The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050 has been released without much fanfare, leaving gamers wondering how it will perform in the latest titles. In this review, we put the MSI Shadow 2X GeForce RTX 5050 through its paces to find out if it’s worth considering.
Our test rig recognized the card immediately after installation, and we were pleased with its compact size and lightweight build. The dual fan cooler and plastic backplate keep temperatures in check, while the single 8-pin PCIe power connector makes for easy installation.
The RTX 5050 features Nvidia’s smaller Blackwell GB207 GPU die, which packs 16.9 billion transistors within a 149mm² area. It also boasts 8GB of GDDR6 memory clocked to deliver 320GB/s of bandwidth. However, this comes at the cost of 33% fewer CUDA cores compared to its higher-end Blackwell siblings.
Gaming performance is where the RTX 5050 shines, delivering around 50fps in Marvel Rivals and 70fps in Star Wars Jedi Survivor. However, these numbers are not significantly better than those from previous-generation cards like the RX 9060 XT 8GB or even an older ARC B580. In contrast, the RTX 3060 outperforms it.
In terms of power draw, the card is surprisingly efficient, consuming only 131W under combined GPU+CPU load during a one-hour F1 25 loop. The fans ramp up to 1900 RPM at around 38dB of noise, making it slightly less than ideal for quiet rooms.
When compared to other options in the same price range, we found that the RTX 5050 offers relatively poor value. It costs more per frame than a 9060 XT 8GB or even an older RX 7600, and its performance at 1440p is significantly lower.
Our recommendation for this budget GPU is to look elsewhere unless you find it on sale for around $200. For just $50 more, the RTX 5060 or RX 9060 XT 8GB will deliver smoother frame rates and better long-term value.
In summary, while the MSI Shadow 2X GeForce RTX 5050 has its strengths, such as low power draw and efficient cooling, its performance and price positioning make it hard to justify when better options are available for just a bit more money.
Source: https://www.noobfeed.com/articles/msi-shadow-2x-geforce-rtx-5050-review-budget-gpu