MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Low Profile 6GB

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Low Profile 6GB is a graphics card designed to fit within space-constrained systems while still delivering a capable feature set. Built on NVIDIA's Ampere architecture using an 8nm process with 8,700 million transistors, it operates at a base clock of 1042 MHz and boosts up to 1470 MHz. Its compact 174mm × 69mm form factor makes it a practical option for small form factor builds where full-length cards simply won't fit.

On the memory side, the card carries 6GB of GDDR6 VRAM running at an effective 14,000 MHz across a 96-bit bus, delivering up to 168 GB/s of bandwidth. Its 2,304 shading units, 72 TMUs, and 32 ROPs contribute to a texture rate of 105.8 GTexels/s and floating-point performance of 6.774 TFLOPS. The card supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, ray tracing, and DLSS, alongside Intel Resizable BAR. For display output, it provides two HDMI 2.1 ports and one DisplayPort, supporting up to three simultaneous displays, all within a 70W thermal envelope.

Pros

The low-profile form factor at 174mm × 69mm makes it compatible with small form factor and slim desktop cases where full-size cards cannot fit
A 70W TDP means the card operates within tight power limits, reducing strain on system power supplies and cooling setups in compact builds
Support for ray tracing and DLSS expands its capability for modern rendering workloads within its performance tier
Three simultaneous displays can be connected via two HDMI 2.1 ports and one DisplayPort, offering flexible multi-monitor configurations
ECC memory support adds a degree of data integrity useful in compute or workstation-adjacent tasks
Intel Resizable BAR support allows the CPU broader access to VRAM, which can benefit certain workloads

Cons

The 96-bit memory bus width is narrow and limits memory bandwidth headroom compared to wider-bus configurations in the same card category
With only 6GB of VRAM, the card may fall short in scenarios that require larger framebuffer capacity
The card does not include air-water hybrid cooling, leaving thermal management entirely to the single low-profile cooler
No USB-C output is available, which limits connectivity options for users with modern USB-C displays
The absence of RGB lighting may be a drawback for users building systems with coordinated lighting setups

Who is this for?

This card is well-matched for users building or upgrading small form factor or slim desktop systems where physical space is a hard constraint, given its 174mm × 69mm footprint and low-profile bracket compatibility. Its 70W TDP makes it a practical fit for systems with modest power supplies that cannot accommodate higher-draw cards. Users who need multi-display output in a compact workstation setup will find the combination of two HDMI 2.1 ports and one DisplayPort useful, while ECC memory support and DPFP capability also make it relevant for light compute or workstation-adjacent tasks where data integrity matters.

Who is this NOT for?

Users looking to run demanding modern games at high resolutions or with high-fidelity settings will likely find the 6GB VRAM and 96-bit memory bus insufficient, as these configurations often require larger framebuffers and greater memory bandwidth. The card is also a poor match for workflows involving large dataset processing or memory-intensive GPU compute tasks, where the limited VRAM capacity becomes a bottleneck. Additionally, users who prioritize thermal headroom in sustained workloads may find the single low-profile cooler restrictive, since the card does not include any air-water hybrid cooling solution.

Performance:

GPU clock speed	1042 MHz
GPU turbo	1470 MHz
pixel rate	47.04 GPixel/s
floating-point performance	6.774 TFLOPS
texture rate	105.8 GTexels/s
GPU memory speed	1750 MHz
shading units	2304
texture mapping units (TMUs)	72
render output units (ROPs)	32
Has Double Precision Floating Point (DPFP)	✓

The MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Low Profile 6GB runs at a base GPU clock of 1042 MHz, boosting up to 1470 MHz under load, while its 2,304 shading units are supported by 72 texture mapping units and 32 render output units. These combine to deliver a texture rate of 105.8 GTexels/s and a pixel rate of 47.04 GPixel/s, with overall floating-point performance reaching 6.774 TFLOPS. GPU memory operates at 1750 MHz, and the card includes support for Double Precision Floating Point (DPFP), broadening its suitability for certain compute workloads alongside graphics tasks.

Memory:

effective memory speed	14000 MHz
maximum memory bandwidth	168 GB/s
VRAM	6GB
GDDR version	GDDR6
memory bus width	96-bit
Supports ECC memory	✓

The card is equipped with 6GB of GDDR6 VRAM, running at an effective memory speed of 14,000 MHz across a 96-bit bus, which yields a maximum memory bandwidth of 168 GB/s. The narrower bus width is a natural consequence of the card's low-profile design constraints, while the GDDR6 standard helps maintain respectable throughput within those limits. ECC memory support is also present, adding a layer of data integrity that can be useful in certain compute or workstation-oriented use cases.

Features:

DirectX version	DirectX 12 Ultimate
OpenGL version	4.6
OpenCL version	3
Supports multi-display technology	✓
supports ray tracing	✓
Supports 3D	✓
supports DLSS	✓
has XeSS (XMX)	✕
AMD SAM / Intel Resizable BAR	Intel Resizable BAR
has LHR	✕
has RGB lighting	✕
supported displays	3

The MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Low Profile 6GB supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and OpenCL 3, covering a broad range of graphics and compute workloads. Ray tracing and DLSS are both supported, while stereoscopic 3D and multi-display technology are also included, with the card capable of driving up to three displays simultaneously. Intel Resizable BAR is available to help the CPU access GPU memory more efficiently. The card does not feature XeSS (XMX), LHR, or RGB lighting.

Ports:

has an HDMI output	✓
HDMI ports	2
HDMI version	HDMI 2.1
DisplayPort outputs	1
USB-C ports	0
DVI outputs	0
mini DisplayPort outputs	0

The card's output configuration consists of two HDMI 2.1 ports and one DisplayPort, giving users a straightforward set of connections for multi-monitor use. There are no USB-C, DVI, or mini DisplayPort outputs on this model, keeping the bracket layout clean and well-suited to the card's low-profile form factor.

General info:

GPU architecture	Ampere
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	70W
PCI Express (PCIe) version	4
semiconductor size	8 nm
number of transistors	8700 million
Has air-water cooling	✕
width	174 mm
height	69 mm

Built on NVIDIA's Ampere architecture, the card is fabricated on an 8nm process node and integrates 8,700 million transistors, connecting to the system via a PCIe 4 interface. Its 70W TDP keeps power draw modest, which aligns well with its compact dimensions of 174mm wide and 69mm tall. Cooling is handled without an air-water hybrid solution, and the card does not include that type of cooling system. These physical and thermal characteristics make it a practical fit for small form factor chassis with limited space and power headroom.

Final Verdict

The MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Low Profile 6GB occupies a well-defined niche as a graphics card built specifically around the demands of compact system builds. Its low-profile form factor combined with a 70W TDP makes it one of the more practical options for small form factor desktops where space and power constraints leave little room for compromise. Ray tracing, DLSS, DirectX 12 Ultimate support, and a three-display output configuration round out a feature set that punches reasonably well within its physical boundaries. That said, the 6GB VRAM and 96-bit bus width mean users should approach it with realistic expectations for memory-intensive workloads. For its intended audience — those prioritizing physical compatibility and power efficiency over raw throughput — this card delivers a coherent and well-considered package.