GPU Comparison
Select up to 2 GPUs to analyze their pricing, performance, and specifications side-by-side.
On raw speed the GeForce RTX 5050 comes out noticeably faster — about 17% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. It also wins on performance-per-dollar, making it the cleaner choice when you can afford it.
Maximum Capacity Reached. Remove a model to add another. (2/2)
GeForce RTX 5050 vs GeForce RTX 3060 12GB: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 5050 vs GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
The GeForce RTX 5050 is noticeably faster, around 17% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to 1080p.
Price & Value
The GeForce RTX 5050 currently lists from $349 CAD, $223 CAD less than the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB at $572 CAD. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce RTX 5050 wins on performance-per-dollar by about 91%. The GeForce RTX 5050 still sits about $100 CAD above its $249 CAD MSRP. The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB still sits about $243 CAD above its $329 CAD MSRP.
Power & Efficiency
At 130W against 170W, the GeForce RTX 5050 is both the lower-power and the more efficient card, making it the easier build to cool and power. Its more modern Blackwell architecture on a TSMC 4N process is part of why it does more with each watt.
VRAM & Future-Proofing
The GeForce RTX 3060 12GB carries 12GB versus 8GB on the GeForce RTX 5050. The extra 4GB helps at 4K, with high-resolution texture packs, and for content-creation or local-AI workloads that exhaust smaller buffers. The GeForce RTX 5050's memory is also faster — 320 GB/s versus 240 GB/s — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 5050 is roughly 4 years newer than the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB (Blackwell vs Ampere), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 3060 12GB or GeForce RTX 5050?
The GeForce RTX 5050 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 3060 12GB if you find it at a steep discount.