Nvidia RTX 5050 vs RTX 4060: Is the Budget Upgrade Worth It?

The GPU upgrade dilemma haunts every PC builder. With Nvidia’s RTX 50-series making waves since its CES 2025 debut, budget-conscious gamers eye the entry-level RTX 5050. But does it outperform its predecessor, the RTX 4060? Our deep dive reveals surprising truths about performance, value, and next-gen features.

Is Upgrading to Nvidia’s RTX 5050 Worth It Over the RTX 4060?

Benchmarks tell a counterintuitive story. Independent testing by tech reviewer RandomGaminginHD shows the RTX 4060 often outperforms its successor in 1080p gaming:

• Baldur’s Gate 3: RTX 4060 hits 109 FPS vs. RTX 5050’s 101 FPS
• Red Dead Redemption 2: 4060 leads by 6 FPS
• GTA V: 4060 maintains a 5 FPS advantage

Despite newer Ada Lovelace architecture, the RTX 5050 struggles with higher power consumption (115W vs. 4060’s 110W) and inconsistent frame-rate gains. “On pure performance-per-dollar, the 4060 remains king for budget 1080p gaming,” confirms hardware analyst Marco Chiappetta.

When Should You Consider the RTX 5050?

The 5050 shines in two scenarios:

1. AI/Content Creation: Its 421 AI TOPS (vs. 4060’s 242 TOPS) accelerates creative workflows in Blender and DaVinci Resolve.
2. Future-Proof Features: DLSS 4’s Multi Frame Generation boosts frame rates in supported titles like Cyberpunk 2077 by rendering AI-generated frames.

Nvidia’s 5th Gen Tensor Cores also enhance AI upscaling, reducing visual artifacts during heavy gameplay. As PCWorld notes: “For creators or DLSS enthusiasts, the 5050’s tech justifies its premium.”

Must Know

Q: Does the RTX 5050 support ray tracing?
A: Yes, but performance dips sharply. In The Witcher 3, enabling ray tracing drops frames to 44 FPS at 1080p—lower than the 4060’s 48 FPS.

Q: How much does the RTX 5050 cost?
A: At $299 MSRP, it’s $30 pricier than the RTX 4060. Regional tariffs may widen this gap.

Q: Is DLSS 4 exclusive to RTX 50-series?
A: Currently, yes. Nvidia confirms DLSS 4 leverages new hardware absent in older GPUs.

Q: Which GPU runs cooler?
A: The RTX 4060 averages 62°C under load vs. 5050’s 67°C, per Tom’s Hardware thermal tests.

Q: Will the 5050 handle 1440p gaming?
A: Marginally. Expect 45-55 FPS in AAA titles—similar to the 4060. For higher resolutions, consider mid-range cards.

Q: Does the 5050 support AV1 encoding?
A: Yes, matching the 4060’s dual AV1 encoders for streamlined streaming/video editing.

For budget-focused gamers, the RTX 4060 remains the smarter choice—delivering better raw performance and thermals at lower cost. Yet creators and early adopters should weigh the RTX 5050’s AI enhancements and DLSS 4 against its gaming shortcomings. Test your favorite games’ compatibility before upgrading, and explore our GPU benchmark hub for real-world data.