Alright, buckle up, because Nvidia has dropped the RTX 5050, its cheapest Blackwell-based GPU yet, and it’s already looking like a half-baked afterthought. Here’s why this little silicon chip might just be the biggest slap in the face to budget gamers in 2025.
1. Underwhelming Performance vs the 4060 & Intel Arc B580
The RTX 5050 was branded as a “faster 4060”, but third-party benchmarks show it actually trails the RTX 4060 by around 7 percent in 1080p gaming. Even Intel’s Arc B580 edges it out by about 2 to 3 percent. So much for calling it “4060-level”.
2. 8GB GDDR6, Not GDDR7? Really?
In 2025, Nvidia launches a budget GPU with 8GB of slow GDDR6 memory while the RTX 5060 already uses faster GDDR7. Same VRAM size, noticeably slower performance. Anyone else smell some cost-cutting nonsense?
3. Delayed Launch, Overpriced Debut
Nvidia pulled a surprise launch, with reviews and actual cards not landing until late July. And at £239 RRP? Most reviewers are already saying that’s at least £40 too high. No fanfare, no excitement, just another half-arsed money grab.
4. Multi-Frame Generation Is a Crutch, Not a Feature
Sure, DLSS 4 with Multi-Frame Generation can boost frame rates in some titles, but it comes at the cost of input lag and dodgy visuals. It’s a gimmick, not a solution. Frame pacing and visual artefacts don’t exactly scream “next-gen”.
5. Blackwell’s Smallest Die, Blunted Blade
This card uses the smallest Blackwell die (GB207, about 150mm²). With only 2,560 CUDA cores and 8GB of memory on a 128-bit bus, it’s the most watered-down version of a new architecture possible. The tech is exciting, this implementation is not.
🎤 Reddit and Review Feedback
From r/sffpc:
“This thing seems like a gussied up 3050…”
From Fandomwire:
“The RTX 5050 is essentially a waste of silicon, and should be avoided at all costs, even for HTPCs.”
That about sums it up.
Final Verdict: Skip It, Save £40
This isn’t the budget saviour Nvidia wants you to believe. For just a bit more, the RTX 5060 gives you better performance, faster memory, and more VRAM. If you must stick to 8GB, wait until this thing drops below £199. Then maybe it’s worth considering for basic builds or office setups.
Otherwise, do your wallet and sanity a favour and give it a miss.
TL;DR
| Metric | RTX 5050 |
|---|---|
| RRP | £239 (too high) |
| VRAM | 8GB GDDR6 (slow) |
| Performance vs 4060 | ~7% slower |
| Performance vs B580 | ~2–3% slower |
| Key feature | Multi-Frame Generation (lag and artefacts) |
| Verdict | Waste of silicone, skip it |
In a world where Nvidia trips over its own hype, the RTX 5050 is like a sticking plaster on a snapped leg. You’re better off spending a bit more or waiting for something that actually respects your hard-earned cash.
BONUS TIP: If you’re itching for a new GPU and don’t want to set fire to your budget, there are actually some half-decent options out there. The RTX 4060, now regularly dipping under £270, gives you a proper 1080p and even light 1440p experience without the performance compromises. Prefer team red? The Radeon RX 7600 XT offers more raw grunt and 16GB of VRAM, giving it far more longevity for not much more money. And if you’re brave enough for Intel, the Arc A770 has matured with driver updates and often punches well above its price tag. Any of these will give you more bang for your quid than the RTX 5050. If you’re patient, the used market is stacked with cards like the RTX 3070 or RX 6750 XT that still hold their own. Bottom line, there’s no excuse to settle for mediocrity. You deserve better silicon than Nvidia’s latest filler episode.
