RTX 3060 vs RTX 5050 for Blender
Compare RTX 3060 12 GB 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 39.6%.
Fastest in Cycles
RTX 5050
40% faster than RTX 3060 12 GB
Most VRAM
RTX 3060 12 GB
50% more VRAM than RTX 5050
Lowest power draw
RTX 5050
24% lower rating than RTX 3060 12 GB
Cheapest
RTX 5050
9% cheaper than RTX 3060 12 GB
Best value for money
RTX 5050
54% better value than RTX 3060 12 GB
GPU comparison
Key specifications for Blender rendering.
| Spec | RTX 3060 12 GB | RTX 5050 |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest price | $449.82 Checked Oct 19, 2026 | $408.99 Checked Oct 19, 2026 |
| Value for money | 4.42 | 6.79 +54% |
| Blender benchmark score | 1,989.05 | 2,777.27 +40% |
| VRAM | 12 GB Meets Blender’s recommended VRAM+50% | 8 GB Meets Blender’s recommended VRAM |
| System PSU | N/A | 550 W Manufacturer requirement |
| Performance | ||
| CUDA cores | 3,584 +40% | 2,560 |
| Boost clock | 1.78 GHz | 2572 MHz +44% |
| RT cores | 28 +40% | 20 |
| Tensor cores | 112 +40% | 80 |
| Memory | ||
| Memory bandwidth | 360 GB/s +13% | 320 GB/s |
| Memory type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory bus | 192-bit +50% | 128-bit |
| Memory speed | 15 Gbps | N/A |
| Platform | ||
| Architecture | Ampere | Blackwell 2.0 |
| Render support | OptiX, CUDA | OptiX, CUDA |
| TDP | 170 W | 130 W −24% |
| Release year | 2021 | 2025 |
Blender Cycles benchmarks
Estimated seconds / frame Lower is faster
RTX 3060 12 GB
Blender 5.2.0 · OptiX · 101 runs
RTX 5050
Blender 5.2.0 · OptiX · 23 runs
Junkshop
Monster
Classroom
Which GPU should you choose for Blender?
RTX 5050 is faster for Blender rendering, but RTX 3060 12 GB has more VRAM. That makes this a speed-versus-scene-headroom decision.
Cycles rendering performance
RTX 5050 leads by 39.6% in the Renderjuice Blender benchmark model (2,777 vs 1,989). For render-time-first decisions, that is the card to prioritize.
VRAM and scene capacity
RTX 3060 12 GB has more scene headroom with 12 GB of VRAM versus 8 GB on RTX 5050. That matters most for large environments, dense geometry, high-resolution textures, and less optimized production files.
Power ratings and cooling
RTX 5050 is the lower-power option at 130 W TDP, compared with 170 W for RTX 3060 12 GB. If render speed is close, that can make RTX 5050 easier to cool and run quietly.
Is the upgrade worthwhile?
RTX 5050 is both the newer and faster Blender rendering choice here. The main reason to choose RTX 3060 12 GB would be price, availability, existing ownership, or a specific workstation requirement.
Comparison summary
RTX 5050 leads the Blender benchmark score by 39.6%.
Fastest in Cycles: RTX 5050 40% faster than RTX 3060 12 GB.
Most VRAM: RTX 3060 12 GB 50% more VRAM than RTX 5050.
Lowest power draw: RTX 5050 24% lower rating than RTX 3060 12 GB.
Cheapest: RTX 5050 9% cheaper than RTX 3060 12 GB.
Best value for money: RTX 5050 54% better value than RTX 3060 12 GB.
RTX 3060 12 GB has 12 GB of VRAM, while RTX 5050 has 8 GB, which matters when scenes, textures, or geometry get heavier.
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.