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MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming Review | 118 Data compared

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  • Avg. price: ~£130
  • VRAM: 2 GB
  • Memory bus width: 128 bit
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP): 75 W

MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming review. Compare 118 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among graphics cards and if it is worth buying.

4.1

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the graphics card's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best graphics cards on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

3.6

Technical Score

10.0%

9.1

User score

Poor
3.6

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

1.9

Performance

24.0%

1.8

Memory

12.0%

8.9

Power & Cooling

11.0%

6.2

Platform & Features

5.0%

7.6

Design

4.0%

4.9

Connectivity & Media

Poor
9.1

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

9.0

User reviews

30.0%

9.4

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.5
(255)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.6
(252)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Exceptional
  • 3.1
    Gaming

    Score components:

    45.0%

    1.0

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 4.4
    Video editing

    Score components:

    35.0%

    ?

    AV1 encode

    30.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    20.0%

    1.0

    Floating-point performance

    15.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.4
    1080p

    Score components:

    55.0%

    1.0

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    10.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.4
    1440p

    Score components:

    50.0%

    1.0

    Floating-point performance

    30.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    15.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 2.7
    4K

    Score components:

    40.0%

    1.0

    Floating-point performance

    35.0%

    1.0

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    7.6

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

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Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming is an entry-level graphics card based on the Pascal architecture, featuring 640 CUDA cores and 2GB of GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus. It offers a base clock of 1354 MHz and a boost clock of 1455 MHz, with a low 75W TDP that often allows for power directly from the PCIe slot, though this 'Gaming' variant includes a 6-pin connector for stable overclocking. Its main advantages include the efficient Twin Frozr VI cooling system for silent operation under low loads, a factory overclock for better out-of-the-box performance, and solid 1080p capability for eSports titles. However, it is limited by its small 2GB VRAM buffer which bottlenecks modern AAA games, lacks support for modern features like ray tracing or DLSS, and does not support SLI configurations.

Technical Specifications of MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

1.9

Performance

24.0%

1.8

Memory

12.0%

8.9

Power & Cooling

11.0%

6.2

Platform & Features

5.0%

7.6

Design

4.0%

4.9

Connectivity & Media

3.6
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a technical score of 3.59 points, which is lower than that of 92.9% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

9.0

User reviews

30.0%

9.4

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.5
(255)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.6
(252)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

9.1
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a user score of 9.13 points, which is higher than that of 79.6% of products in this category.
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you prefer a graphics card that has already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
9.4
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a popularity of 9.4 points, which is higher than 76.4% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the graphics card's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a graphics card that offers a strong balance of performance, features, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

4.1

Overall score

40.0%

9.8

Price

5.9
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a quality-to-price ratio of 5.9 points, which is lower than 83.9% of products in this category.
3DMark Time Spy benchmark score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Time Spy, a synthetic DirectX 12 test often used as a quick gaming-performance reference.
When it matters: When you need a fast rough performance sort before digging into game-specific reviews and frame-rate data.

Importance: LOW

?
3DMark Port Royal score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Port Royal, a synthetic test focused on ray tracing performance.
When it matters: When ray tracing matters in the games you actually play and you want one quick way to separate stronger and weaker RT cards.

Importance: LOW

N/A
PassMark (G3D) result
What it is: Overall GPU performance score in PassMark G3D benchmark
When it matters: When you need one broad score to sort cards into rough performance tiers.

Importance: LOW

?
PassMark (DirectCompute) result
What it is: PassMark score for DirectCompute performance tests
When it matters: When compute workloads matter alongside gaming performance.

Importance: LOW

?
Floating-point performance
What it is: Theoretical floating-point compute performance of the GPU.
When it matters: When rendering, AI, or heavy compute work needs strong single-precision throughput.

Importance: LOW

1.91 TFLOPS
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming delivers 1.91 TFLOPS floating-point performance, which is lower than that of 96.8% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.1% of graphics cards.
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VRAM
What it is: Total video memory available on the graphics card
When it matters: When you play at high settings, use texture mods, or work with large creative projects.

Importance: HIGH

2 GB
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has 2 GB of VRAM, which is less than 94.5% of graphics cards and equal to 3.9% of graphics cards.
Memory type
What it is: Type of graphics memory used (GDDR6, HBM2e, etc.)
When it matters: When memory technology is part of the buying decision because it affects bandwidth class, power use, and product positioning.

Importance: LOW

GDDR5
GDDR version
What it is: Generation of GDDR memory used by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you want to separate older memory generations from newer ones before comparing bandwidth, power behavior, and market tier.

Importance: LOW

GDDR5
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming uses GDDR5 memory, which is older than on 85% of graphics cards and equal to 13.2% of graphics cards.
Memory bus width
What it is: Width of the memory interface bus in bits
When it matters: When you care about steadier performance at higher resolutions, heavier texture settings, or ray-traced workloads that stress memory traffic.

Importance: HIGH

128 bit
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming uses a 128 bit memory bus, which is narrower than that of 69.8% of graphics cards and equal to that of 26.1% of graphics cards.
Maximum memory bandwidth
What it is: Maximum data transfer rate between GPU and its memory
When it matters: When 4K gaming, ray tracing, or creator work can choke a slower memory subsystem.

Importance: HIGH

112.1 GB/s
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming reaches 112.1 GB/s memory bandwidth, which is lower than that of 93.9% of graphics cards and equal to that of 1.1% of graphics cards.
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PCI Express (PCIe) version
What it is: Version of PCI Express interface supported
When it matters: When you are pairing the card with an older motherboard and want to avoid leaving bandwidth or future compatibility on the table.

Importance: LOW

3.0
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming supports PCIe 3.0, which is older than on 77.6% of graphics cards and equal to 20.3% of graphics cards.
PCIe lanes
What it is: Number of PCI Express lanes used for communication
When it matters: When limited lane width could bottleneck the card in some systems.

Importance: LOW

x16
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming uses x16 PCIe lanes, which is more than 31.5% of graphics cards and equal to 68.6% of graphics cards.
DirectX version
What it is: Highest supported DirectX API version
When it matters: When you play newer Windows games that depend on the latest graphics features.

Importance: LOW

?
Vulkan version
What it is: Highest supported Vulkan API version
When it matters: When modern games, emulators, or creative apps lean on Vulkan support.

Importance: LOW

1.3
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming supports Vulkan 1.3, which is older than on 73.5% of graphics cards and equal to 22.5% of graphics cards.
OpenGL version
What it is: Highest supported OpenGL API version
When it matters: When older games or pro apps still depend on OpenGL compatibility.

Importance: LOW

4.6
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming supports OpenGL 4.6, which is more advanced than on 4.8% of graphics cards and equal to 95.2% of graphics cards.
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Max displays supported
What it is: Total number of external displays supported simultaneously
When it matters: When you run a multi-monitor desk for sim racing, trading, or editing.

Importance: LOW

3
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming supports up to 3 displays, which is fewer than 92.3% of graphics cards and equal to 5.8% of graphics cards.
Max digital resolution
What it is: Maximum supported digital display resolution
When it matters: When you plan to drive 4K or 8K panels at their native resolution.

Importance: LOW

7680x4320
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming supports a maximum digital resolution of 7680x4320, which is higher than that of 44.4% of graphics cards and equal to that of 55.6% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort outputs
What it is: Number of DisplayPort video outputs
When it matters: When your setup needs several high-refresh monitors without adapters.

Importance: LOW

1
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming offers 1 DisplayPort outputs, which is fewer than 89.5% of graphics cards and equal to 8.6% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort version
What it is: Version of DisplayPort standard supported
When it matters: When your monitor setup depends on newer DisplayPort features for higher refresh rates, higher resolution, or better cable flexibility.

Importance: LOW

1.4
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming supports DisplayPort 1.4, which is older than on 77.3% of graphics cards and equal to 16.2% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort link rates
What it is: Supported data link rates for DisplayPort connections
When it matters: When you are pushing high resolution and refresh rate over DisplayPort.

Importance: LOW

8.1 Gbps
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming supports DisplayPort link rates up to 8.1 Gbps, which is slower than on 50.4% of graphics cards and equal to 40.5% of graphics cards.
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Thermal Design Power (TDP)
What it is: Typical power consumption under full load (TDP)
When it matters: When you need a realistic idea of power draw before choosing a PSU or case.

Importance: MEDIUM

75 W
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a TDP of 75 W, which is lower than that of 90.9% of graphics cards and equal to that of 2.7% of graphics cards.
Power consumption while under peak load
What it is: Peak power draw of the graphics card under maximum load.
When it matters: When transient-heavy gaming loads could stress your power supply.

Importance: LOW

76 W
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming draws 76 W under peak load, which is lower than 91% of graphics cards.
Recommended PSU wattage
What it is: Recommended wattage of the system power supply
When it matters: When you are checking whether your current power supply is enough.

Importance: LOW

300 W
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming recommends a 300 W PSU, which is lower than that of 95.3% of graphics cards and equal to that of 4.2% of graphics cards.
Board power limit
What it is: Maximum configurable power limit for the GPU board
When it matters: When you care about how far the card can be pushed through tuning or factory power settings.

Importance: LOW

75 W
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a board power limit of 75 W, which is lower than that of 91.4% of graphics cards and equal to that of 2.7% of graphics cards.
PCIe power spec
What it is: PCIe power delivery specification followed
When it matters: When you are checking whether the slot and external cables match the card's intended power-delivery standard.

Importance: LOW

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Size
What it is: Physical size of the GPU card
When it matters: When you need the card to fit a compact case without blocking nearby hardware.

Importance: LOW

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Length
What it is: Physical length of the GPU card
When it matters: When front radiators or drive cages leave only limited GPU clearance.

Importance: LOW

229 mm
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming is 229 mm long, which is shorter than 81.6% of graphics cards and equal in length to 0.8% of graphics cards.
Height
What it is: Physical height of the GPU card
When it matters: When side panels, brackets, or tight case layouts reduce vertical clearance.

Importance: LOW

131 mm
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming is 131 mm tall, which is taller than 57.9% of graphics cards and equal in height to 2.4% of graphics cards.
Slot width
What it is: Number of PCIe slots occupied by the card
When it matters: When you need room for another PCIe card or better airflow under the GPU.

Importance: LOW

2 slot/s
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming occupies 2 slot/s, which is slimmer than 49.2% of graphics cards and equal in width to 47.3% of graphics cards.
Weight
What it is: Total weight of the graphics card
When it matters: When sag, bracket support, or shipping stress matters in your build.

Importance: LOW

527 g
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming weighs 527 g, which is lighter than 91.2% of graphics cards and equal in weight to 0.2% of graphics cards.
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MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming vs the average graphics card

  • 65.1% lower TDP
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (75 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
    What it is: Typical power consumption under full load (TDP)
    When it matters: When you need a realistic idea of power draw before choosing a PSU or case.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (75 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.75 W vs 215 W
  • 4x faster VRAM clock
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a higher VRAM clock than the average graphics card (7,008 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
    What it is: Speed at which the GPU memory operates
    When it matters: When you want more context on how quickly the card's VRAM can move data.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a higher VRAM clock than the average graphics card (7,008 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.7008 MHz vs 1750 MHz
  • 53.8% lower PSU requirement
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (300 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
    What it is: Recommended wattage of the system power supply
    When it matters: When you are checking whether your current power supply is enough.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (300 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.300 W vs 650 W
  • 32x larger L2 cache
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has more L2 cache than the average graphics card (1,024 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.
    What it is: Total size of the GPU’s L2 cache memory
    When it matters: When cache size can help the GPU feed data faster in demanding scenes.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has more L2 cache than the average graphics card (1,024 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.1024 MB vs 32 MB
  • 56.37 mm shorter card length
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming is shorter than the average graphics card (229 mm vs 285.37 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 285.37 mm.
    What it is: Physical length of the GPU card
    When it matters: When front radiators or drive cages leave only limited GPU clearance.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming is shorter than the average graphics card (229 mm vs 285.37 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 285.37 mm.229 mm vs 285.37 mm
  • 65.9% lower board power limit
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a lower board power limit than the average graphics card (75 W vs 220 W). The average graphics card has a board power limit of 220 W.
    What it is: Maximum configurable power limit for the GPU board
    When it matters: When you care about how far the card can be pushed through tuning or factory power settings.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a lower board power limit than the average graphics card (75 W vs 220 W). The average graphics card has a board power limit of 220 W.75 W vs 220 W
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
    What it is: Number of DVI display outputs available
    When it matters: When you still use an older monitor that depends on DVI.

    Importance: LOW

    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.1 vs 0
  • 4.08x cheaper
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming is cheaper than the average graphics card (£130 vs £530).
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming is cheaper than the average graphics card (£130 vs £530).£130 vs £530
  • 4x faster VRAM clock
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a higher VRAM clock than the average graphics card (7,008 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
  • 32x larger L2 cache
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has more L2 cache than the average graphics card (1,024 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.
  • 56.6% smaller GPU die
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a lower GPU die size than the average graphics card (132 mm² vs 304.25 mm²). The average graphics card has a GPU die size of 304.25 mm².
  • 1 more DVI outputs
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has more DVI outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 0). The average graphics card has 0 DVI outputs.
  • 65.1% lower TDP
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (75 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
  • 53.8% lower PSU requirement
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a lower PSU requirement than the average graphics card (300 W vs 650 W). The average graphics card has a PSU requirement of 650 W.
  • 65.9% lower board power limit
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a lower board power limit than the average graphics card (75 W vs 220 W). The average graphics card has a board power limit of 220 W.
  • 13 °C lower idle temperature
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a lower idle temperature than the average graphics card (25 °C vs 38 °C). The average graphics card has an idle temperature of 38 °C.
  • 8 dB quieter under load
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a lower load noise level than the average graphics card (27 dB vs 35 dB). The average graphics card has a load noise level of 35 dB.
  • 65.5% lower peak power draw
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a lower peak power draw than the average graphics card (76 W vs 220 W). The average graphics card has a peak power draw of 220 W.
  • 56.37 mm shorter card length
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming is shorter than the average graphics card (229 mm vs 285.37 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 285.37 mm.
  • 47.2% lighter card weight
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming is lighter than the average graphics card (527 g vs 998 g). The average graphics card weighs 998 g.

Total
Overall
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
Design
  • 35 fewer compute units
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (5 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
  • 144 fewer TMUs
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (40 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
  • 85.5% lower texture rate
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (54.6 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
  • 29.5% lower base clock speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,354 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
  • 32 fewer ROPs
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has fewer ROPs than the average graphics card (32 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
  • 91.7% lower compute throughput
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a lower compute throughput than the average graphics card (1.9 TFLOPS vs 23.105 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has compute throughput of 23.105 TFLOPS.
  • 87.5% lower FP64 performance
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a lower FP64 performance than the average graphics card (0.1 TFLOPS vs 0.4651 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP64 performance of 0.4651 TFLOPS.
  • 3,712 fewer FP32 units
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has fewer FP32 units than the average graphics card (640 vs 4,352). The average graphics card has 4,352 FP32 units.
  • 128 bit narrower memory bus
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a narrower memory bus than the average graphics card (128 bit vs 256 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 256 bit.
  • 10 GB less VRAM
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (2 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
  • 75% lower memory bandwidth
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (112.1 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
  • 63.1% slower memory speed
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (7,008 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
  • 62.5% smaller L1 cache
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has fewer L1 cache than the average graphics card (48 vs 128). The average graphics card has 128 L1 cache.
  • 2.8x larger process node
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a higher process node than the average graphics card (14 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
  • Older PCIe version
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming supports an older PCIe version than the average graphics card (3 vs 4.0).
  • 7 older
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming was released earlier than the average graphics card (2,016 vs 2,023).
  • No mesh shaders
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
  • Older Vulkan version
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming supports an older Vulkan version than the average graphics card (1.3 vs 1.4).
  • No sampler feedback
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming does not support sampler feedback, the average graphics card does.
  • 84.9% fewer transistors
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has fewer transistors than the average graphics card (3,300 million vs 21,900 million). The average graphics card has 21,900 million transistors.
  • 2 fewer DisplayPort outputs
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has fewer DisplayPort outputs than the average graphics card (1 vs 3). The average graphics card has 3 DisplayPort outputs.
  • 1 fewer displays supported
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming supports fewer displays than the average graphics card (3 vs 4). The average graphics card supports 4 displays.
  • No AV1 decoding
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No DSC support
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming does not support DSC, the average graphics card does.
  • Older HDMI version
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (2 vs 2.1).
  • Older DisplayPort version
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming supports an older DisplayPort version than the average graphics card (1.4 vs 1.4a).
  • Older HDCP version
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming supports an older HDCP version than the average graphics card (2.2 vs 2.3).
  • Not VR ready
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming is not VR ready, while the average graphics card is.
  • 1 fewer monitors per output type
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming supports fewer monitors per output type than the average graphics card (3 vs 4). The average graphics card supports 4 monitors per output type.
  • 1 fewer fans
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).
  • 4 °C lower thermal ceiling
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a lower thermal ceiling than the average graphics card (97 °C vs 93 °C). The average graphics card has a thermal ceiling of 93 °C.
  • No backplate
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming does not include a backplate, the average graphics card does.
  • 4 mm higher card profile
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming is taller than the average graphics card (131 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.
  • 128 bit narrower memory bus
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a narrower memory bus than the average graphics card (128 bit vs 256 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 256 bit.
    What it is: Width of the memory interface bus in bits
    When it matters: When you care about steadier performance at higher resolutions, heavier texture settings, or ray-traced workloads that stress memory traffic.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a narrower memory bus than the average graphics card (128 bit vs 256 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 256 bit.128 bit vs 256 bit
  • 35 fewer compute units
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (5 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
    What it is: Total number of shader multiprocessors or compute units
    When it matters: When you want a better sense of the GPU's overall parallel hardware resources before relying on game benchmarks alone.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (5 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.5 vs 40
  • 10 GB less VRAM
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (2 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
    What it is: Total video memory available on the graphics card
    When it matters: When you play at high settings, use texture mods, or work with large creative projects.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (2 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.2 GB vs 12 GB
  • 2.8x larger process node
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a higher process node than the average graphics card (14 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
    What it is: Size of the manufacturing process in nanometers
    When it matters: When process node differences may affect power, heat, and overall efficiency.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a higher process node than the average graphics card (14 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.14 nm vs 5 nm
  • 144 fewer TMUs
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (40 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
    What it is: Total count of texture mapping units on the GPU
    When it matters: When texture-heavy gaming performance matters and you want extra hardware context behind texture-rate claims.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (40 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.40 vs 184
  • 85.5% lower texture rate
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (54.6 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.
    What it is: Number of textured pixels the GPU can process per second
    When it matters: When fast texture handling matters in high-refresh gaming workloads.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (54.6 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 376.8 GTexel/s.54.6 GTexel/s vs 376.8 GTexel/s
  • 1 fewer fans
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).
    What it is: Total number of cooling fans
    When it matters: When you compare cooler designs and want one more clue about thermal potential.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).2 vs 3
  • 75% lower memory bandwidth
    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (112.1 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
    What it is: Maximum data transfer rate between GPU and its memory
    When it matters: When 4K gaming, ray tracing, or creator work can choke a slower memory subsystem.

    Importance: HIGH

    MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (112.1 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.112.1 GB/s vs 448 GB/s
Total
Overall
Performance
Memory
Platform & Features
Connectivity & Media
Power & Cooling
Design

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.5
255 Reviews
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.6
252 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming?

  • Excellent value for budget-conscious 1080p gaming
  • Extremely power-efficient, with record-low non-gaming power draw
  • Twin Frozr VI cooling remains very quiet and keeps temperatures low
  • Fans turn off completely during idle for silent operation
  • Easy to set up with automatic driver recognition and straightforward installation
  • Attractive design with customizable red LEDs and a premium build feel

What customers dislike about MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Gaming?

  • Limited to 2GB of VRAM, which struggles with high settings in modern AAA titles
  • Underwhelming performance in newer DirectX 12 and Vulkan APIs
  • Requires an additional 6-pin power connector, unlike some other GTX 1050 models
  • Bare-bones software package compared to higher-end series
  • Modest factory overclock with limited headroom for further manual overclocking

Expert reviews

L
lanoc.org
25/10/2016
MSI GTX 1050 and GTX 1050 Ti - LanOC Reviews TechPowerUp

A major positive of these cards is their effortless installation, as they draw power directly from the motherboard's PCIe slot rather than external cables. They also successfully inherit advanced Pascal features like improved memory efficiency and offer a massive 3x performance boost over older budget options like the GTX 650. On the downside, the GP107 core is heavily cut down...Read more

G
guru3d.com
25/10/2016
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 & 1050 Ti Gaming XGo to product viewer dialogue for this item. Review - Guru3D

The MSI GeForce GTX 1050 and 1050 Ti Gaming X graphics cards offer a highly silent and visually impressive solution tailored for entry-level PC gamers. Built with a fully customized PCB and equipped with the TwinFrozr VI cooler, both models remain entirely passive and silent until reaching 60°C, peaking at a barely audible 33 dBA under maximum load. Power consumption is...Read more

T
techpowerup.com
25/10/2016
MSI GTX 1050 Gaming X 2 GB Review - TechPowerUp

The TechPowerUp review of the MSI GTX 1050 Gaming X highlights its premium, highly customized approach to the GP107 architecture, featuring 640 CUDA cores and excellent thermal/acoustic efficiency via the Twin Frozr VI cooler. Key advantages include a substantial factory overclock, a whisper-quiet design with a fan-stop feature, and superior power efficiency. However, the 2 GB GDDR5...Read more

G
guru3d.com
25/10/2016
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 & 1050 Ti Gaming X Review - Guru3D

The Guru3D review of the MSI GeForce GTX 1050 and 1050 Ti Gaming X highlights these Pascal-based, 75W TDP cards for their excellent Twin Frozr VI cooling, featuring 33 dBA noise levels and silent Zero Frozr technology under 60°C. The cards offer factory-overclocked speeds, a compact design with a backplate, and aesthetic RGB lighting suitable for 1080p entry-level gaming....Read more

H
hardware.fr
01/02/2017
Consommation, efficacité énergétique - Radeon RX 460 vs GeForce GTX 1050 / GTX 1050 Ti

This HardWare.fr review evaluates the power consumption and energy efficiency of the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 / 1050 Ti (Pascal) against the AMD Radeon RX 460 (Polaris) across various manufacturer models under different workloads. The testing reveals a clear efficiency advantage for Nvidia's Pascal architecture, which drastically outperforms AMD's Polaris in performance-per-watt...Read more

(Translated)Show original
T
tech.everyeye.it
27/10/2016
MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Recensione - Everyeye Tech

The MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Ti is a budget-friendly graphics card built on NVIDIA's 16nm Pascal architecture, featuring a factory overclock with a base clock of 1341 MHz, a boost clock of 1455 MHz, and 4 GB of GDDR5 VRAM on a 128-bit bus. Measuring just 17.7 cm in length, this compact dual-slot card features a simple black-and-white cooling shroud with a single central fan and a 75W...Read more

(Translated)Show original
T
tomshw.it
24/10/2016
Recensione GeForce GTX 1050 e GTX 1050 Ti. Per ulteriori dettagli, visitare il sito web di Tom's Hardware.

Here is a specific summary of the GeForce GTX 1050 and 1050 Ti review: Overview and Architecture The review covers Nvidia's entry-level Pascal-based graphics cards, the GTX 1050 and GTX 1050 Ti, designed to compete with AMD's Radeon RX 460 in the Full HD (1080p) gaming segment. Both cards utilise the new GP107 GPU, which is uniquely manufactured using a 14-nanometer FinFET process...Read more

(Translated)Show original
M
multiplayer.it
15/11/2016
MSI NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 2G OC - Multiplayer

The MSI NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 2G OC is a compact, entry-level graphics card powered by the 14nm Pascal architecture (GP107 chip) aimed at budget-conscious gamers and eSports enthusiasts targeting 1080p resolution. Measuring 177mm in length and featuring a single cooling fan, its small form factor and lack of an external power connector make it an excellent choice for mini-ITX...Read more

(Translated)Show original

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