RTX 5050: where to buy it cheaply?

Released at the end of June 2025, the RTX 5050 is clearly aimed at those who want to play without breaking the bank, while enjoying the latest technologies from Nvidia. It replaces the very popular RTX 3050, but with a real generational leap.

In short, here are the specs:

• Memory: 8 GB of GDDR6 - sufficient for gaming in 1080p with high settings.
• Frequencies: 2317 MHz at base, up to 2572 MHz at boost.
• Memory interface: 128 bits - it remains modest, but it does the job at this price range.
• CUDA Cores: 2560 - enough to run most games, as long as we stay reasonable on the graphics.
• Ray tracing: 20 dedicated cores, so possible but to be activated moderately.
• Tensor cores: 80, which allows the use of DLSS (super useful on this range).
• Connectivity: 1 HDMI 2.1b + 3 DisplayPort 2.1b.
• Power consumption: 130W, with an 8-pin connector - very undemanding on the power supply side.
• Dimensions: 2 slots, standard size, therefore compatible with most cases.

The GB207 chip engraved in 5 nm is smaller than that of the 5070 Ti , but it remains a real RTX card with DirectX 12 Ultimate support, ray tracing, DLSS, etc. And all this for a launch price of $210, which positions it as one of the best "entry-mid-range" options.

If you play in 1080p games like League of Legends, GTA V, Fortnite or Elden Ring, you can go for it with your eyes closed. The RTX 5050 is more than capable of running everything smoothly, especially if you activate DLSS to gain a few FPS.

On the other hand, if you plan to play in 1440p or if you absolutely want to activate ray tracing in the latest big games, this card may show its limits. In this case, it is better to aim for a 5060 or a 5070 Ti depending on your budget.

On the consumption side, it's a super economical model, which can work very well in a slightly boosted gaming office PC, or a hassle-free small setup.

Honestly, we are a bit mixed on this RTX 5050. On paper, it seemed interesting for small budgets. But in reality, the performance is limited and the pricing positioning remains unclear.

At launch, it was expected to be priced around 200–220 $, but in many shops, it is already displayed at prices that are close to those of the old RTX 4060, or even some 3060 still in stock. In these conditions, it is difficult to recommend it.

Even for a casual player, there are often much better deals on the second-hand market or on sale on previous generations. If you really want to optimize your budget, look towards the RTX 4000 series, you might get better performance for an equivalent price.

In short, unless you come across a very good deal, the RTX 5050 does not seem to be a good plan today. We invite you to compare prices on DropReference before making your decision.