NVIDIA explains why desktop RTX 5050s have GDDR6, while laptop RTX 5050s have GDDR7 — the explanation is as follows

Many people were surprised by NVIDIA’s decision to use the previous GDDR6 memory standard in RTX 5050 desktop graphics cards, while laptop cards have GDDR7.

NVIDIA’s director of public relations Ben Berraondo defended the decision in a response to an X post using GDDR6 in the desktop RTX 5050 for desktop computers with the statement that GDDR7 is «the best choice for laptops».

He says that the RTX 5050 series represents a special case where GDDR6 is more appropriate for the desktop version and GDDR7 — for the laptop than if both had GDDR7. He explained that lower temperature and higher power efficiency are the reason why mobile RTX 5050 has GDDR7.

The RTX 5050 notebook GPU has been optimized for the best power efficiency for portable laptops with great battery life. Therefore G6 is the best choice for desktops and the more power efficient G7 is the best choice for laptops.

— Ben Berraondo (@MrBenB) June 25, 2025

In this case benefits of G7 are for thermals and battery life, crucial for our OEM partners and hopefully you’ll see some great laptop options

— Ben Berraondo (@MrBenB) June 25, 2025

However, he did not name any advantages of GDDR6 for desktop PCs and did not say why such an efficient GDDR7 should not be in graphics cards for them. Source Tom’s Hardware expresses the obvious idea that GDDR6 has no known advantage over GDDR7 (and unknown). The fastest GDDR6 speed modules have a bandwidth of 20 Gbps GDDR7 provides up to 40% faster speedand the slowest modules operate at 28 Gbps. It’s likely that NVIDIA chose GDDR6 for the RTX 5050 for cost savings and possibly better supply availability.