The RTX 5050 is €289 now and it gives the best bang‑for‑buck in the market. It costs only €14.45 per performance point and €9.27 per ray‑traced FPS, beating the higher‑priced RTX 5060 and even the high‑end RX 9070 on price‑per‑performance (priced at €289).
If you’re hunting a graphics card that stretches every euro, skip the RTX 5060 and the RX 9070 unless you need their extra raw power. The RTX 5050 delivers almost identical value per performance and per ray‑traced frame at a fraction of the cost.
Why the “worst” card looks the best
Both the RTX 5050 and RTX 5060 sit in the entry‑mid tier with 8 GB of VRAM as listed. The RTX 5050’s performance index is 20 / 100 (GPU Prix), while the RTX 5060 scores 26 / 100 (GPU Prix). Divide the EU price by the index and you get €14.45 per point for the RTX 5050 (289 ÷ 20) and €14.50 per point for the RTX 5060 (377 ÷ 26). That difference is negligible, so the cheaper card gives you almost the same value per performance unit (the gap is tiny).
When you add ray‑tracing into the mix, the story stays the same. The RTX 5050 delivers 31.2 FPS in a 1080p ultra ray‑traced test (relative score), costing €9.27 per FPS (289 ÷ 31.2). The RTX 5060 reaches 40.9 FPS (relative score) at €9.22 per FPS (377 ÷ 40.9). Again, the cheaper card is virtually as efficient (the cost per FPS is nearly identical).
The RX 9070 looks like a high‑end alternative: 16 GB VRAM (specs), a performance index of 45 / 100 (GPU Prix), and it hits 67.6 FPS in the same ray‑traced benchmark (relative score). At €609 (lowest EU listing) that works out to €13.53 per point (609 ÷ 45) and €9.01 per FPS (609 ÷ 67.6). The per‑FPS cost is a bit better, but the RX 9070 is still €220 more expensive than the RTX 5050, a gap many Balkan gamers can’t justify for the modest gain.
Quick comparison
| GPU | EU price | Performance index | €/point | Ray‑traced FPS (1080p Ultra) | €/FPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 5050 | €289 | 20 | €14.45 | 31.2 | €9.27 |
| RTX 5060 | €377 | 26 | €14.50 | 40.9 | €9.22 |
| RX 9070 | €609 | 45 | €13.53 | 67.6 | €9.01 |
What this means for a typical Balkan build
Most gamers in Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria and the surrounding region aim for 1080p 60 FPS with occasional ray‑tracing. A build around the RTX 5050 fits comfortably under €500 total (including a modest CPU, 8 GB RAM and a 500 GB SSD). You’ll get 30‑plus FPS in ray‑traced titles, which is smooth enough for most players who value visual flair over ultra‑high frame rates.
If you can stretch to €600 and need the extra raw raster performance for 1440p or future titles, the RX 9070 becomes attractive. It tops the RTX 5050 in raw FPS (140.9 FPS non‑ray‑traced 1080p Ultra score) and offers more VRAM. Still, the price jump is steep, and the per‑point advantage is marginal.
For anyone eyeing the RTX 5060, the math says you’re paying €88 more for essentially the same cost‑efficiency. Unless you specifically need the extra 9.7 FPS in ray‑traced scenarios, you’re better off saving that money for a better CPU, a larger SSD, or a higher‑capacity power supply.
Where the RTX 5050 shines
- Budget‑first builds: Pair it with a Ryzen 5 5600G or an Intel i5‑12400F for a sub‑€500 system that can run modern titles at 1080p Ultra.
- Ray‑tracing on a budget: You’ll get 30 FPS+ in ray‑traced mode, enough for a smooth experience without dropping settings.
- Future‑proofing: 8 GB VRAM is still adequate for most games releasing in 2025‑2026, though you may need to lower textures in the most demanding titles.
Check this out: If you want to dig deeper into the best cheap GPUs for 1080p, have a look at our guide. When you’re hunting the absolute best value under €350, our article actually breaks down the options (the article lists the choices).
What the data can’t tell you
A quick heads‑up: The numbers above ignore factors like driver stability, noise levels, power consumption, and the availability of used units at lower prices. They also don’t capture how a specific game’s engine might favor one architecture over another, nor do they reflect regional stock shortages that could push the effective price higher (these limitations are noted).
Bottom line: In short, the RTX 5050 is the most cost‑effective choice based on raw price‑per‑performance and price‑per‑ray‑traced‑FPS. If you need extra raw power or more VRAM and can afford the premium, the RX 9070 is a solid step up; but for most Balkan gamers looking to stretch every euro, the “worst” card is now the smartest buy (the RTX 5050 wins on cost‑effectiveness).
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