Nvidia's RTX 5050 to Feature Fastest 20 Gbps GDDR6 Memory, Matching AMD's RX 9070 Series

Nvidia's upcoming RTX 5050 GPU is set to feature 20 Gbps GDDR6 memory, a module that is already in mass production and currently used in AMD’s RX 9070 series and Nvidia's GDDR6 variant of the RTX 4070, according to leaker MEGAsizeGPU on X. This decision means the RTX 5050 will achieve a memory bandwidth of 320GB/s, which is 40% of the RTX 5060's 448GB/s. The significant reduction in bandwidth aligns with the RTX 5050’s 50% decrease in CUDA cores compared to its higher-end sibling, the RTX 5060. While it is speculated how the RTX 5050 might perform with GDDR7, the substantial reduction in compute power suggests that even the 20 Gbps GDDR6 modules will not be a major bottleneck. The 20 Gbps GDDR6 is currently the fastest version available in mass production, just 5% slower than Micron's 21 Gbps GDDR6X used in Nvidia's RTX 30 and RTX 40 series GPUs. Although Samsung has developed 24 Gbps GDDR6 memory modules, they are not in mass production and may never be. One of the primary advantages of Samsung's 20 Gbps GDDR6 is its low power consumption, requiring just 1.1V to operate. In contrast, older GDDR6 and GDDR6X modules typically need 1.35V, or 23% more voltage. However, SK hynix does not have any GDDR6 variants rated below 1.35V, indicating that its 20 Gbps modules operate at the higher voltage level. This discrepancy in voltage consumption could result in a 1-2% performance difference between models equipped with Samsung and SK hynix GDDR6 modules. For instance, the RX 9070 XT reportedly exhibits a 1-2% performance variation based on the memory manufacturer, with SK hynix-equipped models performing slightly better due to tighter timings. Samsung, on the other hand, seems to have focused on power efficiency, leading to slightly lower performance but significantly reduced power draw. The RTX 5050’s specifications have been largely revealed. The desktop version is expected to feature 2,560 CUDA cores, 20 streaming multiprocessors (SMs), and a 128-bit memory interface, based on the GB207 die. Additionally, leaks suggest a peak boost clock of 2,520MHz. However, the use of GDDR7 in the laptop version adds a layer of complexity, as the desktop version will definitely stick with GDDR6. While Nvidia has not officially announced a release date, industry speculation points to a launch sometime this year for the RTX 5050 desktop GPU. Keeping up with the latest developments can help tech enthusiasts and gamers stay informed about the potential capabilities and performance of this budget-friendly card. To stay updated, follow Tom’s Hardware on Google News and click the Follow button to receive the most current news, analysis, and reviews.