Budget Graphics Cards for Gaming in 2023: Top 15 Picks

Budget video card for games

A Graphics card is one of the most important parts of a computer.

And very often, users are looking for a Best Budget Graphics Card For Gaming that would be an ideal option for working on hardware: reliable, powerful and, of course, inexpensive.

That is why I thought about the fact that I, like many, need a good budget graphics card for games .

In an attempt to find the most ideal option, I had to go through dozens of online stores and reviews, and thanks to this I managed to create the top 15 budget video cards for gaming, among which, I am sure, everyone will find something to their taste.

Best Budget Graphics Cards For Gaming

15 Best Budget Graphics Card For Gaming

here is the top budget video cards for gamers.

Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 550

Let’s start with the fact that video cards are rarely cheaper than $ 200 when they turn out to be the ones that you should pay attention to if you are really interested in games or powerful programs.

But the Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 550 is a huge exception, which is one of the best in its price category.

We can say that this is a super-budget option, since often the cost of a really suitable video card can go up to $ 1000 and above.

In principle, 2 GB is enough for “average” games and graphics at the minimum, but it’s better to purchase 4 GB, for the sake of completeness and more or less tolerable graphics, unless, of course, you are going to play, not watch movies.

The cooling system here is quite simple, but wins compared to many other models.

In fact, it is a stripped-down version of the Radeon RX560, it will not pull “heavy” games, unless, with minimal settings, but, in general, it deserves attention.

Pros:

• Small size
• Works relatively quiet

Cons:

• Heats up quickly during intense work

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ASUS GeForce GTX 750 Ti

Another ultra-budget option, well, or so.

Of course, a little more expensive than the previous one, but there are differences between them.

This video card is based on the first generation Maxwell GPU.

It has a Dual Fan Cooling cooling system, however, this same system does not have evaporators, can make noise and often crashes.

Just like the Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 550, this video card does not work silently, but quite quietly, although you should not expect big advantages from it.

So, she will not pull super-modern games anyway, but the graphics allow her to support quite tolerable.

Without “brakes”, it pulls quite decent games, say, two or one and a half years ago, differs in small size and consumes very little energy, while it is very fragile and, in principle, its cost is slightly overestimated, although it does not cross the threshold of “budget” ones.

Pros:

• Compactness
• Low power consumption

Cons:

• Auxiliary power connector is not located
• The video card is very fragile

MSI GeForce GT 730

Another relatively inexpensive graphics card that you should pay attention to.

It works on the basis of the GK208 GPU, which is based on one graphic cluster.

By the way, he took a strong place in the video cards of a number of GeForce, due to their low power consumption.

In general, the card is pretty good, it has an acceptable cooling system, supports outputting images to three displays simultaneously and works without glitches even at a resolution of 4096 × 2160.

However, for more modern games, most likely, you will have to set the minimum or at least average graphics settings, otherwise the video card will most likely refuse to pull the image.

The model is more expensive than the previous ones, but it is worth paying attention to those who are not aimed at the games of 2017 and just want to have a good time at their computer.

Pros:

• It does not heat up at all
• Low power consumption

Cons:

• Very noisy
• Not good enough quality materials

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HIS Radeon R7 250

The video card is also from the budget, but, apparently, it works quite well.

It has only 1GB of memory, but this is enough for online games with average graphics quality, like Dota 2 or World Of Tanks, games of this type (without excellent quality, of course) drag without brakes and surprises.

True, it heats up quite quickly and strongly, the cooling system sometimes crashes, and it will not categorically accept serious games or programs , such as, for example, for 3D modeling.

This is a good option for those who are not going to download modern games and remain faithful to MMORPG or other online toys.

And the price here is quite consistent with the quality of the video card, which is worthy of 7/10.

Pros:

• Quality
• Power is above average for this price range.

Cons:

• Heats up
• The price is a bit overpriced

Inno3D GeForce GTX 1050

The GeForce series pleases not only with the prices for video cards, but also with their characteristics.

This card is relatively recent release, and significantly different from previous releases of this generation.

Its huge advantage in low power consumption, it is equipped with a simple but rather powerful cooling system and with not so outdated computer parts it can even pull modern games and high quality graphics.

True, it starts its work with only 40% of power, but it does not give out any “tricks”, the games work stably and without braking. see also Best Graphics Cards Under 400.

Therefore, this video card can be safely called one of the best among budget options.

Pros:

• No noise
• Compactness
• Energy consumption

Cons:

• Small amount of memory

Sapphire Radeon RX 460

The Sapphire ultra-budget series has already taken a leading place in our TOP-15 budget video cards, and we see here another representative – Sapphire Radeon RX 460.

I must say that AMD , whose partner is Sapphire, produces truly reference cards, and this was no exception.

It is equipped with a good cooling system, operates at frequencies of 7000 MHz, has 4GB of memory and is capable of pulling the most modern toys without hesitation, even at high resolution, while the graphics are fully in Full HD.

In fact, it is beneficial from all sides.

True, this option is more expensive than the first, but an economical gamer will appreciate.

Pros:

• Good performance
• Graphics card quality
• Memory

Cons:

• Backlight
• Lack of analog ports

MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Gaming X

This card is still on the verge of budget, although the price for it is fully justified.

Again the same series of GeForce, but this particular video card has several advantages over the rest of the series.

In fact, it is aimed specifically at gamers, even its design involves the ability to see the part under the transparent cover of the system unit, which an ordinary user, in fact, does not need.

But, besides the design, the MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Gaming X also has a good cooling system, with a power of 75W, 4GB memory and a video frequency of up to 1290 MHz.

The games of 2017 go on the chart in the ultra mode, there are no glitches or braking, for the gamer this video card will become a real find.

Pros:

• High power
• Design
• Cooling system

Cons:

• Lack of backplate
• Price

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Gigabyte GV-N650OC-2GI

Another well-budget option for those who are trying to save wisely and invest in decent things.

Despite the somewhat aggressive appearance and the size of the video card, which is too big (due to the powerful cooling system and large fan), the Gigabyte GV-N650OC-2GI has 2GB of memory, several very useful inputs and outputs, it does not heat up and pulls almost all modern games .

True, with some glitches – so, during the game on a high chart, rainbow spots may appear. But for such a price the card is more than excellent.

Games on it go easily, and any gamer will surely like the correspondence of quality and cost, and it works quite well at such costs.

Pros:

• Cooling system
• Useful ports
• Price

Cons:

• The size
• Sometimes lags

ASUS GTX 650Ti DirectCU II TOP

The GTX 560 Ti version differs in that it has a different graphics core, different from the GXT 560, it uses a larger number of universal processors and texture units, plus it is already overclocked by the manufacturer.

Despite the low price, this card cools down perfectly, does not lag, it works like a watch, and it draws remarkably well both games two years ago and modern ones, however, it has small graphics settings, although it’s average.

In fact, it is excellent from all sides, if not for one “but” – it is very noisy.

However, the price justifies this drawback, and for budget graphics cards it is quite good.

Suitable for both beginners and amateurs, unless a professional gamer should get a more expensive and convenient option that easily pulls the graphics of the ultra mode.

Pros:

• Very productive
• Cooling system
• Design

Cons:

• Noisy cooling

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Sapphire Radeon HD 7770 1024Mb

Another product from Sapphire.

The main advantages of the Sapphire FleX HD 7770 GHz Edition graphics card, as its name implies, are the higher operating frequency of the graphics core (GHz Edition) than the usual AMD Radeon HD 7770, and the use of proprietary FleX technology.

As with most budget cards, there is an amazing cooling system and low power consumption, the video card works silently and pulls … well, of course, not all games pull, but the “average” will work very, very well, and online games look great .

Plus, a low price, which with these characteristics allows you to include it in the top of the best budget models.

True, this card will not be especially needed for especially avid gamers, since toys 2016 and above will simply not be accessed by it.

Pros:

• Silent operation
• Energy consumption
• Good power

Cons:

• 128 bit bus
• Occupies two slots

AMD Radeon R9 290X

This video card is distinguished by its design, has a strict and seasoned style, it looks solid and powerful.

Perhaps due to its large size.

In addition to the size, there are a couple of drawbacks, for example, a game starting in 2016, it will be very, very difficult to pull, and sometimes completely unrealistic, however, this is easily solved – if you take two of these cards and bump them into the CrossFire bundle, then the increase will be 1.8 times, which is enough for any game within 3 years with a resolution of 1920 x 1080.

The card is noisy, but reliable, no bugs, no brakes (of course, games of the year until 15-16), no glitches, it works stably and confidently, which can be safely protected on the list of its advantages.

In addition, for people who work in programs, such as 3D editors, various converters, photo and video editors, the computing power of the card will be useful.

Pros:

• Quality
• Design
• Work reliability

Cons:

• Heats up quickly
• Very noisy

PowerColor Radeon RX 580

This video card can offer the owner the best cooling with very decent overclocking.

It works at an impressive core frequency of 1425 MHz and claims to be one of the fastest versions of the Radeon RX 580.

The card looks impressive and solid, takes as many as three (!) Slots and has an excellent design.

The logo , by the way, is backlit. In addition to the highest quality overclocking, the video card has a powerful cooling system, several necessary and additional connectors and good performance, even excellent, which puts it on a par with the best representatives.

Full acoustic comfort is provided by the Silent mode, in which the fans operate at a lower speed.

Although the price hardly fits into the “budget” framework, staying at the very edge, but it is justified by the advantages and design of the video card.

Pros:

• Memory
• Design
• Pulls almost all games
• Silence at work

Cons:

• Poor overclocking
• Build quality
• Price

Palit GeForce GT 730

The Palit GeForce GT 730 is made on a low-profile printed circuit board with a height of 64 mm.

Due to the design features, the D-Sub port can be disconnected.

This allows you to install the video card in a compact package, which is not compatible with full-size graphics accelerators, which will be very useful for those who want to assemble an HTPC.

The card itself is cheap, but it cannot be called the worst at all.

On the contrary, it is characterized by very low power consumption, compactness, ease of use and convenient design, which puts it in our TOP 15 budget video cards.

By the way, it is actually budgetary – less than five thousand rubles.

But in terms of performance, you should not expect too much from it, although, of course, online games and modern toys in very decent quality graphics, albeit not ultra, will go with a bang.

Pros:

• Noiselessness
• Low power consumption
• Price

Cons:

• Small amount of memory
• Good computer hardware required

Asus ROG Strix Radeon RX 460 OC

The video card is small in size and has a dual-slot cooling system, that is, two fans.

It has only three connectors, but rarely when more is needed, especially for beginners who are looking for a good budget video card.

Thanks to the progressive technological process, it can easily compete with the more powerful cards of the previous generation, easily replacing them and successfully occupying one of the leading positions among budget options.

It practically does not have acceleration, which is typical for cards of this series, but it works silently, easily, and does not heat up much, which is its advantage over most inexpensive models.

Although, besides this, perhaps, this video card no longer has any outstanding features, and it will be pulled by “average” or online games.

Complete with a video card are red stickers on the case and Velcro for cables.

Pros:

• No noise
• The size

Cons:

• Low performance

MSI GTX 1060 GAMING 3G

Another product from the series mentioned above. Its value is still within the “budget”, only barely stepping over the threshold of ten thousand rubles.

At the same time, this video card is characterized by 8GB memory, a 192-bit bus and the highest performance, which allows us to play ultramodern games in FullHD, which will be a pleasant surprise for those who do not hope to find a decent product among low-cost products.

If you are a fan of truly worthy and powerful games with good graphics, then this video card will be a valuable find for you.

True, despite the impressive cooling system, it has the habit of overheating from time to time, but it is already overclocked from the manufacturer and is distinguished by reliability and excellent quality of both components and the assembly as a whole.

Pros:

• A large number of video outputs
• Video memory
• Design

Cons:

• Noise at work
• Price

Conclusion

Yes, professional gamers or gameplayers need such devices for the sake of good performance and graphics, on which their work and earnings depend, or a person is just so passionate about the latest games that he will not regret spending from $ 600 or more for just a video card.

But someone prefers online games that do not require such costs and characteristics of the card, someone plays fine on the graph of average settings, and someone wants to save on the video card.

And if you are here, I’m sure you didn’t stop by in vain. It is in our 15 Best Budget Graphics Card For Gaming that you can easily find the one that suits you.

Here are collected models of various manufacturers and various price categories within the “budget”, which cannot but come in handy to the same users as me who want to get a convenient and high-quality option to “play” for a relatively low cost.

However, it is worth remembering that in this price category you should not expect much from a video card.

They are not designed for professional gamers, for the latest games or ultramodern details of your system unit, hence the low cost and the corresponding characteristics.

Yes, and often budget video cards do not fit in with too outdated or the latest model details, which should be considered when buying, since, having bought a decent price or not investing in an upgrade at all and having saved / incorrectly choosing a video card, it is very easy to get into trouble.