NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti vs NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 A Mobile Comparison

The RTX 3050 A Mobile and GTX 650 Ti are separated by over a decade of GPU architecture, and the benchmark data reflects that chasm clearly. The RTX 3050 A Mobile delivers a level of compute performance that the older Kepler-based card cannot approach, making this comparison less about competition and more about illustrating generational progress. The data shows a single head-to-head benchmark, and it is a decisive victory for the newer mobile part.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only shared benchmark between the two GPUs is the Geekbench OpenCL test, and the result is stark. The RTX 3050 A Mobile scores 52,998 points, while the GTX 650 Ti manages only 7,877 points. This represents a delta of 572.8%, meaning the Ampere-based mobile GPU delivers over six times the raw compute throughput of the Kepler-based desktop card. This is not a marginal improvement; it is a generational leap in processing power that dwarfs any architectural refinement seen between similar-tier cards of the past.

Looking at the broader context, the RTX 3050 A Mobile's average benchmark score is 8,746, placing it in the 44th percentile of all GPUs. Its closest rivals, according to the data, are the GTX 460 v2 (average score 8,743, delta 0%), the Quadro P2200 (8,686, delta 0.7%), and the Radeon R9 M265X (8,851, delta -1.2%). This suggests that while its OpenCL performance is exceptional, its overall benchmark average is more modest, likely due to the limited dataset available for a mobile part. The GTX 650 Ti, conversely, has an average score of 8,053, placing it in the 42nd percentile. Its nearest rivals include the GTX 650 Ti Boost (8,067, delta -0.2%) and the GTX 880M (8,040, delta 0.2%), showing it is firmly in the mid-range of its era.

The delta between the two cards in the OpenCL test is so large that it eclipses any other comparison. In this specific workload, the RTX 3050 A Mobile is not just faster; it is in a different performance class entirely. The GTX 650 Ti's best performance, as indicated by its Geekbench Vulkan score of 8,229, is still far below the RTX 3050 A Mobile's OpenCL result. It is worth remembering the RTX 3050 A Mobile has no Vulkan benchmark score in the data, so a direct comparison in that API is not possible. However, given the massive OpenCL gap, it is reasonable to infer that the newer architecture holds a significant advantage across compute-heavy applications.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental divide between these two GPUs lies in their architecture, process node, and feature set. The RTX 3050 A Mobile is built on the Ampere architecture using an 8 nm process at Samsung, while the GTX 650 Ti uses the older Kepler architecture on a 28 nm process at TSMC. This process shrink allows the RTX 3050 A Mobile to pack 12,000 million transistors into a 276 mm² die, resulting in a transistor density of 43.5M per mm². The GTX 650 Ti, in contrast, has only 2,540 million transistors on a 221 mm² die, yielding a density of 11.5M per mm². This is a fourfold increase in density, which directly translates to more cores and features.

The core configuration tells the story of a different era. The RTX 3050 A Mobile has 1,792 shading units, 56 texture mapping units, and 32 ROPs. It also features 14 RT cores and 56 tensor cores, which are dedicated hardware for ray tracing and AI workloads. The GTX 650 Ti has 768 shading units, 64 TMUs, and only 16 ROPs. It lacks RT and tensor cores entirely, meaning it cannot accelerate ray tracing or DLSS-type tasks in hardware. The RTX 3050 A Mobile also has a higher pixel rate (42.98 GPixel/s vs 14.85 GPixel/s) and a higher texture rate (75.21 GTexel/s vs 59.39 GTexel/s), indicating better fill-rate performance.

Memory is another major differentiator. The RTX 3050 A Mobile comes with 4 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, delivering 192.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The GTX 650 Ti uses 1024 MB of GDDR5 on the same 128-bit bus, but only achieves 86.40 GB/s. That is more than double the bandwidth for the newer card. The RTX 3050 A Mobile also supports PCIe 4.0 x8, while the GTX 650 Ti uses PCIe 3.0 x16, though the practical impact for most workloads is limited by the GPU's own capabilities rather than the bus. The feature set is also a reflection of their respective generations: the RTX 3050 A Mobile supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2) and Vulkan 1.4, while the GTX 650 Ti only reaches DirectX 12 (11_0) and Vulkan 1.2.175.

The Verdict

From the data, there is only one sensible choice for any modern workload: the RTX 3050 A Mobile. It wins the sole head-to-head benchmark by a margin of 572.8%, offers four times the memory, double the memory bandwidth, and supports modern API features like ray tracing and DirectX 12 Ultimate. The GTX 650 Ti is a product of its time, and while it was once a capable mid-range card, its 768 shading units and 1 GB of VRAM are simply insufficient for contemporary applications.

The GTX 650 Ti does have one advantage: its launch MSRP of 149 USD. However, that price point is historical and does not reflect current market availability. The RTX 3050 A Mobile has no launch MSRP listed, and it is an end-of-life mobile part, meaning it is typically found inside pre-built laptops rather than sold as a standalone component. For a builder or buyer, the RTX 3050 A Mobile is the only viable option if performance and feature support are the criteria. The GTX 650 Ti should only be considered for retro builds or legacy systems where its specific display outputs (2x DVI and 1x mini-HDMI) are required.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU is faster in the Geekbench OpenCL test?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 A Mobile scores 52,998, while the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti scores 7,877, giving the RTX 3050 A Mobile a 572.8% advantage.

Q: Does the GTX 650 Ti support ray tracing?

A: No. The GTX 650 Ti has no RT cores, while the RTX 3050 A Mobile has 14 RT cores for hardware-accelerated ray tracing.

Q: What is the memory capacity difference?

A: The RTX 3050 A Mobile has 4 GB of GDDR6, whereas the GTX 650 Ti has 1024 MB of GDDR5.

Q: Which card has a higher memory bandwidth?

A: The RTX 3050 A Mobile has 192.0 GB/s, which is more than double the 86.40 GB/s of the GTX 650 Ti.

Q: What is the process node for each GPU?

A: The RTX 3050 A Mobile is fabricated on an 8 nm process by Samsung, and the GTX 650 Ti is fabricated on a 28 nm process by TSMC.

Q: Are both cards end-of-life?

A: Yes, both the RTX 3050 A Mobile and the GTX 650 Ti are listed with a production status of "End-of-life."

Where Each One Wins

The RTX 3050 A Mobile wins in every measurable category from the data. Its 1,792 shading units and 56 tensor cores make it suitable for compute-heavy tasks, AI inference, and modern game engines that leverage DirectX 12 Ultimate features. Its 4 GB VRAM and 192.0 GB/s bandwidth allow it to handle higher-resolution textures and more complex scenes than the GTX 650 Ti. The presence of RT cores means it can render ray-traced effects, which are becoming more common in AAA titles.

The GTX 650 Ti wins only in the field of legacy compatibility and power requirements. It is a single-slot card with a 145 mm length and uses a 1x 6-pin power connector, making it easy to install in older or compact desktops. Its 110 W TDP is higher than the RTX 3050 A Mobile's 45 W, but that is because the mobile part is designed for laptops. The GTX 650 Ti's DirectX 12 (11_0) support is sufficient for older games, and its 1024 MB VRAM is appropriate for 720p or low-settings 1080p gaming from its era. For a pure retro build, the GTX 650 Ti's DVI and mini-HDMI outputs are a match for older monitors.

Specification Differences

• Architecture: Ampere (RTX 3050 A Mobile) vs Kepler (GTX 650 Ti).
• Process Node: 8 nm Samsung vs 28 nm TSMC.
• Transistors: 12,000 million vs 2,540 million.
• Die Size: 276 mm² vs 221 mm².
• Memory Size: 4 GB GDDR6 vs 1024 MB GDDR5.
• Memory Bandwidth: 192.0 GB/s vs 86.40 GB/s.
• Shading Units: 1,792 vs 768.
• TMUs: 56 vs 64.
• ROPs: 32 vs 16.
• RT Cores: 14 vs none.
• Tensor Cores: 56 vs none.
• FP32 Performance: 4.813 TFLOPS vs 1,425.4 GFLOPS.
• TDP: 45 W vs 110 W.
• Slot Width: IGP vs Single-slot.
• Power Connectors: None vs 1x 6-pin.
• Bus Interface: PCIe 4.0 x8 vs PCIe 3.0 x16.
• DirectX Support: 12 Ultimate (12_2) vs 12 (11_0).
• Vulkan Support: 1.4 vs 1.2.175.
• Release Date: 2023-12-31 vs 2012-10-08.