OLDER graphics cards are now MORE power efficient than newer models
- Brian Jackson-Ybarra
- May 31, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 27, 2025
Haven't newer graphics cards gotten more power efficient?
It's a common belief that newer computer components are more power efficient than the older ones, but our benchmarking data has proven otherwise.
We created a way to see how power efficient a computer component is and then translated that information into what we call a "power score". With our application we entered in the power consumption of the GTX 1050 Ti and compared it to it's "replacement" the GTX 1650. The results were shocking.
But how could they have ended up with the same power score? Despite NVIDIA’s 1650 having slightly more performance than the 1050 Ti, they were not able to achieve this feet without using MORE POWER.
And with the GTX 1050 Ti having 13% less power, it would be capable of reaching the 1650’s performance levels if you gave it around 13% more power.
This now proves the GTX 1050 IS more power efficient than the newer models. These older graphics cards have aged like fine wine, and that becomes an unseen benefit to these timeless classics.
Now lets take a look a the 1050 itself!
What is the GTX 1050?
Created by NVIDIA, the GTX 1050 was designed to give everyone the ability to experience great gaming. That desire is now acheiveable due to the fast, powerful GeForce GTX 1050. Now you can turn your PC into a true gaming rig, powered by NVIDIA PASCAL™ - the most advanced GPU architecture ever created. It’s loaded with innovative NVIDIA Game Ready technologies that let every gamer experience the latest titles in their full glory. #GameReady
The Ti variant of the 1050 is the fastest base model available, meaning it will perform the best in comparison to the rest of the other 1050 models and older generations that came before it.
The GTX 1050 Ti Supports DirectX12 (DX12) and DirectX 11 (DX11)
The GTX 1050 Ti 4GB graphics card has a wide range of applications it excels in. This is due to it's support of Directx 12 and Directx 11.
What is Directx 11 and Directx 12? Directx 11 and 12 (DX11, DX12) are collection of application programming interfaces (APIs) from Microsoft that allow software, especially games, to communicate with a computer's video and audio hardware.
Games supporting DirectX can more efficiently use your hardware helping you get better fps in game along with a smoother overall experience. Many game developers use DirectX12, which means this graphics card is perfect for games from studios like Microsoft, Steam, EA, Enix, and much more.
The GTX 1050 Ti 4GB Works With OpenGL
Many would be suprised to know that the GTX 1050 Ti 4GB is also a great graphics card for 3d rendering software due to it's compatibility with OpenGL version 4.5.
What is OpenGL? OpenGL is a cross-platform, open-source API (Application Programming Interface) that allows developers to create 2D and 3D vector graphics. It's used to interact with a graphical processing unit (GPU) to achieve hardware-accelerated rendering.
This means it's perfect for computer graphics software applications like Blender, 3ds Max, Cinema 4D, SketchUp and more!
A deeper look at the other variants
There are a numerous amount of different companies that take NVIDIA's GTX 1050 Ti and place their own custom cooling system and technologites on top of it to gain even more performance.
We believe MSI has the best proprietary technology, cooling system, and software that puts their variant of the NVIDIA GTX GeForace 1050 Ti far above the rest.
Moving forward we will be breaking down MSI's variant, named the MSI GTX GeForce 1050 Ti GAMING X 4GB model.
All About The MSI GTX GeForce 1050 Ti GAMING X 4GB
Instantly Connects Into Your PC
The MSI GTX 1050 Ti GAMING X 4GB plugs directly into the open PCIe x16 3.0 interface on your motherboard. Due to it's 229 mm (9.01 inches) length, 131 mm (5.15 inches) height, and 39 (1.53 inch) mm width, it fits a wide range of motherboard and pc case form factors such as;
Smallest form factor: Micro-ATX
ATX
Largest form factor: Extended ATX (E-ATX)
This Graphics Card is Made To Be OverClocked!
MSI's patented Twin Froz VI thermal technology puts this graphics card a step above the other GTX 1050 Ti models.
What is MSI's Twin Froz VI? Each graphics card equipped with MSI's Twin Froz technology has had it's cooling system specially modified to keep thermals low while keeping clock speeds high. They were able to acheive this with a handful of industry changing modifications:
PATENTED TORX FAN 3.0, Specially designed fans which help acheieve a 15% greater static air pressure over competing cooling fans.
MASTERY OF AERODYNAMICS, They have modified the heatsink pattern to expand it's surface area making for a more efficient cooling effect.
CONCENTRATED HEATPIPES, By concentraiting their heatpipes in closer proximity, they are able to acheive over 10% more surface area which translates to a quicker heat transfer overall.
ZERO FROZR Technology, MSI created a more efficient cooling method where their fans stop spinning entirely at low temperatures, which allows the heatsink to use passive air cooling until a desired temperature is reached.
Tune to Your Liking with MSI Afterburner
The MSI GTX 1050 Ti GAMING X 4GB comes compatible with MSI's Afterburner software straight out of the box.
What is MSI Afterburner? MSI Afterburner is MSI's custom built gpu tuning software. MSI Afterburner gives you the power to make specific changes to your graphics card's performace, everything from fan speeds, to core clocks, MSI Afterburner gives you the ability to make instant changes to your graphics card. Below are a handful of features MSI Afterburner comes with:
Allows you to overclock the core clock speeds as well as memory clock speeds, directly effecting it's overall performance. This function also allows you to underclock your core clock and memory clock speeds as well if you desire.
Customize GPU fan speeds; Set your fan to max speeds or at a custom speed.
Custom Profiles; You can save your settings and assign them to a profile allowing you to change your gpu's behavior to match any application you'd like.
View Your GPU's Clock Speeds And Temps; On the front page of the application you are able to view the exact core and memory clock your graphics card is at, giving you a moment to moment view of your graphics's card's perforamnce.
Live GPU FPS Counter; With MSI Afterburner's usage of RivaTunerStatisticsServer, you can get a screen overlay of your fps, memory usage, power limit and much more. This function also enables you to display these monitoring features on your Logitech Keyboard LCD!
The possibilites are endless! With much more features available, the sky if the limit on what you're able to acheive with MSI Afterburner. (Link to Download MSI Afterburner)
So where should you look to get yourself one?
Sadly, MSI no longer sells this model, but there's good news! We are currently selling a Better-Than-New performing MSI GTX 1050 Ti GAMING X 4GB! After running it through our rigourous CCRC inspection process, it was discovred that the model we are offering has a significantly high clock speed. Drastically higher than the 1493 MHz clock speeds the manufacturer advertises.
Technical Information About the MSI GTX 1050 Ti GAMING X 4GB
Model Name: GeForce® GTX 1050 Ti GAMING X 4G
Graphics Processing Unit: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1050 Ti
Interface: PCI Express x16 3.0
Core Clocks: 1493 MHz / 1379 MHz (OC Mode) 1468 MHz / 1354 MHz (Gaming Mode) 1392 MHz / 1290 MHz (Silent Mode)
CUDA® CORES: 768 Units
Memory Speed: 7108 MHz (OC Mode) 7008 MHz (Gaming Mode) 7008 MHz (Silent Mode)
Memory: 4GB GDDR5 (128-bit)
Output: DisplayPort (v1.4a) HDMI™ (Supports 4K@60Hz as specified in HDMI™ 2.0b) DL-DVI-D
HDCP Support: 2.2
Power consumption: 75 W
Power connectors: 6-pin x 1
Recommended PSU: 300 W
Card Dimension (mm): 229 x 131 x 39 mm
Weight (Card / Package): 527 g / 1138 g
DirectX Version Support: 12 and older generation 11
OpenGL Version Support: 4.5
Afterburner OC: Y
Maximum Displays: 3
G-SYNC® technology: Y
Adaptive Vertical Sync: Y
Digital Maximum Resolution: 7680x4320
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