.