GeForce RTX 3050 6GB vs Radeon RX 6500

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

2024Core: 1042 MHzBoost: 1470 MHz

Popular choices:

VS
AMD

Radeon RX 6500

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 6GB

2024

Why buy it

  • +41.2% higher PassMark G3D performance.
  • Costs $30 less on MSRP ($169 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
  • Delivers 66.3% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 63.6 vs 38.2 G3D/$ ($169 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
  • Access to DLSS 2 Super Resolution (2020).
  • 50% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (6 GB vs 4 GB).

Trade-offs

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

Radeon RX 6500

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark G3D performance (7,610 vs 10,749).
  • Less VRAM, with 4 GB vs 6 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • No DLSS support; it relies on FSR 3 (2023) instead.
  • Weaker long-term outlook: GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the safer future-proof pick thanks to newer hardware and better gaming feature support.
  • 17.8% HIGHER MSRP
    $199 MSRPvs$169 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is GeForce RTX 3050 6GB better than Radeon RX 6500?
Yes. GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the better GPU overall here. You are getting 41.2% higher PassMark G3D performance, DLSS 2 Super Resolution, and 6 GB vs 4 GB of VRAM. It also comes from 2024 instead of 0, which helps its case as the more complete modern gaming card.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer 2024 generation instead of 0, 41.2% more raw performance headroom, more VRAM at 6 GB instead of 4 GB, and the stronger feature stack with DLSS Super Resolution instead of FSR 3 + AFMF. That leaves it with more room for heavier textures, tougher ray tracing loads, and higher-end 1440p or 4K gaming over the next few years.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper card?
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is the smarter buy today, but it is not as lopsided as a simple winner label makes it sound. GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is about $30 cheaper on MSRP at $169 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and you are getting 41.2% higher G3D Mark. It also leads G3D-per-dollar by 66.3%. That is why the better overall card still comes out as the smarter buy today, not just the faster one.
Is Radeon RX 6500 still worth buying for gaming in 2026?
Yes. Radeon RX 6500 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 $199 MSRP, even if GeForce RTX 3050 6GB 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 6GBRadeon RX 6500
1080p
low109 FPS78 FPS
medium92 FPS68 FPS
high77 FPS54 FPS
ultra45 FPS35 FPS
1440p
low95 FPS71 FPS
medium81 FPS60 FPS
high59 FPS43 FPS
ultra34 FPS28 FPS
4K
low30 FPS25 FPS
medium28 FPS24 FPS
high19 FPS16 FPS
ultra16 FPS14 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetGeForce RTX 3050 6GBRadeon RX 6500
1080p
low174 FPS106 FPS
medium149 FPS73 FPS
high118 FPS49 FPS
ultra87 FPS33 FPS
1440p
low129 FPS72 FPS
medium106 FPS44 FPS
high83 FPS32 FPS
ultra62 FPS23 FPS
4K
low74 FPS34 FPS
medium62 FPS23 FPS
high48 FPS18 FPS
ultra34 FPS13 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetGeForce RTX 3050 6GBRadeon RX 6500
1080p
low484 FPS299 FPS
medium387 FPS258 FPS
high322 FPS196 FPS
ultra242 FPS160 FPS
1440p
low363 FPS221 FPS
medium290 FPS198 FPS
high242 FPS157 FPS
ultra181 FPS121 FPS
4K
low242 FPS135 FPS
medium193 FPS117 FPS
high161 FPS81 FPS
ultra121 FPS53 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetGeForce RTX 3050 6GBRadeon RX 6500
1080p
low243 FPS131 FPS
medium210 FPS107 FPS
high171 FPS91 FPS
ultra144 FPS77 FPS
1440p
low185 FPS99 FPS
medium166 FPS82 FPS
high131 FPS71 FPS
ultra109 FPS58 FPS
4K
low104 FPS58 FPS
medium87 FPS47 FPS
high69 FPS37 FPS
ultra55 FPS29 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3050 6GB and Radeon RX 6500

NVIDIA

GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in February 2 2024. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1042 MHz to 1470 MHz. It has 2304 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 70W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 18 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,749 points. Launch price was $179.

AMD

Radeon RX 6500

The Radeon RX 6500 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in sem dados. The thermal design power (TDP) is 75W. G3D Mark benchmark score: 7,610 points.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB scores 10,749 versus the Radeon RX 6500's 7,610 — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB leads by 41.2%.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBRadeon RX 6500
G3D Mark Score
10,749+41%
7,610

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

A critical advantage for the Radeon RX 6500 is support for FSR Frame Generation + AFMF. 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 6GB lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The Radeon RX 6500 relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBRadeon RX 6500
Upscaling Tech
DLSS 2 Super Resolution
FSR 3
Frame Generation
Not Supported
FSR Frame Generation + AFMF
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
NVIDIA Reflex
AMD Anti-Lag
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB comes with 6 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon RX 6500 has 4 GB. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 168 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 144 GB/s (Radeon RX 6500) — a 16.7% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB. Bus width: 96-bit vs 64-bit.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBRadeon RX 6500
VRAM Capacity
6 GB+50%
4 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
168 GB/s+17%
144 GB/s
Bus Width
96-bit+50%
64-bit
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 12.2 (Radeon RX 6500). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 2.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBRadeon RX 6500
DirectX
12 Ultimate
12.2+2%
Vulkan
1.3
1.3
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4+100%
2
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC (5th Gen) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs None (Radeon RX 6500). Decoder: NVDEC (7th Gen) vs VCN 3.0. Supported codecs: H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only) (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9 (Radeon RX 6500).

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBRadeon RX 6500
Encoder
NVENC (5th Gen)
None
Decoder
NVDEC (7th Gen)
VCN 3.0
Codecs
H.264,HEVC,AV1 (Decode Only)
MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC,VP9
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB draws 70W versus the Radeon RX 6500's 75W — a 6.9% difference. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 300W (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 400W (Radeon RX 6500). Power connectors: None vs 1x 6-pin. Card length: 160mm vs 172mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 85°C.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBRadeon RX 6500
TDP
70W-7%
75W
Recommended PSU
300W-25%
400W
Power Connector
None
1x 6-pin
Length
160mm
172mm
Height
112mm
Slots
2
2
Temp (Load)
75°C-12%
85°C
Perf/Watt
153.6+51%
101.5
💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB launched at $169 MSRP, while the Radeon RX 6500 launched at $199. The GeForce RTX 3050 6GB costs 15.1% less ($30 savings) on MSRP. Performance per dollar on MSRP (G3D Mark / MSRP): 63.6 (GeForce RTX 3050 6GB) vs 38.2 (Radeon RX 6500) — the GeForce RTX 3050 6GB offers 66.5% better value.

FeatureGeForce RTX 3050 6GBRadeon RX 6500
MSRP
$169-15%
$199
Performance per Dollar
63.6+66%
38.2
Codename
GA107
Release
February 2 2024
sem dados
Ranking
#252
#335