Best budget graphics cards

A computer will be useless without a video card, which is responsible for displaying images on the screen. The more actively the PC is used, the higher the load on it and the more it heats up, which increases the likelihood of the device failing. To avoid this, it is recommended to buy quality products, but they do not have to be expensive. We've selected the best budget graphics cards with decent specs for gaming, mining, and work. We present a TOP that will help facilitate their choice.

Budget graphics card of which company is better to choose

Today there are only 2 developers of chips for video cards, known all over the world, who produce decent solutions for office, gaming and mining computers, we are talking about Nvidia and AMD. However, the rights to manufacture the devices themselves are sold to other firms, and their list is already much wider. At the same time, the difference in performance of the same graphics adapter model from different companies sometimes reaches 20%.

We present the TOP-7 brands of such devices:

• Sapphire - a company specializing in the production of video adapters exclusively from AMD. A distinctive feature of all products is the best balance of quality, power and price. It sells mid-priced solutions with better performance than HIS and has a low-cost pricing policy.
• MSI Is a company that makes discrete graphics cards that are especially well suited for building gaming PCs. It features patented multiplier unlocking technology that allows devices to run faster than stock models. The price to pay for increased power is slightly increased heat dissipation. Improved cooling with an advanced heat sink system, a special heatsink configuration and a specific shape of the cooler blades are designed to compensate for the disadvantage.
• Asus - the brand under which inexpensive and mid-priced graphics adapters are sold. In terms of cooling quality and power level, the manufacturer adheres to the “golden mean” rule. Asus products are distinguished by their durability, compactness and the presence of auxiliary functions (backplate, backlight, etc.).
• PowerColor - a company that produces good video cards with a maximum "body kit". Most models have a large number of fans and heat pipes. The need for overheating protection is due to the frequent increase in the clock frequency, the unlocking of the multiplier and the focus on continuous use. Its products are best suited for gaming and mining farms.
• Gigabyte Is a company that pays a lot of attention to the cooling system. Its video cards of any performance and series are characterized by the minimum operating temperature. The company has learned how to implement efficient cooling without a large increase in size. The price for most of the assortment is above average.
• Palit - the largest supplier of video adapters. The range of products is so wide that you can find several modifications of the same graphic variant, but with different accelerator characteristics. In terms of overclocking video cards, the company occupies one of the leading positions. The performance of the models is often higher than that of Asus, but the heating also increases. In addition to factory overclocking, the devices also support custom overclocking.

Rating of the best budget graphics cards

Understanding the key characteristics of the devices helps to find the best budget graphics cards of 2024. The following parameters affected the selection of models for the rating:

• Work frequency;
• The amount of video memory;
• Chip clock speed;
• Number of computing units;
• Bus bandwidth;
• Technical process;
• Memory type.

User reviews, expert opinions and value for money were also considered among other factors influencing the choice of graphics adapters.

Best AMD budget graphics cards

AMD traditionally offers cheaper graphics cards, but with more heat dissipation. It is wiser to choose them for owners of system units with sufficient free space, but wanting to save money. Our rating includes 4 such models of graphic adapters.

Sapphire Nitro + Radeon RX 570 1340MHz PCI-E 3.0 8192MB 7000MHz 256 bit DVI 2xHDMI HDCP

Sapphire Nitro features an advanced cooler management system that can completely shut down the fan during minimum load times. The temperature reduction in this model is realized due to two proprietary coolers with a diameter of 95 mm. Their performance is sufficient to run NITRO Boost mode with an increased operating frequency. The video card is compatible with virtual reality devices connected via HDMI 2.0 with a bandwidth of 18 Gb / s.

Sapphire Nitro supports DirectX 12, which provides better graphics for gaming and more efficient use of hardware resources. In practice, this means: high fps, high-quality image, minimum delays when using VR. Thanks to FRTC technology, you can customize the frame rate and refresh rate for the most flexible PC personalization.

Advantages

• Good cooling system - the temperature rarely rises above 65-70 ° C;
• It practically does not create any noise, and the cooler remains inactive during everyday tasks;
• Ideal for 2K and FullHD monitors;
• 8 GB of video memory, which is enough for almost all games.

disadvantages

• Relatively high power consumption of 300 W during peak load.

At the dawn of the popularity of mining, it was possible to buy this budget video card for 28-30 thousand rubles, its overclocking potential and effective cooling made it possible to profitably mine cryptocurrency. After the collapse of prices, the cost of this model is about 13,000 rubles.

MSI Radeon RX 560 1196MHz PCI-E 3.0 4096MB 7000MHz 128 bit DVI HDMI HDCP AERO ITX OC

This is a good, inexpensive graphics card with MIL-STD-810G components that are reliable and withstand extreme stress. In practice, this means better sustained load capacity during gaming and excellent overclocking potential. To increase the clock frequency of the graphics adapter, MSI Afterburner proprietary software is supplied, which provides complete information about the work in real time and allows you to control the amount of overclocking. The model can display images in UHD quality, but at a low frame rate, while its comfortable resolution is FHD.

Advantages

• Virtual reality support;
• Compact dimensions that allow the card to be embedded in small cases;
• Works quietly as usual;
• Does not need additional food;
• 4GB memory and overclocking capability.

disadvantages

• At maximum revs, it causes slight discomfort due to noise;
• Cooling prevents it from burning, but it can heat up to 80 ° C and a little more.

It is the ideal model in terms of balance between price and performance, but only suitable for undemanding users. The device pulls everything except games of 2024-2019 with maximum hi-end settings.

Asus Radeon R7 240 730MHz PCI-E 3.0 2048MB 1800MHz 128 bit DVI HDMI HDCP

This is a modern, but inexpensive graphics card that connects via a high-speed PCI-E 3.0 interface. Fast communication with the motherboard provides good performance. It is intended for installation in work and office computers or for upgrading old machines. For full-scale games this option is not suitable due to the low core and memory frequencies (730/1800 MHz). Its significant advantage is its low profile, which makes it possible to integrate into compact cases, and the cooler provides sufficient cooling quality even in limited space, while the device works quite quietly.

Advantages

• High GPU power for its price segment;
• Good amount of video memory - 2 GB;
• Heat resistance;
• Fast PCI-E0 interface;
• Power consumption - 75 watts.

disadvantages

• Memory type - GDDR3;
• The frequency could be slightly higher.

Due to the affordable cost and the ability to perform all the daily tasks of ordinary users, this model is in the TOP of good budget graphics cards.

PowerColor Radeon RX 560 1176Mhz PCI-E 3.0 2048Mb 6000Mhz 128 bit DVI HDMI HDCP Red Dragon V2

This is a fairly simple, but at the same time, a productive video card with a base level of 1176 MHz, and in acceleration mode, the frequency can reach 1275 MHz. After the speed increase, the power corresponds to the custom model of the more expensive segment. If in terms of performance it is on a par with analogues from other companies, then in terms of power consumption it wins significantly - no additional power is needed. At a price of 7-8 thousand rubles. it is on par with Nvidia products.

Advantages

• Good match of the price to the possibilities;
• Good overclocking potential;
• Draws most games at low and medium graphics settings;
• Quiet cooler that copes well with cooling;
• Consumption - 80 watts.

disadvantages

• When overclocking, you need to think about improving cooling.

This is a balanced video card with a good operating frequency (1176/6000 MHz) and a 128-bit bus, intended for budget computers without an emphasis on performance.

Best budget Nvidia graphics cards

The leading graphics card manufacturer produces economical, quiet and cool adapters. Nvidia's technologies are ahead of AMD, but the price of the products is slightly higher. In the budget niche, both companies create good and competitive models, but Nvidia focuses on more productive solutions. The rating includes 3 "popular" options.

MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 1379MHz PCI-E 3.0 4096MB 7108MHz 128 bit DVI HDMI HDCP GAMING X

This model tops the rating of the best budget video cards for gaming, as it has frequencies of 1379/7108 MHz, and in gaming and accelerated modes it reaches 1493 MHz. High gaming performance is the result of the modern type of GDDR5 memory with a large capacity of 4 GB. The device is equipped with two large coolers and is manufactured using a 14 nm process technology, so there will be no problems with overheating. It can handle most games, including modern ones, at medium or maximum settings. AAA projects are not included.

Advantages

• Passive cooling is sufficient up to 60 ° C, that is, the cooler is turned off outside games;
• Overclocking capability up to 2000/9000 MHz;
• Small size;
• Modern design;
• In terms of performance, it bypasses all other models from the rating.

disadvantages

• There is no VGA input, so an adapter is needed to connect older monitors.

For full participation in high-fps gaming, this graphics card is the best you can find on the market. Due to overclocking and high frequency of operation, it can also be used for editing video in FullHD quality.

Gigabyte GeForce GT 1030 1252MHz PCI-E 3.0 2048MB 6008MHz 64 bit DVI HDMI HDCP Low Profile

It is the best choice for the office. The lack of power and modest design are fully covered by the cost of about 5,000 rubles. This model has acceptable video memory (2 GB) and a frequency of 1252/6008 MHz. The listed characteristics make it comfortable to use it not only for games and mining, but also for work and for comfortable surfing. In fact, it is an analogue of the already outdated GTX 750 Ti model. It is a low-profile graphics card that fits in any case. The device has 2 outputs: HDMI and DVI.

Advantages

• Does not heat up;
• Minimum noise;
• DirectX 12 support;
• Can work with two monitors in parallel;
• Low heat dissipation - 30 W.

disadvantages

• Lack of attractive design;
• I would like to see a wider memory bus than 64 bits.

This is one of the cheapest and most relevant discrete video cards from the Nvidia series today. It is great for upgrading older computers, 8th generation and up. The model allows you to breathe new life into an old PC for a reasonable price.

Palit GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 1290MHz PCI-E 3.0 4096MB 7000MHz 128 bit DVI HDMI HDCP StormX

This model is ranked among the best budget video cards, it can perform all the tasks of an ordinary user. The lack of performance can only be felt in the most modern games at maximum graphics settings. This variant is compact and has one large cooler. 4GB GDDR5 memory combined with 1290/7000 MHz is the optimal combination for new games. It also produces 8k-resolution, but processes only 4k video with comfortable fps.In games at medium and maximum settings, the device usually supports over 40 frames per second.

While assembling a PC for a child, I decided to try the simple and productive Palit GeForce GTX 1050 Ti card. In standard situations, it shows itself from its best side, but for the sake of experiment, I decided to run demanding games on it. Test results: in Dirt Rally FHD it outputs 55 fps, in Alien: Isolation FHD - 85 fps, in GTA V FHD - 66 fps. After switching to 4k, the performance drops sharply: 21, 26 and 21 fps, respectively.

Advantages

• Good cooling - above 75 ° C does not heat up even under stress tests;
• Compact dimensions, so you can integrate it into any case;
• No need for additional food;
• Normal video memory 4 GB;
• It is cheaper than analogs from other manufacturers.

disadvantages

• There is not enough power for 4k games, but this should not be expected from a budget video card;
• No VR support.

A novice gamer will not be able to find anything better than this video card, because it pulls all games with acceptable fps without having to sacrifice graphics.

What is the best budget graphics card to buy

With a limited budget, you need to correctly understand the purpose of the device. The Radeon R7 240 and GeForce GT 1030 models are suitable for the most basic tasks that the integrated graphics cannot handle. The modification of the graphics adapter Radeon RX 560 has an average level of performance, which is enough for games 2 years ago, but there is a significant lack of power in new applications. For modern games, it is better to choose the more advanced solutions Radeon RX 570 and GeForce GTX 1050 Ti.

Recommendations for choosing video cards:

• For mining and easy entry into the gaming niche, we recommend Sapphire Nitro + Radeon RX 570 1340MHz PCI-E 3.0 8192MB 7000MHz 256 bit DVI 2xHDMI HDCP.
• For those looking for an inexpensive graphics card for light gaming or simple photo / video processing, the MSI Radeon RX 560 1196MHz PCI-E 3.0 4096MB 7000MHz 128 bit DVI HDMI HDCP AERO ITX OC is suitable. Its performance is quite enough to run GTA V at maximum settings, but at maximum it pulls not all new games.
• When looking for a graphics adapter for an office PC or while performing trivial tasks (surfing the net, watching FHD videos, etc.), it will most likely be reasonable to save money and buy an Asus Radeon R7 240 730MHz PCI-E0 2048MB 1800MHz 128 bit DVI HDMI HDCP.
• As a balanced video card both for work and for simple games, you can take PowerColor Radeon RX 560 1176Mhz PCI-E 3.0 2048Mb 6000Mhz 128 bit DVI HDMI HDCP Red Dragon V2. This is an inexpensive, quiet and productive model that allows you to play even new items, but on weak settings.
• If you need an inexpensive but gaming graphics card for all modern games, then the best option is MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 1379MHz PCI-E 3.0 4096MB 7108MHz 128 bit DVI HDMI HDCP GAMING X, which will have enough power for 2024.
• For people who like to play tanks, Counter Strike and other online games (undemanding), and for those who need an inexpensive model for work, the ideal option is the Gigabyte GeForce GT 1030 1252MHz PCI-E 3.0 2048MB 6008MHz 64 bit DVI HDMI HDCP Low Profile.
• In a limited budget, but if you want to play with friends on an equal footing, you can recommend Palit GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 1290MHz PCI-E 3.0 4096MB 7000MHz 128 bit DVI HDMI HDCP StormX.

Despite the widespread belief that inexpensive is bad, the best cheap graphics cards do more than just watch high-definition video. There are many models among them that are quite suitable for mining and games. The purpose and capabilities of the graphics adapter directly depend on its technical parameters. The most important characteristics of such devices are bus width, operating frequency, type and amount of memory.