Performance of 4GB GTX 1050 in Laptops: Expectations and Reality

The GTX 1050 with 4GB of VRAM is a mid-range graphics card that was released in 2016. In a laptop, its performance can vary slightly based on factors such as cooling, power delivery, and the specific laptop design. However, generally, you can expect the following performance in modern games when using medium settings:

Performance Expectations

Modern Games

The GTX 1050 is capable of running many modern games, but your experience will depend on the game's optimization and requirements. For many titles released up to 2023, you can expect:

Medium Settings: You should achieve decent frame rates typically 30-60 FPS, especially in games that are not overly demanding. High Settings: You might be limited to lower settings for more graphically intensive games, where you may experience frame drops or lower FPS.

Examples of Games

Less Demanding Titles: Games like Fortnite, League of Legends, or Rocket League should run well at medium to high settings with good FPS.

More Demanding Titles: Games like Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare may require you to lower settings to achieve playable FPS around 30-40 FPS on medium.

Resolution: Playing at 1080p is standard, but if you lower the resolution to 720p, you may achieve better performance in more demanding games.

Conclusion

In summary, the GTX 1050 is still a viable option for gaming at medium settings for many modern games, especially if you are willing to tweak settings for performance. However, for the latest and most demanding titles, you may need to lower settings further to maintain a smooth experience. If you are aiming for high FPS consistently in newer games, you might want to consider upgrading to a more powerful GPU if your budget allows.

It's important to note that you won't get 90 FPS regardless of the settings with a GTX 1050. However, 60 FPS is typically sufficient for single 4K monitor gaming displays.

How You Define “High?”

Other components being good, you can expect well-playable FPS - over 30 and often around/over 60 - on medium settings at AAA games. This is higher in light indie or esports games. Laptops aren't that great for quality gaming, and it will depend on what else you have in there. Still, considering that most laptops go for very economic graphics cards, having a GTX 1050 is a good start.