Entry-Level Nvidia RTX 5050 to bypass GDDR7 memory; rumored to incorporate Samsung and SK hynix GDDR6 memory modules.
Layman's technological rumble:
It looks like the upcoming Nvidia RTX 5050 may not be fitted with the speedy GDDR7 memory, but rather the trusty GDDR6. This decision is hoped to reduce production costs and ease any potential memory-related supply chain issues. Two manufacturers, Samsung and SK hynix, are reported to be providing the memory for the RTX 5050.
The exact speed of the GDDR6 memory in the RTX 5050 remains unknown, but past video cards have utilized 16 Gbps, 18 Gbps, and 20 Gbps versions of GDDR6. The initial version of the RTX 5050 might sport 8GB of GDDR6 memory with a 130W power rating and a solid 128-bit memory interface.
Naturally, the memory bandwidth of the RTX 5050, if equipped with the 18 Gbps GDDR6, would measure around 288GB/s. This is substantially lower compared to the RTX 5060's nearly double bandwidth of 448GB/s.
Although the RTX 5050 will primarily use GDDR6, there's a slight chance that future versions may boast GDDR7 memory. History shows that Nvidia has indeed released various memory variants for its budget-friendly xx50 cards, such as the GTX 1650, which underwent various upgrades during its life cycle.
Interestingly, the laptop version of the RTX 5050 will reportedly come equipped with GDDR7 memory, hinting at Nvidia potentially offering a future desktop RTX 5050 model featuring GDDR7 memory. According to speculation, this might happen during the Super refresh of the RTX 50 series, with the RTX 5050 Super maybe sporting an impressive 12GB of 28 Gbps GDDR7 memory.
In brief, the RTX 5050's GDDR6 memory, operating at speeds ranging from 12 to 20 Gbps if the rumors hold true, is expected to deliver a bandwidth range of roughly 192 GB/s to 320 GB/s. The most likely scenario involves 18 Gbps GDDR6, resulting in a bandwidth of approximately 288 GB/s. This memory setup fits the RTX 5050's modest 130W power envelope and budget-friendly positioning, offering decent performance with modern features but without the higher bandwidth and power consumption of more expensive GPUs in the series.
Extra Facts and Insights:
- The anticipated memory specifications of the RTX 5050 (8GB GDDR6 memory with 18 Gbps speed and 128-bit memory bus) correspond to an estimated memory bandwidth of 288 GB/s. This places the RTX 5050 as an entry to lower mid-range GPU in terms of memory throughput.
- The RTX 5050's power consumption of around 130W allows for compact, ITX-friendly card designs, requiring only a single 6-pin or 8-pin PCIe power connector.
- Equipped with the GB207 die, the RTX 5050 offers 2,560 CUDA cores, 80 Tensor cores, and 20 RT cores, positioning it well within the budget-friendly segment with acceptable ray tracing and AI performance.
- The historical pattern of Nvidia releasing multiple memory variants for its xx50-class cards suggests that variations with different GDDR6 speed bins or memory sizes might be released later on during the product lifecycle.
- The laptop version of the RTX 5050 is expected to feature faster GDDR7 memory, indicating a possible future refresh of the desktop RTX 5050 model with GDDR7 memory, boosting memory bandwidth and performance.
- The RTX 5050 Super, rumored to be part of the RTX 50 series Super refresh, might include 12GB of 28 Gbps GDDR7 if the Super refresh extends down to the RTX 5050.
Smart-home devices and gadgets could potentially benefit from the very similar power envelope and modestly high performance offered by the Nvidia RTX 5050, providing an affordable option for AI and ray tracing applications. If future versions of the RTX 5050 leverage GDDR7 memory, boasting faster memory speeds than GDDR6, it could further propel the RTX 5050 into the realm of choice for advanced technological devices.
