NVIDIA GTX 1050
Pascal · 2016
The laptop GTX 1050 is the oldest dedicated GPU in this list, built on NVIDIA's Pascal architecture with 640 cores and just 2GB of GDDR5 memory - modest even by the standards of its 2016 launch, let alone today. It was aimed squarely at budget gaming laptops that needed something better than integrated graphics without the price of a higher-tier card.
At the time it handled 1080p gaming at medium settings reasonably well in most games, but its small VRAM pool and now-dated architecture mean it struggles with modern titles, which typically need settings dropped well below medium, or the resolution lowered, to stay playable.
Entry-level
Light gaming and everyday graphics at lower settings.
640 Cores
2 GB GDDR5 memory.
Boost up to 1455 MHz
Push performance beyond base clock.
GDDR5
Soldered (Mobile)
75W Class
Lower-power laptop GPU built for thin-and-light designs.
Our Verdict
The NVIDIA GTX 1050 is a entry-level dedicated GPU with 2GB of GDDR5 memory, suited to light gaming and general-purpose display output.
