Hi there! If you‘re reading this, chances are you‘re researching one of NVIDIA‘s most popular budget graphics cards – the GTX 1050 – to see if it still fits the needs of an aspiring PC gamer in 2023. That‘s an excellent question, so let‘s dive into the key details together!
A Recap – What is the GTX 1050?
First, a quick history lesson. The NVIDIA GTX 1050 was released way back in January 2017. It utilized a new "Pascal" architecture to replace the previous entry-level Maxwell cards.
Compared to past budget offerings, NVIDIA crammed some nice upgrades into the GTX 1050:
- 50% more CUDA cores (640 vs 384)
- 2GB of faster GDDR5 VRAM
- Higher base/boost clocks for better performance
- Same 75W power draw for hassle-free installation
The GTX 1050 delivered between a 50-75% generational jump in gaming frame rates, cementing itself as the new 1080p bargain champion…back in 2017 at least!
Let‘s verify if that still holds true six years later in 2023.
How Does the GTX 1050 Perform in Games Today?
I gathered some extensive benchmarks from reliable sources like Tom‘s Hardware and TechPowerUp to showcase typical gaming performance you can expect from a GTX 1050 in 2023.
1080p Performance in Popular Esports/Competitive Titles
| Game | Settings | Avg FPS |
|---|---|---|
| Fortnite | High | 71 |
| Apex Legends | High | 68 |
| Valorant | High | 130 |
| CS:GO | Max | 189 |
Easily hits 100+ FPS for high refresh rate 1080p gaming
1080p Performance in Latest AAA Games
| Game | Settings | Avg FPS |
|---|---|---|
| Spiderman | Medium | 52 |
| Call of Duty MWII | Medium | 58 |
| God of War | Low | 37 |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | Low | 32 |
Struggles in more demanding games without quality reduction
So the data shows that the aging GTX 1050 is still very capable for e-sports and less intensive titles. But in the most recent graphically-intensive games, compromises to resolution or graphics settings will likely be needed to maintain a smooth 60 FPS.
The Case For Buying a GTX 1050 in 2023
Given the benchmarks, does opting for a GTX 1050 make sense in 2023? I‘d say absolutely – in the right scenario.
Here are factors that make the GTX 1050 still a smart budget choice today:
It Crushes Esports Games
If your gaming library emphasizes competitive online multiplayer titles like Fortnite, Rocket League, CS:GO etc., then a GTX 1050 is actually still overkill! You can cash in on buttery smooth 120-200 FPS gameplay.
Great Stopgap Card When Upgrading
If you mainly play esports games but dabble in SP experiences, the GTX 1050 nicely fits as a stopgap upgrade over integrated graphics while you save up for a faster future GPU. Those 100+ FPS in Valorant will still feel amazing!
Unlocks Performance in Older Low Power PCs
The 1050‘s 75W power draw makes it a great way to transform office PCs and older OEM systems into capable budget gaming rigs. Any 300W+ PSU can support it.
It‘s Very Affordable
Another perk of age is heavily discounted pricing! GTX 1050 models routinely sell for $100 or less in the secondary market. That‘s incredible value given the esports capabilities.
If you find an even cheaper deal, it could make the 1050 difficult to pass up.
The Case Against Buying a GTX 1050
Of course, there are also a few arguments I‘d make for being cautious about getting a 1050 card in 2023:
Future AAA Games Will Struggle
While fine today, that 2GB of VRAM is going to hamper performance sooner than later. We already see the strain in latest titles like Cyberpunk and God of War. It‘s only going to get tougher on the GTX 1050 moving forward.
Rival Entry-Level Cards Now Outclass It
Another consequence of age – the GTX 1050 is no longer the best budget card outside of esports. For example, at the $100 mark the RX 570 4GB now exceeds it by ~15% on average. Food for thought.
Won‘t Deliver Full-Fat 1080p Gaming Anymore
While good for esports, buyers wanting a great general use 1080p gaming card for 60 FPS+ on high settings in any title may need to temper expectations or step up to faster last-gen cards like the GTX 1060 6GB.
Final Verdict – Who Should Buy This Card?
Given everything we just covered, here is my recommendation on the ideal GTX 1050 buyer today:
- Primarily interested in esports and competitive online multiplayer titles
- Wants a cheap stopgap upgrade over integrated graphics
- Has a lower power pre-built office PC they aim to transform into budget gaming machine
- Found an amazing discount under $80 making it a steal
Alternatively, if you desire maximum graphics settings across top releases, or want a future-proof card that will last 3+ years – you‘ll likely want to consider other affordable options like:
- RX 6500 XT 4GB
- GTX 1630
- Used GTX 1650
Hope this gave you some clarity on whether to grab an NVIDIA GTX 1050 in 2023. Feel free to ask me any other questions – happy to chat more!
