As an experienced PC builder and technology expert, I‘ve seen my fair share of graphics cards come and go over the years. One GPU that continues to linger as a budget option in some circles is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050, despite launching all the way back in 2016. While the GTX 1050 was a decent entry-level card for 1080p gaming at its debut, time has not been kind to it. Here in 2024, I strongly recommend avoiding this aging GPU for several key reasons, most notably its paltry amount of video memory (VRAM).
VRAM Capacity
The GTX 1050‘s most glaring weakness is its insufficient VRAM capacity. Models came with either 2GB or 4GB of memory, which was passable at launch but now falls woefully short of today‘s gaming requirements. Modern titles at 1080p resolution with high-quality textures can easily exceed 4GB VRAM usage, causing negative performance impacts like stuttering and hitching. Jarrod‘s Tech found that even going from 3GB to 4GB VRAM can provide up to a 25% FPS boost in memory-hungry games.
Here are some 2022 game VRAM requirements according to their developers:
| Game | 1080p | 1440p | 4K |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elden Ring | 12GB | 16GB | 16GB |
| Dying Light 2 | 8GB | 12GB | 16GB |
| Far Cry 6 | 8GB | 16GB | 16GB |
| God of War | 8GB | 8GB | 8GB |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 8GB | 12GB | 12GB |
Source: Game Debate, Individual game system requirements
Even at 1080p, a 4GB GTX 1050 meets only the minimum VRAM specs for those games. It‘s not even in the same ballpark as the recommendations. 2GB models wouldn‘t even scrape by at minimum settings without constantly maxing out the framebuffer. VRAM acts as a fast local cache of game assets like textures, models and shaders. When it runs out, data has to stream in from much slower system memory or storage, slowing down performance. The GTX 1050 simply doesn‘t have the memory headroom for visually complex modern titles.
GDDR5 vs GDDR6 Memory
Another drawback is that the GTX 1050 uses older, slower GDDR5 memory compared to the GDDR6 VRAM found on any newer GPU. Anandtech explains how GDDR6 not only provides higher memory bandwidth (up to 448 GB/s for the GTX 1660), but also does so with lower power consumption than the previous generation. In contrast, even the 4GB GTX 1050‘s 128-bit bus can only deliver 112GB/s of bandwidth, limiting asset streaming.
Consider how a more recent entry-level GPU like the GTX 1650 Super offers a sizable upgrade:
| Spec | GTX 1050 | GTX 1650 Super |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 2GB / 4GB | 4GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| Memory Bandwidth | 112 GB/s | 192 GB/s |
| Gaming Performance | 100% | 171% |
Relative performance based on Tech Power Up‘s 10-game average at 1080p
That‘s a whopping 70% effective speed increase, thanks largely to the faster GDDR6 VRAM and improved memory compression. Newer GPU architectures are also optimized to make the most of limited memory capacities.
Pascal Architecture Limitations
The GTX 1050 family is based on NVIDIA‘s Pascal architecture, which debuted in 2016. While revolutionary at the time, it has since been superseded by Turing in 2018 and the latest Ampere design powering the RTX 30 series. Real-world benchmarks from Hardware Unboxed show just how large the generational leaps in performance have been since Pascal:
| Game | GTX 1050 Ti | GTX 1650 Super | RTX 3050 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Borderlands 3 | 39 fps | 74 fps | 76 fps |
| Horizon Zero Dawn | 45 fps | 72 fps | 76 fps |
| Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla | 33 fps | 54 fps | 59 fps |
Average FPS at 1080p Medium settings
Even the lowest-end Ampere card offers over double the framerates of the GTX 1050 Ti (the full-fat model), let alone the weaker non-Ti variant. That architectural difference is staggering and really puts into perspective how outdated Pascal is for modern gaming.
Pascal also lacks hardware features introduced in later NVIDIA architectures. Chief among these are dedicated cores for ray tracing and DLSS AI upscaling, both of which can dramatically improve visuals and performance. The GTX 1650 Super, despite also lacking RT and Tensor cores, still lays waste to the 1050 thanks to Turing‘s rasterization enhancements and a much faster memory subsystem.
Thermal and Power Concerns
Another mark against the GTX 1050 is that it tends to run quite hot and loud under load. This is partially due to the GPU‘s 14nm manufacturing process, which is larger and less efficient than the 12nm+ used for Turing cards like the 1650 Super. More heat means higher fan speeds are required to cool the chip.
The reference model‘s relatively small heatsink and single-fan design doesn‘t do it any favors either. Many partner models use similar basic cooling solutions that struggle to tame the card‘s 75W TDP. Some variants omit a dedicated heatsink entirely, which can lead to severe thermal throttling over time.
In contrast, Tom‘s Hardware found that the GTX 1650 Super produces significantly lower noise levels across all load scenarios. It also achieves an impressive 120W overclock with partner card cooling designs, something the GTX 1050 can only dream of. Those extra margins add up to better real-world performance.
Limited Display Options
Display output options on the GTX 1050 are also pretty sparse:
- 1x HDMI 2.0
- 1x DisplayPort 1.4a
- 1x DVI-D
No VirtualLink for VR here, just the basics. It does get some points for being compact and not needing external power inputs, but the same is true of modern low-profile cards like the 1650. PCIe slot power alone really isn‘t a selling point anymore.
Lackluster Gaming Performance
All of these compromises add up to an extremely underwhelming gaming experience on the GTX 1050 by 2023 standards. It‘s realistically limited to 1080p medium or high settings at 30-60 fps in most games from the past few years. And that‘s being generous. Anything graphically demanding like Cyberpunk 2077 or Control runs more like a slideshow than a playable game.
| Game | GTX 1050 | GTX 1650 Super | RX 570 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla | 33 | 54 | 58 |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 27 | 37 | 36 |
| Doom Eternal | 45 | 94 | 85 |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 34 | 57 | 56 |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 44 | 74 | 70 |
FPS at 1080p Medium settings. Sources: Techspot, Techspot, Techspot
Getting close to 60 fps is a real struggle for the GTX 1050, even on reduced settings. Meanwhile, the 1650 Super and old reliable RX 570 pull over 70-80fps in less demanding titles. At a system level, we‘re looking at 20-30% CPU bottlenecks with the GTX 1050, compared to single digits for the 1650 Super. There‘s simply no comparison.
Now let‘s put all those numbers and analysis into context. Here‘s the reality of trying to game on a GTX 1050 in 2024:
- You‘ll be stuck at 1080p with most settings turned down on newer games
- High quality textures and effects will constantly max out the limited VRAM
- Forget about ray tracing or DLSS upscaling, Pascal doesn‘t support them
- Performance will stutter and hitch as game assets swap in and out of memory
- The card will run hot and loud trying to maintain even 30-60fps
- Lack of modern display outputs limits functionality outside gaming as well
- No support for Turing‘s architectural improvements or faster GDDR6 memory
In short, it‘s a compromised experience across the board. You‘ll have to make major sacrifices in visual quality just to eke out semi-playable framerates. Settings like texture quality and draw distance will be very visibly impacted compared to having extra VRAM breathing room. It‘s not a pretty sight.
Alternative Recommendations
When you consider the bigger picture, it‘s hard to justify buying a GTX 1050 at its current prices. Even the slowest modern cards around the $150 mark thoroughly trounce it. I strongly recommend saving up an extra $50 or so for at least a GTX 1650 Super instead. It‘s more than worth the extra cost for the massive gains in performance, efficiency, and overall gaming experience. And unlike the GTX 1050, it actually has a viable upgrade path.
Specific models to consider:
- ASUS TUF Gaming GTX 1650 Super ($170)
- MSI GeForce GTX 1650 Super Gaming X ($180)
- GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1650 Super Windforce OC ($160)
- Sapphire Pulse RX 570 4GB ($140)
- MSI Radeon RX 570 Armor 8G OC ($160)
Pricing as of September 2023
If your budget is extremely tight, consider looking for a used RX 570 or 580 instead. Those have aged much more gracefully thanks to their ample 4-8GB VRAM buffers. But if you‘re buying new, there is simply no reason to get a GTX 1050 in 2024. Treat yourself to a better GPU that will provide a much more enjoyable gaming experience today and for years to come. You won‘t regret it.
