Despite component shortages and logistics frustrations keeping Nvidia’s30 Series graphics cardsin short supply, the GPU manufacturer continues moving forward with new and improved products. 2022 is looking strong, with leaked info hinting at releases for the 40 Series GPUs, as well as iterations on the 3070, 3080, and 3090. A very recent leak also points to a new card, theNvidia RTX 3050, which could be built to compete with new offerings from both AMD and Intel.
The leak comes from VideoCardz.com, following up on prior rumors regarding the RTX 3050. Prior rumors hinted thatNvidiacould be working on both a 3050 and a 3050 Ti, but that the cards were shelved as focus shifted toward Nvidia’s current line-up of 30 Series graphics cards. A new source not only says that the 3050 is back on Nvidia’s roadmap, but that it’s tentatively arriving in Q2 2022.
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The RTX 3050 is said to feature the “GA106-150” GPU, which is described as offering performance between the currently available GTX 1660 Super and the upcomingRTX 2060 12GB. The GTX 1660 Super notably launched at a price of $229, while the rumored price of the RTX 2060 12GB is $300. Suffice to say, the leak frames the RTX 3050 as priced for entry-level gaming PC builds. It’s a 30 Series graphics card, supporting ray-tracing and Nvidia DLSS, but at an affordable price.
Nvidia has, up to this point, had no real reason to release an RTX 3050. It’s using all of its silicon to sell expensive RTX 3070, 3080, and 3090 cards and is making much more money on them than it would an RTX 3050. However, things have changed. NowAMD seems primed to release its 6500XTin the first months of 2022. And perhaps more importantly, Intel will be joining the gaming GPU market with its own low-end Arc A128 GPU in the first half of 2022, as well.
With competition suddenly showing itself, Nvidia appears primed to finally enter this price range with a proper RTX 30 Series graphics card. It’s certain to be in limited supply, so Nvidia can focus on higher-end cards while also dealing with the component shortage. But it’s also probably going to have impressive performance compared to AMD and Intel’s offerings, even ifIntel’s Arcs are “easier to get hold of.”
The first half of 2022 is going to be interesting for PC gamers. Competition at price points below $300 may not stand out tohigh-end PC gamers, but it’s likely just the first battle in what will build to be a much bigger and exciting war through to the end of 2022. Expect more information aboutNvidia’s RTX 3050and other graphics cards in the months to come.
