Tuesday, January 4th 2022
NVIDIA Launches GeForce RTX 3050 and RTX 3090 Ti
NVIDIA today launched the GeForce RTX 3050 desktop graphics card, positioned a notch below the RTX 3060. It is based on the same 8 nm "GA106" silicon as the RTX 3060, but with a third of its streaming multiprocessors (SMs) disabled. While the "GA106" physically has 3,840 CUDA cores, only 2,560 of them are enabled on the RTX 3050. The RTX 3060 doesn't max it out, either, featuring 3,584. Another key differentiator between the RTX 3050 and the RTX 3060 is memory. The new kid on the block features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory across a 128-bit wide memory bus, while the RTX 3060 has 12 GB of it across 192-bit.
The reference-spec sees the RTX 3050 GPU clock boost up to 1780 MHz. With a typical board power if 130 W, the card can make do with even a 6-pin PCIe connector, however, NVIDIA made 8-pin the standard. The typical use-case for the RTX 3050 would be 1080p gaming with RTX ray tracing enabled, but with DLSS also added to the mix. Without ray tracing, it should be able to handle AAA titles at 1080p with fairly high settings. Available from January 27, 2022, the RTX 3050 starts at $249.
The GeForce RTX 3090 Ti is the company's new "BFGPU," a halo product. Much like the RTX 3090, though, it will be available both as an NVIDIA-designed "Founders Edition" product, as well as custom-design card. In its Founders Edition avatar, the card debuts a new 16-pin power connector, that's capable of an enormous amount of power delivery. This is needed because the RTX 3090 Ti has a typical board power of 450 W, which is 100 W more than its predecessor.
The RTX 3090 Ti maxes out NVIDIA's largest "Ampere" GeForce silicon, codenamed "GA102." This means all 10,752 CUDA cores, 84 RT cores, 336 Tensor cores, are enabled. On closer look of the specs, you'll notice that the CUDA core count isn't that much higher than the 10.496 of the RTX 3090 to warrant the massive increase in power. It's because NVIDIA also upgraded the memory sub-system. While the memory amount is unchanged at 24 GB, the company is using faster 21 Gbps-rated GDDR6X memory chips, while the RTX 3090 uses 19.5 Gbps-rated ones. The third area of development, which we believe is the largest contributor to the power draw, is the GPU Boost frequency, which is now 1860 MHz, compared to 1695 MHz on the RTX 3090. NVIDIA is expected to launch the RTX 3090 Ti within January 2022, the company is yet to finalize pricing.
The reference-spec sees the RTX 3050 GPU clock boost up to 1780 MHz. With a typical board power if 130 W, the card can make do with even a 6-pin PCIe connector, however, NVIDIA made 8-pin the standard. The typical use-case for the RTX 3050 would be 1080p gaming with RTX ray tracing enabled, but with DLSS also added to the mix. Without ray tracing, it should be able to handle AAA titles at 1080p with fairly high settings. Available from January 27, 2022, the RTX 3050 starts at $249.
The RTX 3090 Ti maxes out NVIDIA's largest "Ampere" GeForce silicon, codenamed "GA102." This means all 10,752 CUDA cores, 84 RT cores, 336 Tensor cores, are enabled. On closer look of the specs, you'll notice that the CUDA core count isn't that much higher than the 10.496 of the RTX 3090 to warrant the massive increase in power. It's because NVIDIA also upgraded the memory sub-system. While the memory amount is unchanged at 24 GB, the company is using faster 21 Gbps-rated GDDR6X memory chips, while the RTX 3090 uses 19.5 Gbps-rated ones. The third area of development, which we believe is the largest contributor to the power draw, is the GPU Boost frequency, which is now 1860 MHz, compared to 1695 MHz on the RTX 3090. NVIDIA is expected to launch the RTX 3090 Ti within January 2022, the company is yet to finalize pricing.
33 Comments on NVIDIA Launches GeForce RTX 3050 and RTX 3090 Ti
It seems we won't get a 75w card from Nvidia this generation. Even IF a weaker 3050 version reaches final production, most likely it will be a 90(-100)w GPU. Put hopes on Intel Arc 380 for a card without 6-pin???:confused:
When they are readily available from Etailers and b&m Shops at non scalped prices.
The key here is these new 2 GB/die memory chips allow this card to clock higher and leave more headroom to the GPU core itself, add this to the hefty increase in the power limit and the remaining 2 SMs, and NV basically threw any and all efficiency out of the window to extract that last 10-15% performance out of GA102. Given how powerful the 3090 is and how scaling between 3080, 3080 Ti and 3090 (68, 80 and 82 SM, respectively) is far from linear, the 3090 Ti is probably even more pointless than the 8800 Ultra used to be back in the day.
Guess I will just stick to my rtx 3080 and see what rtx 4000 has to offer later in 2022.
It has 8GB of GDDR6 and even the LHR versions are profitable for mining. The miners will want it, outstripping supply, and then the scalpers will move in.
This is a $500 card within a week of launch, I guarantee it.
And then the 3090 Ti. I have no idea who this card is for, but if you measure GPU performance in Watts, I'm sure there's no contender.A GA107 GPU could easily slot in at 75W. But it seems doubtful, given the nomenclature of this card, for a lower tier model to be released this generation.
Also, I guess we can forget about small form factor / fanless options with a 130 W TDP.
Prices will be high due to its 8 GB VRAM as well. Nvidia and AMD have blamed scalpers for the high prices until now, but their MSRP on the 3050 and 6500XT is tragic.
Sounds like a hard pass to me.
3050 8GB for 249$
vs
6500 XT 4GB with 64 bit for 199$
AMD :kookoo: :kookoo: :kookoo: :kookoo: :kookoo: