I'm considering upgrading my RTX 1650 to an RTX 3050 in order to future-proof my gaming setup. I have an ASUS TUF GAMING B560-PLUS WIFI motherboard, so I know that the PCIe will run at 3.0, but I assume that impact will be minimal. Most of the games I play are not too demanding, but I'd really like to be able to run Cyberpunk at 60+ fps on 1080p after the upgrade. Additionally, I'm currently using an Intel i5-11400 CPU, which I'm quite happy with, but I'm wondering if I should consider upgrading that too. Any advice on whether the 3050 is a sensible option?
5 Answers
Actually, since you have an 11th gen CPU, your PCIe slot is running at 4.0, so that's not a problem at all! I use an i5-11400 with an RTX 3080 on my B560 board, and it's been fantastic for gaming.
Instead of settling for a 3050, look for a refurbished 3060 or a 5050. I think Zotac has some good options for refurbished 3060s that could give you better performance for not much more money. Definitely worth looking into!
While the 3050 can be a nice upgrade, I wouldn't go any lower than an RTX 5060. If it's within your budget, a 5060 Ti would be great. Also, keep an eye out for used RTX 3070 or 4070 models; you might snag a good deal on those while people upgrade.
Which version of the 3050 are you considering? The 6GB or the 8GB? If you want a GPU that only needs power from the PCIe slot, then the 3050 works, but you might find a better deal on a refurbished 2060 too. You'd definitely see some upgrades with the 3050, especially with DLSS and resizable BAR, but it won't blow your mind.
If you're thinking about future-proofing, I suggest going for a 9060 XT 16GB or a 5060 Ti 16GB, if you can find either at reasonable prices. If you're mostly into lighter games, the 3050 would do fine, but since you also want to play AAA titles, those higher-end GPUs would be much better.
Oh, great! I must have misunderstood something then. Thanks.