RTX 5050 vs RTX 4050 - The Biggest Win for RTX 50 Laptop GPUs

Summary

The RTX 5050 laptop GPU delivers a significant performance boost over the RTX 4050, particularly due to its 8GB of VRAM, compared to the 4050's 6GB. In various game tests, the 5050 showed up to 30% better performance at 1080p and 1440p resolutions, with notable improvements in VRAM-intensive titles like Forza Horizon 5 and Spiderman 2. While both GPUs perform well, the 5050’s extra VRAM and higher clock speeds make it a more future-proof choice for gamers. Pricing, however, remains a key factor, with the 4050 offering better value in lower-budget laptops.

Takeaways

• 😀 The RTX 5050 laptop GPU delivers the biggest generational improvement over the older 4050, showing notable performance gains across various gaming tests.
• 😀 Both the RTX 5050 and 4050 have the same amount of CUDA, Tensor, and RT cores, but the 5050 offers 33% more VRAM and higher clock speeds, resulting in better performance.
• 😀 The RTX 5050 has 8GB of VRAM, while the 4050 has only 6GB, which significantly affects performance in VRAM-heavy games like Forza Horizon 5 and Spider-Man 2.
• 😀 At 1080p, the RTX 5050 is 18% faster than the RTX 4050 on average across 25 games, with the gap widening to 22% at 1440p.
• 😀 The 5050’s increased VRAM and faster memory allow it to perform better in demanding games, even at higher resolutions like 1440p.
• 😀 Power efficiency favors the 5050 in most scenarios, even if it consumes slightly more power in some cases, as it provides better FPS for the power used.
• 😀 The RTX 5050 outperforms the 4050 in almost every game tested, with significant improvements in titles like Cyberpunk 2077, God of War Ragnarok, and The Last of Us Part 2.
• 😀 The 5050’s frame generation (multi-frame generation) feature can increase performance by generating AI frames, but it is not a game-changer for lower-tier GPUs like the 5050.
• 😀 In terms of cost efficiency, a 4050 laptop priced around $600 provides better value than a similarly priced 5050 laptop, unless the 5050 is on sale for about $700.
• 😀 When choosing between the 4050 and 5050, the 5050 is the better option if it fits within your budget, mainly due to its additional VRAM and future-proofing for newer games.
• 😀 The 4050, while still capable for 1080p gaming, may struggle with VRAM-heavy titles in the coming years as game demands increase, making the 5050 a more future-proof investment.

Q & A

What is the main difference between the RTX 5050 and the RTX 4050?

The RTX 5050 offers a significant generational improvement, especially in gaming performance. It has 33% more VRAM (8GB vs 6GB), faster GDDR7 memory, a larger memory bus, and a higher clock speed compared to the RTX 4050, which results in better overall gaming performance.

Why does the extra VRAM in the RTX 5050 matter for gaming?

Extra VRAM allows the RTX 5050 to handle more demanding games and settings, especially at higher resolutions like 1440p. In games such as Forza Horizon 5 and Spider-Man 2, the extra 2GB of VRAM in the 5050 improves frame rates and provides smoother gameplay compared to the 4050.

How does the power consumption of the RTX 5050 compare to the RTX 4050?

The RTX 5050 generally uses more power than the RTX 4050, but it still remains more power-efficient when factoring in performance. Even though the 5050 may consume more power in certain games, it delivers higher frame rates, resulting in better performance per watt.

What impact does VRAM have on gaming performance at 1080p and 1440p resolutions?

At 1080p, games like Forza Horizon 5 and Spider-Man 2 benefit from the 5050’s extra VRAM, offering higher frame rates. At 1440p, the difference is even more noticeable, with the 5050 outperforming the 4050 by 22% on average across all games tested.

What was the performance difference between the RTX 5050 and 4050 in Forza Horizon 5?

The RTX 5050 showed the biggest improvement in Forza Horizon 5, achieving an 81% higher average frame rate at 1080p and 73% at 1440p compared to the RTX 4050.

Does the RTX 4050's 6GB VRAM limit its gaming performance?

Yes, in some games, the 6GB of VRAM in the RTX 4050 can be limiting, especially as newer games demand more memory. For example, Spider-Man 2 runs significantly smoother on the 5050 due to its 8GB VRAM.

How does the RTX 5050 perform in Cyberpunk 2077 compared to the 4050?

In Cyberpunk 2077, the RTX 5050 performs 19% better at 1080p and 22% better at 1440p. The performance gap widens even more when ray tracing and DLSS are enabled, with the 5050 being 60% faster at 1440p.

How does the RTX 5050 handle ray tracing and DLSS compared to the RTX 4050?

The RTX 5050 offers better performance when ray tracing and DLSS are enabled, especially at 1440p. In games like Cyberpunk 2077, the 5050 outperforms the 4050 by a significant margin, especially with ray tracing on.

What is the overall performance difference between the RTX 5050 and RTX 4050 across all 25 games tested?

On average, the RTX 5050 is 18% faster than the RTX 4050 at 1080p and 22% faster at 1440p. This makes the 5050 a more capable GPU for modern games, especially at higher resolutions or with demanding settings.

Is multi-frame generation a significant feature in the RTX 5050?

Multi-frame generation allows the RTX 5050 to generate more AI frames than the 4050, but it doesn't necessarily make it a 'must-have' feature. While it can improve frame rates in certain scenarios, it's not always useful for lower-end GPUs like the 5050 and can lead to differences in visual quality and latency.