With modding, the GeForce RTX 5050 goes closer to RTX 5060. This user shows how one can gain big performance uplifts on the GPU with unusual steps, but it voids your warranty.
TrashBench Replaces RTX 5050 Cooler with an RTX 5060 Heatsink; Flashes BIOS to Gain a Solid 16% Performance Uplift
The GeForce RTX 5050 has never looked so appealing, but you will have to work in some 'unusual' ways to unlock its full potential. Thankfully, we have enthusiasts like TrashBench who are willing to sacrifice the hardware for the sake of gamers. In a newly uploaded video, he demonstrated how he achieved a performance close to that of the GeForce RTX 5060 through some modding. While the GeForce RTX 5050 didn't become RTX 5060, it did become the RTX 5050 "Ti".
By swapping the small GPU cooler on the RTX 5050 with that of the RTX 5060, which was significantly bigger, a major step was completed. Yes, it wasn't that easy, but with some drilling and stuff, the heatsink finally became compatible with the RTX 5050 PCB, and to further improve the thermal performance, he deployed the GAMDIAS fans on the heatsink. The next step involved flashing the BIOS using the NVFLASH program, which unlocked the GPU's full potential (and also voided the warranty).
Now here comes the interesting part: the GeForce RTX 5050 in its original form performed 33% slower than the GeForce RTX 5060, but after modding, the GPU gained a solid 16% uplift, closing the performance gap significantly. The modded GeForce RTX 5050, aka RTX 5050 Ti, was now hitting 3.3 GHz, roughly 500 MHz higher compared to the unmodded RTX 5050. The power limit also increased from 120W to 140W, but thanks to the bigger cooler, the GPU was running way cooler than before (70°C vs 40°C).
The GPU also secured the top positions in various 3DMark tests, such as Time Spy Graphics, where it scored 11,715 points. In Steel Nomad, the GPU scored 2,703 points, securing the number one position worldwide. Additionally, in Port Royal, it achieved 7,001 points, becoming the first user to surpass 7,000.
With such impressive scores and performance uplifts, the RTX 5050 does look somewhat appealing, but to be honest, it's still the worst RTX 50 GPU in the lineup. It's better to invest $50 more on the GeForce RTX 5060 and have that additional 14-15% performance, but since most won't be doing this crazy mod, the performance difference remains at >30%.
About the author: Sarfraz Khan is a hardware reporter with a focus on PC components and the builder community. With years of experience writing about PC hardware and laptops, his work has been featured on several reputable technology publications. Sarfraz's hands-on experience is demonstrated through his first-person accounts of using and comparing different hardware configurations, providing practical and relatable insights for everyday users. His technical analysis is respected by peers in the enthusiast community and has been cited by specialized hardware sites such as Germany's Igor's Lab.
Follow Wccftech on Google to get more of our news coverage in your feeds.
