GeForce RTX 2070 vs GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
Performance-wise the GeForce RTX 2070 is out front, significantly faster, roughly 36% up on the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB. It is also the stronger value pick here, so it's the easy recommendation if your budget allows.
Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)
GeForce RTX 2070 vs GeForce RTX 3050 8GB: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 2070 vs GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
The GeForce RTX 2070 is significantly faster, around 36% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB. That gap is enough to move it up a tier: the GeForce RTX 2070 is comfortable at 1080p, while the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is better matched to entry-level 1080p.
Price & Value
Right now the GeForce RTX 2070 starts at $260 CAD against $279 CAD for the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce RTX 2070 wins on performance-per-dollar by about 46%. The GeForce RTX 2070 is trading below its $499 CAD MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is the lighter draw at 130W against the GeForce RTX 2070's 175W, making it the easier card to power and cool. The GeForce RTX 2070 draws more in absolute terms but squeezes out more performance per watt, so budget for a beefier PSU if you go that route.
Memory & Bandwidth
The GeForce RTX 2070's memory is faster — 448 GB/s versus 224 GB/s (256-bit vs 128-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 3050 8GB is roughly 4 years newer than the GeForce RTX 2070 (Ampere vs Turing), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 2070 or GeForce RTX 3050 8GB?
The GeForce RTX 2070 is the all-round winner here — it's faster and the better value, so buy it if it fits your budget. Only consider the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB if you find it at a steep discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 2070 better than the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 2070 or the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB?
Is the GeForce RTX 3050 8GB worth the extra $19 CAD over the GeForce RTX 2070?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 2070 or GeForce RTX 3050 8GB?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2070 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Turing | Ampere |
| Process Node | TSMC 12nm | Samsung 8nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 2,304 | 2,560✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 36✓ | 20 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | 288✓ | 80 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2070 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,410 MHz | 1,552 MHz✓ |
| Boost Clock | 1,620 MHz | 1,777 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2070 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit✓ | 128-bit |
| Memory Speed | 14 Gbps | 14 Gbps |
| Bandwidth | 448 GB/s✓ | 224 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2070 | GeForce RTX 3050 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x8 |
| TDP | 175 W | 130 W✓ |
| Power Connectors | 1x 8-pin | 1x 8-pin |
| Released | Oct 2018 | Jan 2022 |