Best Budget Graphic Cards To Buy
Introduction to Budget Graphic Cards
Budget graphic cards are affordable graphics processing units (GPUs) that are designed for people who are on a tight budget but still want to enjoy smooth gaming or video editing experiences. These cards offer a balance between performance and price, making them an ideal choice for gamers and video editors who don't want to break the bank.
For gamers, a budget graphic card can provide a significant improvement in gaming performance compared to integrated graphics. It allows them to play the latest games at decent frame rates and graphics settings without spending a fortune on a high-end GPU. Similarly, video editors can benefit from budget graphic cards as they can handle video rendering and editing tasks more efficiently than integrated graphics, resulting in faster rendering times and smoother editing experiences.
The market for budget graphic cards is constantly evolving, with new models being released every year. Manufacturers are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible at an affordable price point, making it an exciting time for budget-conscious gamers and video editors. With advancements in technology, budget graphic cards are becoming more powerful and capable of handling demanding tasks, making them a viable option for a wide range of users.
Top 10 Best Budget Graphic Cards
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super is a popular choice among budget gamers. It offers excellent 1080p gaming performance and comes with 6GB of GDDR6 memory. The card also features NVIDIA's Turing architecture, which provides improved performance and efficiency compared to previous generations.Pros:
- Great performance for 1080p gaming
- Affordable price
- Efficient power consumption
Cons:
- Limited ray tracing capabilities
AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT
The AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT is another top choice for budget gamers. It offers excellent 1080p gaming performance and comes with 6GB of GDDR6 memory. The card also features AMD's RDNA architecture, which provides improved performance and power efficiency.Pros:
- Great performance for 1080p gaming
- Competitive price
- Efficient power consumption
Cons:
- Limited ray tracing capabilities
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Super
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Super is a budget-friendly option for gamers who are looking for solid 1080p gaming performance. It comes with 4GB of GDDR6 memory and features NVIDIA's Turing architecture.Pros:
- Good performance for 1080p gaming
- Affordable price
- Low power consumption
Cons:
- Limited ray tracing capabilities
AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT
The AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT is a budget-friendly option for gamers who are looking for decent 1080p gaming performance. It comes with either 4GB or 8GB of GDDR6 memory and features AMD's RDNA architecture.Pros:
- Decent performance for 1080p gaming
- Competitive price
- Efficient power consumption
Cons:
- Limited ray tracing capabilities
- While it is cheap, it has limitations with todays games
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 is a reliable option for gamers who are looking for good 1080p gaming performance. It comes with 6GB of GDDR5 memory and features NVIDIA's Turing architecture.Pros:
- Good performance for 1080p gaming
- Affordable price
- Low power consumption
Cons:
- Limited ray tracing capabilities
AMD Radeon RX 580
The AMD Radeon RX 580 is a budget-friendly option for gamers who are looking for decent 1080p gaming performance. It comes with either 4GB or 8GB of GDDR5 memory and features AMD's Polaris architecture.Pros:
- Decent performance for 1080p gaming
- Competitive price
- Good value for money
Cons:
- Higher power consumption compared to newer models
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 is a budget-friendly option for gamers who are looking for entry-level 1080p gaming performance. It comes with 4GB of GDDR5 memory and features NVIDIA's Turing architecture.Pros:
- Entry-level performance for 1080p gaming
- Affordable price
- Low power consumption
Cons:
- Limited ray tracing capabilities
AMD Radeon RX 570
The AMD Radeon RX 570 is a budget-friendly option for gamers who are looking for entry-level 1080p gaming performance. It comes with either 4GB or 8GB of GDDR5 memory and features AMD's Polaris architecture.Pros:
- Entry-level performance for 1080p gaming
- Competitive price
- Good value for money
Cons:
- Higher power consumption compared to newer models
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti is an affordable option for gamers who are looking for entry-level 1080p gaming performance. It comes with 4GB of GDDR5 memory and features NVIDIA's Pascal architecture.Pros:
- Entry-level performance for 1080p gaming
- Affordable price
- Low power consumption
Cons:
- Limited VRAM capacity
AMD Radeon RX 560
The AMD Radeon RX 560 is a budget-friendly option for gamers who are looking for entry-level 1080p gaming performance. It comes with either 2GB or 4GB of GDDR5 memory and features AMD's Polaris architecture.Pros:
- Entry-level performance for 1080p gaming
- Competitive price
- Good value for money
Cons:
- Limited VRAM capacity
Comparison of Budget Graphic Cards: Performance vs Price
When it comes to budget graphic cards, the performance-to-price ratio is a crucial factor to consider. Users want to get the most bang for their buck, so it's important to compare the performance of different cards and see how they stack up against their price tags.
In terms of performance, the top 10 budget graphic cards mentioned above offer varying levels of gaming and video editing capabilities. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super and the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT are the top performers in terms of gaming performance, offering excellent 1080p gaming experiences. On the other hand, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 and the AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT offer decent performance for 1080p gaming at a more affordable price point.
When it comes to video editing performance, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super and the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT also shine, thanks to their powerful GPUs and ample VRAM. These cards can handle video rendering and editing tasks with ease, resulting in faster rendering times and smoother editing experiences.
In terms of price, the top 10 budget graphic cards range from around $150 to $250, making them affordable options for gamers and video editors on a budget. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 and the AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT offer the best value for money, providing decent gaming performance at a more affordable price point.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Budget Graphic Card
When choosing a budget graphic card, there are several key factors to consider to ensure that you make an informed decision.
Performance:
The performance of a graphic card is one of the most important factors to consider. Look for cards that offer good gaming and video editing performance within your budget. Consider factors such as GPU architecture, VRAM capacity, and clock speeds to determine the performance capabilities of a card.
Price:
Budget graphic cards are designed to be affordable, but prices can still vary. Set a budget and look for cards that offer good performance within that price range. Consider the performance-to-price ratio to determine the value for money offered by a card.
Power Consumption:
Power consumption is an important consideration, especially if you have a limited power supply or want to keep your energy bills low. Look for cards that offer efficient power consumption without sacrificing performance.
Compatibility:
Ensure that the graphic card you choose is compatible with your system. Check the card's interface (PCIe), power requirements, and physical dimensions to ensure that it will fit and work properly in your system.
Cooling:
Cooling is important to prevent overheating and ensure optimal performance. Look for cards with good cooling solutions, such as dual or triple fans, to keep temperatures in check during intense gaming or video editing sessions.
Future-Proofing:
Consider the future when choosing a budget graphic card. Look for cards that offer features such as ray tracing and DLSS, which are becoming more prevalent in modern games. This will ensure that your card can handle upcoming games and technologies.
Gaming Performance of Budget Graphic Cards
Budget graphic cards have come a long way in terms of gaming performance. While they may not offer the same level of performance as high-end GPUs, they can still provide a smooth gaming experience at 1080p resolution.
The top 10 budget graphic cards mentioned earlier offer varying levels of gaming performance. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super and the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT are the top performers, offering excellent 1080p gaming experiences. These cards can handle modern games at high graphics settings and deliver smooth frame rates.
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Super and the AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT offer decent gaming performance at a more affordable price point. They can handle most modern games at medium to high graphics settings and deliver playable frame rates.
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660, the AMD Radeon RX 580, and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 are entry-level options for gamers who are looking for decent 1080p gaming performance. They can handle less demanding games at medium graphics settings and deliver playable frame rates.
The AMD Radeon RX 570, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, and the AMD Radeon RX 560 are the most budget-friendly options for gamers who are looking for entry-level 1080p gaming performance. They can handle older or less demanding games at low to medium graphics settings and deliver playable frame rates.
Video Editing Performance of Budget Graphic Cards
Budget graphic cards can also provide a significant improvement in video editing performance compared to integrated graphics. They can handle video rendering and editing tasks more efficiently, resulting in faster rendering times and smoother editing experiences.
The top 10 budget graphic cards mentioned earlier offer varying levels of video editing performance. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super and the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT are the top performers, thanks to their powerful GPUs and ample VRAM. These cards can handle video rendering and editing tasks with ease, resulting in faster rendering times and smoother editing experiences.
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Super and the AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT also offer decent video editing performance, although they may not be as powerful as the top performers. They can still handle video rendering and editing tasks efficiently, resulting in faster rendering times and smoother editing experiences.
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660, the AMD Radeon RX 580, and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 are entry-level options for video editors who are looking for decent performance. They can handle video rendering and editing tasks, although they may not be as fast as the top performers.
The AMD Radeon RX 570, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, and the AMD Radeon RX 560 are the most budget-friendly options for video editors who are looking for entry-level performance. They can handle video rendering and editing tasks, although they may not be as fast as the higher-end options.
Overclocking Potential of Budget Graphic Cards
Overclocking is the process of increasing the clock speeds of a graphic card to achieve higher performance. It can provide a significant boost in gaming and video editing performance, but it also comes with risks such as increased power consumption and heat generation.
The top 10 budget graphic cards mentioned earlier have varying levels of overclocking potential. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super and the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT are known for their good overclocking potential, thanks to their powerful GPUs and efficient cooling solutions. These cards can achieve higher clock speeds and deliver improved performance.
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Super and the AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT also have decent overclocking potential, although they may not be as powerful as the top performers. They can still achieve higher clock speeds and deliver improved performance.
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660, the AMD Radeon RX 580, and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 have limited overclocking potential compared to the higher-end options. They may achieve slight improvements in performance with overclocking, but the gains may not be as significant.
The AMD Radeon RX 570, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, and the AMD Radeon RX 560 have limited overclocking potential due to their lower-end specifications. Overclocking may not provide significant improvements in performance for these cards.
Before anyone says anything, I have listed the best BUDGET friendly graphic cards, only price was really taken into consideration! Most of them will handle popular games like Warzone and Minecraft with ease. But please be realistic, as I say, these are just the cheapest to pick up second hand if you are on a VERY tight budget.
Please also see best PC gaming tips to get the most of your PC