Top 10 best budget graphics cards

*Editor’s review of the best ones. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective, it’s not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to purchase. You should consult with a professional before buying.

Against the background of extremely high prices for powerful video cards due to the boom of mining cryptocurrencies, there is a category of video cards that are not interested in miners. These models are sufficient for work tasks and even to play not too resource-intensive games, but at a reasonable price. f

10 Best Low Budget Graphics Cards

The best cheap video cards for home and office PCs

In this mini-sample we’ll take a look at two models that are suitable for the simplest workstations. They are suitable when the PC is equipped with a processor without integrated graphics or as an urgent installation to the PC in case of failure of the graphics module in the processor.

AFOX GeForce 210 1GB

Rating: 4.9

This is a video card with the minimum-sufficient configuration, which is able to provide the usual office or home computer, which is not expected to run modern games or resource-intensive graphics software.

Another option is to use it for its intended purpose, to relieve the burden on the graphics module integrated into the processor. Thanks to the presence of a small amount of video memory, it will help to increase the performance of a weak desktop PC with little RAM. Integrated video system uses a part of operating memory for its needs and installation of such low-powered but discrete graphics card frees up this resource.

The device is extremely compact, suitable for small cases even with poor ventilation. Thanks to the low heat card does not require active cooling, so in the work is completely silent.

Advantages

• ultra-compact;
• Completely silent – passive cooling;
• super affordable price.

Disadvantages

• Severely limited performance for today’s software.

Sinotex Ninja Radeon R5 230 2GB

Rating: 5.0

This model is potentially designed to perform the same tasks as the previous version. However, with twice the amount of video memory and a slightly wider range of key features, the application options can be wider.

The maximum resolution the card supports is 2560×1600. This is less than the previous version, but this figure is honest, because we are talking about the real possibility of working. In the case of the above AFOX GeForce 210, 4K support is only “decorative”. The same model can handle video in F

lHD 1920×1080 and 2.5K without lags.

Increased performance already requires enhanced cooling, so this card is equipped with active cooling – a compact fan on the radiator.

In terms of dimensions, the card is also suitable for compact cases – it’s low-profile.

Interestingly, this model supports HDCP – media content protection technology developed by Intel. The essence of it is to prevent illegal copying of high quality video signal transmitted through DVI interfaces. It can not be called a clear advantage considering very narrow scope of this model in 2022, but it is worth keeping in mind.

Advantages

• compact, low-profile;
• “Pulls” some games in HD resolution 1280×720;
• supports HDCP;
• super affordable price.

Disadvantages

• Obviously limited functionality.

Best budget graphics cards for medium complexity tasks

In the second extended selection we will consider models in ascending order of performance, which already have more extensive capabilities. It should be understood that these capabilities are not comparable with modern graphics cards, but some special work tasks presented models are definitely already able to perform better than any integrated graphics.

GIGABYTE GeForce GT 710 2GB

Rating: 4.6



In this model may be misleading 2GB memory size, the same as the above-described Sinotex Ninja Radeon R5 230. Actually they are completely different class of devices, and this model is a head above on key parameters. Maximum resolution of 4K.

First of all, here is 1.5 times more powerful processor and 1.5 times faster memory – 954 MHz and 5010 MHz. Correspondingly. This not only allows you to work in office applications and surf the Internet. Such characteristics already allow you to work “carefully” in graphics programs. Until 3D MAX is still far away, but some tasks can already be done.

And with this model it is already possible to play some games on low and medium settings. For example, CS:GO in 768p/720p resolution will go without any problems and even with fps 60. Will even run at F resolution

lHD 1920×1080, but already with fps about 30, which is also enough.

World of Tanks, loved by millions of people, unfortunately, almost will not work. Unless at 768p/720p resolution on low settings.

Advantages

• compact;
• Price to features ratio;
• Some games will go 60 fps at 768p/720p.

Disadvantages

• No disadvantages for its niche.

Sinotex Ninja Radeon R7 350 2GB

Rating: 4.7



Approximately equal in capability to the previous model. But equal opportunities only concern some basic parameters – memory capacity, processor frequency, memory speed.

In this case we have a product based on chip from the manufacturer, competing above described, that is AMD, and here immediately emerge unobvious positive points. For example, a relatively fast 128-bit memory bus allows the processor to communicate more effectively with the memory subsystem.

In practice, this translates into the fact that this graphics card can handle all the same tasks as the previous, but with a noticeable “surcharge. So, for example, World of Tanks is already quite fit for medium settings, and games like CS:GO even more so.

Another positive point – proprietary drivers without any problems installed on new systems, it is possible to choose the bit depth 32bit/64bit, which ultimately also affects the optimization.

In terms of “physics” the device is just as compact in general – only 168 mm in length. Takes up two slots – 30mm thick. Active cooling with one medium sized fan on the heatsink.

Advantages

• compact;
• price-to-performance ratio;
• Pulls some “mainstream” games on medium settings;
• quality drivers.

Disadvantages

• for this niche is not.

MSI GeForce GT 730 4GB

Rating: 4.8



Now pay attention to the product of the Taiwanese company MSI based on GeForce GT 730, where even two times more video memory than the above three models.

The 4GB of memory is not misleading – the maximum supported image resolution in this case is 2560×1600. But it makes no sense to count on 4K, considering the other characteristics. But this memory allows to cover even more working applications – graphics software, design complexes, not too complicated video editing, raster graphics processing.

Also, do not particularly liven up those who wish to literally get a gaming computer for a penny. The graphics card is suitable for work tasks, where it is important memory for data processing, but not the “rapidity” of drawing game scenes. That is why the 64-bit memory bus is not the most pleasant, but a given.

Nevertheless, you can play some games – the same CS:GO and the like will go without a hitch in 768p/720p and even F

lHD 1920×1080. World of Tanks will go, but with creaking, at 768p/720p resolution, on settings no higher than average.

Advantages

• 4GB of video memory;
• It can cope with tasks of moderate complexity in amateur and semi-professional graphics software;
• “pulls” games from 10 years ago on low and medium settings

Disadvantages

• 64 bit memory bus.

AFOX GeForce GTX 750 4 GB

Rating: 4.9



We finish our selection with a graphics card that also creates a deceptive impression of “similarity” to the previous one, but actually demonstrates much wider possibilities.

The memory situation is radically different in this model. Here we have a fast 128-bit bus, and the memory itself is much faster than in the previous version – 5100 MHz. Plus, the frequency of the video processor itself is 1020 MHz, and that’s already something. This configuration on top of 4GB of video memory gives quite a different effect.

Finally, fans of World of Tanks can finally breathe – the game will go at any setting up to ultra in resolution F

lHD 1920×1080. Higher resolution is already over the limit, but it is more than enough.

It will already be possible to play Battlefield V at a resolution of F

lHD 1920×1080 on medium settings with fps 30. Fortnite will deliver a full 60 fps with the same settings. Games like Far Cry 5 can only be touched lightly at 768p/720p on low and medium settings.

It is also worth noting that this graphics card already requires a more powerful power supply in the case than the minimum 300W. Recommended power – 500W.

Advantages

• 4GB of video memory;
• high memory speed;
• 128-bit bus;
• Relatively fast video processor;
• Some games from 5 years ago will go.

Disadvantages

• inconsequential.

MSI Radeon RX 550 AERO ITX 4G OC

Rating: 5.0



This model is practically analogous to the previous one in all respects, including the gaming capabilities. But in some respects the model significantly exceeds the AFOX GeForce GTX 750, and these characteristics are more important for the working software, not for games.

First of all, here we see a much higher threshold of maximum resolution – 7680×4320. We are not talking about normal and smooth playback at least of video in this resolution, but here’s work with bitmap graphics is already quite possible, although also with reservations.

Work in applications without “brakes” contributes to an even faster processor 1203 MHz and also increased memory speed – 6GHz. The bus is 128-bit too, otherwise everything else would be meaningless.

Feature – this model has the same set of interfaces as all the other graphics cards in the review, but there is an important difference. HDMI Second Generation Output 2.0b, which means a much higher bandwidth and more options. This is an important point for those who work with video.

As for the games, the capabilities are almost the same as the previous model, but with an increased threshold of fps and graphics settings. For example, World of Tanks will go on high settings at 70-80 fps in F resolution

lHD 1920×1080.

Advantages

• 4GB of fast memory;
• 128-bit bus;
• fast processor;
• HDMI second generation 2.0b.

Disadvantages

• no obvious disadvantages.

Best budget gaming graphics cards

In the final selection we will consider graphics cards that even in 2022 without any reservations can be considered gaming. Of course, they are far from reaching the full potential of modern games with their resolutions, detail, raytracing and the like, but at least many games can be played at least somehow.

GIGABYTE GeForce GT 1030 Low Profile 2G

Rating: 4.8



In this model, some specifications may be puzzling, such as 2GB of video memory vs. 4GB in the previous video card or 64-bit bus vs. 128-bit in the same. Why this card is a gaming card and MSI Radeon RX 550 AERO ITX is not?

In fact, the point is in the architecture, because the GeForce GT 1030 series is fundamentally different. Even the lithography here is 14nm – a big breakthrough for its time, but it’s not the main thing either.

Here is almost similar to the previous option CPU frequency – 1227 MHz, but this is the base frequency. And there’s a factory overclocking up to 1506 MHz. The memory frequency, too, is almost the same – 6008 MHz, and it’s GDDR5 too, which is good.

In total all this already gives a real breath of air for the gamers who do not have a lot of money for modern graphics cards. So, with this card you can already play GTA V at 1080p resolution on high settings. World of Tanks will go even on ultra at the same resolution. Fortnite will go on high at 1080p, but at no more than 30 fps.

In addition to everything here we also see the HDMI output of the second generation 2.0b with higher bandwidth and all the attendant benefits.

Advantages

• 14nm process;
• overclocking potential;
• low-profile;
• Moderate power consumption;
• Second-generation HDMI output.

Disadvantages

• inconsequential in this niche.

a

t GeForce GTX 1050 Ti StormX 4GB

Rating: 4.9



With the final model in the review, we are already seeing a dramatic leap forward in gaming capabilities and the potential to handle graphics applications. It’s not about 4GB of video memory – we’ve seen similar numbers in much weaker cards. The bottom line is the architecture and the technology generation.

So, 4GB in this graphics card can not be compared with previous models, because we are talking here about GDDR6 memory, which dramatically changes the rules of the game. And the picture is not spoiled by the 64-bit bus.

The maximum resolution is 7680×4320. The processor speed is sharply higher – 2610 MHz. The memory frequency compared to the previous model is in a completely different plane – 18000 MHz. That’s very close to today’s models.

In terms of games, the field of choice is as follows. Far Cry 5 will go without problems at resolution F

lHD 1920×1080 on ultra settings with 85 fps. And it will even go in resolution 2.5K with 50 fps. Very heavy, complex and finicky PUBG will also go in F
lHD on medium settings with fps over 30. Almost unbelievable, but on moderate settings even Cyberpunk 2077 will do.

Due to the power, this graphics card already requires additional power and has higher power requirements for the power supply of the case – at least 400 watts.

Advantages

• next-generation fast memory GDDR6;
• compact;
• HDCP support;
• supports V
  kan;
  • Runs almost every modern game in different modes, with no exceptions.

  Disadvantages

  • heating and noise;
  • budget is already relative.
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