Mainstream Pascal: GeForce GTX 1050 Ti and GTX 1050 in Review

We already wrote a lot about Nvidia's current Pascal architecture, so we want to refer to our dedicated article for more technical details and features. Contrary to the previous Pascal models, which are manufactured in a 16-nm process at TSMC, Nvidia uses 14-nm chips from Samsung for the GTX 1050 Ti/GTX 1050. The specifications of the mobile versions of the GTX 1050 and GTX 1050 Ti are very similar to the desktop GPUs, and the differences are limited to the clocks as well as the memory equipment. The mobile GTX 1050 is available with up to 4 GB GDDR5-VRAM, while the desktop card is limited to 2 GB GDDR5. The performance of the mobile GPUs is within 10% from the desktop chips according to Nvidia, but the performance can also be higher depending on the clocks.

It is not a new fact that the official clocks of the Pascal GPUs are clearly surpassed in practice. The two desktop models, for example, reach around 1660 MHz (GTX 1050 Ti) and 1695 MHz (GTX 1050). The mobile GTX 1050 Ti in our MSI GE72 reached 1733 MHz, the GTX 1050 in the Asus ROG Strix GL753 up to 1645 MHz. More technical specifications are also available in our GPU database:

• Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 (Notebook)
• Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti (Notebook)
• Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 (Desktop)
• Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti (Desktop)

The clocks from all cards – both desktop and notebook – will drop under maximum load (FurMark), but they usually level off in the area of the base clock. However, there can be significant differences in this respect depending on the cooling capabilities and temperature limits of the laptops. As per usual, Nvidia does not state exact TDP values, but we will have a closer look at the power consumption of our test models later in this article.

We use the following benchmarks to check the performance differences of the new graphics cards compared to their desktop counterparts, but also compared to the old Maxwell models. We want to mention that we performed the measurements with very early test models and driver versions, respectively, so the results of final retail products can differ.

We start with the synthetic 3DMark benchmarks, more precisely the respective GPU sub-scores. The new GTX 1050 is about 50% faster than the old GTX 960M in the older 3DMark 11, but falls behind the GTX 965M (+11%) and the GTX 1050 Desktop (+16%). The situation is similar in the 3DMark Fire Strike Test Test, only the percentages change a bit. Overall, the new GTX 1050 is 42% ahead of the GTX 960M and 8 as well as 15% behind the GTX 965M and GTX 1050 Desktop, respectively.

The situation is a bit easier for the GTX 1050 Ti, because notebook and desktop model are roughly on par and we can even see a small advantage for the mobile chip in the MSI GE72. The direct successor GTX 965M is beaten by 23-29% and the performance is roughly on par with the previous high-end GPU GTX 970M in general.

However, the new GeForce GTX 1060 is still about 50% faster. Another interesting comparison GPU is the AMD Radeon Pro 450 of the new MacBook Pro 15, which is around 40% slower than the new GTX 1050 in the 3DMarks.

The actual gaming benchmarks are more important in practice, so we tested numerous modern titles. More information about our benchmark sequences and the settings is available in our gaming list of desktop and notebook graphics cards. There can once again be performance differences with finalized drivers.

The two new Pascal chips also leave a very good impression in the gaming benchmarks. The GTX 1050 is often about 30% faster than its predecessor GTX 960M and therefore on par with the old GTX 965M. The desktop counterpart is sometimes 10-20% faster, but sometimes also on the same level. The result will mainly depend on the cooling performance of the notebook and therefore the clocks. All in all, the GTX 1050 Notebook is a very good choice for Full HD gaming in combination with high details. The GPU usually manages more than 30 frames per second, only very challenging or poorly-optimized games (Anno 2202, Mafia 3) will require lower graphics settings. Other modern titles on the other hand can be enjoyed with the Ultra preset (like Battlefield 1) or even the 4K setting (Overwatch, Fifa 17, Dirt Rally).

The GTX 1050 Ti can usually beat its desktop counterpart by a couple of percent and the performance is similar to the previous high-end GPU GTX 970M. The primary usage scenario is the combination of Full HD and Ultra settings, where the majority of games runs smoothly. Our 4K preset is also possible in a couple of games. The regular GTX 1050 is beaten by around 25-30 %.

Finally, we also checked the power consumption under maximum load (FurMark GPU stress test) and during gaming (Witcher 3). The systems were attached to an external display in order to eliminate the influence of the internal screen.

Contrary to the desktop models of the GTX 1050/1050Ti, which have a TDP of 75 Watts each and also produce similar numbers in our tests, there is a significant difference between the mobile chips. The GTX 1050 Ti is on par with the GTX 965M in our gaming test. The result of 100 Watts under load on the other hand is pretty low and there seems to be a consumption limit. It is possible that this is related to our pre-production test sample; we will repeat the measurements with another test model soon.

The GTX 1050 is more efficient and we think the TDP is somewhere between 40-50 Watts. The results are sitting right between the old GTX 950M and GTX 965M. The AMD Radeon Pro 450 in the Apple MacBook Pro 15 is more efficient, which meets the lower performance figures. The overall efficiency of the two models Radeon Pro 450 and GTX 1050 (Ti)), however, is similar.

After the new high-end graphics cards from Nvidia's Pascal generation already increased the level of performance quite significantly, the manufacturer now ships the mainstream models. Both the GeForce GTX 1050 as well as the GTX 1050 Ti are about 30% faster than their respective predecessors and therefore well-suited for modern games in the Full HD resolution.

The success of the two new mainstream GPUs will primarily depend on the price, and the faster GTX 1050 Ti could actually be in a tougher spot here. Current gaming notebooks with the much faster GeForce GTX 1060 already start at around 1,300 Euros. System with the GTX 1050 Ti will have to be much more affordable, which could be an issue.

The slower GeForce GTX 1050 is a good match for 15.4-inch multimedia notebooks as well as entry-level gaming notebooks. The performance is usually also sufficient for smooth gameplay in Full HD and high details.