The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti is a popular budget graphics card that has been a favorite among gamers and PC enthusiasts since its release in 2016. With its affordable price point and impressive performance, it’s no wonder why many people consider it a great option for those looking to upgrade their gaming rig without breaking the bank. But is the GTX 1050 Ti really good? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at its features, performance, and value to help you decide.
What is the GTX 1050 Ti?
The GTX 1050 Ti is a mid-range graphics card that is part of NVIDIA’s 10-series lineup. It’s based on the Pascal architecture, which was a significant improvement over the previous Maxwell architecture. The GTX 1050 Ti is designed to provide a balance between performance and power efficiency, making it a great option for those who want to play games at high settings without consuming too much power.
Key Features of the GTX 1050 Ti
Here are some of the key features of the GTX 1050 Ti:
- GP106 GPU: The GTX 1050 Ti is based on the GP106 GPU, which is a 16nm FinFET process. This provides a significant boost in performance and power efficiency compared to the previous generation.
- 768 CUDA Cores: The GTX 1050 Ti has 768 CUDA cores, which is a significant increase over the non-Ti version. This provides a boost in performance and allows for smoother gameplay.
- 4GB GDDR5 Memory: The GTX 1050 Ti comes with 4GB of GDDR5 memory, which is plenty for most modern games. The memory bandwidth is 128 GB/s, which is relatively fast for a budget GPU.
- 128-bit Memory Bus: The GTX 1050 Ti has a 128-bit memory bus, which is relatively narrow compared to more expensive GPUs. However, this is still plenty for most modern games.
- Support for DirectX 12 and Vulkan: The GTX 1050 Ti supports DirectX 12 and Vulkan, which are the latest graphics APIs. This provides a boost in performance and allows for more efficient rendering.
Performance of the GTX 1050 Ti
So, how does the GTX 1050 Ti perform in games? The answer is surprisingly well. The GTX 1050 Ti is capable of playing most modern games at high settings, including popular titles like Fortnite, League of Legends, and Overwatch.
Here are some benchmarks to give you an idea of the GTX 1050 Ti’s performance:
| Game | Resolution | Frames Per Second (FPS) |
| — | — | — |
| Fortnite | 1080p | 60-80 FPS |
| League of Legends | 1080p | 80-100 FPS |
| Overwatch | 1080p | 60-80 FPS |
| PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) | 1080p | 40-60 FPS |
| The Witcher 3 | 1080p | 40-60 FPS |
As you can see, the GTX 1050 Ti is capable of playing most modern games at high settings, but it may struggle with more demanding titles like The Witcher 3.
Comparison to Other GPUs
So, how does the GTX 1050 Ti compare to other GPUs in its class? The answer is that it’s a strong competitor. The GTX 1050 Ti is generally faster than the AMD Radeon RX 460, which is its main competitor.
Here’s a comparison of the GTX 1050 Ti to other GPUs in its class:
| GPU | Performance (Relative to GTX 1050 Ti) |
| — | — |
| AMD Radeon RX 460 | 10-20% slower |
| NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 | 10-20% slower |
| AMD Radeon RX 560 | 10-20% faster |
As you can see, the GTX 1050 Ti is a strong competitor in its class, but it may be outperformed by more expensive GPUs like the RX 560.
Value of the GTX 1050 Ti
So, is the GTX 1050 Ti a good value? The answer is yes. The GTX 1050 Ti is generally priced around $150-$200, which is a great price for a GPU that can play most modern games at high settings.
Here are some pros and cons to consider:
- Pros:
- Affordable price point
- Good performance for 1080p gaming
- Low power consumption
- Supports DirectX 12 and Vulkan
- Cons:
- May struggle with more demanding titles
- Limited VRAM (4GB)
- Narrow memory bus (128-bit)
Overall, the GTX 1050 Ti is a great value for those who want to play games at high settings without breaking the bank.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the GTX 1050 Ti is a great budget GPU that offers good performance for 1080p gaming. While it may struggle with more demanding titles, it’s a great option for those who want to play games at high settings without consuming too much power. With its affordable price point and good performance, the GTX 1050 Ti is a great value for those who want to upgrade their gaming rig without breaking the bank.
If you’re looking for a budget GPU that can play most modern games at high settings, the GTX 1050 Ti is definitely worth considering. However, if you’re looking for a GPU that can handle more demanding titles or 4K gaming, you may want to consider a more expensive option.
Is the GTX 1050 Ti still a good graphics card in 2023?
The GTX 1050 Ti is an older graphics card, but it can still be a good option for those on a tight budget or with lower system specifications. However, its performance may not be on par with newer, more powerful graphics cards. If you’re looking to play modern games at high resolutions and frame rates, you may want to consider a more recent model. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option for general use, such as browsing the web, streaming videos, or playing older games, the GTX 1050 Ti can still be a viable choice.
It’s essential to consider your specific needs and the system you plan to use the GTX 1050 Ti with. If you have a lower-powered CPU or limited RAM, the GTX 1050 Ti may be a good match. However, if you have a more powerful system, you may want to consider a more powerful graphics card to take full advantage of your system’s capabilities.
How does the GTX 1050 Ti compare to the GTX 1650?
The GTX 1650 is a more recent graphics card from NVIDIA, and it offers several improvements over the GTX 1050 Ti. The GTX 1650 has more CUDA cores, higher clock speeds, and faster memory, resulting in better performance in modern games and applications. Additionally, the GTX 1650 supports newer technologies such as DirectX 12 and Vulkan, which can provide improved performance and compatibility with newer games.
However, the GTX 1650 is generally more expensive than the GTX 1050 Ti, especially when considering the cost per frame. If you’re on a very tight budget, the GTX 1050 Ti may still be a good option. But if you’re willing to spend a bit more, the GTX 1650 is likely a better choice for its improved performance and features.
Can the GTX 1050 Ti handle 4K resolution?
The GTX 1050 Ti is not well-suited for 4K resolution (3840 x 2160) gaming. While it can technically handle 4K, the performance will likely be poor, with low frame rates and potential stuttering. This is because the GTX 1050 Ti lacks the necessary CUDA cores, memory, and bandwidth to handle the demands of 4K gaming.
If you want to play games at 4K resolution, you’ll likely need a more powerful graphics card, such as the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 or AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT. These cards have more advanced architectures, higher clock speeds, and faster memory, making them better suited for 4K gaming.
Is the GTX 1050 Ti good for gaming at 1080p?
The GTX 1050 Ti can be a good option for gaming at 1080p (1920 x 1080) resolution, depending on the specific games you want to play. For less demanding games, such as esports titles, indie games, or older AAA games, the GTX 1050 Ti can provide smooth performance at high frame rates. However, for more demanding games, such as modern AAA titles, you may need to reduce graphics settings or resolution to achieve acceptable performance.
It’s essential to research the specific system requirements for the games you want to play and compare them to the GTX 1050 Ti’s specifications. You can also check online benchmarks and reviews to get a better idea of the GTX 1050 Ti’s performance in your desired games.
How does the GTX 1050 Ti compare to AMD’s Radeon RX 560?
The AMD Radeon RX 560 is a competitor to the GTX 1050 Ti, and it offers similar performance at a similar price point. The RX 560 has more stream processors and higher clock speeds than the GTX 1050 Ti, but it also consumes more power. In terms of performance, the two cards are generally evenly matched, with the GTX 1050 Ti performing better in some games and the RX 560 performing better in others.
Ultimately, the choice between the GTX 1050 Ti and RX 560 will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you’re already invested in the NVIDIA ecosystem and prefer their software and features, the GTX 1050 Ti may be a better choice. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more affordable option with similar performance, the RX 560 may be worth considering.
Can the GTX 1050 Ti handle ray tracing and AI-enhanced graphics?
The GTX 1050 Ti does not support real-time ray tracing or AI-enhanced graphics, as it lacks the necessary hardware and software features. Ray tracing and AI-enhanced graphics require more advanced architectures, such as NVIDIA’s Turing or Ampere architectures, which are found in more recent graphics cards.
If you want to take advantage of ray tracing and AI-enhanced graphics, you’ll need a more recent graphics card, such as the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT. These cards have the necessary hardware and software features to support these advanced technologies.
Is the GTX 1050 Ti still worth buying in 2023?
The GTX 1050 Ti can still be a good option for those on a very tight budget or with lower system specifications. However, its performance may not be on par with newer, more powerful graphics cards. If you’re looking to play modern games at high resolutions and frame rates, you may want to consider a more recent model.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option for general use, such as browsing the web, streaming videos, or playing older games, the GTX 1050 Ti can still be a viable choice. Be sure to research the specific system requirements for your desired applications and compare them to the GTX 1050 Ti’s specifications to ensure it meets your needs.