Home > News

New Moore Threads S50 launches in China as hybrid business/budget gaming option

No signs of a move for the US market
Last Updated on August 2, 2024
Will Moore Threads' S50 break the budget GPU trend? - Quite possibly
PC Guide is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read More
You can trust PC Guide: Our team of experts use a combination of independent consumer research, in-depth testing where appropriate - which will be flagged as such, and market analysis when recommending products, software and services. Find out how we test here.

Chinese GPU manufacturer Moore Threads has expanded its consumer lineup with the introduction of the MTT S50. Positioned as a mid-range offering, the S50 features a modest specification, including 2,048 MUSA cores and 8GB of VRAM. This configuration is identical to its slightly higher-tiered sibling, the S60, suggesting a potential focus on power efficiency.

The S50 is designed to fit a single-slot form factor, making it an ideal choice for compact systems or users prioritizing a low-profile build. Despite sharing core specifications with the S60, Moore Threads has rated the S50 at a lower 5.2 Teraflops of FP32 computing power compared to the S60’s 6 Teraflops. This performance discrepancy is likely attributed to differences in power consumption and clock speeds.

(Image source: Moore Threads Via VideoCardz)

Targeting a niche

While the S50’s performance is positioned between Nvidia’s aging GTX 1070 and GTX 1060 6GB, Moore Threads is targeting a specific niche with this GPU. The company has emphasized the S50’s capabilities in handling lightweight titles like CS:GO and Dota 2, particularly on Linux operating systems. This focus suggests that Moore Threads is still grappling with driver optimization challenges, an issue that has hampered the performance of its previous GPUs.

(Image source: Moore Threads Via VideoCardz)

Official specs

SpecificationMTT S50
GPU cores2,048 MUSA cores
FP32 / INT8 Performance5.2 TFLOPS FP32 / 20.8 TOPS
Memory Interface256-bits
VRAM8GB
Power Consumption85W
Form factorSingle slot blower

Troubled past

In contrast to its competitors, Intel, AMD, and Nvidia, Moore Threads has faced significant difficulties in delivering competitive gaming performance. Previous flagship models, such as the S80, struggled to match the performance of Nvidia’s entry-level GT 1030. While recent driver updates have shown some improvement, the company still has a considerable gap to bridge in terms of overall gaming prowess.

As Moore Threads continues to develop its GPU lineup, the S50 represents a step forward in terms of power efficiency and low-profile design. However, the company’s ongoing driver challenges remain a significant hurdle to overcome if it aims to compete effectively in the mainstream graphics market.

Tom is a tech writer with a detailed view on ensuring the best buying advice, most useful information, and latest news makes its way into PC Guide's articles.