Scored using Graphics cards Methodology v3.0
Graphics cards Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Graphics cards Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Graphics cards Methodology v3.0

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop review: 117 specs compared

Avg. price:~£660VRAM:4 GBMemory bus width:128 bitThermal Design Power (TDP):45 W

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop Review: Compare 117 technical specifications and 1 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Graphics cards category and whether it is worth buying.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop
5.3/10

Overall score

Score
5.3/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, expert reviews, best-of lists and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 40%, Reviews score 25%, List score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

40%

4.5

Technical score

25%

4.5

Reviews score

25%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

10%

4.5

Sentiment score

â–¼Worse than 95% of graphics cards
5.8

Value for money

Value for money
5.8/ 10
✕
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 distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

5.3

Overall score

30%

7.0

Price

â–¼Worse than 98%
4.5

Technical score

Technical score
4.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

44%

2.4

Performance

24%

2.4

Memory

12%

9.2

Power

11%

9.3

Features

5%

7.6

Design

4%

8.9

Connectivity

â–¼Worse than 89%
4.5

Reviews score

Reviews score
4.5/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10

4.5

Mark 7.6 is below the typical mark 7.9 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

80%

8.2

Average grade

20%

5.0

Popularity

Grades by review (1)
1 video review, counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
â–¼Worse than 92%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 25% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
  • nvidia-geforce-rtx-3050-a-laptop
nvidia-geforce-rtx-3050-a-laptop
Where to buy
    N/A~ £660
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What owners say about the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop

Based on 176 owners sharing their experience in online comments

74%positive11%mixed15%negative

Owners praise its capable gaming performance and big upgrades, though newer demanding games can reveal its limits.

What owners dislike

  • Newer demanding games often need low settings, and the 4 GB version can show VRAM warnings or refuse to launch.9
  • Some owners get freezes at medium settings, or stutter when VRAM fills up, and one reports frame drops after relaunching a game.3

Points mentioned by at least 3 owners, most mentioned first.

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Technical Specifications of graphics card NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop

Technical score
Technical score
4.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

44%

2.4

Performance

24%

2.4

Memory

12%

9.2

Power

11%

9.3

Features

5%

7.6

Design

4%

8.9

Connectivity

4.5
Reviews score
4.5
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
5.8/ 10
✕
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 distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

70%

5.3

Overall score

30%

7.0

Price

5.8
3DMark Time Spy benchmark score
6,700 points
This graphics card scores 6,700 points in 3DMark Time Spy, which is lower than 81.3% of graphics cards.
3DMark Port Royal score
1,140 points
This graphics card scores 1,140 points in 3DMark Port Royal, which is lower than 81.1% of graphics cards.
PassMark (G3D) result
8,138 points
This graphics card scores 8,138 points in PassMark G3D, which is lower than 88.4% of graphics cards.
PassMark (DirectCompute) result
4,593 points
This graphics card scores 4,593 points in PassMark DirectCompute, which is lower than 84.2% of graphics cards.
FP32 performance
7.2 TFLOPS
This graphics card delivers 7.2 TFLOPS FP32 performance, which is lower than that of 78.7% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.2% of graphics cards.
Show more
VRAM
4 GB
This graphics card has 4 GB of VRAM, which is less than 87.7% of graphics cards and equal to 6% of graphics cards.
Memory type
GDDR6
This graphics card uses GDDR6 memory, which is newer than on 16.4% of graphics cards and equal to 40.3% of graphics cards.
Memory bus width
128 bit
This graphics card uses a 128 bit memory bus, which is narrower than that of 68.6% of graphics cards and equal to that of 26.7% of graphics cards.
Maximum memory bandwidth
192 GB/s
This graphics card reaches 192 GB/s memory bandwidth, which is lower than that of 87.4% of graphics cards and equal to that of 1.5% of graphics cards.
Effective memory speed
12,000 MHz
This graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 12,000 MHz, which is slower than that of 80.6% of graphics cards and equal to that of 1.5% of graphics cards.
Show more
PCI Express (PCIe) version
4
This graphics card supports PCIe 4, which is newer than on 22.5% of graphics cards and equal to 50.5% of graphics cards.
PCIe lanes
x8
This graphics card uses x8 PCIe lanes, which is fewer than 75.9% of graphics cards and equal to 22.9% of graphics cards.
DirectX version
12 Ultimate
This graphics card supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, which is more advanced than on 22.8% of graphics cards and equal to 77.2% of graphics cards.
Vulkan version
1.4
This graphics card supports Vulkan 1.4, which is more advanced than on 20.8% of graphics cards and equal to 79.2% of graphics cards.
OpenGL version
4.6
This graphics card supports OpenGL 4.6, which is more advanced than on 2% of graphics cards and equal to 98% of graphics cards.
Show more
Max displays supported
4
This graphics card supports up to 4 displays, which is more than 9% of graphics cards and equal to 88.2% of graphics cards.
Max digital resolution
7680x4320
This graphics card supports a maximum digital resolution of 7680x4320, which is higher than that of 9.2% of graphics cards and equal to that of 90.9% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort outputs
?
DisplayPort version
1.4a
This graphics card supports DisplayPort 1.4a, which is more advanced than on 19.3% of graphics cards and equal to 46.3% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort link rates
32.4 Gbps
This graphics card supports DisplayPort link rates up to 32.4 Gbps, which is faster than on 56.6% of graphics cards and equal to 20.9% of graphics cards.
Show more
Thermal Design Power (TDP)
45 W
This graphics card has a TDP of 45 W, which is lower than that of 97.4% of graphics cards.
Power consumption while under peak load
50 W
This graphics card draws 50 W under peak load, which is lower than 97.1% of graphics cards and equal to 0.9% of graphics cards.
Recommended PSU wattage
?
Board power limit
95 W
This graphics card has a board power limit of 95 W, which is lower than that of 90.9% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.2% of graphics cards.
PCIe power spec
45 W
Show more
Size
?
Length
?
Height
?
Slot width
?
Weight
?
Show more

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop vs the average graphics card

246810TotalPerformanceMemoryFeaturesConnectivityPowerDesign
  • 79.1% lower TDP
    This graphics card has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (45 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
    45 W vs 215 W
  • Supports ECC memory
    This graphics card supports ECC memory, the average graphics card does not.
  • 56.8% lower board power limit
    This graphics card has a lower board power limit than the average graphics card (95 W vs 220 W). The average graphics card has a board power limit of 220 W.
    95 W vs 220 W
  • 75% lower idle power draw
    This graphics card has a lower idle power draw than the average graphics card (3 W vs 12 W). The average graphics card has an idle power draw of 12 W.
    3 W vs 12 W
  • 77.3% lower peak power draw
    This graphics card has a lower peak power draw than the average graphics card (50 W vs 220 W). The average graphics card has a peak power draw of 220 W.
    50 W vs 220 W
  • Supports ECC memory
    This graphics card supports ECC memory, the average graphics card does not.
  • 79.1% lower TDP
    This graphics card has a lower TDP than the average graphics card (45 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
    45 W vs 215 W
  • 56.8% lower board power limit
    This graphics card has a lower board power limit than the average graphics card (95 W vs 220 W). The average graphics card has a board power limit of 220 W.
    95 W vs 220 W
  • 75% lower idle power draw
    This graphics card has a lower idle power draw than the average graphics card (3 W vs 12 W). The average graphics card has an idle power draw of 12 W.
    3 W vs 12 W
  • 77.3% lower peak power draw
    This graphics card has a lower peak power draw than the average graphics card (50 W vs 220 W). The average graphics card has a peak power draw of 220 W.
    50 W vs 220 W
  • 46.4% lower boost clock speed
    This graphics card has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,343 MHz vs 2,505 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,505 MHz.
    1,343 MHz vs 2,505 MHz
  • 8 GB less VRAM
    This graphics card has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (4 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
    4 GB vs 12 GB
  • 37.5% lower review score
    Reviews score
    4.5/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10

    4.5

    Mark 7.6 is below the typical mark 7.9 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    8.2

    Average grade

    20%

    5.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (1)
    1 video review, counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    4.5 vs 7.2
  • 26 fewer compute units
    This graphics card has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (14 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
    14 vs 40
  • 62.9% lower base clock speed
    This graphics card has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (713 MHz vs 1920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1920 MHz.
    713 MHz vs 1,920 MHz
  • 128 fewer TMUs
    This graphics card has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (56 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
    56 vs 184
  • 24 fewer ray tracing cores
    This graphics card has fewer ray tracing cores than the average graphics card (16 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 ray tracing cores.
    16 vs 40
  • 80.1% lower texture rate
    This graphics card has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (75.2 GTexel/s vs 378 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 378 GTexel/s.
    75.21 GTexel/s vs 378 GTexel/s
  • 37.5% lower review score
    Reviews score
    4.5/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10

    4.5

    Mark 7.6 is below the typical mark 7.9 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    8.2

    Average grade

    20%

    5.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (1)
    1 video review, counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    4.5 vs 7.2
  • 42.3% lower sentiment score
    4.5 vs 7.8
  • 28.1% worse value for money
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop has worse value for money than the average graphics card (5.79 vs 7.4).
    5.79 vs 7.41
  • 26.9% more expensive
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop is more expensive than the average graphics card (£660 vs £520).
    £660 vs £520
  • 46.4% lower boost clock speed
    This graphics card has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,343 MHz vs 2,505 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,505 MHz.
    1,343 MHz vs 2,505 MHz
  • 26 fewer compute units
    This graphics card has fewer compute units than the average graphics card (14 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 compute units.
    14 vs 40
  • 62.9% lower base clock speed
    This graphics card has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (713 MHz vs 1920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1920 MHz.
    713 MHz vs 1,920 MHz
  • 128 fewer TMUs
    This graphics card has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (56 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
    56 vs 184
  • 24 fewer ray tracing cores
    This graphics card has fewer ray tracing cores than the average graphics card (16 vs 40). The average graphics card has 40 ray tracing cores.
    16 vs 40
  • 80.1% lower texture rate
    This graphics card has a lower texture rate than the average graphics card (75.2 GTexel/s vs 378 GTexel/s). The average graphics card has a texture rate of 378 GTexel/s.
    75.21 GTexel/s vs 378 GTexel/s
  • 73.4% lower pixel rate
    This graphics card has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (43 GPixel/s vs 161.3 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 161.3 GPixel/s.
    42.98 GPixel/s vs 161.3 GPixel/s
  • 32 fewer ROPs
    This graphics card has fewer ROPs than the average graphics card (32 vs 64). The average graphics card has 64 ROPs.
    32 vs 64
  • 68.1% lower FP32 performance
    This graphics card has a lower FP32 performance than the average graphics card (7.2 TFLOPS vs 22.6 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP32 performance of 22.6 TFLOPS.
    7.2 TFLOPS vs 22.6 TFLOPS
  • 64 fewer AI cores
    This graphics card has fewer AI cores than the average graphics card (80 vs 144). The average graphics card has 144 AI cores.
    80 vs 144
  • 64.1% lower PassMark score
    This graphics card has a lower PassMark score than the average graphics card (8,138 points vs 22,638 points). The average graphics card has a PassMark score of 22,638 points.
    8,138 points vs 22,638 points
  • 54.7% lower gaming score
    This graphics card has a lower gaming score than the average graphics card (6,700 points vs 14,779 points). The average graphics card has a gaming score of 14,779 points.
    6,700 points vs 14,779 points
  • 87.5% lower ray tracing score
    This graphics card has a lower ray tracing score than the average graphics card (1,140 points vs 9,148 points). The average graphics card has a ray tracing score of 9,148 points.
    1,140 points vs 9,148 points
  • 83.3% lower FP64 performance
    This graphics card has a lower FP64 performance than the average graphics card (0.1 TFLOPS vs 0.48 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP64 performance of 0.48 TFLOPS.
    0.08 TFLOPS vs 0.48 TFLOPS
  • 61.9% lower compute score
    This graphics card has a lower compute score than the average graphics card (4,593 points vs 12,70.5 points). The average graphics card has a compute score of 12,070.5 points.
    4,593 points vs 12,070.5 points
  • 57.6% lower FP16 performance
    This graphics card has a lower FP16 performance than the average graphics card (12.5 TFLOPS vs 29.5 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP16 performance of 29.5 TFLOPS.
    12.5 TFLOPS vs 29.5 TFLOPS
  • 2,560 fewer FP32 units
    This graphics card has fewer FP32 units than the average graphics card (1,792 vs 4,352). The average graphics card has 4,352 FP32 units.
    1,792 vs 4,352
  • 8 GB less VRAM
    This graphics card has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (4 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
    4 GB vs 12 GB
  • 57.1% lower memory bandwidth
    This graphics card has a lower memory bandwidth than the average graphics card (192 GB/s vs 448 GB/s). The average graphics card has a memory bandwidth of 448 GB/s.
    192 GB/s vs 448 GB/s
  • 64 bit narrower memory bus
    This graphics card has a narrower memory bus than the average graphics card (128 bit vs 192 bit). The average graphics card has a memory bus width of 192 bit.
    128 bit vs 192 bit
  • 36.8% slower memory speed
    This graphics card has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (12,000 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
    12,000 MHz vs 19,000 MHz
  • 91.7% smaller L2 cache
    This graphics card has fewer L2 cache than the average graphics card (2 MB vs 24 MB). The average graphics card has 24 MB L2 cache.
    2 MB vs 24 MB
  • 14.3% slower VRAM clock
    This graphics card has a lower VRAM clock than the average graphics card (1,500 MHz vs 1,750 MHz). The average graphics card runs its VRAM at 1,750 MHz.
    1,500 MHz vs 1,750 MHz
  • 60% larger process node
    This graphics card uses a larger manufacturing process than the average graphics card (8 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a manufacturing process of 5 nm.
    8 nm vs 5 nm
  • Fewer PCIe lanes
    This graphics card has fewer PCIe lanes than the average graphics card (x8 vs x16). The average graphics card has x16 PCIe lanes.
    x8 vs x16
  • Less advanced frame generation
    This graphics card has less advanced frame generation than the average graphics card (frame generation vs multi frame generation).
    frame generation vs multi frame generation
  • 47.6% fewer transistors
    This graphics card has fewer transistors than the average graphics card (12,000 million vs 22,900 million). The average graphics card has 22,900 million transistors.
    12,000 million vs 22,900 million
  • Older FSR version
    This graphics card supports an older FSR version than the average graphics card (3 vs 3.1).
    3 vs 3.1
  • No AV1 encoding
    This graphics card does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • Older HDMI version
    This graphics card supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (2.1 vs 2.1a).
    2.1 vs 2.1a
  • Not VR ready
    This graphics card is not VR ready, while the average graphics card is.
  • 2 fewer monitors per output type
    This graphics card supports fewer monitors per output type than the average graphics card (1 vs 3). The average graphics card supports 3 monitors per output type.
    1 vs 3
  • No dual BIOS
    This graphics card does not include dual BIOS, the average graphics card does.
  • No backplate
    This graphics card does not include a backplate, the average graphics card does.
  • No RGB lighting
    This graphics card does not include RGB lighting, the average graphics card does.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.0
Reitech
≈ estimated
14/04/2025
Hands-on review · months of personal use
Verdict
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop is a solid budget pick for smooth 1080p gaming; 1440p is still untested.
Shop video

Third-party reviews

What customers like about NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop

  • Capable of solid 1080p gaming performance in most AAA titles
  • Support for DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) significantly boosts frame rates
  • Provides entry-level access to ray tracing features
  • Efficient power consumption leads to lower heat output and quieter operation
  • Excellent for e-sports titles like Valorant, Apex Legends, and Fortnite
  • Compatible with slim and portable laptop designs due to its efficiency

What customers don't like about NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop

  • Limited 4GB VRAM in many models can bottleneck modern games at higher settings
  • Struggles to maintain playable frame rates at 1440p or 4K resolutions
  • Ray tracing performance is often too weak to be useful without DLSS enabled
  • Performs similarly to older cards like the GTX 1660 Ti in raw rasterisation
  • High price-to-performance ratio compared to competitors like the AMD RX 6600
  • Significant performance drops in demanding games when VRAM is exceeded

Verdict

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop GPU is an entry-level mobile graphics card launched in 2024, uniquely utilizing a down-binned Ada Lovelace AD106 chip despite its 30-series naming. Key specifications include 1,792 CUDA cores, 4GB of GDDR6 VRAM, and a notably narrow 64-bit memory bus, with a power-efficient TGP range of 35–50W. Its primary advantages are its modern architecture's efficiency, making it ideal for thin-and-light laptops, and support for DLSS and ray tracing in 1080p gaming. However, significant drawbacks include the highly restricted 64-bit memory bandwidth and limited 4GB of video memory, which can cause performance bottlenecks in demanding modern titles and high-resolution textures.

Compare NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop with other products in the Graphics cards category

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Graphic comparison of NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 A Laptop and other products in the Graphics cards category

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