User Upgrades GeForce RTX 5050 Graphics Card to RTX 5050 “Ti”; Sets New World Records

Modifying the GeForce RTX 5050 can yield performance improvements that bring it tantalizingly close to that of the RTX 5060. Enthusiasts are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with their hardware through unconventional methods, though it’s important to note that these modifications can void any existing warranties.

Transforming the RTX 5050: Cooler Replacement and BIOS Flashing

The potential of the GeForce RTX 5050 is considerably enhanced through meticulous modding, as showcased by the dedicated user TrashBench. In a recent video, he illustrated how strategic modifications can elevate performance close to that of the more powerful RTX 5060. Although it may not officially carry the RTX 5060 badge, the modified version has been cleverly dubbed the RTX 5050 “Ti”.

A person holds two graphics cards, one labeled GIGABYTE, while standing in a room with shelves of computer hardware. — Credits: TrashBench

The transformation began by swapping out the original, smaller cooler of the RTX 5050 for the larger heatsink from the RTX 5060. This task required some intricate drilling to ensure compatibility with the existing PCB, but the results justified the effort. To further optimize cooling efficiency, TrashBench added GAMDIAS fans to the heatsink. Additionally, he utilized the NVFLASH program to flash the BIOS, which unleashed the full potential of the GPU—at the expense of warranty coverage, of course.

Hand holding unbranded GPU cooler on a cluttered workbench near a Stomping Ground IPA can. — Credits: TrashBench

The results were impressive. Originally, the RTX 5050 lagged 33% behind the RTX 5060 in performance benchmarks. However, after the modifications, the GPU gained a remarkable 16% uplift in performance, significantly narrowing the gap. The newly dubbed RTX 5050 Ti achieved a core clock speed of 3.3 GHz, which is about 500 MHz above the stock RTX 5050. Additionally, the power limit increased from 120W to 140W, allowing the GPU to maintain significantly cooler temperatures—70°C in its original form compared to 40°C after the upgrade.

5050/Franken5050 vs 5060 benchmark graph showing FPS for games Far Cry 6, Hitman 3, SOTTR, Valhalla, Time Spy at 1080p, no upscaling.

Bar chart titled Franken5050 comparing stock vs 5060 cooler showing core clock, power, load temp, labeled 5050 Stock and 5050 w/ 5060 Cooler.

The modified RTX 5050 delivered remarkable scores in various 3DMark tests, leading the pack in Time Spy Graphics with a score of 11, 715 points, and achieving 2, 703 points in Steel Nomad, marking it as the highest score globally. It also excelled in the Port Royal benchmark, surpassing 7, 000 points for the first time.

3DMark Port Royal benchmark scores for NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 are listed, highlighting CPUs and user-supplied rankings.

Best 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 scores with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050, featuring Intel Core i9 14900K, lead with an overall score of 2703.

While these performance improvements make the RTX 5050 a more attractive option, it’s vital to consider it still ranks as the least powerful model in the RTX 50 lineup. For many, spending an additional $50 on the GeForce RTX 5060, which offers a 14-15% performance enhancement out of the box, may be a more prudent investment. However, for those adventurous enough to undertake such modifications, the performance gap can be greatly diminished.

Source & Images