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

MSI GeForce RTX 5050 Shadow 2X

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI GeForce RTX 5050 Shadow 2X is a mid-range graphics card designed for modern gaming and computing. It comes equipped with 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM, offering a solid balance between performance and memory for a variety of tasks. The card features a GPU clock speed of 2317 MHz and supports key technologies like ray tracing and DLSS for enhanced visual effects.

On the technical side, the RTX 5050 Shadow 2X is powered by the Blackwell GPU architecture, running at a boost clock of 2572 MHz. With maximum memory bandwidth of 320 GB/s and support for DirectX 12 Ultimate, it is equipped to handle demanding workloads. The card also offers multi-display support with up to four displays and operates on PCIe 5.0, ensuring compatibility with high-speed systems.

Pros
  • Supports DirectX 12 Ultimate for advanced gaming and graphics capabilities.
  • Includes support for ray tracing, enabling realistic lighting and shadows in supported games.
  • Features DLSS for improved frame rates and visual quality in compatible titles.
  • Can drive up to four displays simultaneously, ideal for multi-monitor setups.
  • Equipped with RGB lighting, allowing for customizable aesthetics in compatible builds.
Cons
  • Lacks USB-C, DVI, or mini DisplayPort outputs, limiting connection options to HDMI and DisplayPort.
  • Does not support air-water cooling, which may limit cooling efficiency for high-performance tasks.
  • Does not have XeSS (XMX) support, reducing some advanced upscaling options.
Who is this for?

The MSI GeForce RTX 5050 Shadow 2X is well-suited for gamers and professionals who require solid graphical performance for modern applications. With support for DirectX 12 Ultimate and ray tracing, this card is ideal for users looking for advanced visual effects and smoother gaming experiences. Its ability to drive up to four displays makes it perfect for multi-monitor setups, providing enhanced productivity for tasks like content creation, data analysis, or immersive gaming.

Who is this NOT for?

This graphics card may not be ideal for users seeking advanced cooling solutions or extreme gaming performance in overclocked scenarios, as it lacks support for air-water cooling. Additionally, the absence of USB-C, DVI, or mini DisplayPort outputs may be a limitation for users who rely on a variety of connection options for specialized displays or devices. Users seeking the latest in upscaling technologies might also find the lack of XeSS (XMX) support limiting.

Performance:

GPU clock speed 2317 MHz
GPU turbo 2572 MHz
pixel rate 82.3 GPixel/s
floating-point performance 13.17 TFLOPS
texture rate 205.8 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 is powered by a GPU clock speed of 2317 MHz, with a boost up to 2572 MHz through GPU turbo. It offers impressive floating-point performance at 13.17 TFLOPS and handles high-resolution textures with a texture rate of 205.8 GTexels/s. The card is also equipped with 2560 shading units, 80 texture mapping units, and 32 render output units (ROPs), providing solid computational and graphical performance. Additionally, it supports double precision floating point (DPFP), enabling precise calculations for demanding applications.

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 is equipped with 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM, offering a solid memory configuration for handling demanding graphical workloads. The memory runs at an effective speed of 20000 MHz, ensuring fast data access and smooth performance. With a maximum memory bandwidth of 320 GB/s and a 128-bit memory bus width, the card can efficiently process high-resolution textures and large datasets. Additionally, it supports ECC memory, which provides error correction to enhance reliability in 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 offers a range of advanced features to enhance its performance and versatility. It supports DirectX 12 Ultimate and ray tracing for stunning visual effects, along with DLSS for improved frame rates and image quality. The card also enables multi-display setups, supporting up to four displays, and includes RGB lighting for customizable aesthetics. Additional features include Intel Resizable BAR support and stereoscopic 3D for immersive experiences.

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 offers a variety of video output options. It features one HDMI 2.1b port, along with three DisplayPort outputs for connecting multiple displays. Notably, the card does not include USB-C, DVI, or mini DisplayPort outputs, making it ideal for setups that rely on HDMI and DisplayPort connections for high-resolution gaming or professional use.

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 is built on the Blackwell GPU architecture and features a 5 nm semiconductor size, contributing to efficient performance. With a thermal design power (TDP) of 130W, the card balances power consumption and performance. It also supports PCIe 5.0 for fast data transfer and contains 16.9 billion transistors. The card's dimensions are 197 mm in width and 120 mm in height, and it does not include air-water cooling.

Final Verdict

The MSI GeForce RTX 5050 Shadow 2X is a solid graphics card for gamers and professionals seeking reliable performance for modern applications. With support for DirectX 12 Ultimate, ray tracing, and the ability to drive up to four displays, it offers impressive graphical capabilities for both entertainment and productivity. While it lacks advanced cooling features and some connection options like USB-C or DVI, it remains a strong choice for those who prioritize visual effects and multi-display setups. Overall, it's a dependable option for users looking to upgrade their visual experience without requiring cutting-edge cooling or the latest upscaling technologies.

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