These are the best budget graphics cards you can buy in 2022
2021 has been a rough year for GPUs and PC enthusiasts as a whole. While the GPU shortage situation hasn’t improved yet, things are expected to get better in a few months. That’s right, it looks like we’ll finally be able to buy budget GPUs again in 2022. Despite the lack of availability of existing GPUs, both Nvidia and AMD managed to keep the market busy with plenty of new launches. It’s safe to say that we’ll have a lot of affordable/budget GPUs to buy as soon as the stocks start flowing through the retail, which is why we wanted to highlight some of the best budget GPU options. So in this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the best budget graphics cards you can buy in 2022.
Despite the lower price tag, a lot of the new budget graphics cards don’t skimp on performance. The best budget graphics cards on the market come equipped with plenty of power to help you push through even the modern titles at 1080p with decent graphics settings. It’s true that the best graphics cards on the market get all the attention, but you don’t necessarily have to spend upwards of $1000 on GPUs for gaming or even content creation. So let’s get started with the list and check out the available options.
Navigate this article:
- Best budget Nvidia graphics card: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU
- Best budget AMD graphics card: AMD Radeon RX 6600
- Budget AMD graphics card worth checking out: AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT
- Best budget Nvidia graphics card for 1080p gaming: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super
- Best APU for entry-level gaming: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
Best budget Nvidia graphics card: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU
Nvidia decided to put an end to all the rumors and speculations with the launch of its new GeForce RTX 3050 GPU. Announced at CES 2022, the GeForce RTX 3050 GPU is the company’s new budget king starting at just $249. The RTX 3050, in case you’re wondering, undercuts Nvidia’s previous entry-level graphics card, the RTX 3060. That particular GPU was priced at $329, which means the new budget GPU is $80 cheaper.
The RTX 3050 GPU is built on Nvidia’s Ampere architecture and yes, it supports ray-tracing. In fact, the RTX 3050 GPU promises to be Nvidia’s most affordable entry into the world of ray-tracing. The RT performance of the RTX 3050 is obviously not going to be as good as it is in the case of high-end GPUs. However, we expect it to perform better at 1080p, especially with DLSS. Yes, the RTX 3050 GPU also has Tensor cores to enable things like its AI-based DLSS upscaling. This makes it a really good offering despite the affordable price tag.
In terms of specifications, the RTX 3050 GPU packs 2,560 CUDA cores along with second-gen RT and third-gen Tensor cores. We’re looking at an 8nm GA106-150 GPU with a base clock of 1.55GHz and a boost clock of 1.78GHz. The RTX 3050 comes with 8GB of GDDR6 memory and a 128-bit memory interface for a 224 GB/s memory bandwidth. The RTX 3050 also has an effective memory clock of 14Gbps and a maximum computing power of 9. 10TFLOPS. The RTX 3050 is still not as powerful as the RTX 3060, but we think it comes close. According to Nvidia, the RTX 3050 is powerful enough to allow gamers to experience ray-tracing at 1080p with 60FPS across different titles. That’s impressive, but we’re yet to put this particular GPU to the test.
The new RTX 3050 is said to have a total graphics power of 130W and Nvidia is recommending a 550W PSU to run this particular GPU. In terms of the general performance, Nvidia is comparing the RTX 3050 with its older GPUs like the GTX 1650, GTX 1050 Ti, etc. Well, that makes perfect sense because the RTX 3050 is essentially an upgrade to the outgoing GTX 1650 graphics card. It’s definitely worth upgrading to the new RTX 3050 if you’re using one of the older 16-series graphics cards.
Just like the RTX 3060 graphics card, there’s no Nvidia-built Founder’s Edition model for the new RTX 3050. This means you’ll have to purchase one of the partner cards that are available on the market from the likes of ASUS, MSI, PNY, and more. It goes without saying that these OEMs may end up pricing their version of the RTX 3050 slightly above the $250 launch price. This particular graphics card, just like a lot of other options on the market, isn’t readily available on the market right now. However, you can hit the link below to keep an eye on the availability. We’ll update this space with updated purchase links if/when it goes on sale, so stay tuned. In the meantime, you can check out our collection of the best Nvidia graphics cards to find your other available options on the market.
MSI GeForce RTX 3050 GPU
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The MSI GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card offers reliable performance and is a great option for gamers looking to experience 1080p gaming.
- Buy from Newegg
Best budget AMD graphics card: AMD Radeon RX 6600
A couple of months before launching the new RX 6500 XT graphics card, AMD introduced us to the RX 6600 graphics card, which it said is a solid option for 1080p gamers. The RX 6600 graphics card came out in October 2021 and it was clearly targeted at gamers who are still used to playing at 1080p but still want high refresh rates. In an ideal world, this would be the only 1080p GPU you should buy from AMD, but the company followed this card with the RX 6500 XT. That being said, we’re still going to recommend the RX 6600 as one of the best budget GPUs on the market. It may not be the most affordable GPU out there, but it certainly gets the job done without breaking your bank.
The AMD Radeon RX 6600 has 28 compute units with 2,044MHz and 2,491MHz base and boost clock, respectively. We’re looking at 8GB of GDDR6 video memory over a 128-bit memory interface. This particular GPU also has 32MB of Infinity cache, which is higher than that of the RX 6500 XT that we saw earlier. The RX 6600 has a typical board power rating of 132W, which is more in line with what we’ve seen from other GPUs in this price range.
According to AMD, the new RX 6600 can deliver over 100FPS on many of the new AAA titles. We’re talking titles like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Battlefield 5, Resident Evil Village at max graphics settings. That’s quite impressive for a relatively affordable GPU since all of them are pretty demanding games. AMD also touts 1.3 times more performance per watt compared to NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 3060 in the games mentioned above. This is an interesting claim, although it remains to be seen how this particular compares to Nvidia’s new RTX 3050 graphics card.
A couple of noteworthy features of the AMD RX 6600 GPU includes support for Smart Access Memory and AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR). Smart Access memory accelerates the system access to the GPU’s memory buffer whereas FSR is essentially AMD’s competitor to Nvidia DLSS. FSR renders the games at lower resolutions and uses AI to upscale the visuals to native resolutions. There’s still work to be done when it comes to FSR, but its’ being adopted by a lot of developers and hardware vendors.
Just like the RX 6500 XT and a lot of other AMD GPUs, the RX 6600 graphics card is also available only through the partner OEMs such as ASRock, ASUS, Gigabyte, and more. This particular GPU has a starting price of $329, which is higher than the RX 6500 XT. In fact, the RX 6600 is more in line with the RTX 3050 in terms of pricing. It’s not readily available on the market, though. Depending on the availability of stocks, you may have to pay a premium to get your hands on one of these GPUs, so keep an eye on the link below.
AMD Radeon RX 6600 graphics card
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The AMD Radeon RX 6600 is a budget graphics card geared towards 1080p gamers. It’s a solid option to consider for those who’re looking to enjoy 1080p gaming without spending too much money on high-end cards.
- Buy from Newegg
Budget AMD graphics card worth checking out: AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT
In addition to the new Ryzen 6000 series mobile chips and the Ryzen 7000 desktop CPUs, AMD also launched a new desktop graphics card at CES 2022. The new AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT joined the Radeon 6000 series family of graphics cards in January 2022 as the company’s new budget offering. Unlike some of the other recent AMD launches, the RX 6500 XT is a budget offering that carries a $199 price tag. This makes it cheaper than Nvidia’s new RTX 3050 GPU which was also announced at CES 2022. So there’s clearly no shortage of GPU launches, especially in the sub-$200 price range.
When it comes to the specs, the AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT packs 16 compute units along with 16 ray accelerators. We’re looking at a game frequency of 2,610MHz and a boost frequency of up to 2,815MHz. As for the memory configuration, the RX 6500 XT comes with 4GB of GDDR6 memory with 18Gbps speeds. It uses a 64-bit interface to offer a memory bandwidth of up to 144GB/s. The RX 6500 XT has a total graphics power of 107W and AMD is recommending a 400W PSU for a build with this graphics card.
The Radeon RX 6500 XT packs 1,024 RDNA 2 cores, which is half the cores of the RX 6600 XT. In fact, it’s even lower than the cores of the RX 6600 GPU. Another thing that’s worth pointing out is that the RX 6500 XT comes with 4GB OF GDDR6 VRAM, which is pretty low for 1080p gaming. The RTX 3050 GPU from Nvidia, for instance, comes with 8GB of VRAM, which we think is ideal. We’re yet to get our hands on this particular graphics card, so we’ll reserve our judgments for later. But it’s safe to say that the RX 6500 XT is here to serve the entry-level budget space. According to AMD, the new RX 6500 XT can serve up to 59% more gaming performance compared to the likes of GTX 1650 and the RX 570 graphics cards. That puts it in line with Nvidia’s new RTX 3050 GPU.
The AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT looked like a pretty good GPU on paper when it launched. It even offers decent 1080p gaming performance but you can’t ignore the fact that it comes with a rather unusual configuration. It only includes four PCIe lanes as opposed to the more usual eight or 16. While it makes sense with modern PCIe 4.0 in which each lane can deliver a large amount of bandwidth, it’s not ideal for those working with older PCIe 3.0 systems. As a result, it leaves a lot of performance on the table. You will definitely be missing out on some performance while gaming with this GPU, so keep that in mind. The RX 6500 XT is only available through partner OEMs like MSI, ASUS, ASRock, and more.
As is the case with other partner cards, you may have to pay slightly more than the $199 price based on the model. That’s assuming you end up finding one in stock from the partners. You can always hit the link below to see if this particular GPU is available in stock right now. In the meantime, you can check out our collection of the best AMD graphics cards you can buy in 2022. This list also includes all the best AMD GPUs, so you’re bound to find some good alternatives.
XFX Radeon RX 6500 XT GPU
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AMD’s Radeon RX 6500 XT offers good 1080p gaming performance for newcomers in this space. But you’ll be operating under the limits imposed by its unusual configuration.
- Buy from Newegg
Best budget Nvidia graphics card for 1080p gaming: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super
Nvidia recently updated its budget GPU lineup with the RTX 3050 desktop card, but we think the GeForce GTX 1660 Super is still a capable 1080p card that’s worth considering. It may not be as powerful or as feature-packed as the new RTX 3050 GPU, but we think it still offers plenty of value for money. Priced at around $200, the GTX 1660 Super sits between the GTX 1660 and the GTX 1660 Ti in Nvidia’s Turning lineup and offers a significant bump in performance over the GTX 1660 GPU. In fact, it matches the general performance of the GTX 1660 Ti for around $50 less, making it a fantastic option for those looking to buy a budget graphics card.
In terms of specifications, the GTX 1660 Super comes with 1408 stream processors and 88 texture units. We’re looking at a 1,530MHz base clock and a 1,785MHz boost clock. As for the memory configuration, the GTX 1660 Super comes with 6GB of GDDR6 video memory with recorded memory speeds of up to 14Gbps. It handily beats both the GTX 1650 and the GTX 1660 graphics card to become a solid performer in the budget space.
One of the main differences between the GTX 1660 Super and the new RTX 3050 GPU is that the new model also comes with Tensor and RT cores to support features like DLSS and ray-tracing. If you don’t necessarily care about ray-tracing or DLSS, then we think the GTX 1660 Super is still worth considering in 2022. It’s not the most powerful GPU out there, but it’s certainly capable of handling games at 1080p without a hitch.
According to Nvidia, the GTX 1660 Super draws as much as 130W of power and it recommends using a 500W PSU for a build with this GPU. In terms of performance, the GTX 1660 Super is arguably the best GTX 16-series graphics card on the market. Sure, the GTX 1660 Ti performs slightly better in certain workloads, but it also carries a significantly higher price tag. The GTX 1660 Super represents what we consider to be a bang-for-buck GPU in its price range. In the TimeSpy test, for instance, the GTX 1660 Super is only about 5% slower than the GTX 1660 Ti. In the FireStike test, the difference is even more narrow, coming in at only about 2% slower than the GTX 1660 Ti.
The GTX 1660 Super shows similar performance in the real-world gaming tests too. We’re only looking at a marginal performance difference, making it a solid graphics card. Sadly, the current GPU market hasn’t exactly been kind to the GTX 1660 Super either. This particular GPU is also going for as high as $500 or more, which is simply too high for this GPU. The same is the case for the GTX 1660 Ti too, so it’s best you keep an eye on the market. We recommend checking out the link below to get the best price online for this particular graphics card.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super
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The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super is arguably the best GTX 16-series graphics card you can buy on the market right now.
- Buy from Newegg
Best APU for entry-level gaming: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
AMD’s Ryzen 5 5600G is one of the best APUs on the market right now, and it’s perfect for those who are looking to build an affordable entry-level gaming PC when GPU prices are essentially off the roof. We think the Ryzen 5 5600G is a great stopgap until the GPU market stabilizes. The Ryzen 5 5600G, for those of you who don’t know, is a six-core, twelve-thread processor with great integrated graphics. As a successor to the older gaming-focused Ryzen 5 3600G, the new processor offers better overall performance, be it for gaming or other day-to-day workloads.
In terms of specifications, the Ryzen 5 5600G comes with six cores and twelve threads. We’re looking at a base clock of 3.9GHz and a boost clock of 4.4GHz. The Ryzen 5 5600G also carries the Radeon RX Vega 7 integrated graphics to offer impressive gaming performance. This 65W TDP chip has a 16MB L3 cache and it drops in one of the existing AM4 CPU sockets. This 7nm APU isn’t as powerful as the IGP-less Ryzen 5 5600X, but we think it’s still capable of handling just about all the day-to-day workloads with ease.
When it comes to the gaming performance of the Ryzen 5 5600G, the integrated Vega 7 graphics is powerful enough to run even some of the modern titles at 720p or at 1080p with low settings. The Ryzen 5 5600G can deliver a solid 60FPS gameplay when it comes to games like Far Cry 5 at 720p low settings. At 1080p the frames are down to around 30FPS, but it handles the game very well. The same is the case with other AAA titles like the Rise of Tomb Raider. Esports titles like Rainbow Six Siege and Counter Strike Global Offensive run at over 150FPS even at 1080p medium settings.
The Ryzen 5 5600G is not as powerful as the Ryzen 7 5700G, but we think it matches the general performance of Ryzen 7 5700G for less money. The Ryzen 5 5600G handily beats just about every other older Intel CPU leading up to the 11th-gen Rocket Lake series. The Ryzen 7 5700G is still the better pick out of the two if you’re planning to pick up a discrete GPU down the line, but entry-level gamers will find plenty of what they need in the Ryzen 5 5600G.
Intel’s new 12th-gen Core i5-12600 beats the Ryzen 5 5600G, but we think it’s still relatively cheaper to build a PC with the Ryzen 5 5600G as opposed to 12600. Unlike the 12600 CPU, the Ryzen 5 5600G drops in one of the existing motherboards with an AM4 socket. These motherboards are readily available on the market, often at cheap prices too as opposed to the recently released Intel 600-series chipset-based motherboards.
Overall, we think the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G is a great option for those who want an IGP-equipped chip that can reliably run many games at 60FPS, albeit at low-graphics settings. We also recommend checking out the Ryzen 7 5700G if you can afford something slightly more expensive than the 5600G.
AMD Ryzen 5 5600G Processor
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The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G is a great APU for those who are currently struggling to buy a GPU on the market.
- Buy from BestBuy
Best budget graphics cards to buy in 2022: Final Thoughts
Both Nvidia and AMD have managed to launch new GPUs over the past year despite the limited availability of existing graphics cards. Well, that’s not necessarily a bad thing because we now have some solid budget options to look forward to when the GPU market stabilizes later this year. We think the new Nvidia RTX 3050 essentially replaces a lot of GTX 16-series and older GPUs, while AMD’s new RX 6500 XT and RX 6600 stand as great options for entry-level rigs. Not to mention, both Intel and AMD also have some solid APUs for those who are really strapped for cash.
We’ll continue to monitor the budget GPU space through 2022 to see if we can add more options to this list. This is an ever-evolving list, so we’ll continue to update this over time with fresh options on the market. In the meantime, be sure to let us know your favorite picks when it comes to budget GPUs. You can also discuss the same in our XDA Computing Forums or get more GPU recommendations from the experts in our community.
The 7 Best Budget Graphics Cards for Cheap Gaming
By
Gavin Phillips
Updated
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Budget graphics cards are very capable these days. Here are the best budget graphics cards that will let you game on the cheap.
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Premium pick
Nvidia GTX 1660-6GB
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Brand
Nvidia -
Cooling Method
Fan -
GPU Speed
1,830MHz
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Brand
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Editors choice
AMD RX 580-8GB
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Brand
AMD -
Cooling Method
Fan -
GPU Speed
1366 MHz
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Brand
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Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti
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Brand
Nvidia -
Cooling Method
Fan -
GPU Speed
1290 MHz
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Brand
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Best value
AMD RX 570-8GB
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Brand
AMD -
Cooling Method
Fan -
GPU Speed
1,286MHz
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Brand
Summary List
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9. 40/10
1.
Premium pick:
Nvidia GTX 1660-6GB -
9.20/10
2.
Nvidia GTX 1650 Super Overclocked-4GB -
9. 00/10
3.
Editors choice:
AMD RX 580-8GB -
9.20/10
4.
Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti -
9. 20/10
5.
Best value:
AMD RX 570-8GB -
9.00/10
6.
AMD RX 5500 XT-8GB -
9. 00/10
7.
Nvidia GeForce GT 1030-2GB
The latest and greatest games are demanding on both your wallet and your system. As specifications rise, it is difficult for gamers on a budget to keep up to date.
However, budget gaming GPUs don’t force you into a low-resolution, blurry-pixel past. Far from it, in fact. A budget graphics card is no longer a barrier to enjoying some of the best games on offer.
The best budget graphics cards come from a range of GPU manufacturing generations. Some of the best bang for your buck comes from the slightly older but still super powerful cards. Of course, your definition of a budget GPU depends on—wait for it—your budget.
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The Nvidia GTX 1660-6GB isn’t one of the cheapest budget GPUs. I would say it is borderline as to whether it fits into that category. However, as the next generation on from the popular Nvidia GTX 1060, the GTX 1660-6GB worth considering if you can stretch your budget a little further (or find savings elsewhere).
The UserBenchmark FPS estimates for the GTX 1660-6GB version average around 111 FPS per game, depending on the rest of your hardware. You’ll find performance gains from the GTX 1660’s superfast GDDR6 RAM and the Turing architecture that powers Nvidia’s latest generations of GPUs.
The 1660-6GB is one of the most popular Nvidia GPUs of any type. Given the FPS estimates and prospective performance, you can understand why.
Key Features
- 6GB GDDR RAM
- Dual-fan design
- Turing architecture
- 1x HDMI
- 3x DisplayPort 1.4
Specifications
- Brand: Nvidia
- Cooling Method: Fan
- GPU Speed: 1,830MHz
- Interface: PCIe x16
- Memory: 6GB GDDR5 RAM
- Power: 120W
Pros
- Solid 1080p gaming performance
- Excellent power efficiency
Cons
- Not truly budget
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The Nvidia GTX 1650 Super Overclocked is a 4GB GPU and an excellent budget graphics card. It features the latest Turing architecture powering the newest generation of Nvidia GPUs and has 4GB GDDR6 to help you enjoy the latest games with using the upper selection of settings.
The fantastic users over at UserBenchmark provide expedient insight into the estimated number of frames per second (FPS) the GTX 1650 Super Overclocked achieves in a range of games. Depending on the system hardware, the GTX 1650 Super Overclocked delivers an average of 111 FPS across games, including Fortnite, Overwatch, GTA V, and PUBG. (Though this figure is skewed by the extremely high FPS achieved in older games like CSGO.)
Another plus point for the Nvidia GTX 1650 Super Overclocked is its size. The GTX 1650 Super Overclocked is a single-fan design, meaning it fits into almost every system layout and case size. Furthermore, its overall power use is low, saving you some extra pennies in the long run.
Key Features
- 4GB GDDR4 RAM
- Single-fan design
- Turing architecture
- 1x DisplayPort 1. 4
- 1x HDMI 2.0
Specifications
- Brand: Nvidia
- Cooling Method: Fan
- GPU Speed: 1280 MHz
- Interface: PCIe x16
- Memory: 4GB
- Power: 100W
Pros
- Overlocked 4GB model
- Single-fan design fits any case
- Decent FPS for price
- Entry-level GPU model
Cons
- Struggles with 1080p streaming
- Struggles with latest games
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Fluctuations in the top-end of the GPU market means the impressive AMD RX 580-8GB video card is now a steal. It comes with two HDMI ports, one DVI-D port, and two DisplayPorts, along with the 8GB of GDDR5 RAM. While the RX 580 is an 8GB card, it is outperformed by its Nvidia equivalent, the GTX 1070.
However, the AMD RX 580 can handle most of the latest games on high to ultra-settings and should enable some 1440p gaming, too. The AMD RX 580 8GB version is well-reviewed, receiving glowing reports from users and critics alike.
It performs well in many of the most taxing games. According to UserBenchmark testing (and depending on your system hardware), the RX 580 achieves over 60 FPS in GTA V, Fortnite, PUBG, and Overwatch.
Key Features
- 8GB GDDR5 RAM
- Dual-fan design
- Polaris architecture
- 2x HDMI
- 2x DisplayPort 1. 4
Specifications
- Brand: AMD
- Cooling Method: Fan
- GPU Speed: 1366 MHz
- Interface: PCIe x16
- Memory: 8GB
- Power: 185W
Pros
- Handle most modern games on high settings
- Allows some 1440p gaming
- Multiple ports
- Excellent value
Cons
- Relatively high power consumption
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The Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti is the successor to the GTX 1050, which itself is superseded by the Nvidia GTX 1650. Still, the GTX 1050 Ti is a powerful single fan GPU that competes with the similarly specced AMD RX 580-4GB (not the 8GB version above!). Despite the GTX 1050 Ti hitting the market six months after the RX 580-4GB, it is the latter that retains the edge, offering faster overall memory and memory bandwidth.
The UserBenchmark FPS estimates that the GTX 1050 Ti will achieve an average of 72 FPS, depending on the game and the hardware. Although it is a 4GB card, the 1050 Ti will struggle to play the latest games on the highest settings at a solid 60 FPS. However, 30 FPS and above should be achievable—again, depending on the rest of the system hardware.
Another plus for the Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti is the single fan design. You can fit the GTX 1050 Ti into any case and design, perfect for small builds. The GTX 1050 Ti has another advantage over the RX 580-4GB—it uses half of the power; 75W vs. 150W. You’ll save some money on your power supply unit purchase and long-term power use, too.
Key Features
- 4GB GDDR5 RAM
- Single-fan design
- 1x HDMI
- 1x DisplayPort 1.4
- Pascal architecture
Specifications
- Brand: Nvidia
- Cooling Method: Fan
- GPU Speed: 1290 MHz
- Interface: PCIe x16
- Memory: 4GB
- Power: 75W
Pros
- Low power in comparison to direct competitors
- Single-fan design fits any case
- Decent power to performance
Cons
- Struggles with modern games on high settings
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The AMD RX 570-8GB is another 8GB GPU that you can pick up for snip thanks to movements at the very top-end of the GPU marketplace. The RX 570 8GB uses AMD’s Polaris architecture, which provides a decent boost over the now-aging AMD RX 400 series GPUs but cannot really hold a candle to the vastly more powerful (and more expensive!) AMD Vega architecture.
That’s not to say the 8GB RX 570 is a slouch. It packs in 8GB GDDR5 RAM, and still provides excellent performance in games like Overwatch, Fortnite, and so on. Being an 8GB card, you should manage some 1440p gaming, too, though your frame rates might suffer depending on the rest of your hardware.
Key Features
- 8GB GDDR5 RAM
- Dual-fan design
- Dual-bios function
- Polaris architecture
- 1x HDMI
- 3x DisplayPort 1.4
Specifications
- Brand: AMD
- Cooling Method: Fan
- GPU Speed: 1,286MHz
- Interface: PCIe x16
- Memory: 8GB GDDR5 RAM
- Power: 150W
Pros
- Solid 1080p gaming performance
- Fairly quiet
Cons
- Slightly aging model
- Fairly quiet
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AMD’s RX 5550 XT GPU is a relatively new introduction to the market, yet is a hit with budget system builders. The main reason is the price to power the RX 5500 XT gives you, with 8GB GDDR6 RAM and a base GPU clock speed of 1,647MHz.
That combination means 1080p gaming at 60 frames per second is very much achievable, on high and even ultra-settings. You’ll even manage some 1440p gaming, too, though not at 60fps.
Furthermore, the RX 5500 XT is built using AMD’s latest Navi architecture, meaning more power efficiency than the previous generation. It also has a relatively slimline form factor for a dual-fan GPU, meaning you can squeeze it into smaller system builds, too.
In short, the AMD RX 5500 XT isn’t the flashiest graphics card around, but it offers very reasonable performance for those that want an entry into 1080p gaming.
Key Features
- 8GB GDDR6 RAM
- 1x HDMI
- 3x DisplayPort 1.4
- Navi architecture
- Dual-fan design
Specifications
- Brand: AMD
- Cooling Method: Fan
- GPU Speed: 1,647MHz
- Interface: PCIe x16
- Memory: 8GB GDDR6
- Power: 130W
Pros
- Reasonable power to performance
- Good 1080p budget gaming
- Smallish form factor
- Radeon Image Sharpening
Cons
- Can struggle with fast paced 1080p gaming
- Sometimes beaten out by last generation GPUs in gaming benchmarks
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The Nvidia GeForce GT 1030-2GB is one of the cheapest GPUs around. Never heard of it? It is regularly outshined by other slightly more powerful—but more expensive—graphics cards. However, the single-fan 2GB GT 1030 will still help you power through some excellent games. You won’t max out The Witcher 3, but with the right hardware, you can certainly play your way through it.
The GT 1030-2GB has a small profile. But that’s for a good reason. The GT 1030 only draws around 30W, making it extremely efficient for low-power gaming rigs.
Word to the wise: don’t accidentally buy the Low Profile GT 1030. It comes with even less power than the full-size version, and instead of GDDR5 memory, uses regular DDR4 RAM. Consequently, the Low Profile version will struggle to run your favorite games.
Key Features
- 2GB GDDR5 RAM
- Ultra-low power
- Slimline single-fan design
- 1x HDMI
Specifications
- Brand: Nvidia
- Cooling Method: Fan
- GPU Speed: 1,252MHz
- Interface: PCIe x16
- Memory: 2GB GDDR5 RAM
- Power: 30W
Pros
- Extremely cheap entry level GPU
- Fits into tiny system builds
Cons
- Will struggle to cope with modern games
- Doesn’t really allow any streaming
- Better options for slightly larger outlay
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Q: Should You Buy a Second-Hand Graphics Card?
The other option for gamers on a budget is buying a top-end card from a previous GPU generation. Within a couple of years, this will be a way to get features like real-time ray tracing or the super-powerful 12GB GPUs (and rumored 16GB GPUs) for a reasonable price.
At the time of writing, the Nvidia GTX 980 and 980 Ti, and the AMD RX 480 8GB and R9 Fury X are powerful gaming GPUs that will play most games on very high settings. The 980 Ti still outscores some of the modern GPUs on this list.
Picking up a second-hand GPU seems like a great idea. However, there are some things to consider before making your purchase. For instance, can the seller verify the GPU works, or how they used the GPU?
The other consideration is that with a new purchase, you have the guarantee of a warranty. If anything goes wrong with your new GPU, you can return it. Whereas, no such protection exists for a second-hand GPU unless you’re buying a refurbished model.
Q: Can I Buy a Cryptocurrency Mining GPU?
The cryptocurrency boom of 2017 saw GPU prices skyrocket. Cryptocurrency miners rushed to buy the best graphics cards for the Bitcoin era, creating a graphics card price bubble.
Then, the cryptocurrency bubble burst. The GPU market was suddenly awash with second-hand GPUs that had been in use at full speed, 24/7, for months on end. The constant demand on the internal parts, the heat this generates, plus the heat and often poor ventilation of a crypto-mining rig can severely damage the GPU.
Luckily, the demand for crypto-mining has decreased, and GPU prices are now stable (albeit higher than before the cryptocurrency bubble). For a while, after the crypto-price bubble burst, the second-hand GPU market was awash with these ex-crypto mining GPUs, though this trend seems to have slowed for now.
Q: How Much Should I Spend on a Graphics Card?
The budget GPU market is competitive and the water is muddied further with second-hand options. Selecting a GPU really does depend on your budget. If you can shift other areas of your computer building budget around to accommodate a better graphics card, then you should consider it.
However, you shouldn’t then compromise your CPU performance to purchase a marginally better GPU.
Ideally, you should opt for an 8GB graphics card where possible. Most will offer 1080p gaming with solid performance, with some 1440p gaming too.
Q: Why Are Graphics Cards So Expensive?
Top-tier graphics cards are expensive because they include a large amount of complex technology, use expensive materials in the manufacturing process, and contain many components.
Budget GPUs are cheaper because they cut back in certain areas, using less memory or running a lower clock speed. Alternatively, a budget GPU may appear on the market once it is surpassed by a new technological generation. Our list of the best budget GPUs includes a few options of this type, and indeed, it is one of the best ways to snag a powerful GPU for a better price.
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About The Author
Gavin Phillips
(1099 Articles Published)
Gavin is the Junior Editor for Technology Explained, a regular contributor to the Really Useful Podcast, and a frequent product reviewer. He has a degree in Contemporary Writing pillaged from the hills of Devon, and more than a decade of professional writing experience. He enjoys copious amounts of tea, board games, and football.
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Best Low-Budget Graphics Cards For Gaming [2022]
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A graphics card sucks most of your budget that you need to spend on building a gaming PC. And to be honest, where high-end GPUs like RTX 2080 and 3080Ti are dominating the market, there are some low-budget GPUs that offer nearly the same value and performance that a premium GPU does.
So if you aren’t a fan of 4K or 8K gaming, there are some affordable graphics cards from Nvidia and AMD that really steal the show.
We have done in-depth research before listing the best low-budget graphics cards in our guide.
So, we tested these cards with the latest games like Shadow of the Tomb Raider & Overwatch at high settings (1080p). We haven’t noticed any lags in the gameplay, and the frame rates were above average most of the time.
It is a common belief that if you have an expensive graphics card, you will get better performance in gaming. But here are some entry-level graphics cards that will run every demanding game at 1080p resolution and you really don’t need to spend piles of cash to buy them.
Quick Comparison of All Low Budget GPUs on the List
Graphics Card | Video Memory | Boost Clock Speed | Max Resolution | PSU Requirement |
ASUS GeForce GTX 1660 Super Overclocked | 6GB GDDR6 | 1830 MHz | 7680 x 4320 | 450W |
ASUS TUF Gaming 3 AMD Radeon | 6GB GDDR6 | 1770 MHz | 7680 x 4320 | 450W |
Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 580 | 8GB GDDR5 | 1366 MHz | 5120×2880 | 500W |
EVGA GeForce GTX 1650 Super SC | 4GB GDDR6 | 1755 MHz | 7680×4320 | 350W |
Gigabyte GeForce GT 1030 | 2GB GDDR5 | 1227 MHz | 4096 X 2160 | 300W |
Table showing specs of different graphics cards we’ve reviewed in this guide
Best Low Budget Graphics Cards Reviewed
Here are some of the top considerations from our side according to your budget
ASUS GeForce GTX 1660 Super Overclocked | Overall Best Low-Budget GPU for 1080p Gaming
Check Price on Amazon
Key Specs:
- Base Clock Speed: 1530 MHz
- Boost Clock Speed: 1830 MHz
- 6 GB DGDDR6 Memory
- Maximum Resolution 7680 x 4320
- 1×6-pin power connector
- 192-bit Memory Interface
- HDMI 2. 0B, DisplayPort 1.4, and DVI-D Video Output
- 450W PSU Requirement
The ASUS GeForce GTX 1660 Super is 20% faster than the older GTX 1660 version. Indeed it is one of the cheapest gaming GPUs that outperforms some mid-range graphics cards as well.
The Super version of GTX 1660 is overclocked at 1830 MHz to deliver the best performance in gaming.
We tested Shadow of the Tomb Raider at 1080p settings on this GPU, and the results were amazing. Most of the time, fps didn’t drop below 60.
Also, we tested some other titles like RDR2 and Overwatch at high settings, with no lags at all. However, RDR2 struggled a bit on this GPU when we pushed the settings to ultra-high.
Nvidia itself has done a great job in making this video card ideal for AAA gaming.
And now when there is a war raging between high-performance graphics cards from AMD and Nvidia, having a budget-friendly GPU like ASUS GTX 1660 Super, lets you taste your favorite gaming titles without breaking your bank account.
Like GTX 1660 Super has it all that you wish for in a wallet-friendly gaming card. It has 6 GB of GDDDR6 memory, which is way faster than the previous generation modules.
Moreover, the dual-fans on the top keep this GPU stable even at higher clock speeds. And this GPU also has a dedicated hardware encoder that lets you play and stream games on your YouTube channel at the same time.
The only downside of this graphics card that we have noticed so far is its bulky dimensions. Nvidia says that it’s a 2.7 form factor GPU (covers at least three slots), we found it difficult to fit in one of our MicroATX PC cases.
It will sit comfortably in a full ATX-build but not in a smaller PC case. If you have a compact PC case, then it’s better to go with small form factor graphics cards.
Also, this GPU doesn’t give you a taste of ray-tracing cores. But with a graphics card under $300, not having such a premium feature isn’t a big deal.
Reasons to Choose
- One of the best GPUs if you want to play games at 1080p
Reasons to Stay Away
- If you have a microATX PC case, this card isn’t for you
ASUS TUF Gaming 3 AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT | Best Value Graphics Card on Budget
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Key Specs:
- Boost Clock up to 1770 MHz
- 6 GB GDDR6 Memory
- 2304 Stream Processors
- 192-bit Interface
- Maximum Resolution 7680 x 4320
- 1 x 8-pin Power Connector
- HDMI 2. 0b, DisplayPort 1.4, HDCP Video Outputs
- 450W PSU Requirement
Where the gaming market has been grabbed by Nvidia, it is harder to find good cheaper gaming GPUs like the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT. Though this is a low-range GPU, it has given a tough time to some mid-range GPU cards in gaming.
With a boost clock up to 1770 MHz, 6GB of GDDR6 memory, and tons of other useful features, this AMD graphics card really stands on a sweet spot between price and performance.
Just like the ASUS GeForce GTX 1660 Super, this video card does not have any ray tracing cores either. Again this feature isn’t worth looking at in low-budget graphics cards like these.
Apart from the special effects of ray tracing, this GPU is good enough to meet all your expectations in gaming. Like we’ve thrown some modern PC games onto this card, and it performed really well, more than our expectations.
We tested some open-world games at 1080p settings, and AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT really blew up our minds.
To be honest, we haven’t found much difference in the performance of the Radeon RX 5600 XT and GeForce GTX 1660 Super at all, apart from the price and need for an 8-pin power connector.
If you aren’t a die-hard fan of ray tracing and multiple display ports, this is the best low-budget GPU that you can get for playing modern games.
Reasons to Choose
- Performance is somewhere near expensive GPUs
Reasons to Stay Away
- Limited display ports
Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 580 | Best Bang for Buck GPU for 1440p Gaming
Check Price on Amazon
Key Specs:
- Boost Clock Speed up to 1366 MHz
- 8 GB GDDR5 Memory
- DisplayPort, DVI, HDMI Video Outputs
- 256-bit Interface
- 5120×2880 Maximum Resolution
- 500W PSU Requirement
- 1x 8-pin Power Connector
Radeon RX 580 is everyone’s favorite GPU from the year 2020. And this year as well, it has given a tough time to some high-end GPUs when it comes to AAA gaming titles.
Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 580 is no doubt a powerful card with enough memory, clock speed, and interface at an affordable price.
The Radeon RX 580 Pulse has a slight edge over the other cards in its family. And that is more clock speed and memory.
And both of these specs really matter whenever we talk about hardcore gaming. Apart from its sleek and cool-looking design, the Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 580 shines out in other departments as well.
Also, we tested these video cards with modern games at 1080p and 1440p settings. Games like Overwatch, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Cyberpunk 2077 didn’t suffer from any lags at all.
But the thing that really caught out attention was the above-average fps even on much higher resolutions.
All in all, this graphics card has the capability to be among some mid-range GPUs in the industry. And it is somewhat that kind of a graphics card that holds premium specs just under the $700 price range.
Well, it isn’t a kind of graphics card that will last for years, at least it can let you play modern games at 1080p or even 1440p (depending upon your system specs).
And if you are stepping up from older graphics cards, going for an RX 580 would be a great decision.
Reason to Choose
- Best performance for the price truly made for hardcore gaming
Reasons to Stay Away
- Draws more power under full load, so you will need to invest in a high wattage power supply
EVGA GeForce GTX 1650 Super SC | Cost-Effective Entry-Level Graphics Card for 720p Gaming
Check Price on Amazon
Key Specs:
- Boost clock speed to 1755 MHz
- 4GB of GDDR6 Memory
- 128-bit Interface
- 7680×4320 Maximum Resolution
- DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0b, DVI-D, HDCP 2.2
- 350W PSU Requirement
GeForce GTX 1650 is a graphics that has been the crown of most gaming laptops as well. Although this isn’t a high-end GPU, it has proven to be a good candidate for playing games at lower settings.
The EVGA GeForce GTX 1650 Super comes with 4GB of GDDR6 VRAM and boost clock up to 1755 MHz along with a dual-fan setup.
Seriously at this price factor, there are some better options from AMD. However, there is a reason we have chosen the GTX 1650 to be the grace of our low-budget graphics cards list.
And that is lower power consumption and capability to play games at higher resolutions like 720p and in some cases at 1080p as well.
In our gaming tests, the EVGA GeForce GTX 1650 Super was better in handling games up to 720p resolution.
However, when we scaled the graphics up to a higher resolution, the real struggle started, and the fps dropped down below average.
Some titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Cyberpunk 2077 were not as smooth as they were on RX 580 and Radeon RX 5600 XT.
If you are a tech-savvy kind of person, this GPU will definitely save you a lot of cash when building a low-end gaming PC.
At the same time, you can also look for RX 580 (4GB version) that costs a few more bucks and performs way better than EVGA GeForce GTX 1650 Super.
But everyone has their own preferences, if you are a fan of Nvidia’s lower-end gaming cards, EVGA GeForce GTX 1650 Super is the right option at the moment.
Reasons to Buy
- Affordable price and low power consumption
Reasons to Stay Away
- Isn’t good for hardcore gaming at higher resolutions
Gigabyte GeForce GT 1030 | Cheapest Graphics Card on the List
Check Price on Amazon
Key Specs:
- Clock speed 1227 MHz
- 2 GB of GDDR5 Memory
- 64-bit Interface
- 4096 X 2160 Maximum Resolution
- HDMI and Displayport Video Output
- 300W PSU Requirement
The Gigabyte GT 1030 is the most affordable Nvidia graphics card on our list. It doesn’t end up with those high-end specs as the GPUs do, it still shows up as an ideal choice if you are on a tight budget. So if you are building a low-budget gaming PC, this GPU can let you save a lot of money to invest in other peripherals.
Yes, you cannot expect this graphics card to excel in the most demanding PC games, but it won’t leave you behind when it comes to playing them at the lowest settings possible.
Obviously, the 64-bit interface and 2GB VRam aren’t enough to juice modern PC games at all.
We managed to play some games on this graphics card even at high settings. We tested GT 1030 while playing Borderlands 2 and DarkSouls 3 at max settings.
To our surprise, the fps didn’t drop below 60 throughout the gameplay. We tried Fortnite at medium to high settings on this graphics card, and it worked without any problem. Yes, you can game on this graphics card but on old titles.
Overall, it’s a reliable graphics card with 75 TDP to install on your old PC.
Reasons to Choose
- The cheaper entry-level video card on the market for light gaming
Reasons to Stay Away
- Not good for playing demanding games
Average FPS While Testing Graphics Card on Our Gaming PC
So we tested all the GPUs on our list one by one in our custom-built gaming PC. Here are the main specs of our gaming build.
Specs of the System Used for Testing GPUs:
- CPU: Core i9 9900K clocked @3. 6GHz
- Ram: Patriot Viper Steel DDR4-4400 (2 x 8GB)
- Motherboard: Gigabyte Z390 Auros Pro
- PSU: Thermaltake 550W
Settings at 1080p | Red Dead Redemption 2 | Overwatch | Shadow of Tomb Raider |
ASUS GeForce GTX 1660 Super | 71 | 69 | 74 |
AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT | 55 | 58 | 66 |
Radeon RX 580 | 54 | 51 | 60 |
GeForce GTX 1650 Super SC | 35 | 31 | 35 |
GeForce GT 1030 | 16 | 19 | 22 |
Avg frames per second at 1080p settings
How to Choose a Low Budget GPU for Gaming and Other Workloads
Although price is the most significant factor to look for in a budget-friendly GPU, there are some other factors that really add more value to your pick.
Memory
To play games at 1080p settings, you should go for a graphics card that has at least 2GB of memory.
Many entry-level graphics cards nowadays come with 4GB to 8GB of memory, which is way more than the minimum requirements for running any game at 1080p settings.
Ideally, you should go for a 6GB graphics card to play games at 1080p or even 1440p settings.
Memory Type
Graphics cards come with GDDR3, GDDR5, and recently GDDR6 memory. We recommend you choose a GPU that comes with GDDR5 memory, which is faster and way more complex than GDDR3.
If you want to really scale up your gaming experience, then go for a video with a GDDR6 type memory.
Bits
This is the most deciding factor in the performance of a GPU. A GPU with 4GB VRAM and 256-bit interface is way more powerful than a GPU with 6GB of VRam and 128-bit Interface.
Many low-budget graphics cards come with a 128-bit interface, which is good enough to play games at max settings.
A 64-bit interface graphics card is cheaper but isn’t the right option to play demanding games.
Interface
Nowadays many GPUs are using an x16 PCIe slot to fit in the motherboard. GPUs vary in shape and dimensions.
It is important to know how many slots a GPU will fill single, double, or triple slots. Make sure your motherboard has enough space to accommodate your new graphics card.
Nvidia VS AMD
Now both Nvidia and AMD are having a war to win the leading spot in the GPU market. It turns out that there is confusion among buyers about which company they should rely on.
Now both of these companies produce video cards depending on your budget and needs. Nvidia, however, uses less power out of your power supply as compared to AMD cards.
Now you will see many companies like ASUS, Gigabyte, Sapphire offering graphics cards from Nvidia and AMD. What these companies really do is that they buy the chips from Nvidia or AMD and then customize them for better performance.
There are some other considerations to take into account like clock speed, cooling, and aesthetics that can impact the performance of a GPU. No matter whichever company you go to, always consider your need and budget first.
Recommendation
Finally, we hope you now have a better understanding of which low-budget graphics card falls under your gaming needs.
As far as our recommendation is concerned, we suggest you go for ASUS GeForce GTX 1660 Super to play the most demanding games at medium to high settings.
If you aren’t that kind of a hardcore gamer, then you can move down to GeForce GTX 1650 Super SC or RX 580 for playing games on decent settings.
All in all, these wallet-friendly graphics cards are perfect for a solid gaming experience and you can go for any of these according to your budget and needs.
Mosaab
Hi, I’m the author and founder of this blog. I have more than 10 years of experience in the industry. Throughout my journey I’ve tested and reviewed hundreds of graphics card for custom PC builds. I believe my knowledge and experience will help you choose the card that really falls to your needs and budget.
Best Budget Graphics Cards For Gaming [Guide]
When new graphics cards are released, the main talking point is always about the fastest models from the lineup, like the RTX 3090 Ti or the RX 6950 XT.
But, the reality is that most people aren’t looking to buy $1000+ GPUs; instead, they want something more wallet-friendly. As a result, people look for budget and mid-range GPUs, which are the ones that offer the best performance per dollar.
These budget-oriented cards are more than capable of handling the latest video games, especially with the help of upscaling technologies like FSR, DLSS, RSR, or NIS.
Here’s a guide listing the best budget graphics cards for gaming from cheapest to most expensive, to help you get the best possible performance for your money.
Let’s check them out!
Table of ContentsShow
The Pros:
- Runs on PCIe power
- Low-profile GPU
- Runs most games at 60 FPS
The Cons:
- Disappointing performance (compared to other GPUs)
- Bad price point
- Bottlenecked with PCIe 3. 0
- 4GB VRAM
Even with the fluctuating GPU market prices, this RX 6400 Aero ITX from MSI is the cheapest budget graphics card you can find. However, with an MSRP of $160, the RX 6400 isn’t exactly the GPU that will bring you the best FPS per dollar.
Although, you may find this card for around $130.
The specifications aren’t impressive either. It lacks support for H.264 and H.265 video encoding, so if you are interested in recording or streaming videos, avoid the RX 6400. It also cannot be overclocked, which means you will be locked to its factory performance.
But wait, it’s not all bad.
The RX 6400 is the best low-profile, single-slot GPU that runs on PCIe slot power, delivering acceptable gaming performance.
Gaming Performance
We used some of Hardware Unboxed’s benchmarks to show you the type of performance you can expect in-game with an RX 6400.
Here’s the GPU running Resident Evil Village:
So 60 FPS is possible even at 1080p on the Balanced Quality preset. But what about some older and more demanding titles?
Again, at 1080p and medium quality, the RX 6400 almost reaches 60 FPS in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, a more demanding game.
Note that the RX 6400 performs considerably better when running at PCIe 4.0. If you have a system that does not support PCIe 4.0, you will have drastically lower FPS.
The Pros:
- Reasonable price (new and second-hand)
- Okay performance
The Cons:
- Older GPU
- Only 4GB of VRAM
An older GPU, but it’s still a capable GPU and faster than the RX 6400.
If you’re looking at the second-hand market, you can probably grab the MSI Radeon RX 570 ARMOR 8G OC for around $150.
It has a higher power draw and only 4GB of GDDR5 VRAM, but it is still capable of gaming.
Gaming Performance
Here’s a 12-game average chart from Hardware Unboxed (at timestamp):
The RX 6600 is even on par with the RTX 3060, a $300+ GPU.
Even though the previously mentioned RX 5600 XT does have the best price-per-performance, the RX 6600 is still a good pick since it can deliver 60FPS at high quality.
Here is the RX 6600 in Cyberpunk 2077:
The Pros:
- No real advantages over the competition
The Cons:
- Expensive
- Disappointing performance
- Considerably better alternatives
This card might be Nvidia’s biggest disappointment from the RTX 3000 series. Its performance won’t leave you impressed and even less impressed once you see the price. Its MSRP is around $250, which is already high. Roughly, the EVGA RTX 3050 XC Black sells for about $290, making it an even worse buy.
Gaming Performance
The RTX 3050, a GPU from 2022, barely surpasses the 2019 GTX 1660 Super which is over $100 cheaper.
Based on this chart, the RTX 2060, RX 5600 XT, and RX 6600 are all much better budget graphics cards.
The Pros:
- Best performance under $300
- Considerably faster than other GPUs at this price point
The Cons:
- Higher power draw
The RX 6600 XT is the RX 6600’s big brother. It is also at 8GB of VRAM, but it has a higher TDP, and it’s clocked higher.
You can find this Sapphire RX 6600 XT Pulse OC for around $290. Similar to the RTX 3050, but the performance is where these two differentiate.
Gaming Performance
The numbers on the chart above show that the RX 6600 XT can be up to 50% faster than the $290 RTX 3050.
It is evident that AMD’s card is superior in terms of performance, so if you’re looking for the most performance out of your $300, go for the RX 6600 XT.
Honorable Mentions
We went through some of the best GPUs you can buy with a budget price of under $300. Of course, anything above that isn’t really “budget.”
However, we have a few extra GPUs we thought we should mention from which you can choose from:
- RTX 2060 – solid GPU, comparable performance to RTX 3050. Good option if cheaper than $250.
- RTX 2060 Super– slight upgrade 2060, but usually about $50 more expensive.
- RTX 2070– costs around $290 but can deliver some serious performance.
- GTX 1660 Ti– similar performance to the 1660 Super. Worth considering.
- RX 5700/XT– Both are great cards if you can find them under $250. Performance is comparable to the RTX 2070.
Final Words
Raw performance and benchmarks can give a good idea of what you can get from a graphics card. However, multiple factors have not been considered in these benchmarks/charts we posted above. And yes, it’s essential to consider those factors to get a clearer picture of the GPU’s capability.
For example, NVIDIA’s superior ray tracing performance compared to AMD. DLSS is also a huge part of all RTX graphics cards, which can bring significant performance uplifts.
AMD’s FSR 2.0 can also create a leap in FPS on both AMD and NVIDIA cards. AMD Smart Access Memory is another feature that can boost FPS.
Either way, we hope that this list of the ten best budget graphics cards on the market right now will help you choose the right one.
9 Best Graphics Card Under $200 for 2022
Nvidia and AMD are the best manufacturers for budget and high-end GPUs. The former controls over 80% of the market, while the latter rules the remaining 20%. So, these are your only options when it comes to choosing a GPU.
So, which one should you buy?
To start this off, Nvidia has an upper edge performance-wise. It builds solid graphics cards for handling demanding tasks. Its products are popular amongst hardcore gamers and video editors.
AMD isn’t an underdog either. Its recent Big Navi lineup is slowly eating into Nvidia’s market share. Examples include RX 6700, RX 6800, RX 6900, etc. They consume less power and exceptional features for running demanding activities. The low price also makes it a favorite among customers looking for budget-friendly GPUs.
Overall, go for Nvidia if you’re into graphics-intensive activities. Even though its video cards are costly, you’ll enjoy better throughput. Likewise, the competition offers low-cost models for handling day-to-day tasks.
Here’s how to choose the best 200 dollar GPU for your PC.
Best Graphics Card Under 200 – Buyer’s Guide
Here are the vital things you should consider when buying a GPU under 200 dollars:
Budget
The first thing you want to do is determine your needs. As earlier said, demanding tasks will require you to spend more. You can go with Gigabyte GT 1030 that costs around $173.00. For everyday activities, however, consider cheap video cards.
Resolution
Analyze the resolution requirements of your applications before making a purchase. For example, you need a 4K-capable GPU to enjoy your gaming experience. The case also applies to editing videos with high-quality resolutions.
You don’t need to break the bank, however, if you’re a casual gamer. Cheaper options with 1080p support should suit you. These are also great for occasional image editing, internet browsing, and video streaming.
Processing Cores
Always check the cores count when shopping for an entry-level graphics card. Look at the CUDA count for Nvidia GPUs. AMD’s stream processors are its equivalent.
Why is this important?
A high number of processing cores helps enhance PC performance. That’s because it provides more input and output channels for handling tasks. Apart from that, they give more room to boost GPU clock speeds. The result of it is a smooth rendering of graphics on your display.
Power Rating/Cooling
Pay attention to power rating before buying a budget GPU. Powerful graphics hardware requires you to have energy-hungry PSUs. You risk facing performance issues if your PC is unable to meet the demand.
Units with a high consumption value also generate lots of heat. You’ll need proper cooling to keep the temperatures low. Sadly, your computer’s in-built fan may not be up to the task.
Use the manufacturer’s recommended values to guide your decisions. The information is available on the product packaging. Company websites and ecommerce listings publish such data as well. We have mentioned the figures on this review of cheap graphics cards.
Dimensions
Imagine buying a GPU only to realize it doesn’t fit on your PC.
You’ll need to check the PCI length on the motherboard beforehand. Also, don’t forget to take a look at the power output of the slots.
Here’s a breakdown:
- 6-pin connector – 75 watts
- 8-pin connector – 150 watts
- 12-pin connector – 504 watts
But that’s not all:
Take note of the GPU space in your CPU as well. You need to measure the length, width, and depth. Once you do so, use the measurements to find an ideal graphics card.
VRAM
VRAM stores necessary data for displaying images on the computer display. Cheap graphic cards have at least 2GB or more. So a higher memory means better performance, right?
VRAM, just as with PC RAM, temporarily holds applications for processing. A higher value is, without a doubt, better. But, you’ll need a higher GPU clock to benefit from it.
The VRAM’s GDDR generation is equally important. GDDR6 video cards under 200 hardly exist. The chip is more recent and is only a reserve for high-end GPUs.
What you get are GDDR3 and GDDR5 for your budget. The latter offers double performance at the same clock speed as the former. With that, your GPU will be able to easily render complex graphics.
Wrap Up
You don’t need to break the bank to find an ideal GPU. You just need our article to find graphics cards under 200!
Let’s revisit a few highlights:
The Gigabyte GT 1030 is an excellent choice for gamers. If you want to multitask, you’re better off going with the Asus GT 710. It offers quad display support for handling easy tasks at ease.
Businesses can make good use of the PNY NVS 510. Its capability of projecting 4K images on up to 16 screens is unmatched.
VisionTek 5450 is, however, the best option for use on aging PCs. The GPU supports older computers dating back to the era of Windows XP.
So, in the end, it all depends on your needs. But worry not — you can always check our Best Graphics Card Under 200 guide when needed.
Best Graphics Cards (GPUs) under $100 in 2022
AMD R7 265
(Image credit: Windows Central)
We always recommend to spend as much as you possibly can afford on the GPU, but that doesn’t mean you need to spend hundreds on a new component to play a few games and get more done on your PC. We rounded up some awesome budget GPUs that cost less than $100. Not everybody needs the very best graphics card, and $100 can get you a solid GPU.
Best Overall: ZOTAC GeForce GT 1030
Source: ZOTAC (Image credit: Source: ZOTAC)
ZOTAC GeForce GT 1030
Great value
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Amazing value
+
Single PCI slot
+
2GB GDDR6 RAM
+
Great for 1080p gaming
+
Doesn’t pump out much heat
Reasons to avoid
—
Cannot enjoy high detailed gaming
Plenty of budget-friendly GPUs like this excellent example from ZOTAC are considered low-profile, which essentially means they’ll fit in even the most compact PC cases. The GeForce GT 1030 only requires a single PCI expansion slot on the rear of the chassis, making it possible to play some games on even the smallest ITX case.
Now, this GPU is less than $100, so you shouldn’t expect amazing performance. It’ll even struggle with some games at high settings on a 1080p display. This is largely due to the lack of physical processing components compared to more premium GPUs, as well as the 2GB of GDDR6 RAM.
But there’s a flip side to this lack of performance, and that’s a cooler running GPU. There’s a small heatsink and fan that doesn’t produce much noise, so the ZOTAC GT 1030 is an excellent option for a silent PC build.
AMD Runner-up: XFX RX 550
Source: XFX (Image credit: Source: XFX)
XFX RX 550
Team Red
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Amazing price
+
Single PCI slot
+
Good or 1080p gaming
+
Doesn’t run hot
Reasons to avoid
—
2GB GDDR5 RAM
—
Cannot play games at high detail
Much like the NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030, the RX 550 from AMD is low-profile and perfectly suited for an ITX build. Using just one PCI expansion slot, the XFX RX 550 is a good budget card for those looking for a solid deal. Costing less than the 1030, the significant difference here is RAM with AMD going for older GDDR5 (versus GDDR6 on the GT 1030).
The performance isn’t terrible, but it’s also not going to blow you away, just like the GT 1030. You won’t be able to play most games at maximum settings unless they’re not demanding on hardware. As a positive, this means the RX 550 doesn’t produce much heat and therefore doesn’t require a powerful (and loud) cooler.
Budget NVIDIA: EVGA NVIDIA GT 710
Source: EVGA (Image credit: Source: EVGA)
EVGA NVIDIA GT 710
Best budget NVIDIA
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Amazing price
+
Single PCI slot
+
Suited for 1080p gaming
+
Runs cool
Reasons to avoid
—
2GB GDDR3 RAM
—
Cannot play games at high detail
$100 isn’t much for a GPU, especially when you consider cards like the RTX 2080 Ti from NVIDIA, which can set you back into the thousands. The GT 710 offers even more value, priced at almost half of our available budget for this collection. The EVGA GT 710 is best suited for a work PC (or one with a Ryzen CPU) where you’ll play a game or two.
The RAM is slow, so too is the graphics processor. But there is 2GB of RAM, allowing you to fire up some 3D applications and games, and everything runs rather cool on the card. While quiet, this only requires a single PCI expansion slot on the rear of your PC, making it possible to throw one inside the smallest ITX case.
Budget AMD: AMD Radeon R5 235
Source: AMD (Image credit: Source: AMD)
AMD Radeon R5 235
Best budget AMD
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Amazing price
+
Single PCI slot
+
Suited for Mini-ITX PC
+
Runs cool
Reasons to avoid
—
1GB GDDR3 RAM
—
Cannot play games very well
One of the most affordable GPUs from AMD right now is the Radeon R5 235. It’s not great at all, but you shouldn’t really expect anything else at this price point. The value here is impressive, especially if you want a GPU to simply run an OS and some software if your PC doesn’t come with an integrated GPU on the CPU.
It’s a small PCIe card that requires just one expansion slot on the rear of the chassis and runs really cool. The 1GB DDR3 RAM is decent enough for media and general PC use, but won’t work well for gaming at all. This card is best suited for small PC, and NAS builds with a focus on low noise and dimensions.
One of the best GPUs you can buy right now for less than $100 is the NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 . ZOTAC makes some excellent high-end graphics cards, and the company’s budget-friendly GT 1030 is a reliable card. Should you simply require a GPU for a Ryzen processor and don’t plan on playing too many games, this is a worthwhile consideration.
Not only does it produce little heat and noise, but the 2GB of GDDR6 RAM is ample enough for basic gaming and 3D work. It’ll also fit inside even the smallest of ITX cases that support GPUs, requiring just one PCI expansion slot on the rear of the chassis. Other recommendations on this list will do the same, but won’t be as good for gaming.
Rich Edmonds is Senior Editor of PC hardware at Windows Central, covering everything related to PC components and NAS. He’s been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. You can follow him over on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.
Budget video cards for games — top good inexpensive video cards
The hottest gaming novelties require both high financial costs and a powerful PC. The latest titles are becoming more demanding, making it harder for gamers on a budget to keep up with the industry.
However, budget graphics cards for gaming are a popular choice as this type of device is no longer an obstacle to enjoying the best projects.
Budget video cards are based on different generations of GPUs, some of them on older but still very powerful cards. Of course, your choice of model depends, of course, on the budget.
In addition, what you want to play (and at what settings) also plays a role. Some of the best budget graphics cards will still be able to run the latest games at full speed, while others are better suited to slightly older titles.
That’s why we decided to put together a list of the best budget gaming graphics cards.
NVIDIA video cards
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1630
The deplorable situation in the video card market has forced vendors to produce models on obsolete chips from previous generations. So, the new Nvidia GeForce GTX 1630 belongs to the Turing architecture, and is a compromise option for those who need decent performance and support for modern technologies.
In terms of power, the GTX 1630 comes close to the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, only slightly behind the competitor. At the same time, it is slightly more modern and technologically advanced compared to the obsolete model — for example, it has support for current video codecs, which makes the video card a good choice for creating a home media system, especially considering that it is quiet and economical in operation.
If you choose between GTX 1630 and GTX 1050 Ti, then there is no single solution. However, you need to remember that the GTX 1630 is newer, which means that you can count on warranty service, while most GTX 1050 Ti models are not.
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750
Although the Nvidia GeForce GTX 750 has already outlived its useful life, some copies of this model can be found on marketplaces at an affordable price, and if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to snatch an unopened, dusty video card on warehouse shelves.
Not much good can be said about the GTX 750. There is not much memory here, and the operating frequencies are low, and there is not even a DisplayPort, although there is a VGA output for lovers of antiquity. On the other hand, the card consumes a minimum of energy, does not require additional power, and is quite suitable for a build of the “use this until I save up for something decent” level. And this video card is quite capable of delivering stable fps in undemanding games at FullHD resolution, so it cannot be considered an ordinary «gag».
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 750 Ti is slightly more powerful than the regular GTX 750, but it might just be the few percentage points you need. With it, you can count on acceptable frame rates in World of Tanks and CS:GO, as well as any AAA game from a decade ago — which is not bad for fans of retro gaming, and it outperforms the much more voracious Radeon R7 260X in power.
The obvious disadvantage of the GTX 750 Ti is the fact that you may have trouble finding a graphics card from a reputable vendor. Most of the models available on the market today are made by little-known companies and their quality can be quite questionable.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
The RTX 3050 is a relatively inexpensive way to get into ray-traced gaming and other modern technologies such as DLSS, Reflex, DirectX 12 and more.
Of course, we can’t talk about high performance in AAA titles with maximum graphics settings, but the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 gives decent fps at 1080p, and with activated RT effects, it leaves GTX 1650 and GTX 1050 level models far behind.
This graphics card is not cheap, and it can not be called a budget in the usual sense, however, when compared with older models, we have a really inexpensive solution that is suitable for an entry-level gaming PC and will remain relevant for several years, provided that you won’t decide to buy a 1440p or 4K monitor.
NVIDIA GeForce 210
Nvidia GeForce 210 — this is the «gag» in case your main video card died. Let’s start with the fact that it has been released since 2009years, so seriously talk about good performance in this case is not worth it. While you can play titles like The Sims 3, Left 4 Dead, or Fallout 3 at reasonable FPS, watch movies on your PC, and spend time on social media.
On the side of the Nvidia GeForce 210 is its price: the video card is available for sale literally for a penny. However, we recommend buying models from trusted vendors and being wary of «no-names» that have filled the market for budget video cards.
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Super
The Nvidia GTX 1650 Super Overclocked is a great budget graphics card. It is based on the Turing architecture for the latest generation of Nvidia GPUs and features 4GB of GDDR6 memory so you can enjoy the latest games at high settings.
UserBenchmark users especially praise the FPS the GTX 1650 Super Overclocked delivers in a number of games. Depending on the hardware, the Super Overclocked GTX 1650 delivers an average of 111 FPS in games like Fortnite, Overwatch, GTA V and PUBG.
Another advantage of the Nvidia GTX 1650 Super Overclocked is its size. The video card fits almost any case. In addition, its overall power consumption is very low, which will save you extra money in the long run.
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti is the successor to the GTX 1050, which in turn is the «little brother» of the Nvidia GTX 1650. This is a fairly powerful video card that can impose competition on the similar AMD RX 580 processor. that the GTX 1050 Ti hit the market six months after the RX 580, it’s the one that has the advantage of offering faster memory and bandwidth.
UserBenchmark estimates the GTX 1050 Ti averages 72 FPS, depending on game and hardware. Despite the fact that the graphics card has 4 GB of memory, the 1050 Ti will be able to run the latest titles at the highest settings with a stable 60 FPS. However, 30 FPS and above should be achievable — again, depending on the rest of the PC configuration.
Another plus for the Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti is the build, as you can fit the GTX 1050 Ti into any case. The GTX 1050 Ti has another advantage over the RX 580 — it consumes half the power; 75W vs 150W. Thus, you will save on the purchase of a power supply.
NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030
The Nvidia GeForce GT 1030 is one of the cheapest GPUs available. Never heard of this video card? This is because they do not pay attention to it because of other, slightly more powerful, but more expensive video cards. However, a 2GB GT 1030 with a single cooler can run some great games. Of course, you won’t be able to play The Witcher 3 at max settings, but with the right hardware, you probably won’t have any issues at medium settings. 9The 0003
GT 1030 consumes only about 30W, making it extremely efficient for low power PCs.
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660
The Nvidia GTX 1660 is not the cheapest graphics card on our list. However, as the successor to the popular Nvidia GTX 1060, buying a GTX 1660 should bump your budget up a bit (or save on buying another PC component).
UserBenchmark FPS scores for the GTX 1660 average around 111 FPS, depending on other hardware. Get a performance boost with ultra-fast GDDR6 GTX 1660 RAM and Turing architecture that supports the latest generations of Nvidia GPUs.
1660 is one of the most popular Nvidia GPUs of any kind. Given performance, it’s easy to see why.
AMD Graphics Cards
AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT
AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT is an option in case you don’t want to buy an NVIDIA graphics card for any reason. While not as budget-friendly as we’d like, it’s still reasonably priced to make it on our list.
RX 6500 XT is made on the latest Navi 24 chip using 7nm process technology. It is economical and quiet, but only 4 GB of video memory makes it impossible to use the video card in medium and high-end PC builds. This is an entry-level card that you will have to put up with. In addition, in games with ray tracing, it loses to solutions from NVIDIA.
In terms of competition, the AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT is on par with the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super. Given that AMD’s version is cheaper, the choice is obvious.
AMD Radeon RX 6600
Like the GeForce RTX 3050, the Radeon RX 6600 graphics card is a relatively budget card: it has a rather high price, but compared to older versions, it can be called inexpensive.
This card is more powerful than the obsolete Radeon RX 5600 XT and GeForce RTX 2060, but weaker than the GeForce RTX 3060, remaining somewhere in the middle. At 1080p it delivers performance in the 60fps region of today’s AAA games, but at 1440p it’s not as good.
AMD Radeon RX 580
Due to the constant changes in the video card market, the impressive AMD RX 580 is very profitable at the moment. It has two HDMI ports, one DVI-D port and two DisplayPort ports, as well as 8 GB of GDDR5 memory.
The AMD RX 580 can run most of the latest games at high and ultra settings and also supports some games at 1440p. The AMD RX 580 8GB is pretty well researched and has received glowing reviews from users and critics alike.
She performs well in many demanding games. According to UserBenchmark testing (and depending on your PC hardware), the RX 580 achieves over 60 FPS in GTA V, Fortnite, PUBG and Overwatch.
AMD Radeon RX 570
The AMD RX 570 is another 8GB graphics card that can be bought cheaply thanks to the constant movement in the top GPU market. The RX 570 8GB uses the AMD Polaris architecture, which delivers a decent boost over the aging AMD RX 400 series GPUs, but can’t match the much more powerful (and more expensive!) AMD Vega architecture.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy the RX 570. It has 8GB of GDDR5 memory and still delivers great performance in games like Overwatch, Fortnite, etc. In addition, the processor can even run some games at 1440p, although the frame rate may suffer (again, this depends on the hardware).
APU
Along with conventional processors, Intel and AMD produce so-called APUs — processors with integrated graphics accelerator. In fact, this option can also pass for a budget graphics card, since when you buy such a processor, you don’t have to spend money on a discrete adapter at all.
In terms of performance, with the best APUs you can expect high frame rates in AAA games at 1080p. On the integrated graphics core, you can play GTA V and Cyberpunk 2077, not to mention less demanding games. But there is a nuance.
While both Intel and AMD package their processors with an integrated graphics card, only AMD has achieved significant success in this field, while Intel APUs have very modest performance, and are only suitable for very undemanding games. At the same time, AMD’s top models with a Vega 8-level core will show impressive performance — and all this without a discrete graphics card!
Conclusion
There is always a budget gaming graphics card for every user, even if you want to play all the new games at ultra settings. Figuring out what fits your budget can be quite a challenge, but you can check out all the options on our list and make your decision.
How to choose a computer for 3D. Choosing a 3D video card (part 2)
- Lessons and articles 3D Master
- How to choose a computer for 3D
I remind you that in the previous part we set out to build a computer for working with 3D graphics. After we have decided on the general recommendations. Let’s move on to choosing a video card and, as a result, a monitor, motherboard, system unit … But let’s go in order.
Why a video card is needed
A video card in 3D applications is needed for:
1. Interactive work with viewports
2. Rendering images by GPU (using CUDA technology)
3*. Output image to multiple output devices, for example, two-three-four monitors
There are two types of video cards: integrated (built-in) and dedicated (for some reason they are called discrete). Integrated video can be either built into the processor or into the motherboard. But in both cases, it is not suitable for 3D graphics tasks. For full-fledged work with 3D, you need a separate dedicated video card.
Therefore, if you read about «powerful HD video from Intel» — this is the worst thing that can be for 3D work.
Note: video card must be ONLY NVIDIA . Yes, yes, all sorts of AMD Radeons of all stripes and suffixes are sent to the forest. For the foreseeable future, 3D people simply don’t have a choice. The fact is that nVidia offers a very important technology in their video cards CUDA . These are special cores for GPU-based high-performance computing, without which rendering by the graphics card is impossible. All specialized software including mathematical packages for artificial intelligence and ABSOLUTELY ALL render engines that use 3D-shniki normally work only under CUDA.
No, if you need a video card for gaming, then there are probably good and inexpensive video cards from AMD for this, but I don’t care. I choose to work.
The main line of nVidia graphics cards is called GeForce . Regularly, nVidia releases a new generation of their products, numbering them, for example, 680, 780, 980, 1080, 2080 . The first digit (or two) is the generation number (6th, 7th, 9th, 10th, 20th), and the last two are the performance characteristics. As you may have guessed, the generation number is rather abstract, but the last two digits are the most important for us.
Card class selection
The last two digits in the model name are the most important.
30 and 40 — Entry level models, rather weak performance, but sufficient for small projects suitable for full-fledged work with 3D, including large projects, especially if they have a lot of memory on board
70, 80, 80Ti — top models with the best performance available
On average, each next generation is 10-15% more productive than the previous one. Therefore, it is natural that the GeForce 960 will be noticeably faster than the GeForce 660 , but the GeForce 660 is likely to be faster and better than the lower class Geforce 750 . So if you are on a tight budget, you can save a lot by buying a previous generation card (say 960 instead of 1060 ).
Video card parameters
When buying a video card, pay attention to the following characteristics:
1. Amount of video memory, its type
Video memory should be at least 1GB if you are not going to use a video card for GPU rendering and as much memory as possible if GPU rendering is of interest to you.
A large amount of memory is important because in GPU rendering, it hosts the scene and all textures. If all this goodness does not fit at least one kilobyte — that’s it, the rendering will not work. Clever video card manufacturers deliberately equip peppy GeForce series cards with insufficient video memory in order to force the consumer to purchase expensive and frankly computationally weak Quadro cards.
With the type of memory, everything is simple — at least GDDR5 (or whatever will be relevant in two years, and in no case GDDR3, unless you purchase a budget solution)
2. Number of CUDA cores
This parameter is important for GPU rendering and heavy mathematical calculations (such as neural networks for artificial intelligence tasks). CUDA is generally a universal technology and with its help you can count anything. CUDA is most effective in visualization tasks, i.e. GPU rendering, and this is a very promising area. There are even 3D renderers that use only GPU computing, so the number of GPU cores is very important because it can speed up rendering by 10-50 times!
With cores, everything is extremely simple: the more of them, the better! Moreover, the dependence is the most direct. So if one card has 100 cores and the other 500, then the second one will count exactly 5 times faster. Moreover, experience shows that other characteristics of iron (frequencies, timings, other dregs) have almost no effect.
3. Power consumption and connection type
Oddly enough, this is important. Buying a video card greatly affects the choice of motherboard. Well, first, check that the bus type matches (for example, PCI-E x16 3.0). Secondly, remember that many modern video cards are bulky and often large, occupying two slots at once (and sometimes you have to be puzzled by the cooling efficiency). Those. the motherboard must have suitable dimensions and a sufficient number of slots (however, like the case of the system unit).
It is also possible that you want to later increase the performance of your video system by inserting another video card. Nvidia calls this technology SLI. This will be possible only when the motherboard has the appropriate number of connectors and you can approach them, i.e. there is enough space in the case and … the power of the power supply (and sometimes corny power connectors)!
Generally power supply for 3D computer must have high power . No wonder video card manufacturers specifically focus on this! It can be argued that a power supply unit less than 550W is not effective for a modern computer. Do not forget also that Chinese manufacturers tend to significantly overestimate this figure in their declarations, so be prepared for the fact that a 600W power supply will actually produce 450W at best.
In short, do not skimp on the case of the system unit (it usually already includes a power supply). When choosing, be guided first by the power of the power supply, then by the size and ease of installation of computer parts, and only then choose “red or blue”. I wanted to write more about the cooling efficiency, but I thought that cheap boxes mostly have such a problem, and you need to try to find a cheap system unit with a power of more than 550W.
Attention! If you don’t know if you will need a second video card, and don’t understand why you need it at all, relax and don’t worry about it! Just save money — motherboards with multiple PCI-E slots are noticeably more expensive than regular motherboards. Better you then replace the entire motherboard, if necessary.
4. Number and type of output interfaces
This means that if you are going to connect two or, what the hell, three monitors at once, then the number of connectors of the required type should be sufficient on the back of the video card.
5. Maximum output resolution
Perhaps stupid, but it still makes sense to check if the video card supports the resolution of your monitor. Especially if he is big and if he is not alone. However, there are usually no problems here.
6. Other numbers in the specification: bus width, frequencies
The manufacturer often specifies a bunch of other parameters, for example, bus width, frequencies. Of course, the more these characteristics, the better. But as a rule, according to these parameters, the devices are already well classified by price. Stupidly — the more expensive, the better. Don’t bother.
7. Video card size
If you take top models of video cards, be sure to check their dimensions. In too small system units, they may simply not fit. I had a case when the video card turned out to be two centimeters longer than the size inside the system unit. I had to take scissors for metal and cut a hole to enter.
There is a bit too much text, so the specifics of the choice will have to be moved to the next part.
Continuation of the topic and summing up the intermediate results (part 3)…
Author: Alexander Milovskiy
Part 1. General recommendations for choosing a computer for 3D
Part 2. Specifications of graphics cards
Part 3. Interim results
Part 4. Budget solutions
Part 5. Why you need Quadro video cards
Part 6. Recommendations for choosing a laptop for 3D new!
TOP 5 inexpensive gaming graphics cards 2018
A good graphics card is the backbone of any gaming PC. If the system unit is arranged in accordance with all the rules, then a powerful video card will account for at least 40% of the total cost of a gaming computer. At the same time, it should be understood that gaming video cards a priori cannot be cheap. Elite devices can even cost a thousand dollars or more, which is very, very expensive for most people.
However, there is a way out of this situation, the main thing is to approach the issue competently. After all, it is quite possible to find a gaming video card with an excellent price / performance ratio, without overpaying for extra memory and a brand that will allow you to enjoy modern games, albeit not at the highest graphics settings.
By the way, in most games, few people will notice the difference between high and ultra settings, so you should not chase this indicator. There are many relatively inexpensive graphics cards that allow you to comfortably play the latest hits at moderately high settings in Full HD resolution. It is about them that we will tell in this short article, starting with more powerful and expensive ones and ending with the option for at least 2018.
GeForce GTX 1060 3Gb
It is this video adapter that opens our rating. This is a fairly powerful, but also the most expensive graphics device that can handle any new games at high, in extreme cases, medium graphics settings.
At the same time, 3 GB of video memory will be enough and you should not overpay for the 6 GB version in inexpensive gaming assemblies. After all, you still need a not the cheapest Core i5 processor and 8 GB of RAM to fully unleash the potential of this graphics accelerator.
The most optimal budget model for today is Zotac GeForce GTX 1060 3Gb (ZT-P10610A-10L), as it has the lowest price, with quite acceptable quality.
Fans of devices from top brands can recommend the video card Asus GeForce GTX 1060 3Gb (PH-GTX1060-3G), which costs only a little more.
GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4Gb
This is the best price/performance deal available today. This graphics adapter is about 85% weaker than the GTX 1060, but its price is one and a half times lower. At the same time, it will cope with all modern games at medium graphics settings, and some will pull even at high ones, since 4 GB of video memory will not become a limitation.
This video adapter is ideal for World of Tank, Dota 2 and Counter-Strike online battles. It is also distinguished by enviable reliability and practically does not heat up even in heavy modes. And to unlock the potential of this video card, even an inexpensive Pentium G4560 (G4600, G4620) processor and 4 GB of RAM are enough.
The most inexpensive acceptable model based on this video chip is Palit GeForce GTX1050Ti StormX 4Gb (NE5105T018G1-1070F).
Not much more expensive than the Asus GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4Gb (PH-GTX1050TI-4G).
And for almost the same price, the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4Gb (GV-N105TD5-4GD), which might be a better choice due to the larger and less noisy fan.
Radeon RX 560 4Gb
AMD fans and those who can’t get enough of a GTX 1050 Ti can recommend the 4GB RX 560. This is really a good solution, as it costs less, and in terms of performance in many games it is only a few FPS inferior, but in some it is even more — 10-20%. At the same time, this chip is characterized by low power consumption and heating, compared to other solutions from AMD.
The most budget solution based on this chip is MSI Radeon RX 560 Aero ITX OC 4GB (RX 560 AERO ITX 4G OC).
The Gigabyte Radeon RX 560 OC 4GB (GV-RX560OC-4GD) is slightly more expensive.
But for the same price, you can get the Asus Radeon RX 560 O4G EVO (RX560-O4G-EVO), which has two fans and is probably the best choice.
GeForce GTX 1050 2Gb
The most budget gaming solution from nVidia from the modern 10th line. This video card is only 15% weaker than the GTX 1050 Ti and is close in performance to the RX 560. At the same time, it is much cheaper, but has only 2 GB of video memory, which is why the RX 560 with 4 GB loses in some games.
Games of 2017-2018 can be run on medium graphics settings, and the heaviest of them will run only on low ones. But MMORPGs or MOBA-style games can be played quite comfortably.
One of the most budget video cards based on this video chip is the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1050 2Gb (GV-N1050D5-2GD).
At a close price, you can take the MSI GeForce GTX 1050 2048Mb AERO ITX OC (GTX 1050 AERO ITX 2G OCV1).
Also dual fan Asus GeForce GTX 1050 (DUAL-GTX1050-2G-V2).
GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2/4Gb
This video card can be called the minimum option for today for games. It is about 35% weaker than the GTX 1050 and its main advantage is even lower cost. There are versions for 2 and 4 GB, both of which have almost disappeared from sale. But maybe luck will smile at you and you will find a profitable option or buy a used video card in good condition if it is not possible to purchase a new one.
This video card will handle many games of recent years at medium settings, and the heaviest ones will run at low ones, but you can play with quite comfortable FPS. It will also provide an opportunity to participate in modern online battles at medium graphics settings.
Palit GeForce GTX 750 Ti StormX 2048MB (NE5X75TS1341-1073F) is an inexpensive option.
Well, if you come across something like Gigabyte GeForce GTX 750 Ti WindForce 2X 4096MB (GV-N75TWF2OC-4GI), then take it without hesitation.
Where to buy a video card in Ukraine
Vcene.com will provide invaluable assistance in choosing a video card in Ukraine. With it, you can quickly compare technical parameters, as well as choose a store with the best price for a video card.
Best Cheap Graphics Cards of 2021 — Games
Tiffany Garrett
Games
Source: Windows Central
how to find my laptop model
Best Cheap Graphics CardsWindows Central 2021
When it comes to building a gaming PC, the GPU or graphics card is arguably the most important piece of hardware in the entire system. Since games require a lot of graphics, it is very important to have a good (and dedicated) GPU. While the very best graphics cards are expensive, you can also get high performance from more affordable options. Of all the budget-friendly GPUs on the market, our favorite is the EVGA GeForce GTX 1660 Super because it works very well with a GPU at its level.
Source: EVGA
If you’re looking for a card that strikes the perfect balance between price and performance, look no further than the EVGA GeForce GTX 1660 Super. It has enough power to deliver super high FPS gaming at 1080p, and you can even enjoy games at 1440p if you want to lower some of the settings. Pair that with 6GB of DDR6 VRAM and you have a GPU that performs incredibly well for the price.
pluses:
- It is ideal for games in high quality HD
- Comfort with an average resolution of 1440p
- Excellent price ratio
Minuses:
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Best overall
EVGA GeForce GTX 1660 Super
Perfect balance
The EVGA GTX 1660 Super offers the perfect balance between price and performance, making it our top pick.
- 230 dollars on Amazon
- 230 dollars in NewEGG maximum quality, but don’t want too much money, MSI Radeon RX 5700 is your best option. It has enough power to support the highest levels of 1440p gaming, and 8GB of DDR6 video memory provides all the memory you need. This is the pricier part of the GPU range available, but the price can pay off if you want the best possible 1440p resolution.
Pros:
- Great for gaming at ultra-quality 1440p
- Also great for 100+ fps with a maximum of 1080p.
- Full 8 GB of video memory
disadvantages:
- The most expensive of the available graphic processors
is best for 1440p
MSI RADEON RX 5700
, high performance, good price
this graphic processor. Reasonably priced, making it fantastic for people who need high quality.
Pros:
- is ideal for games with a resolution of 1080p
- is also good for 60+ FPS with some reduced settings
- Very affordable
Lessions 90.
Best for 1080p
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1650 Super
Quality HD gaming at an affordable price
This card delivers top HD performance at an affordable price, making it a great option.
- 170 dollars from NEWEGG
- 179 dollars with Amazon
The best price is up to $ 100:
Zotac GeForce GT 1030 Source: Zotac
Zotac GEFOR but still have a decent gaming experience. It can support 1080p gaming, though you’ll have to lower a lot of settings due to low power consumption and small 2GB DDR5 VRAM. However, given how inexpensive the GPU is, it’s worth it if you want to build a very cheap system. The small size of the GPU also makes it a good option for low cost mini-ITX setups.
- $85 at Amazon
- $85 at B&H
Low Limit
No matter what type of gaming system you’re building, you’ll need the right graphics card to run today’s games reliably. Although the best GPUs on the market are quite expensive, it is quite possible to get quality graphics cards at low and affordable prices.
All of the GPUs on this list are great, but if we had to pick a favorite, it would be the EVGA GeForce GTX 1660 Super. With its high performance and relatively low price, this graphics card will appeal to almost all mainstream gamers, especially if you plan to enjoy 1080p ultra-quality settings. It also gives you the option to go into 1440p territory, which adds even more value to the card.
Be sure to check out our list of the best graphics cards if you’re interested in more expensive options. Meanwhile, people who want to pay even less for a GPU should check out the best graphics cards under $100.
Credits — the team that worked on this guide
TOP 17 best video cards from Aliexpress: review and rating of models
The graphics card in the computer is responsible for creating and displaying the image, complements the computing capabilities of the processor and speeds up certain tasks. It is one of the most important components of a computer, especially for gamers. Also, thanks to a good video card, you can watch videos in higher resolution, with a better and smoother picture. Well, do not forget about mining, although this is no longer so relevant.
TOP-17 best video cards with Aliexpress
Photo | Name | Rank | Price | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Premium Graphics Cards | ||||||
#1 | MAXSUN GeForce RTX 2060 iCraft |
⭐ 5 / 5
2 — votes |
Ask for a price | |||
#2 | GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1070 |
⭐ 4.9 / 5
2 — votes |
Ask for a price | |||
#3 | GeForce 2070 SUPER RTX | ⭐ 4.8 / 5 | Ask for a price | |||
#4 | Maxsun GTX 1660 |
⭐ 4. 7 / 5
2 — votes |
Ask for a price | |||
#5 | ZOTAC NVIDIA GTX 1060 | ⭐ 4.6 / 5 | Ask for a price | |||
Best budget graphics cards | ||||||
#1 | GIGABYTE GPU GTX 960 4GB | ⭐ 5 / 5 | Ask for a price | |||
#2 | SZMZ GTX960 4GB | ⭐ 4.9 / 5 | Ask for a price | |||
#3 | Gigabyte GTX 1050 TI 4 GB | ⭐ 4.8 / 5 | Ask for a price | |||
#4 | YESTON RADEON RX550 | ⭐ 4.7 / 5 | Ask for a price | |||
#5 | ZOTAC GTX960 4GD5 | ⭐ 4.6 / 5 | Ask for a price | |||
#6 | VEINEDA GTX 1060 3GB |
⭐ 4. 5 / 5
1 — voice |
Ask for a price | |||
#7 | SAPPHIRE Radeon RX590 8G |
⭐ 4.4 / 5
2 — votes |
Ask for a price | |||
#8 | VEINEDA Radeon RX 550 4GB | ⭐ 4.3 / 5 | Ask for a price | |||
#9 | SAPPHIRE NITRO RX 470 4GB | ⭐ 4.2 / 5 | Ask for a price | |||
#10 | ASUS GTX960 BLACK EDITION | ⭐ 4.1 / 5 | Ask for a price | |||
#11 | VEINEDA GTX950 2GB | ⭐ 4 / 5 | Ask for a price | |||
#12 | ZOTAC GEFORCE GTX 950 THUNDER 2GB | ⭐ 3. 9 / 5 | Ask for a price | |||
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The Best Budget Graphics Cards
The budget graphics cards category features some of the most affordable models on the market today. However, low price does not mean low quality. Many of them are quite suitable for gaming activities, although, of course, we can not talk about ultra settings.
12. ZOTAC GEFORCE GTX 950 THUNDER 2 GB
Good budget graphics card with 2 GB video memory, 128-bit bus and 6600 MHz memory frequency. Obviously not for gamers, but it is quite suitable for running games 4-5 years ago and working with simple 3D editors. The video card consumes an average of 90 Watt and has a compact size.
ZOTAC GEFORCE GTX 950
Pros
- price;
- good design;
- two coolers.
Cons
- low productivity.
11. VEINEDA GTX950 2 GB
Previously, this model cost twice as much, but now the price tag is very affordable, even with soaring prices for video cards. This model is equipped with a high-quality Samsung chip and a 128-bit bus. Only 2 gigabytes of video memory, but they are enough to run games with average system requirements (GTA V consistently produces 30-40 fps on average). At the same time, the model heats up quite quickly, sometimes reaching 90 degrees.
VEINEDA GTX950 2 GB
Pros
- cost;
- design;
- fast delivery.
Cons
- very hot.
10. ASUS GTX960 BLACK EDITION
Another excellent budget video card, although not so compact. On board is a Maxwell GM206 graphics chip, which accelerates to 1279 MHz in standard mode and 1342 MHz in Boost 2.0 mode. In addition, 2 GB of 128-bit GDDR5 memory with a standard frequency of 7010 MHz is available. The card is cooled by a DirectCU II cooler with a massive black heatsink, several heat pipes and two fans, including one hybrid. The card has a standard set of video outputs — DVI-I, HDMI 2.0 and 3x DisplayPort 1.2. An 8-pin power connector is used for connection.
ASUS GTX960 BLACK EDITION
Pros
- will handle most modern games at medium-high settings;
- excellent cooling system;
- stylish appearance.
Cons
- length 30 cm.
9. SAPPHIRE NITRO RX 470 4 GB
Powerful low-cost graphics card with 7000 MHz processor, 4 GB GDDR5 memory and 256-bit bus. The card doesn’t offer unparalleled performance, but stable operation at medium-high settings in the latest games, and even while maintaining low power consumption, is quite. The card is sold in a used condition, so you can not count on decades of service. But as a temporary replacement for your old card, it fits the Nitro RX 470 perfectly.
SAPPHIRE NITRO RX 470 4 GB
Pros
- low cost;
- money back guarantee.
Cons
- used card.
8. VEINEDA Radeon RX 550 4 GB
Another affordable model, the Radeon RX 550 is equipped with 4 GB of GDDR5 video memory. It has a 128-bit bus, has video outputs PCI-E 3.0, HDMI and DisplayPort. This is enough to run most new games at medium settings. For this model, a power supply unit of at least 400 W is recommended. The design of the card is pleasant, pleasing to the eye.
VEINEDA Radeon RX 550 4 GB
Pros
- appearance;
- cooling system;
- price tag.
Cons
- the frequency is only 5000 MHz.
7. SAPPHIRE Radeon RX590 8G
Another relatively inexpensive video card that is not inferior in terms of parameters to many modern mid-price models. With 8GB of GDDR5 memory and 256GB/s bandwidth, it supports FullHD or 2K resolution in almost any game and can also be used in 3D modeling. The card also supports AMD Liquid VR technology, which allows the use of VR glasses and helmets. Monitors are connected via HDMI and DisplayPort ports.
SAPPHIRE Radeon RX590 8G
Pros
- great performance;
- original case design;
- cooling system;
- aluminum backplate.
Cons
- high power consumption.
6. VEINEDA GTX 1060 3 GB
The GTX 1060 is a mid-range graphics card with a nice body that is more suitable for miners than gamers. Of course, it allows you to play most new games at medium settings, but no more. On the other hand, the card withstands even high loads well, without heating up by more than 70 degrees.
VEINEDA GTX 1060 3 GB
Pros
- good design;
- good reviews.
Cons
- slightly overpriced.
5. ZOTAC GTX960 4GD5
The ZOTAC GTX 960 is a high performance 4 GB graphics card designed specifically for gamers. Based on the next generation NVIDIA® Maxwell™ architecture, this card delivers incredible performance, unrivaled power efficiency and cutting-edge features. The GPU is a significant performance improvement on previous generation cards, allowing for a smooth gaming experience. The Freeze technology used in the design of the card significantly reduces the noise level and extends the life of the fans.
ZOTAC GTX960 4GD5
Pros
- barely heats up;
- only 20 cm long;
- durability;
- affordable price tag.
Cons
- not found.
4. YESTON RADEON RX550
Yeston RX550 is a budget graphics card with 4 GB of memory, excellent cooling system and stylish, unusual design. There is also a two-cooler option on sale, which is cheaper, but heats up more. Combine it with a powerful processor and you get a great combination for most modern games, but at a reasonable price.
YESTON RADEON RX550
Pros
- high-quality cooling;
- stylish design;
- low price.
Cons
- not found.
3. Gigabyte GTX 1050 TI 4 GB
This model offers perhaps the best price/FPS ratio on the budget video card market. With 4 GB of video memory on a 128-bit bus, it allows you to play any games of recent years at maximum settings (except for games that have problems with optimization). Three screens can be connected to the card at once, it keeps stable 60 frames without lags. The case is made of high quality, the cooling system of two 90-mm fans are reliable, they practically do not produce noise. The core clock is excellent, especially in Boost mode.
Gigabyte GTX 1050 TI 4 GB
Pros
- excellent screen;
- three screens are connected at once;
- real folk model;
- 75 units TDP.
Cons
- high energy consumption.
2. SZMZ GTX960 4GB
SZMZ GTX 960 4GB is a card mainly aimed at gamers and those who are interested in 3D modeling. The card includes a Maxwell GM206 GPU and 4GB of 128-bit GDDR5 memory. Thanks to its high clock speed, the card delivers higher performance than standard models 900 series. An additional advantage is the almost silent operation of the cooling system and the possibility of overclocking.
Connect external devices via three types of HDMI DisplayPort and DVI connectors. The maximum picture resolution is 4K, the bandwidth is 224 GB / s. It is recommended to run with at least 400W power supply.
SZMZ GTX960 4GB
Pros
- good performance;
- stylish appearance;
- noiselessness.
Cons
- not found.
1. GIGABYTE GPU GTX 960 4 GB
The card is based on the Maxwell GM206 GPU, which runs at a factory overclock. In addition, 4GB of 128-bit GDDR5 memory is available for better performance at higher resolutions. The card is cooled using the original WindForce 2X cooler. The body of the card has medium dimensions and does not take up much space. The design is cute, with blue stripes. Core clock — 1190 MHz.
GIGABYTE GPU GTX 960 4 GB
Pros
- great performance;
- design;
- small dimensions.
Cons
- there is no backplate.
Top-of-the-line premium graphics cards
Premium graphics cards deliver the highest levels of performance for those who demand the ultimate gaming experience. At the same time, they have a high price tag, which exacerbates the general price instability in the video card market.
5. ZOTAC NVIDIA GTX 1060
The GTX 1060 graphics card is the flagship graphics card of 2016, which guarantees high performance and image detail in the most demanding games. The model is based on the Pascal architecture, clocked at 8008 MHz and uses high-bandwidth GDDR5 memory (192 GB/s).
Provides excellent visual effects in games with Full HD resolution (maximum resolution is 8K or 7680×4320). 6 GB of VRAM delivers performance that rivals 900 series, but at the same time heating up much less and making almost no noise. It is recommended to use with a 400-watt power supply.
ZOTAC NVIDIA GTX 1060
Pros
- high performance;
- relatively low cost;
- is almost silent.
Cons
- not found.
4. Maxsun GTX 1660
Introducing one of the best gaming graphics cards with up to 336GB/s bandwidth. The estimated thermal power here is only 125 watts, the recommended PSU power is 450 watts. The model is characterized by high performance, works with 6 GB of GDDR6 video memory. Supports 8K resolution at 30 Hz, although the developer recommends using 4K format at 60 — 120 Hz. The graphics card features an excellent multicore cooling system with two fans and high thermal conductivity.
Maxsun GTX 1660
Pros
- high performance;
- support 8K;
- excellent cooling;
- is a relatively small price tag.
Cons
- dimensions.
3. GeForce 2070 SUPER RTX
RTX 2070 SUPER already plays with muscles by its appearance: there are three impressive fan wells on a flat black plate. No extra elements, highlighting or engraving, just strictly seasoned minimalist style. A rarity among gaming graphics cards.
Meanwhile, in terms of performance, this 8 GB model easily outperforms many current flagships. Three powerful coolers guarantee almost complete silence during operation. The 448 GB bandwidth allows you to run any modern game in 2K, 4K, 8K resolution and with support for ray tracing. Of the bonuses — the ability to simultaneously connect four monitors. True, a solid thermal package requires a power supply unit of less than 650 GB.
GeForce 2070 SUPER RTX
Pros
- design;
- performance;
- quiet operation.
Cons
- power consumption;
- high price tag.
2. GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1070
One of the top cards of 2016 still surprises today with a fast processor, 512 Gb/s bandwidth and 16 GB of video memory. The video card is suitable for any modern game with a resolution of up to 4K at ultra settings. Although some users say that if you turn on ray tracing, you will see that the characteristics of this model are inferior to those from Nvidia.
8K is also supported, but the developer does not guarantee optimal performance with some games in this resolution. The model is equipped with a PCI-E 4.0 interface, has three coolers at once and requires a power supply unit with a capacity of at least 750 W. At the same time, the noise level of this board is quite low and does not cause inconvenience.
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1070
Pros
- very competitive price tag;
- quietness;
- high performance.
Cons
- oversized;
- requires a powerful power supply for normal operation.
1. MAXSUN GeForce RTX 2060 iCraft
In 2019, this model competed in performance with the GeForce RTX 2070. Now it is one of the top premium graphics cards with a 192-bit bus and a bandwidth of 448 Gb / s. It features a very trendy futuristic design with neon lighting, so owners are advised to take a transparent case so as not to hide this miracle in a closed box.
The developer has provided the possibility of overclocking, but the basic characteristics will be enough without it for any games with a resolution of 2K or 4K, as well as with a working ray tracing. The card is equipped with three coolers with a high level of heat and noise insulation, so even under heavy loads the card will not give you any discomfort.
The video card also provides the ability to connect four monitors at the same time, for which one HDMI port and three DisplayPort ports are used.
MAXSUN GeForce RTX 2060 iCraft
Pros
- build quality;
- cool design;
- highest performance;
- noiselessness.
Cons
- high power consumption.
Tips and tricks when choosing video cards from Aliexpress
When choosing a video card, you need to consider physical parameters such as the size of the card (will it fit in the case), ports (can you connect a monitor and other external devices), as well as compatibility with the motherboard board and processor. In addition, technical data is important: clock frequency, memory, cooling. For gamers, the supported standards, the behavior of the card at the time of maximum load, the level of power consumption, etc. will also be important. For some, the ability to connect two video cards at the same time (CrossFire / SLI technology) may be important.
Video — How to buy a video card in 2021 for a gaming PC cheap
Vote for the best video card with Aliexpress
Which video card would you choose or recommend?
MAXSUN GeForce RTX 2060 iCraft
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Choosing the best video card for 2 cores 2 gigabit
Hello gamers!
It’s really easy to have a decent graphics card these days. The competition between AMD and Nvidia is proving to be very beneficial for end users as we get powerful cards at a really good price.
Because of this competition, we see new models almost every year, which is great for users on a budget. You can get a decent budget 2GB graphics card for a very affordable price.
In this detailed guide, we will share with you some of the best 2 GB graphics cards.
Asus GeForce GT 730 Silent
The Asus GeForce GT 730 is one of the best budget graphics cards out there and is also ideal for building low cost PCs. The card is powerful enough to play modern games at low or medium settings. You can play older games like COD4 and others on high settings.
It is also designed to consume very little power and is also quiet compared to other budget graphics cards. The Asus GeForce GT 730 comes with 2GB of GDD3 memory, enough to meet the needs of a budget gaming PC.
However, if you wish, you can also choose the EVGA GeForce GT 730 2GB which comes with GDDR5 memory. All in all, both graphics cards are really good and you can give it a try.
Positive | Negative |
Very Quiet | Comes with a GDDR3 interface which may be a hindrance for some people. If you are one of them, then you can choose the EVGA GeForce GT 730 2 GB. |
Energy efficient | |
Decent build quality | |
Good for budget gaming | 0272 |
EVGA GeForce GT 740 2GB GDDR5 super clocked
EVGA GeForce GT 740 is another really good budget graphics card and it is much better than GT 730. Better graphics architecture GT 740. processor and larger memory interface, which means better performance.
This is the super clocked version which is equipped with one fan and heatsink. The overall form factor is also very compact, so you can also use mini-ITX cases.
You can play modern games at medium settings and old games at high settings. Overall, the EVGA GeForce GT 740 offers a better price, and you can get it for around $100.
Positive | Negative | |||||||||||
Good performance | consumes more energy than GT 730 | |||||||||||
RECOGNAL PRODUCTION |
Positive | Negative | ||||||||
Good performance | Radeon RX 550 offers D12 9 games0003
You can play modern games at medium settings with this GPU, and its performance is slightly better than the GT 730. Overall, both cards offer really good value for money and you can choose either one. Asus GPU Tweak II allows you to tweak the performance of your graphics card.
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