MSI GeForce RTX 3050 VENTUS 2X 6GB OC GDDR6 Graphics Card – Ampere, 1080p Gaming, DLSS, Low Power | Price & Availability in Kenya
Discover the MSI GeForce RTX 3050 VENTUS 2X 6GB OC GDDR6 for budget-friendly 1080p gaming in Kenya. Features NVIDIA Ampere architecture, 6GB GDDR6, efficient dual-fan cooling, and no external power connector needed. Ideal for compact and entry-level PC builds.
MSI GeForce RTX 3050 VENTUS 2X 6GB OC GDDR6: Your Entry Point to RTX Gaming in Kenya
The MSI GeForce RTX 3050 VENTUS 2X 6GB OC GDDR6 is a targeted solution for gamers in Kenya seeking to experience NVIDIA’s RTX ecosystem (ray tracing and DLSS) at an accessible price point, particularly for 1080p gaming. This specific 6GB variant of the RTX 3050, released in February 2024, focuses on efficiency and affordability, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious builds, SFF (Small Form Factor) PCs, or as an upgrade for older integrated graphics or GTX series cards.
Key Features: Efficient Ampere for Everyday Gaming
The MSI GeForce RTX 3050 VENTUS 2X 6GB OC is designed to provide solid performance with a focus on power efficiency:
- NVIDIA Ampere Architecture: At its core, it leverages the NVIDIA Ampere architecture, featuring 2nd Generation RT Cores for improved ray tracing performance and 3rd Generation Tensor Cores for AI acceleration, crucial for technologies like DLSS.
- 6GB GDDR6 VRAM: Equipped with 6GB of GDDR6 memory on a 96-bit memory bus, clocked at 14 Gbps. While the 8GB RTX 3050 has a 128-bit bus, the 6GB variant is optimized for power efficiency and lower cost, proving sufficient for 1080p gaming in most titles.
- Factory Overclocked (OC) Performance: The “OC” designation means MSI has applied a modest factory overclock. The boost clock reaches 1492 MHz, offering a slight performance edge over non-OC variants.
- MSI VENTUS 2X Cooling System: This model features MSI’s VENTUS 2X dual-fan cooling solution. The two fans efficiently dissipate heat from the GPU and heatsink, maintaining stable temperatures under load. Its compact size makes it suitable for a wide range of PC cases.
- PCI Express 4.0 x8 Interface: The card uses a PCI Express 4.0 interface, specifically wired as x8. While x16 is typical for higher-end cards, x8 provides ample bandwidth for the RTX 3050’s performance tier, and it is fully compatible with PCIe 3.0 slots as well.
- NVIDIA DLSS: A key selling point, DLSS utilizes AI to boost frame rates while maintaining good image quality. This is particularly valuable on a card like the RTX 3050, allowing it to achieve playable frame rates in more demanding titles, even with ray tracing enabled.
- NVIDIA Reflex: This technology reduces system latency, which is beneficial for competitive gamers as it helps improve responsiveness and aiming precision.
- Low Power Consumption / No External Power Connector: One of the most significant advantages of this 6GB variant is its incredibly low Total Graphics Power (TGP) of just 70W. This means it draws all its power directly from the PCIe slot on your motherboard, eliminating the need for an additional PCIe power cable. This makes it ideal for pre-built systems with smaller PSUs or those without available PCIe power connectors.
- Display Connectivity: Typically includes one DisplayPort 1.4a and two HDMI 2.1 ports, supporting multiple monitors and high-resolution displays.
Performance for Users in Kenya
For PC users in Kenya, the MSI RTX 3050 VENTUS 2X 6GB OC GDDR6 offers:
- Solid 1080p Gaming: It’s well-suited for playing popular esports titles (like CS:GO, Valorant, Dota 2, League of Legends) at high refresh rates, and many modern AAA games at 1080p with medium to high settings, especially with DLSS.
- Entry to Ray Tracing: Provides an accessible entry point to experiencing ray tracing effects, although performance with ray tracing enabled will typically require DLSS and possibly lower overall settings in demanding titles.
- Power Efficiency: Its low 70W TGP and lack of external power connectors make it a great option for upgrading older systems or building highly power-efficient PCs.
- Compact Builds: The dual-fan VENTUS 2X design is relatively compact, fitting into a wider range of PC cases, including some smaller form factor builds.
Availability and Pricing in Kenya
The 6GB variant of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 was released in February 2024. As of Wednesday, July 30, 2025, the MSI GeForce RTX 3050 VENTUS 2X 6GB OC GDDR6 is readily available in the Kenyan market. It’s often found at major computer hardware retailers, gaming shops, and online platforms in Nairobi and other key cities.
Its lower specifications and power consumption translate to a more affordable price point compared to the 8GB RTX 3050 or higher-tier cards. In Kenya, you can expect the MSI GeForce RTX 3050 VENTUS 2X 6GB OC GDDR6 to be priced approximately between KSh 28,000 to KSh 40,000. Prices will vary based on the retailer, current stock levels, and any promotional offers. It represents one of the most budget-friendly ways to get a new RTX-capable graphics card.
Conclusion: Great Value for Budget Gaming
The MSI GeForce RTX 3050 VENTUS 2X 6GB OC GDDR6 is an excellent choice for gamers in Kenya looking for an affordable graphics card that can deliver a good 1080p gaming experience with the benefits of ray tracing and DLSS. Its low power consumption and compact design make it incredibly versatile, suitable for basic upgrades, entry-level gaming PCs, and systems where power efficiency is a priority. While it’s not a powerhouse, it offers a compelling feature set for its price segment.
Specifications: MSI GeForce RTX 3050 VENTUS 2X 6GB OC GDDR6
- Graphics Processing Unit: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3050
- Architecture: NVIDIA Ampere
- Interface: PCI Express® Gen 4 x16 (uses x8 lanes)
- Core Clocks:
- Boost: 1492 MHz
- (Base Clock typically 1042 MHz)
- CUDA® Cores: 2304 Units
- Tensor Cores: 3rd-Gen
- RT Cores: 2nd-Gen
- Memory Speed: 14 Gbps
- Memory Size: 6GB GDDR6
- Memory Bus: 96-bit
- Memory Bandwidth: 168 GB/s
- Output:
- DisplayPort x 1 (v1.4a)
- HDMI™ x 2 (Supports 4K@120Hz as specified in HDMI™ 2.1)
- Max Displays: 3
- Digital Maximum Resolution: 7680 x 4320
- Power Consumption (TGP): 70 W
- Power Connectors: None (Power directly from PCIe slot)
- Recommended PSU: 300 W (for the entire system)
- Cooling System: MSI VENTUS 2X (Dual TORX Fan 3.0, Zero Frozr)
- Dimensions (Card): Approximately 189 x 109 x 42 mm
- Weight (Card): Approximately 381 g
- DirectX Version Support: 12 Ultimate
- OpenGL Version Support: 4.6
- G-SYNC Support: Yes
- Features: NVIDIA DLSS, Ray Tracing, NVIDIA Reflex, NVIDIA Broadcast, NVIDIA Studio.
- Form Factor: Dual-slot design
- Warranty: Typically 3 Years Limited Warranty (varies by retailer and region)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the MSI GeForce RTX 3050 VENTUS 2X 6GB OC GDDR6
Q1: What is the main difference between the 6GB and 8GB versions of the RTX 3050? A1: The 6GB RTX 3050 has fewer CUDA cores (2304 vs 2560), a narrower memory bus (96-bit vs 128-bit), lower boost clock, and a significantly lower TGP (70W vs 130W). This results in the 6GB version being roughly 15-20% slower than the 8GB version but also much more power efficient and often more affordable.
Q2: Does this 6GB RTX 3050 require an external power connector? A2: No, one of the key features of the 6GB RTX 3050 is its ultra-low 70W TGP, meaning it draws all its power directly from the PCIe slot on the motherboard and does not require any external PCIe power cables.
Q3: Is the RTX 3050 6GB good for gaming at 1080p? A3: Yes, it is well-suited for 1080p gaming. You can expect good frame rates in popular esports titles and playable performance in many modern AAA games with medium to high settings, especially when leveraging DLSS.
Q4: Can this card handle ray tracing? A4: Yes, it supports ray tracing due to its dedicated RT Cores. However, for demanding games with ray tracing enabled, you will likely need to use DLSS and potentially lower other graphics settings to achieve smooth frame rates.
Q5: What is the recommended power supply for a system with the RTX 3050 6GB? A5: A system with the RTX 3050 6GB has a very low power draw. A good quality 300W or 350W power supply would generally be sufficient for the entire system, though 450W is a common recommendation for general build compatibility.
Q6: Where can I buy the MSI GeForce RTX 3050 VENTUS 2X 6GB OC GDDR6 in Nairobi, Kenya? A6: You can find this graphics card at most computer hardware stores in Nairobi, such as Techspot, Gamechanger, Prime Computer, Almiria Techstore, and online retailers like Jumia Kenya and Kilimall. It’s always advisable to check with individual shops for the most current stock and pricing.