Best PCI Express X16 Graphics Cards: Your 2023 Guide

Best PCI Express X16 Graphics Cards

If you’re looking for a powerful graphics card to upgrade your gaming setup or for professional use, a PCI Express x16 graphics card is the way to go. These cards offer high performance and are the standard for connecting to a computer’s motherboard. In this article, we will be discussing the best PCI Express x16 graphics cards of 2023, providing a comprehensive overview of the top options available in the market.

From high-end options like the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 to the more budget-friendly options like the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070, we’ll cover it all.

List of Best PCI Express X16 Graphics Cards

pcie x16 graphics card listCheck Price
1MSI GeForce GT 710 1GB DDR3 PCI Express X16Check Price at Amazon
2ASUS GeForce GT 710 1GB GDDR5 PCI Express X16Check Price at Amazon
3MSI GeForce GT 730 2GB DDR3 PCI Express X16Check Price at Amazon
4MSI GeForce GT 730 4GB DDR3 PCI 2.0 Express X16 GPUCheck price at Amazon
5MSI GeForce GTX 1050TI 4GT OC 4GB GDDR5 PCI 3.0
Express X16
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6ASUS GeForce GT 1030 2GB GDDR5 Low Profile PCI
Express X16
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7ASUS AMD Radeon R7 240 2GB DDR5Check Price at Amazon
8AMD Radeon Pro WX 4100 4GB DDR5 Graphics CardCheck Price at Amazon
9NVIDIA Quadro P400 2GB GDDR5 PCI Express X16Check Price at Amazon
pcie x16 graphics card list

Factors to consider when buying a PCI Express X16 graphics card

Budget:

One of the most important factors to consider when buying a PCI Express X16 graphics card is your budget. High-end graphics cards can be quite expensive, so it’s important to set a budget and stick to it. You should also consider the potential return on investment (ROI) for the card, such as how long it will last you before needing to upgrade.

Performance:

Another important factor to consider is the performance of the graphics card. This includes the GPU clock speed, which determines how fast the card can process data, and the memory size, which determines how much data the card can hold. A higher clock speed and larger memory size will generally result in better performance.

Compatibility:

Before purchasing a PCI Express X16 graphics card, it’s important to ensure that it is compatible with the rest of your computer’s components. This includes the power supply, which must be able to provide enough power to the card, as well as the motherboard, which must have a compatible PCI Express slot. Additionally, you should also check that your monitor has the necessary ports to connect to the card.

Cooling system:

Graphics cards generate a lot of heat and cooling is an important factor to consider when buying a PCI Express X16 graphics card. A good cooling system can prevent the card from overheating and prolong its lifespan. Look for graphics cards with a good cooling system such as multiple fans or liquid cooling.

Display output options:

Display output options are another important factor to consider when buying a PCI Express X16 graphics card. Most graphics cards have either HDMI or DisplayPort output ports, but some also have DVI ports. Be sure to check the ports on your monitor and your desired usage, such as gaming or video editing, to ensure that the card has the necessary output options.

Game or application support and optimization:

Some games or applications are optimized for specific graphics card, so it’s important to check if the card you’re considering is supported by the games or applications you plan to use. This will ensure that you get the best performance out of your card.

Brand reputation and customer support:

The brand reputation of a graphics card is an important factor to consider when buying a PCI Express X16 graphics card. Reputable brands such as Nvidia and AMD have a history of producing high-quality cards and providing good customer support.

Overclocking potential:

Overclocking is the process of running a graphics card at a higher speed than it was designed for. Some graphics cards have a higher overclocking potential than others, so it’s important to check if the card you’re considering has good overclocking potential, if that’s something you’re interested in.

Best PCIe 2.0 X16 Graphics Cards

Here check out What is the best PCI Express 2.0 graphics cards? So let’s start one by one.

MSI GeForce GT 710 1GB DDR3 PCI Express X16

MSI GeForce GT 710 1GB DDR3 PCI Express X16

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Video chipsetnVidia GeForce GT 710
GPU frequency954 MHz
Video memory size1GB
Video memory typeDDR3
Video memory frequency1600 MHz
Technology supportDirectX 12 / OpenGL 4.5
power connectorswithout additional power supply
power supply300 watts

MSI GeForce GT 710 is the Best PCI 2.0 Express X16 Graphics Card for low price users. The office graphics card MSI GeForce GT 710 belongs to the budget price category. It will also perfectly show itself in a home multimedia computer, since it can easily cope with playing Full HD quality video with a maximum resolution of 4096×2160 pixels, which allows you to play movies on large screens using the adapter. MSI GeForce GT 710 graphics card is compatible with any motherboard equipped with PCI-E slot. 

The card is equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 chipset with a frequency of 954 MHz and 1 GB of DDR3 video memory. The device demonstrates excellent quality visual effects due to its support for modern visual technologies DirectX 12 / OpenGL 4.5. Cooling is of a passive type (radiator), the power consumed by the device during operation is 19 W.

Check also Best Graphics Cards For Ryzen 7 3700x

ASUS GeForce GT 710 1GB GDDR5 PCI Express X16 graphics card

ASUS GeForce GT 710 1GB  GDDR5 PCI Express X16 Graphics Card

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Video chipsetnVidia GeForce GT 710
GPU frequency954 MHz
Video memory size1GB
Video memory typeGDDR5
Video memory frequency5012 MHz
Technology supportDirectX 12 / OpenGL 4.5
power connectorswithout additional power supply
power supply300 watts

The ASUS nVidia GeForce GT 710 graphics card has 1GB of GDDR5 memory. The unique AUTO-EXTREME technology means complete automation of video card production for the highest reliability. Tweak II provides intuitive tuning of map performance. The patented large surface heatsink guarantees efficient passive cooling.

The ASUS nVidia GeForce GT 710 graphics card is a compact device with three output ports (HDMI, DVI and D-Sub). No additional power supply is required for its operation.

MSI GeForce GT 730 2GB DDR3 PCI Express X16 Video Card

MSI GeForce GT 730 2GB DDR3 PCI Express X16 Video Card

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Video chipsetNvidia GeForce GT 730
GPU frequency700 MHz
Video memory size2GB
Video memory typeGDDR5
Video memory frequency1800 MHz
Technology supportDirectX 12 / OpenGL 4.4
power connectorswithout additional power supply
power supply300 watts

Inexpensive, but at the same time productive discrete graphics card MSI GeForce GT 730 N730-2GD3V2 will provide comfortable work in office applications and the Internet, will allow you to relax while watching videos, photos and playing computer video games. 

A high-quality component base guarantees reliable operation of the board. Proprietary technologies FXAA and PureVideo HD will give the user excellent clarity and smoothness of the image, excellent color reproduction. HDMI, DVI, D-SUB connectors are available for connecting monitors, three monitors can work simultaneously. 

3D Vision support gives you the thrill of watching 3D and incredibly realistic 3D images. Afterburner software allows the user to fully control and customize the operation of the MSI GeForce GT 730 N730-2GD3V2 graphics card.

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MSI GeForce GT 730 4GB DDR3 PCI 2.0 Express X16 GPU

MSI GeForce GT 730 4GB DDR3 PCI 2.0 Express X16 GPU

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Video chipsetNvidia GeForce GT 730
GPU frequency750 MHz
Video memory size4GB
Video memory typeDDR3
Video memory frequency1000 MHz
Technology supportDirectX 12 / OpenGL 4.4
power connectorswithout additional power supply
power supply300 watts

A budget but high-quality dual-slot video card MSI GeForce GT 730 N730-4GD3 with 4 GB of video memory is designed for personal computers for office and gaming purposes. It is equipped with a 750MHz GPU and 1000MHz video memory. It contains HDMI, DVI and D-SUB connectors, which are used to transmit analog and digital video signals, as well as HDTV high definition video.

The powerful MSI GeForce GT 730 N730-4GD3 graphics card uses an active cooling system and DDR3 memory. This model supports DirectX 12 and OpenGL 4.4 technologies. It features the latest PCI-E 2.0 standard connection and the new NVIDIA GeForce GT 730 GPU for advanced features such as support for 128-bit applications, video capture, and static screen capture.

best pcie 3.0 x16 graphics cards

MSI GeForce GTX 1050TI 4GT OC 4GB GDDR5 PCI 3.0 Express X16

MSI GeForce GTX 1050TI 4GT OC 4GB GDDR5 PCI 3.0 Express X16

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Video chipsetNvidia GeForce GT 7nVidia GeForce GTX 1050TI
GPU frequency1341 MHz (1455 MHz, Boost)
Video memory size4 GB
Video memory typeGDDR5
Video memory frequency7008 MHz
Technology supportDirectX 12 / OpenGL 4.5
power connectorswithout additional power supply
power supply300 watts

MSI GTX 1050 TI 4G OC Graphics Card is a 177mm, 75W ready-to-install and ready-to-use model with Display Port, DVI and HDMI ports and an active cooling system that includes a heatsink and fan. 

The model has a modern graphics processor at 1341 MHz, 4 GB of memory, operating at a frequency of 7008 MHz, and a resolution of 7680×4320 pixels. All of the above parameters make it indispensable for a gaming or multimedia computer. 

Also, the MSI GTX 1050 TI 4G OC graphics card supports DirectX 12 / OpenGL 4.5 and OverClock Edition technologies, which provide the highest possible speed of changing pictures in dynamics. The product is guaranteed for thirty-six months.

Check it out Best Nvidia Geforce GTX Graphics Cards

ASUS GeForce GT 1030 2GB GDDR5 Low Profile PCI Express X16

ASUS GeForce GT 1030 2GB GDDR5  Low Profile PCI Express X16

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Video chipsetNvidia GeForce GT 1030
GPU frequency1228 MHz (1506 MHz, Boost)
Video memory size2 GB
Video memory typeGDDR5
Video memory frequency6008 MHz
Technology supportDirectX 12 / OpenGL 4.5
power connectorswithout additional power supply
power supply300 watts

The compact ASUS NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 graphics card is characterized by an efficient cooling system. It is able to provide high-quality video playback due to the processor’s ability to operate at 1228 MHz, and in Boost mode – 1506 MHz, and a memory capacity of 2 GB.

The powerful ASUS NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 graphics card is built with innovative technology and select components. This made the card more energy efficient, improved its performance, and lowered the operating temperature, which is important. 

The graphics card is compatible with the GPU Tweak II utility, which provides the ability to get full control over the graphics subsystem. It provides a variety of visual effects, allows you to connect two monitors via HDMI and DVI-D video connectors.

Check our guide on PCI Express 3.0 Vs 4.0.

ASUS AMD Radeon R7 240 2GB DDR5

ASUS AMD Radeon R7 240 2GB DDR5

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Video chipsetAMD Radeon R7 240
GPU frequency730 MHz (780 MHz, Boost)
Video memory size2 GB
Video memory typeDDR5
Video memory frequency4600 MHz
Technology supportDirectX 12 / OpenGL 4.3
power connectorswithout additional power supply
power supply300 watts

The ASUS AMD Radeon R7 240 graphics card has a PCI-E 3.0 interface. The graphics processor operates at 730 MHz (780 MHz in Boost mode), the memory capacity is 2 GB. It operates at a frequency of 4600 MHz, which guarantees picture quality. The bit width of the video memory bus is 128 bit, the maximum resolution is 1920×1200. The card supports DirectX 11.2 / OpenGL 4.3 technology.

The ASUS AMD Radeon R7 240 graphics card has several different types of connectors. Therefore, when assembling the computer yourself, it will be easy to make the necessary connections. Additional food is not provided. The cooling system is active. It includes one fan and heatsink. The card’s advantages include its low profile. The compact dimensions ensured versatility of use.

AMD Radeon Pro WX 4100 4GB DDR5 Graphics card

AMD Radeon Pro WX 4100 4GB DDR5 Graphics Card

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Video chipsetAMD WX 4100
Video memory size4 GB
Video memory typeDDR5
Technology supportDirectX 12 / OpenGL 4.5
power connectorswithout additional power supply
power supply300 watts

It is the Best PCI 3.0 Express X16 Graphics Card. The DELL AMD WX 4100 video card has the technical characteristics that are typical of professional-type video cards. The powerful graphics processor supports OpenGL 4.5, Vulkan 1.0, DirectX 12 standards, which allows you to provide a high level of performance when running any games and graphics programs. The DDR5 video memory has a capacity of 4 GB.

The manufacturer has provided the ability to connect up to 4 monitors to the DELL AMD WX 4100 video card simultaneously. The maximum resolution is 5120×2880 pixels. An efficient cooling system with a turbine fan ensures reliable overheating protection, thereby significantly extending the life of your graphics card.

NVIDIA Quadro P400 2GB GDDR5 PCI Express x16

NVIDIA Quadro P400 2GB GDDR5

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Video chipsetNVIDIA Quadro P400
Video memory size2 GB
Video memory typeGDDR5
Technology supportDirectX 12 / OpenGL 4.5
power connectorswithout additional power supply

DELL NVIDIA Quadro P400 graphics card provides high quality, realistic graphics. Supports DirectX 12 and OpenGL 4.5 technologies, which guarantees the maximum use of all the achievements of the PC gaming industry. The amount of video memory is 2 GB GDDR5 type.

Connection to the motherboard is provided via the PCI-E 3.0 interface, and for a comfortable monitor connection, the DELL NVIDIA Quadro P400 video card is equipped with Mini Display Port connectors. The heatsink and fan keep the unit cool under continuous use. No additional power connection is required for this video card.

Are PCI Express X16 Graphic Cards Worth It?

PCI Express has been around for a while now and is the standard for video cards. PCIe X16 cards are supposed to be the best, but are PCI Express X16 graphic cards worth it?

There are a few things to consider when deciding if a PCIe X16 card is worth it.

The first is how much you plan to use your card. If you only plan to use it for basic tasks like web browsing and word processing, then a lesser card will probably do just fine. However, if you plan on doing more intensive activities like gaming or video editing, then you will need a card that can handle those tasks.

The second thing to consider is your computer’s hardware. Your motherboard needs to have a PCIe X16 slot in order for the card to fit, and your power supply also needs to be able to handle the extra load.

Comparison of the top PCI Express X16 graphics cards

Performance benchmarks:

One way to compare the top PCI Express X16 graphics cards is to look at their performance benchmarks. These benchmarks measure the card’s performance in various tasks such as gaming, video editing, and 3D rendering. This can give you an idea of which card will perform the best in different scenarios. Some popular benchmarking tools include 3DMark, Unigine, and Furmark.

Price comparisons:

Another way to compare the top PCI Express X16 graphics cards is to look at their prices. This can give you an idea of how much you can expect to pay for each card and can help you make a decision based on your budget. Keep in mind that the price of a card can vary depending on where you purchase it from, so it’s important to shop around and compare prices from different retailers.

Conclusion

If you are searching for best PCI Express X16 graphics cards, then any of the graphics card in above listing would be a best choice. So, take your time and do your research to find the perfect card for your specific needs.

Hi, fellow tech enthusiasts! I’m Syed Kashif Shah, and I’m proud to be your go-to expert for all things like problems, suggestions, recommendations related to graphics cards. As a seasoned Technology Consultant and Hardware Enthusiast, I’ve spent years in the graphics card troubleshooting and repair field.