NVIDIA May Be Developing a New GeForce RTX 3050 Variant as GPU-Z Adds Support for Ada-Based RTX 3050 GPU

The entry-level Ampere GPU may see a revival with the introduction of a newer chip variant, but performance improvements should be minimal due to the nature of this cut-down GPU.

GPU-Z Version 2.67.0 Adds Support for RTX 3050 “A”with AD106-A Die: A Potential Refresh for Laptop and Desktop Gaming

NVIDIA’s practice of integrating different GPU chips into existing graphics cards is not unheard of, yet it remains a rarity for GPUs to be updated with newer dies after several years on the market. The GeForce RTX 3050, which debuted for laptops in 2021 and for desktops in 2022, is now anticipated to receive an updated model featuring the advanced “Ada Lovelace”architecture. While the original desktop version was powered by the Ampere-based GA106 die and the laptop variant utilized the GA107, the new iteration will incorporate the AD106 die.

In the latest release of GPU-Z, version 2.67.0, TechPowerUp has included references to the new GeForce RTX 3050 “A”.This designation indicates that the updated variant differs from its Ampere predecessors. Although NVIDIA confirmed the existence of the RTX 3050 “A”last year, it was initially only stated for mobile setups. The latest specs reveal that this trimmed-down version will feature 1792 CUDA cores, significantly fewer than the 2048 cores available on the original Ampere-based RTX 3050 mobile GPU.

Change-log with new driver updates for NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, and other systems. — GPU-Z release notes for version 2.67.0

While there are reductions in several specifications, the memory configuration remains unchanged. TechPowerUp’s GPU-Z version now lists the RTX 3050 “A”without any mention of “mobile, ”suggesting a potential desktop variant. Previous GPU-Z iterations did not differentiate between the mobile and desktop versions of this GPU, indicating that this recent update could mean a desktop release is forthcoming. It is likely that NVIDIA aims to utilize its surplus Ada silicon for this entry-level GPU.

The expected desktop version of the RTX 3050 “A”will feature the AD106 chip and will likely mirror the cut-down core configuration of its laptop counterpart. Specifications are anticipated to include 8 GB of GDDR6 memory, a 128-bit memory bus, and a thermal design power (TDP) in the range of 100-150W. NVIDIA seems focused on reaching performance metrics consistent with the existing Ampere-based RTX 3050 while adjusting specs as necessary. It’s also plausible that users may experience minor performance enhancements, akin to those observed in the RTX 3050 “A”mobile benchmarks. Importantly, the new naming convention will enable consumers to easily differentiate between Ampere and Ada-based RTX 3050 models.

For further details, check the source: TechPowerUp.

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