Zotac RTX 3050 Twin Edge 8GB Review

Nvidia has finally unleashed their latest graphics cards, the RTX 3050 series! These are the new entry-level model of the RTX series, but also the first time ray-tracing has been available on an xx50 series card too, which also means DLSS, Reflex and other Nvidia technologies are present too. While we've got a few of these cards on the test bench, this review is all about the latest Zotac RTX 3050 Twin Edge. While it's closer to a reference model both in specification and price, it does feature a larger dual-fan IceStorm 2.0 cooling system. It's wider, has larger fans, and has a new 11-blade fan design that is sure to give it a performance edge. Furthermore, it has been one week since AMD hit the market with the Radeon RX 6500 XT series of cards. While AMD went with 4GB of memory, the new Nvidia cards feature 8GB of VRAM. This should mean better performance, but at the same time, a higher price tag too. Zotac RTX 3050 Twin Edge Zotac has stuck fairly close to the reference design, but with the larger cooler, improved power delivery, and a backplate that allows airflow to pass through the back of the card, the performance should be pretty decent. It's designed to sit a little wider, but it's still one of the shorter cards in this launch, so it should be suitable for many smaller builds too. It also benefits from their latest software suite, which will allow you to overclock the card to get the best performance possible, or just to tinker with the fan curves to keep things in order. Personally, I'm most interested in the addition of ray tracing and DLSS and more so, how well those features performance on an entry-level GPU! Features Nvidia Ampere Streaming Multiprocessors2nd Generation RT Cores3rd Generation Tensor CoresPowered by GeForce RTX™ 3050Integrated with 8GB GDDR6 128-bit memory interfaceIceStorm 2.0 For in-depth features and specifications, please check out the official Zotac RTX 3050 Twin Edge product page here. GeForce RTX 3050 "The GeForce RTX 3050 brings the performance and efficiency of the NVIDIA Ampere architecture to more gamers than ever before. Equipped with 2nd generation RT Cores for ray tracing, and 3rd generation Tensor cores for DLSS and AI, the RTX 3050 doesn’t just stop at great performance with ray tracing and DLSS, it also delivers rich features including NVIDIA Reflex, NVIDIA Image Scaling, NVIDIA Encoder, and the NVIDIA Broadcast app. The RTX 3050 is the first desktop RTX GPU in its class, making ray tracing and DLSS more accessible than ever." - Nvidia A Closer Look Zotac has gone for a very menacing look for their new RTX 3050 graphics card, with all black hardware and just some subtle silver detailing for the logos on the fans. Actually, it reminds me of the new EVGA 3050 too, which uses a similar oversized dual fan configuration and all black hardware. However, the more angular design and slightly open fan edges of the Zotac looks a little cooler to me. Check out the EVGA one here, what do you think? The new 11-blade fan design does look stunning though, and because the fans cover almost all of the graphics card, they're going to provide incredibly even cooling performance, as well as bigger airflow even at lower RPM. Around the back of the card, there's a full cover backplate, which just keeps things looking smart, but also protects the PCB too. Zotac has again kept things pretty muted, with a mixture of dark grey and black only being spoilt by the sticker they've placed there telling us not to sell it. There's some ventilation too, allowing some airflow to escape through the back of the card. IT uses a two slot design, and doesn't really sit too wide either, despite those massive fans, so case compatibility should be pretty excellent. Also, unlike the new AMD GPUs which features two display outputs, you get four here, with an HDMI and three DisplayPorts for you to play around with. Finally, you'll find the card draws additional power from a single 8-pin header, which is in line with all of the other RTX 3050 we've seen so far. How We Test We continue to update our testing methods around once per year. As such, we re-test older hardware to reflect changes over time. These can be driver updates, Windows updates, game patches, and more; all of which have an impact on performance figures. Furthermore, we update our test bench to newer and more relevant hardware. This means that our new reviews aren’t always comparable to those of older reviews, so please compare the testing methodology on older reviews should you be trying to compare them with newer ones. Replicate Our Results When it comes to our benchmarks in our reviews, the benchmarks are pretty self-explanatory and kept as simple as possible, although there are a few exceptions. Remember that your choice of a graphics card, CPU, the silicon lottery, and other factors can yield different numbers, and there’s always a margin for error when using any software. Links are provided below, as well as the settings we use. We encourage you to not just look at how one product compares to any other, but how it compares to your own. If you’re looking to build a new system, you should benchmark your current PC using the benchmarks available to you. You should then look at the percentage improvement from your current hardware to the hardware tested here to give you a ballpark figure of how much of an upgrade this will provide you with. Graphics Card Test System MotherboardASUS Crosshair VIII Dark Hero (Wi-Fi) BIOS 3904ProcessorAMD Ryzen 9 5900XRAM2x16GB Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 3600MHzCPU CoolerNoctua NH-D15SPower SupplyCorsair HX750StorageFirecuda 520 2TBChassisOpen BenchtableMonitorAOC G2868PQUOSWindows 10 Pro Build 19041 Additional Hardware Killawatt style electricity usage meter wall plugPrecision Gold N05CC Decibel meter Gaming To gauge performance levels which are easily reproduced time after time, by both ourselves and our readers, we now stick strictly to games default profiles. Given how powerful most modern cards are getting, we've began using more demanding profiles for most games, but will otherwise state on a per game basis if we use other profiles beyond High, Ultra, Maximum or their respective equivalent at all resolutions. V-Sync is always disabled in our testing, as are FreeSync and G-Sync technologies or similar. We also exclude brand exclusive texts in tests that compare AMD/Nvidia, such as DLSS only testing as that's a one sided battle. Graphics card power usage is set to optimised or balanced, and the system power mode is set to High Performance within Windows and the available GPU driver software. Identical settings are used for all resolutions unless otherwise stated. Games Assassin's Creed ValhallaBorderlands 3Dirt 5Forza Horizon 5GodfallHorizon Zero DawnMetro Exodus Enhanced EditionShadow of the Tomb RaiderWatch Dogs Legion Resolutions 1080p (Full HD)1440p (2K)2160p (4K)4320p (8K) Some tests will also include features such as Nvidia DLSS and Ray Tracing. However, these will be clearly labelled and may only appear in reviews for graphics cards that support those features. 8K testing will only appear in reviews of flagship cards that we consider capable. Software Used 3DMark Fire Strike (download)FireStrikeFireStrike UltraPort Royal DXRTimeSpyTimeSpy ExtremeHWMonitor (download)GPU-Z (download)MSI Afterburner (download) Noise Everyone has a reasonable noise level preference when it comes to components on a computer. Some can handle all fans at 100% load to keep temperatures down; some want an entirely silent computer. To accurately gauge the noise output of a graphics card, we position a Precision Gold N05CC one meter above our open-air test bench and take an average reading at idle and load. Power Consumption We take power readings during the idle state with no background applications running. Then again at 50% completion of the Unigine Superposition benchmark, using the average as the final published result. Temperatures We take temperature readings after 10 minutes of desktop idle with no background programs running, then take the recorded maximum delivered from Unigine Superposition after a 4K optimised run, confirming the numbers are accurate with HWMonitor. Furthermore, the ambient temperature is always kept +/- 1c from 21c. 3DMark Firestrike 3DMark tests your system's GPU and CPU performance by rendering extremely demanding game-like scenes in real-time. The faster the benchmark runs, the better your score. Now your quest begins. What can you do to get a better score? 3DMark is available on Steam here. 3DMark Firestrike Firestrike is a benchmark designed to test the DirectX 11 performance of a system, typically at 1920x1080 resolutions and is a good performance test for low-to-mid performance hardware. 3DMark Firestrike Ultra This is a much more demanding test that focuses on DirectX 11 performance at 4K resolution and is generally better suited to high-end hardware. 3DMark Timespy Time Spy is a DirectX 12 benchmark test for gaming PCs running Windows 10 and above only. With its pure DirectX 12 engine, built from the ground up to support the latest API features like asynchronous compute, explicit multi-adapter, and multi-threading, Time Spy is the ideal benchmark for testing the DirectX 12 performance of modern graphics cards and is typically a good benchmark for mid-to-high-end hardware. Furthermore, Timespy Extreme is designed for 4K performance testing. 3DMark is available on Steam here. 3DMark Timespy 3DMark Timespy Extreme 3DMark Port Royal 3DMark Port Royal 3DMark Port Royal is the world’s first real-time ray tracing benchmark for gamers. It shows you how well your PC handles ray tracing effects in real-time. Use Port Royal to benchmark graphics cards that support Microsoft DirectX Raytracing. 3DMark Port Royal was developed with input from AMD, Intel, NVIDIA, and other leading technology companies. 3DMark is available on Steam here. Unigine Superposition A lone professor performs dangerous experiments in an abandoned classroom, day in and day out. Obsessed with inventions and discoveries beyond the wildest dreams, he strives to prove his ideas. Once you come to this place in the early morning, you would not meet him there. The eerie thing is a loud bang from the laboratory heard a few moments ago. What was that? You have the only chance to cast some light upon this incident by going deeply into the matter of quantum theory: a thorough visual inspection of the professor's records and instruments will help to lift the veil on the mystery. Extreme performance and stability test for PC hardware: video card, power supply, cooling system. Check your rig in stock and overclocking modes with real-life load! Also includes an interactive experience in a beautiful, detailed environment. Superposition is available from Unigine here. Assassin's Creed Valhalla is a 2020 action role-playing video game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. It is the twelfth major instalment in the Assassin's Creed series and the successor to 2018's Assassin's Creed Odyssey. Principally set in the years 872–878 AD, the game recounts a fictional story during the Viking expansions into the British Isles. Players control Eivor Varinsdottir, a Viking raider who becomes embroiled in the centuries-old conflict between the Assassin Brotherhood, who fight for peace and liberty, and the Templar Order, who desire peace through control. The modern-day portion of the story is set in the 21st century and follows Layla Hassan, an Assassin who relives Eivor's memories so as to find a way to save the Earth from destruction. Available now on UPlay. Assassin's Creed Valhalla Performance The original shooter-looter returns, packing bazillions of guns and a mayhem-fueled adventure! Blast through new worlds and enemies as one of four new Vault Hunters. Play solo or with friends to take on insane enemies, score loads of loot and save your home from the most ruthless cult leaders in the galaxy. At the hard edge of the galaxy lies a group of planets ruthlessly exploited by militarized corporations. Brimming with loot and violence, this is your home—the Borderlands. Now, a crazed cult known as The Children of the Vault has emerged and is spreading like an interstellar plague. Play solo or co-op as one of four unique Vault Hunters, score loads of loot and save the galaxy from this fanatical threat. Available now on Epic Games Store. Borderlands 3 Performance DIRT 5 is a fun, amplified, off-road racing experience created by Codemasters. Blaze a trail on routes across the world, covering gravel, ice, snow and sand, with a roster of cars ranging from rally icons to trucks, to GT heroes. With a star-studded Career, four-player split-screen, innovative online modes, livery editor and more new features, DIRT 5 is the next generation of extreme racing. Available now on Steam. Dirt 5 Performance Aperion is on the precipice of ruin. You are the last of the Valorian knights, god-like warriors able to equip Valorplates, legendary armor sets that transform wielders into unstoppable masters of melee combat. Tear through foes as you climb through the elemental realms and challenge the mad god, Macros who awaits you at the top. Ascend in Godfall, the first-of-its-kind, looter-slasher, melee action RPG. Available now on EPIC. Godfall Performance Experience Aloy’s entire legendary quest to unravel the mysteries of a world ruled by deadly Machines. An outcast from her tribe, the young hunter fights to uncover her past, discover her destiny… and stop a catastrophic threat to the future. Unleash devastating, tactical attacks against unique Machines and rival tribes as you explore an open world teeming with wildlife and danger. Horizon Zero Dawn is a multi-award-winning action role-playing game – and this Complete Edition for PC includes the huge expansion The Frozen Wilds, featuring new lands, skills, weapons and Machines. Available now on Steam. Horizon Zero Dawn Performance Experience Lara Croft’s defining moment as she becomes the Tomb Raider. In Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Lara must master a deadly jungle, overcome terrifying tombs, and persevere through her darkest hour. As she races to save the world from a Maya apocalypse, Lara will ultimately be forged into the Tomb Raider she is destined to be. Available now on Steam. Shadow of the Tomb Raider Performance Build a resistance from virtually anyone you see as you hack, infiltrate, and fight to take back a near-future London that is facing its downfall. Welcome to the Resistance. Recruit and play as anyone in the city. Everyone you see has a unique backstory, personality, and skill set. Hack armed drones, deploy spider-bots and take down enemies using an Augmented Reality Cloak. Explore a massive urban open world featuring London’s many iconic landmarks and fun side activities. Take your recruits online and team up with your friends as you complete missions and challenging endgame content. Available now on UPlay. Watchdogs Legion Performance Dirt 5 is a simcade racing video game developed and published by Codemasters. The game was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on 6 November 2020, for Xbox Series X/S on 10 November, and for PlayStation 5 on 12 November (for North America, Oceania, Japan, and South Korea) and 19 November (for most other regions), and for Stadia on 24 March 2021. It was the last video game released by Codemasters as an independent company before acquired by former rival Electronic Arts on 18 February 2021. Available now on Steam. Dirt 5 Ray Traced Shadows Performance Godfall is an action role-playing game developed by Counterplay Games and published by Gearbox Publishing. The game was released on Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 5 on November 12, 2020. The game was also released for the PlayStation 4 on August 10, 2021. Available now on EPIC. Godfall Ray Traced Shadows Performance Metro Exodus is a first-person shooter video game developed by 4A Games and published by Deep Silver. It is the third instalment in the Metro video game trilogy based on Dmitry Glukhovsky's novels, following the events of Metro 2033 and Metro: Last Light. It was released in 2019 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Stadia and in 2020 for Amazon Luna. A Linux and macOS conversion was released in 2021. An enhanced version of the game was released for Microsoft Windows on May 6, 2021, and was later released for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on June 18, 2021. Available now on Epic Game Store. Metro Exodus Ray Tracing & DLSS Performance Build a resistance from virtually anyone you see as you hack, infiltrate, and fight to take back a near-future London that is facing its downfall. Welcome to the Resistance. Recruit and play as anyone in the city. Everyone you see has a unique backstory, personality, and skill set. Hack armed drones, deploy spider-bots and take down enemies using an Augmented Reality Cloak. Explore a massive urban open world featuring London’s many iconic landmarks and fun side activities. Take your recruits online and team up with your friends as you complete missions and challenging endgame content. Available now on UPlay. Watchdogs Legion Ray Tracing Performance Power Consumption Temperatures Acoustics How Much Does It Cost? Obviously, with the market the way it is right now, I'm expecting a bit of a double-edged sword with stock and prices. Will there be cards at their MSRP on the market? Yes, I fully expect there will be, but I don't know how many. Will many retailers push the prices up and will scalping be an issue? Yes, I fully expect that too. So while I can give you the expected MSRPs, I of course, cannot guarantee that. Out of all the cards I've reviewed for today's launch, the EVGA and Zotac cards are meant to be the base MSRP set by Nvidia of $249. However, for some reason the OC version of the Zotac will be another $150 on top of that... bonkers! I don't have fixed prices for the Palit or the Inno3D, but they're not the base models or the top models of their respective range, so they'll be around $20-50 above the MSRP, so likely around $300 overall. However, the largest of the cards, the Gigabyte Gaming OC will be $379, likely due to the significantly bigger cooler. Palit RTX 3050 Dual OC 8GB Review - $249-$300Inno3D RTX 3050 Twin X2 OC 8GB Review - $249-300Gigabyte RTX 3050 Gaming OC 8GB Review - $379Zotac RTX 3050 Twin Edge 8GB Review - $249EVGA RTX 3050 XC Black 8GB Review - $249 Overview The latest cards from Nvidia are really hitting the mark today, delivering some surprisingly impressive performance for the new entry-level RTX series of cards. What isn't surprising, is that pretty much all of the RTX 3050 series cards I've tested this week all perform broadly the same, give or take a few FPS here and there. The Zotac card did great though and given it's an MSRP card, it was hardly lacking in performance compared to its more expensive counterparts. It's also a very attractive card, and I think Zotac wins big points for such a slick and modern looking design that's not overly flashy. Even for an MSRP card, you still get a backplate as well, something the EVGA card was lacking. The oversized fans look awesome and delivered the quietest performance of all the RTX 3050 cards I've tested. Even more impressive, it also turned out to be the quietest RTX 3050 I've tested, so whatever you're doing Zotac, keep at it! There was rarely more than 2-3 frames difference between any of the cards, but it's clear that Nvidia's new chipset has got AMD pretty whipped. Admittedly, the AMD cards are good for 1080p gaming, and they're a fair bit cheaper too so there's some appeal there. However, for what they cost, the RTX 3050 delivers impressive gaming performance even at 1440p. Plus, you get the added benefit of ray tracing, which worked better than expected. Of course, there's also DLSS, Reflex, Broadcast and other Nvidia technologies too. What is clear, however, is that the card is effectively a GTX 1660 with some RTX bells and whistles. There's nothing wrong with that, but if you're already on a GTX 16xx series card, there's not a whole lot of reasons to upgrade to this new one. Thankfully, if you're still on a GTX 1050 Ti, older AMD 4xx/5xx style cards, the performance leap is going to be pretty significant.