RTX 3050 vs RTX 5050 for Blender
Compare RTX 3050 and RTX 5050 for Blender Cycles. See benchmark performance, VRAM, power ratings and checked prices side by side. RTX 5050 leads the Blender benchmark score by 146.5%.
Fastest in Cycles
RTX 5050
146% faster than RTX 3050
Most VRAM
Tie
Same memory capacity
Lowest power draw
Tie
Same power rating
Cheapest
RTX 3050
44% cheaper than RTX 5050
Best value for money
RTX 5050
39% better value than RTX 3050
GPU comparison
Key specifications for Blender rendering.
| Spec | RTX 3050 | RTX 5050 |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest price | $229.99 Checked Oct 19, 2026 | $408.99 Checked Oct 19, 2026 |
| Value for money | 4.90 | 6.79 +39% |
| Blender benchmark score | 1,126.85 | 2,777.27 +146% |
| VRAM | 8 GB Meets Blender’s recommended VRAM | 8 GB Meets Blender’s recommended VRAM |
| System PSU | N/A | 550 W Manufacturer requirement |
| Performance | ||
| CUDA cores | 2,304 | 2,560 +11% |
| Boost clock | 1755 MHz | 2572 MHz +47% |
| RT cores | 18 | 20 +11% |
| Tensor cores | 72 | 80 +11% |
| Memory | ||
| Memory bandwidth | 224 GB/s | 320 GB/s +43% |
| Memory type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory bus | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| Platform | ||
| Architecture | Ampere | Blackwell 2.0 |
| Render support | OptiX, CUDA | OptiX, CUDA |
| TDP | 130 W | 130 W |
| Release year | 2022 | 2025 |
Blender Cycles benchmarks
Estimated seconds / frame Lower is faster
RTX 3050
Blender 5.2.0 · OptiX · 24 runs
RTX 5050
Blender 5.2.0 · OptiX · 23 runs
Junkshop
Monster
Classroom
Which GPU should you choose for Blender?
RTX 5050 is the stronger Blender rendering pick here, and both cards have the same VRAM capacity.
Cycles rendering performance
RTX 5050 leads by 146.5% in the Renderjuice Blender benchmark model (2,777 vs 1,127). For render-time-first decisions, that is the card to prioritize.
VRAM and scene capacity
Both cards have 8 GB of VRAM, so the decision is less about scene capacity and more about render speed, architecture, power draw, and price.
Power ratings and cooling
Both cards list a 130 W TDP, so power draw is not the deciding spec on paper. Cooling, case airflow, and actual board partner limits still matter.
Is the upgrade worthwhile?
RTX 5050 is both the newer and faster Blender rendering choice here. The main reason to choose RTX 3050 would be price, availability, existing ownership, or a specific workstation requirement.
Comparison summary
RTX 5050 leads the Blender benchmark score by 146.5%.
Fastest in Cycles: RTX 5050 146% faster than RTX 3050.
Most VRAM: Tie Same memory capacity.
Lowest power draw: Tie Same power rating.
Cheapest: RTX 3050 44% cheaper than RTX 5050.
Best value for money: RTX 5050 39% better value than RTX 3050.
Both GPUs ship with 8 GB of VRAM, so the tradeoff is more about speed, architecture, and efficiency than memory capacity.
If you are deciding between these cards for Blender, focus first on Blender benchmark score, VRAM capacity, memory bandwidth, and whether your scenes are likely to benefit more from raw speed or extra memory headroom. The comparison table above keeps those tradeoffs in one place.