The entry-level Ampere GPU might be getting a facelift with a new GPU die, yet significant performance changes aren’t expected due to the modified GPU setup.
The latest version of GPU-Z, a popular tool for monitoring graphic card specs, has added support for an RTX 3050 variant that uses the AD106-A die instead of the older GA106/107. This hints at a refreshed RTX 3050 GPU for both laptops and desktops.
It’s not unusual for NVIDIA to introduce different chips in existing models, but it’s rare for GPUs to receive updated dies after a few years. Originally launched in 2021 for laptops and 2022 for desktops, the GeForce RTX 3050 may soon feature the “Ada Lovelace” architecture. While the previous models used the Ampere-based GA106 for desktops and GA107 for laptops, this new version is set to incorporate the AD106 die.
The latest GPU-Z software update highlights a new GeForce RTX 3050, specifically an ‘A’ variant, distinguishing between the Ampere and Ada-based models. Although NVIDIA confirmed this new RTX 3050 A last year, it was intended solely for mobile platforms. The new variant will feature a trimmed-down version of the AD106 die, with 1792 CUDA cores compared to the original 2048 on the Ampere-based laptop GPU.
Despite various downgrades, the memory configuration remains unchanged. This update suggests the potential for a desktop version of the RTX 3050 A, though it’s not entirely clear if the new GPU-Z release notes refer to a mobile or desktop variant. NVIDIA might be leveraging leftover Ada silicon for this entry-level GPU.
If realized, the desktop RTX 3050 A will likely employ the AD106 die, offering a similar reduction in cores as the laptop version. Expect 8 GB of GDDR6 memory, a 128-bit memory bus, and a TDP ranging from 100 to 150W. The goal would be to match the Ampere-based RTX 3050’s performance, possibly with some improvements, akin to what we’ve observed in synthetic benchmarks for the mobile version. The clear naming convention will help users distinguish between the Ampere and Ada-based RTX 3050 models.
