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MSI GeForce RTX 3050 LP 6G OC Graphics Card: specs and who it suits
A low-profile GeForce RTX 3050 card with 6GB of GDDR6, a 96-bit memory bus and three video outputs. What the specs mean and what to check for your PC.
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The MSI GeForce RTX 3050 LP 6G OC is a graphics card built around NVIDIA's RTX 3050 chip, with 6GB of GDDR6 memory. The "LP" in the name stands for low profile, a shorter format typically made for compact and small-form-factor PCs. It suits someone adding or upgrading graphics in a small case without a large power supply.
What the RTX 3050 chip offers
The card uses NVIDIA's Ampere architecture. The listing says this brings dedicated ray tracing cores, AI tensor cores and fast GDDR6 memory. Ray tracing cores handle realistic lighting effects in supporting games, and tensor cores run AI-based features such as upscaling, which NVIDIA offers through its DLSS technology in supported titles.
Whether those features matter depends on the software you run. Not every game uses them, and performance with them switched on depends on the rest of the PC.
Memory: 6GB, 96-bit and 14 Gbps
The card carries 6GB of GDDR6 video memory at 14 Gbps, connected through a 96-bit memory interface. Video memory holds textures and frame data. 6GB is typically enough for many games at 1080p with sensible settings, though newer titles with high-resolution textures can ask for more.
A narrower bus than larger cards typically means lower memory bandwidth, so this is a card aimed at modest resolutions rather than demanding 4K gaming.
Clock speed
MSI lists a boost clock of 1492 MHz. The "OC" in the name indicates a factory overclock relative to the reference design. Boost clocks describe the speed the GPU can reach under suitable power and temperature conditions, so real-world speeds can vary.
Video outputs
The card has one DisplayPort 1.4a output and two HDMI 2.1a outputs. That makes it possible to run several monitors. Check the ports on your displays, since low-profile cards sometimes ship with a short bracket as well as a full-height one, and the listing doesn't describe what is included.
Size and fit
The listed dimensions are about 10.3 in long, 7.2 in wide and 2.6 in high. That is the packaged size given in the listing, so it isn't a substitute for the card's own measurements. Always check the product's specified card length and slot thickness against your case, especially in compact builds.
Who it suits
It suits owners of small desktop PCs who want a dedicated graphics card for 1080p gaming, video editing or general acceleration, and anyone replacing integrated graphics. It is less suited to high-refresh, high-resolution gaming.
What to check before you buy
- Case clearance: confirm your case takes a low-profile card and check the length and bracket height.
- Slot: this class of card typically uses a PCI Express x16 slot. Check your motherboard.
- Power: check the card's power requirements in MSI's specifications and compare them with your power supply and available connectors.
- Monitors: match the DisplayPort and HDMI outputs with your screens and cables.
- Drivers and OS: make sure your operating system is supported by current NVIDIA drivers.
- Cooling: small coolers can be louder under load, so check airflow in your case.
The short version
- Low-profile MSI card based on the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 and the Ampere architecture.
- 6GB GDDR6 at 14 Gbps on a 96-bit interface; 1492 MHz boost clock.
- One DisplayPort 1.4a and two HDMI 2.1a outputs.
- Ray tracing and AI tensor cores for supporting software.
- Check case clearance, power and ports before buying.
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