GPU vs GPU
RTX 3060 (used) vs RTX 5050
The RTX 5050 is 8% faster at 1440p but costs $79 more. For value, the RTX 3060 (used) gives more fps per dollar; buy the RTX 5050 only if you need the extra speed.
Key facts· updated
- At 1440p the RTX 3060 averages 42 fps and the RTX 5050 averages 45 fps (Tom's Hardware GPU hierarchy, June 2026, 11-game average at Ultra).
- The RTX 5050 is 8% faster than the RTX 3060 at 1440p (Tom's Hardware GPU hierarchy, June 2026).
- The used RTX 3060 costs $330 and the RTX 5050 costs $409 (PC Atlas price check, Nov 3, 2026; catalog estimates, not live store prices).
- At those prices the RTX 3060 gives the most 1440p fps per $100: 12.7 vs 11.1.
- The RTX 3060 has 12 GB of video memory and the RTX 5050 has 8 GB (maker spec pages, checked Oct 29, 2026).
| Spec | RTX 3060 (used) | RTX 5050 |
|---|---|---|
| Price today | $330Sample | $409Sample |
| Average fps at 1080p | 62 | 69 |
| Average fps at 1440p | 42 | 45 |
| Average fps at 4K | 22 | 17 |
| fps per $100 at 1440p | 12.7 | 11.1 |
| Video memory | 12 GB | 8 GB |
| Gaming power | ~170 W | ~130 W |
| Power supply advice | - | 550 W |
| Card length | ~242 mm | ~197 mm |
| Power plug | 8-pin PCIe | 8-pin PCIe |
fps: Tom's Hardware GPU hierarchy (June 2026), 11-game average at Ultra. Highlighted = better. Prices last checked . Prices marked Sample are PC Atlas catalog estimates, not live store prices.
Which one should you buy?
Used or new? A used RTX 3060 12GB is the kind of card that shows up cheap on eBay, and the RTX 5050 8GB is what you'd buy new at a similar budget. In the Tom's Hardware GPU hierarchy (June 2026), the RTX 3060 12GB (used) averages 42 fps at 1440p and 22 at 4K; the RTX 5050 8GB averages 45 and 17. At 1080p the averages are 62 and 69 fps. That makes the RTX 5050 8GB about 7% faster at 1440p (11% at 1080p; at 4K the RTX 3060 12GB (used) edges ahead by 29%).
Memory differs: 12GB on the RTX 3060 12GB (used) against 8GB on the RTX 5050 8GB. 8GB cards increasingly need lower texture settings in new games at 1440p, and that won't show up in an average fps number. In games the RTX 3060 12GB (used) draws about 170W and the RTX 5050 8GB about 130W; power supply advice is about 500W (our rule of thumb) vs 550W (maker's advice). The RTX 3060 12GB (used) is about 242mm long, 2 slots thick and uses standard 8-pin power; the RTX 5050 8GB is about 197mm long with standard 8-pin power.
Both use DLSS for upscaling. A used card's real price swings a lot by listing, so compare the live price here with the condition in the photos.
Our take: used cards save money but usually lose the store warranty, so buy from sellers with returns and check the photos. If the used card isn't clearly cheaper per frame, buy new.
Good to know
- RTX 5050 has 8 GB of video memory, which can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p.
- Used cards have no store warranty in most cases; buy from sellers with returns and check the listing photos.
Questions
Is the RTX 3060 (used) better than the RTX 5050?
The RTX 5050 is 8% faster at 1440p but costs $79 more. For value, the RTX 3060 (used) gives more fps per dollar; buy the RTX 5050 only if you need the extra speed.
Which is better value, RTX 3060 (used) or RTX 5050?
At today's prices the RTX 3060 (used) gives more frames per dollar at 1440p (12.7 vs 11.1 fps per $100).
What power supply do I need?
RTX 3060 (used): about 500 W with a typical gaming CPU. RTX 5050: 550 W (the maker's advice).
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