GeForce RTX 3050 OEM vs Radeon RX 590

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

2022Core: 1515 MHzBoost: 1755 MHz

Popular choices:

VS
AMD

Radeon RX 590

2018Core: 1469 MHzBoost: 1545 MHz

Popular choices:

Performance Spectrum - GPU

About G3D Mark

G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, raw graphics performance, VRAM, feature set, power efficiency, pricing context, and long-term value so you can see which GPU actually makes more sense.

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

2022

Why buy it

  • 8.8% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Costs $30 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $279 MSRP).
  • Delivers 43% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 47.8 vs 33.4 G3D/$ ($249 MSRP vs $279 MSRP).
  • Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
  • More future proof: Ampere (2020−2025) on 8nm with a newer platform for upcoming games.

Trade-offs

  • No equivalent frame-generation stack like FSR Frame Generation (2023).

Radeon RX 590

2018

Why buy it

  • Access to a newer frame-generation stack with FSR Frame Generation (2023).

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than GeForce RTX 3050 OEM across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • No DLSS support; it relies on FSR Upscaling / FSR 4 (2025) instead.
  • Limited future-proofing: older hardware, 8 GB of VRAM, and weaker feature support mean it will age faster in upcoming AAA games.
  • 12% HIGHER MSRP
    $279 MSRPvs$249 MSRP
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 33.4 vs 47.8 G3D/$ ($279 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3050 OEM better than Radeon RX 590?
Yes. GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 8.8% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data, 27.7% higher PassMark G3D performance, and DLSS 2 Super Resolution. It also comes from 2022 instead of 2018, which helps its case as the more complete modern gaming card.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2022 generation instead of 2018, 27.7% more raw performance headroom, the stronger feature stack with DLSS Super Resolution instead of FSR upscaling + limited Frame Generation, and a 8nm process instead of 12nm. That broader feature stack should age better as more games lean on modern upscaling and frame-generation support.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?
GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is about $30 cheaper on MSRP at $249 MSRP versus $279 MSRP, and you are getting 8.8% more estimated average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and 27.7% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 43%. That is why the better overall card still comes out as the smarter buy today, not just the faster one.
Is Radeon RX 590 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?
Yes. Radeon RX 590 is still a strong modern gaming GPU: it is still comfortable for 1080p and decent for 1440p, though 4K is more situational. It remains a good buy when you can get it meaningfully cheaper than the alternative around $279 MSRP, even if GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is still the cleaner recommendation on overall value today.

Games Benchmarks

Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 9800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.

Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3050 OEMRadeon RX 590
1080p
low130 FPS139 FPS
medium113 FPS124 FPS
high99 FPS108 FPS
ultra83 FPS93 FPS
1440p
low119 FPS122 FPS
medium96 FPS100 FPS
high81 FPS84 FPS
ultra69 FPS76 FPS
4K
low64 FPS71 FPS
medium57 FPS60 FPS
high39 FPS46 FPS
ultra33 FPS40 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3050 OEMRadeon RX 590
1080p
low239 FPS164 FPS
medium206 FPS141 FPS
high164 FPS124 FPS
ultra128 FPS95 FPS
1440p
low163 FPS95 FPS
medium135 FPS76 FPS
high112 FPS61 FPS
ultra92 FPS49 FPS
4K
low88 FPS46 FPS
medium74 FPS37 FPS
high62 FPS32 FPS
ultra49 FPS27 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce RTX 3050 OEMRadeon RX 590
1080p
low535 FPS419 FPS
medium428 FPS335 FPS
high357 FPS279 FPS
ultra268 FPS210 FPS
1440p
low401 FPS314 FPS
medium321 FPS252 FPS
high268 FPS210 FPS
ultra201 FPS157 FPS
4K
low268 FPS210 FPS
medium214 FPS168 FPS
high178 FPS140 FPS
ultra134 FPS105 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce RTX 3050 OEMRadeon RX 590
1080p
low467 FPS403 FPS
medium414 FPS335 FPS
high335 FPS279 FPS
ultra268 FPS210 FPS
1440p
low372 FPS314 FPS
medium321 FPS252 FPS
high236 FPS210 FPS
ultra197 FPS157 FPS
4K
low199 FPS176 FPS
medium175 FPS138 FPS
high150 FPS122 FPS
ultra125 FPS101 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3050 OEM and Radeon RX 590

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in January 4 2022. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1515 MHz to 1755 MHz. It has 2560 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 130W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 20 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 11,892 points.

AMD

Radeon RX 590

The Radeon RX 590 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in November 15 2018. It features the GCN 4.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1469 MHz to 1545 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 175W. Manufactured using 12 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 9,315 points. Launch price was $279.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM scores 11,892 versus the Radeon RX 590's 9,315 — the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM leads by 27.7%. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is built on Ampere while the Radeon RX 590 uses GCN 4.0, both on 8 nm vs 12 nm. Shader units: 2,560 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 2,304 (Radeon RX 590). Raw compute: 8.986 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 7.119 TFLOPS (Radeon RX 590). Boost clocks: 1755 MHz vs 1545 MHz.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 OEMRadeon RX 590
G3D Mark Score
11,892+28%
9,315
Architecture
Ampere
GCN 4.0
Process Node
8 nm
12 nm
Shading Units
2560+11%
2304
Compute (TFLOPS)
8.986 TFLOPS+26%
7.119 TFLOPS
Boost Clock
1755 MHz+14%
1545 MHz
ROPs
32
32
TMUs
80
144+80%
L1 Cache
2.5 MB+346%
0.56 MB
L2 Cache
2 MB
2 MB

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

A critical advantage for the Radeon RX 590 is support for FSR Frame Generation. This allows it to generate entire frames using AI/Algorithms, essentially doubling the frame rate in CPU-bound scenarios or heavy ray-tracing titles. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The Radeon RX 590 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 OEMRadeon RX 590
Upscaling Tech
DLSS 2 Super Resolution
FSR Upscaling / FSR 4
Frame Generation
Not Supported
FSR Frame Generation
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
AMD Anti-Lag
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

Both cards feature 8 GB of video memory. Memory bandwidth: 224 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 256 GB/s (Radeon RX 590) — a 14.3% advantage for the Radeon RX 590. Bus width: 128-bit vs 256-bit.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 OEMRadeon RX 590
VRAM Capacity
8 GB
8 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth
224 GB/s
256 GB/s+14%
Bus Width
128-bit
256-bit+100%
L2 Cache
2 MB
2 MB
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.2 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 12.0 (Radeon RX 590). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.2. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 OEMRadeon RX 590
DirectX
12.2+2%
12.0
Vulkan
1.3+8%
1.2
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: 8th Gen NVENC (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs VCE 3.4 (Radeon RX 590). Decoder: 5th Gen NVDEC vs UVD 6.3. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode) (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (Radeon RX 590).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 OEMRadeon RX 590
Encoder
8th Gen NVENC
VCE 3.4
Decoder
5th Gen NVDEC
UVD 6.3
Codecs
MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9,AV1 (Decode)
MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM draws 130W versus the Radeon RX 590's 175W — a 29.5% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 500W (Radeon RX 590). Power connectors: 8-pin vs 8-pin. Card length: 235mm vs 241mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 80°C.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 OEMRadeon RX 590
TDP
130W-26%
175W
Recommended PSU
450W-10%
500W
Power Connector
8-pin
8-pin
Length
235mm
241mm
Height
124mm
111mm
Slots
2
2
Temp (Load)
75°C-6%
80°C
Perf/Watt
91.5+72%
53.2
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM launched at $249 MSRP, while the Radeon RX 590 launched at $279. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM costs 10.8% less ($30 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 47.8 (GeForce RTX 3050 OEM) vs 33.4 (Radeon RX 590) — the GeForce RTX 3050 OEM offers 43.1% better value. The GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2018).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 OEMRadeon RX 590
MSRP
$249-11%
$279
Performance per Dollar
47.8+43%
33.4
Codename
GA106
Polaris 30
Release
January 4 2022
November 15 2018
Ranking
#224
#285