MSI GeForce RTX 5050 Shadow 2X OC specifications and in-depth review

MSI GeForce RTX 5050 Shadow 2X OC

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI GeForce RTX 5050 Shadow 2X OC is a robust graphics card designed for demanding applications. It features 8GB GDDR6 VRAM for smooth performance in gaming and content creation. This model supports advanced features such as ray tracing and DLSS, making it a versatile choice for modern graphics workloads.

Key technical specifications include a 2317 MHz GPU clock speed, a maximum memory bandwidth of 320 GB/s, and a 128-bit memory bus width. Additionally, the card operates with a thermal design power (TDP) of 130W and supports Intel Resizable BAR. It also features 2560 shading units and is built on a 5nm semiconductor size, ensuring efficient performance and power management.

Pros
  • Supports DirectX 12 Ultimate for compatibility with the latest gaming and graphics technologies.
  • Equipped with 8GB GDDR6 VRAM, offering a solid amount of memory for modern applications and games.
  • Includes three DisplayPort outputs and one HDMI 2.1b output, providing flexible connectivity options for multi-display setups.
  • Supports DLSS for enhanced visual quality and improved performance in supported games.
  • Features Intel Resizable BAR, improving memory access efficiency when paired with compatible CPUs.
Cons
  • Does not have any USB-C, DVI, or mini DisplayPort outputs, limiting certain display connection options.
  • No air-water cooling system, which could affect cooling performance in highly demanding scenarios.
  • Only supports up to four displays, which might limit multi-monitor setups for more complex configurations.
Who is this for?

The MSI GeForce RTX 5050 Shadow 2X OC is well-suited for gamers and content creators who need solid performance and high-quality visuals. With support for DirectX 12 Ultimate, ray tracing, and DLSS, it offers an immersive experience in modern titles. Its 8GB GDDR6 VRAM ensures it can handle demanding applications, making it ideal for 1440p and 4K gaming. Additionally, the ability to support up to four displays makes it a strong choice for multi-monitor setups in professional environments.

Who is this NOT for?

This graphics card may not be suitable for users seeking extensive multi-monitor setups beyond four displays, as it lacks additional DVI or mini DisplayPort outputs. Additionally, the absence of air-water cooling might make it less ideal for users who plan to run highly demanding applications or engage in extended gaming sessions, as heat management could become a concern under heavy load.

Performance:

GPU clock speed 2317 MHz
GPU turbo 2602 MHz
pixel rate 83.26 GPixel/s
floating-point performance 13.32 TFLOPS
texture rate 208.2 GTexels/s
GPU memory speed 1750 MHz
shading units 2560
texture mapping units (TMUs) 80
render output units (ROPs) 32
Has Double Precision Floating Point (DPFP)

The performance of the MSI GeForce RTX 5050 Shadow 2X OC is driven by a solid set of specifications, including a GPU clock speed of 2317 MHz and a GPU turbo boost reaching 2602 MHz for enhanced speed. It features 2560 shading units and supports a pixel rate of 83.26 GPixel/s, delivering smooth graphics rendering. Additionally, with 80 texture mapping units and 32 render output units, the card handles complex textures and render operations efficiently. Its floating-point performance is marked at 13.32 TFLOPS, further boosting computational power, while the GPU memory speed is set at 1750 MHz.

Memory:

effective memory speed 20000 MHz
maximum memory bandwidth 320 GB/s
VRAM 8GB
GDDR version GDDR6
memory bus width 128-bit
Supports ECC memory

The MSI GeForce RTX 5050 Shadow 2X OC is equipped with 8GB GDDR6 VRAM, offering ample memory for high-performance tasks. Its effective memory speed of 20000 MHz ensures fast data transfer, while the 320 GB/s maximum memory bandwidth enables smooth processing of large workloads. The 128-bit memory bus width further supports efficient data movement, and the card also features support for ECC memory, providing additional reliability for critical applications.

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 4

The MSI GeForce RTX 5050 Shadow 2X OC comes with a range of advanced features to enhance your visual experience. It supports DirectX 12 Ultimate and ray tracing for cutting-edge graphics, while also enabling DLSS for improved frame rates and visual fidelity. The card supports multi-display technology, allowing up to four connected displays, and includes RGB lighting for customizable aesthetics. Additional features include Intel Resizable BAR support and compatibility with stereoscopic 3D content.

Ports:

has an HDMI output
HDMI ports 1
HDMI version HDMI 2.1b
DisplayPort outputs 3
USB-C ports 0
DVI outputs 0
mini DisplayPort outputs 0

The MSI GeForce RTX 5050 Shadow 2X OC offers a variety of ports for versatile connectivity. It includes one HDMI 2.1b output and three DisplayPort outputs, providing ample options for multiple monitors. However, it does not feature any USB-C, DVI, or mini DisplayPort outputs, focusing on HDMI and DisplayPort connections for display setups.

General info:

GPU architecture Blackwell
release date June 2025
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 130W
PCI Express (PCIe) version 5
semiconductor size 5 nm
number of transistors 16900 million
Has air-water cooling
width 197 mm
height 120 mm

The MSI GeForce RTX 5050 Shadow 2X OC is built on the Blackwell GPU architecture and features a 5 nm semiconductor size, offering improved performance and efficiency. With a 130W thermal design power (TDP), the card is designed to deliver a balanced level of power consumption and heat dissipation. It supports the latest PCI Express 5.0 interface, ensuring high-speed data transfer, and contains 16.9 billion transistors for robust processing capabilities. The card measures 197 mm in width and 120 mm in height, but it does not include air-water cooling.

Final Verdict

The MSI GeForce RTX 5050 Shadow 2X OC is a solid graphics card offering excellent performance for gamers and content creators, with features like DLSS, ray tracing, and 8GB GDDR6 VRAM ensuring smooth, high-quality visuals. It excels in multi-display setups and modern gaming, but its limitations in display outputs and cooling options might deter users with more demanding setups. Overall, it provides strong value for those seeking a reliable and versatile GPU for 1440p and 4K gaming.

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