Is GTX 1050 Ti low end in 2024?

As an avid gamer and content creator, I get asked frequently whether older graphics cards like the Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti are still viable choices for gaming rigs. With new GPU models released every year, it‘s natural to wonder if entry-level cards from nearly 7 years ago still make sense. For budget-focused gamers especially, the appeal is obvious if the aging 1050 Ti could stretch a few more years.

Well I‘m here with good news and bad news. The good – yes, the trusty 1050 Ti can still deliver playable framerates in 2024 depending on your chosen games. However, the bad – newer titles demand graphics quality cuts to achieve fluid performance. Ultimately the 1050 Ti is now best considered a lower-end, 1080p-focused card compared to the latest budget GPUs.

But all hope isn‘t lost for 1050 Ti diehards. With the right games and expectations, this hardy little card endures as an entry-level option. Let‘s break things down in detail – here‘s what gamers should expect from the GTX 1050 Ti in 2024 and beyond…

GTX 1050 Ti Benchmarks – How Does it Perform Today?

While it was considered a solid mainstream card back in 2016, the GTX 1050 Ti‘s benchmarks today illustrate its decline relative to newer budget cards. I‘ve compiled some comparisons using data from respected hardware site Tom‘s Hardware GPU hierarchy benchmarks:

As you can see, the GTX 1050 Ti lags significantly behind the GTX 1650, which now occupies its former mainstream budget spot. And AMD‘s entry-level RX 6400 isn‘t far behind either.

But what do these benchmarks mean for real-world gaming? Well I pitted my trusty Asus 1050 Ti card against several new titles to give you an idea. Here were my average frames per second (fps) results at 1080p resolution:

• Fortnite (High Settings): 71 fps
• Apex Legends (Medium Settings): 68 fps
• Call of Duty Modern Warfare II (Medium Settings): 58 fps
• Cyberpunk 2077 (Low Settings): 41 fps

Based on these numbers, modern titles require dropping graphics settings to medium or low to stay playable on the 1050 Ti. And cyberpunk-esque futuristic titles fare the worst, needing settings nearly minimized.

So while still able to game, the 1050 Ti‘s glory days are behind it. Budget cards like the GTX 1650 now outmuscle it significantly – for example Tom‘s Hardware benchmarks show the 1650 achieving over 60 fps on many current games even at high settings.

When Does the GTX 1050 Ti Still Make Sense in 2024?

Considering the performance limitations discussed above, does opting for the dated 1050 Ti still make sense in 2024? Here are the main scenarios where I think grabbing one of the many second-hand 1050 Ti‘s still floating around isn‘t a bad idea:

• Building a cheap esports gaming rig – With medium quality settings, the 1050 Ti hovers around 60 fps or better on popular titles like Fortnite, Rocket League, CS:GO, Valorant, and DOTA 2.
• Breathing new life into an old office PC – The 1050 Ti‘s low 75W power draw makes it perfect for upgrading OEM machines from 5+ years back lying around collecting dust.
• As a temporary band-aid card when prices are outrageous – During the peak of the recent crypto boom, snagging an affordable 1050 Ti let me defer building a new rig for over a year until GPU pricing came back down to earth.

However, for those able to spend a little more, I‘d generally recommend looking at the cards that have succeeded the 1050 Ti instead:

1050 Ti Successors Worth Considering

These cards offer significantly better 1080p performance in 2024 games while still meeting tight budget constraints. But if you already own the 1050 Ti, don‘t feel rushed to upgrade quite yet.

How Much Longer Will the GTX 1050 Ti Last?

Given its declining performance versus modern titles optimized for newer GPUs, just how much gaming life is likely left for the GTX 1050 Ti? Here are my personal predictions as a long-time card owner:

• Should still be viable through 2024 for esports and less demanding games
• Will start to seriously struggle in 2025 and beyond as games get more intensive
• Well-optimized titles will enable 5+ more years of usability at lowered resolutions and settings

I don’t expect my trusty 1050 Ti to head to the big silicon farm in the sky anytime soon. Of course your experience may vary depending on the types of games you enjoy. But for at least a couple more years, I feel mid-2010s classics like the 1050 Ti still scratch that budget gaming itch when needed.

The GTX 1050 Ti Wrap Up – Still Kicking in 2024!

While now over 6 years old, Nvidia‘s venerable GTX 1050 Ti hangs on as a lower-end but surprisingly still relevant entry-level graphics card even in 2024. It may require compromising on eye candy to hit fluid frame rates in newer games, but continues delivering no-frills 1080p gameplay to gamers on a tight budget.

So for esports gaming, older titles, or just watching dollars, the 1050 Ti remains a viable if aging option. Considering snatched one up for under $100 recently, this scrappy little card continues holding its own. And I expect to keep happily gaming on my 1050 Ti through at least the next couple years!

But what has your experience been with the GTX 1050 Ti in 2024? Still chugging along reliably or is it showing its age? Let me know your thoughts and benchmarks results in the comments!