Entry-Level Blackwell: RTX 5050 Fills the Budget Gap
NVIDIA has officially announced the GeForce RTX 5050 8gb—a new entry-level desktop GPU launching in mid-to-late July at $249. Unlike the RTX 40 series, which skipped the “50” tier, this card targets budget builders with surprising next-gen features.
Positioned as a successor to the RTX 3050, the 5050 delivers significant spec upgrades while retaining accessibility.
Key Specifications & Features
| Spec | RTX 5050 8GB |
|---|---|
| CUDA Cores | 2,560 |
| Memory | 8GB GDDR6 (only Blackwell card without GDDR7) |
| Base/Boost Clock | 2.31 GHz / 2.57 GHz |
| Power | 130W TDP |
| Connector | 8-pin |
| Display Outputs | 4x (beats AMD’s RX 9060 XT) |
| Tech Support | DLSS 4, Ray Tracing, AV1 Encoding |
Notable Upgrades:
- 2560 CUDA Cores (vs. 2048 in RTX 3050)
- Full Blackwell Feature Set: DLSS 4, Ray Reconstruction
- 9th Gen NVENC Encoder: Matches RTX 5060’s streaming capabilities
- Factory-OC Models: Partner cards boosting beyond 2.6 GHz
Who Is the RTX 5050 8GB For?
- 1080p Gamers: Smooth 60+ FPS in AAA titles with DLSS 4
- Budget Builders: $249 price beats AMD’s RX 9060 XT ($299)
- Compact PC Enthusiasts: Single-fan ITX designs confirmed
- Streamers: NVENC encoder handles OBS/XSplit efficiently
Availability & Partner Designs
- Launch Window: Mid-to-late July 2024
- Cooling: Mostly dual-fan or ITX single-fan designs
- Early Models: ASUS Dual, Gigabyte Windforce, ZOTAC Twin Edge
- No Founders Edition: Board partners exclusively handling sales
Also, Read
- Intel’s Next-Gen Nova Lake-S CPUs: Up to 52 Cores, 150W TDP – Full Details
- PS5 Delivery Shock – When Your $500 Console Arrives in a Bare Box
- My RTX 3080 Survived 2 Years on a Cheap PSU – Then It Melted
Why This Matters
The RTX 5050 addresses two critical gaps:
- Next-gen features at entry-level: DLSS 4/ray tracing previously reserved for $300+ cards.
- Simplified power: 8-pin connector avoids melting risks of 16-pin models.
With AMD’s RX 9060 XT starting at $299, NVIDIA’s aggressive pricing could dominate the budget segment.
Launch Tip: Watch for factory-overclocked models—early leaks show 2.6+ GHz boosts!
Source: NVIDIA