NVIDIA is reportedly planning to launch a refreshed version of the GeForce RTX 3050 in 2024, featuring the Ampere GPU architecture and 6 GB of memory. This update comes two years after the initial release of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 in January 2022, as indicated by Wccftech’s sources.
The reason for NVIDIA initiating the development of a new GeForce RTX 30 series graphics card remains uncertain, especially when there is little to no information about the RTX 4050’s potential release in the near future. It is plausible that NVIDIA’s motivation is to clear out existing stock of older and entry-level Ampere GPUs.
Regarding its specifications, the upcoming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card will utilize the GA107-325-Kx GPU and be built on the PG173 SKU 16 PCB board. While the precise core count remains undisclosed, the card is set to have reduced clock speeds of 1470 MHz, marking a 17% decrease compared to the original GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card.
The card is also equipped with a 96-bit wide memory bus, a reduction from the original variant’s 128-bit bus, resulting in a 6 GB VRAM capacity compared to the existing cards’ 8 GB. This will result in the card consuming significantly less GPU power, with a rated TGP of just 70W, and most models won’t necessitate an external power connector. In contrast, the RTX 3050 8 GB has a higher 115W TGP and requires graphics cards with 8-pin connectors. Additionally, this card will encourage more cost-effective and budget-friendly PCB designs, lowering the Bill of Materials (BOM) from an AIB perspective.
Regarding the card’s production schedule, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 6 GB graphics card is anticipated to commence production in January 2024, with its official release expected thereafter. Once again, there’s no information available regarding the RTX 4050. However, considering the upcoming launch of the Intel Arc A580, which is positioned to compete with the RTX 3050 and RX 6600, it appears that NVIDIA might have prepared this as a direct rival to Intel’s new Alchemist offering. The Arc A580 is likely to be priced at under $200 USD, making it improbable for NVIDIA to introduce an RTX 4050 in the same price range, given their recent pricing trends. Therefore, the introduction of a revised RTX 3050 6 GB model in the $150 segment seems sensible.
Via Wccftech