Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 Gaming OC 8GB Review: Performance fully in line with the trend, but unfortunately a bit cheeky

1 - Intro, Unboxing, Data, Test System 2 - Teardown: PCB and Cooler in Detail 3 - Gaming Performance in Full-HD and WQHD/DLSS 4 - Power Consumption and PEG Slot 5 - Transients and PSU Recommendation 6 - Temperatures and Infrared-Tests 7 - Noise and Frequency Analysis 8 - Conlusion and Final Words

Summary

Visually and haptically, the Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 Gaming OC 8GB is still okay, because the price point forces compromises in the build. However, the cooler looks tortured despite the length of almost 30 cm and the three loud fans have to swirl well in order to also keep the much too low priced temperatures. It is simply much too loud when you consider that only a whole 130 watts have to be dissipated here. I have already shown on the last page that it could also be quieter, and what you get out of the box seems much worse. This is because potential has been unnecessarily wasted because people have once again fallen into old ways of thinking. I only say GTX 680 Windforce 3X and the fan curve I donated then. Unfortunately, this goes in the wrong direction again for the Gaming OC, which is a shame.

The board is okay so far, even if the DRMOS from On Semi don’t look that much like upper class, but they are at least functional. You can live with that, but you have to accept the direct comparison with the MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Gaming X in terms of price. Same price, but the better (because quieter and more efficient) card. In general, the Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 Gaming OC 8GB isn’t bad and the conclusion is anything but a slam, but you also have to remain honest and compare the card with its direct price environment. She can’t really win there at the moment. If it were a bit cheaper than the slightly better competitor products, then you could certainly turn a blind eye or two to the operating noise.

And if you are to rank the GeForce RTX 3050 in general? Especially at lower resolutions in Full HD (and in certain games also in WQHD with DLSS), this card is a viable alternative in the entry-level segment. Sure, you might want to set the presets to Normal or Medium for some AAA titles when it comes to higher FPS rates, but a lot of stuff is still playable at Maximum or High as well. Especially DLSS has never been as valuable for this battle dwarf as it is today. If you rather focus on performance and dampen the other settings a bit as well as completely forgo the DXR effects, you can even keep up with the flow quite well in WQHD in the suitable games.

Otherwise, DLSS in WQHD also allows DXR in lower levels, which was probably the intention. Those who have also looked at the page with the variances in the launch article will also have noticed that there is quite a round image gradient here. The FPS or percentiles are still much too rough intervals to be able to depict this very subjective impression well.

Yes, you can even work quite fast with the card and non-gamers will be quite happy because the wallet will be relieved significantly with a bit of luck. Because if the software does not require a certified driver, even CAD applications usually run smoothly. Office works anyway, and all the AI stuff is fully supported as well. Which, of course, also applies to video editing. In general, the RTX 3050 does not cut a bad figure, even though it lacks power for higher resolutions above Full HD without DLSS.

Conclusion and final remarks

The Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 Gaming OC 8GB is quite successful as such, combining the entry-level RTX card with at least normal performance and agile cooling. But the fans and the highly aggressive fan curve really don’t work that way. However, you will have to keep an eye on the street prices for a final assessment, including the market positioning, which are currently quite steep at 479 Euros. However, Gigabyte can do rather less for that, so you have to be fair, of course, because the biggest margin is still generated by distribution and retail.

The card was provided to igorsLAB by NVIDIA under NDA for testing with the condition not to fall below the specified release date for the case of the NDA. A possible influence of the chip manufacturer or the board partner Gigabyte on the test and the results did not take place, and there was also no obligation to publish them.