Nvidia RTX 3050 GPU could cater for more gamers with two different versions
RTX 3050 might arrive next month with 4GB and 8GB models
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Nvidiais expected to unleash the RTX 3050budget GPUnext month – the desktop version that is, as opposed to the laptop GPU which is already out – and it could come in two variants sporting 4GB and 8GB of VRAM.
This is the latest from Twitter-based rumor peddler kopite7kimi (spotted byVideoCardz), who claims there will be two different flavors: the GA106-150 which will have 2,560 CUDA cores and 8GB of memory, plus the GA106-140 with 2,304 CUDA cores and 4GB of VRAM.
RTX 3050GA106-150, 2560FP32, 8GGA106-140, 2304FP32, 4GDecember 16, 2021
In other words, we’re looking at a (relatively) more powerful version with double the VRAM, alongside a cheaper model, although bear in mind we have to take this with considerable skepticism, particularly as there have been a lot of different rumors flying around regarding the RTX 3050. That said, this fresh rumor does line up with some ofthe previous speculation we’ve heard, or at least the purported GA106-150 model does.
If all goes well, Nvidia might spring the RTX 3050, or indeed both versions, with a reveal atCES 2022in January, with cards maybe going on sale later in the month, January 27 according to the rumor mill. TheRTX 3090 Ti is also expectedto show up alongside the budgetAmperemodel(s), too, so we could have new products at both ends of the GPU spectrum.
Analysis: Fitting together the pieces of the low-end GPU puzzle
Two options for affordable – or at least theoretically cheap, before any availability, pricing pressures and scalpers get in on the act – graphics cards would be great news next month. Anything at all would be, in fact, because we’ve had to endure the whole of 2021 without a budget Ampere product (and we’re still waiting on theAMDfront, as well, to compound frustrations).
Interestingly,we’ve heard beforethat the RTX 3050 Ti could be built around the GA106-150 GPU, and so that raises the possibility that this latest leak might not pertain to a pair of 3050s, but the 3050 Ti and vanilla 3050.
VideoCardz seems pretty sure this isn’t the case, though, and that Nvidia will push out two different models of RTX 3050 based on two spins of the GA106, followed by a later beefier GA106-powered offering which will be the Ti version – using the same core GPU for all these products to save on production costs for third-party card makers. That does make sense.
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Time will tell, but really, all we want to see is some cheaper contemporary graphics cards out there in some hopefully half-decent quantities. We’re also expectingAMD’s RX 6500 XT to turn up next month, and to be followed by the RX 6400 a couple of months down the line, again if the rumors are right – and of courseIntel’s Arc Alchemist GPUswill turn up hopefully fairly early on next year, too. They could make the biggest splash of all, especially if Nvidia and AMD can’t get their budget acts together, and leave the door open forIntel.
Darren is a freelancer writing news and features for TechRadar (and occasionally T3) across a broad range of computing topics including CPUs, GPUs, various other hardware, VPNs, antivirus and more. He has written about tech for the best part of three decades, and writes books in his spare time (his debut novel - ‘I Know What You Did Last Supper’ - was published by Hachette UK in 2013).
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