We have compiled a list of the cheapest graphic cards for the budget gamer. We have curated this list keeping the gaming performance of all the respective graphic cards in our mind. Since all these graphic cards are low end, it is highly advised to pair them with atleast 16gb ram or 32 gb ram( if your budget allows).
Cheap Graphic Cards with the best gaming performance
1. Sapphire RX 570
The Sapphire RX 570 is an entry level graphic card which gives a good enough performance for the price tag it comes at. Sapphire RX 570 comes with an impressive 4gb DDR5 memory for speed and lesser heat generation, 2048 graphical cores to handle the graphically challenging gaming titles and Dual Fan PCI-Express Card for keeping temperatures under control while you are gaming. Ideal for 1080p gaming at high settings.
2. RX 6500XT
AMD Radeon RX 6500XT is a budget gamer’s dream come true as it comes with a 4gb GDDR6 memory which loads games faster compared to the DDR5 memory, 1080 graphical cores and dual fan setup. This card can easily handle 1080p gaming at medium to high settings generally & sometimes on low settings for exceptionally graphic intensive gaming titles.
3. GTX 1660 Super
Nvidia Geforce GTX 1660 Super comes with 6gb DDR6 memory to make sure your frame rates dont drop at the currently set resolution, 1408 Nvidia cuda cores to make sure multiple graphical operations could be handled. The card can run GTA 5 in very high settings and all the pre-2020 games in 1080p ultra settings mostly and post 2020 titles in 1080p medium to high settings.
4. GTX 1070
The Nvidia Geforce GTX 1070 graphic card is very affordable & ideal for the budget gamer. Even at this low price point, GTX 1070 comes with a GDDR6 4gb memory( GDDR6 > GDDR5 > GDDR4 ). The card is ideal for casual gaming purposes. It gives a decent performance & doesn’t produce much heat. This card can run all pre 2021 gaming titles at 1080p high or ultra settings and even some older titles at 1440p resolution.
5. RTX 2060
The Geforce RTX 2060 comes with 1920 cuda cores( more cores equal to better performance), 6gb DDR6 memory and RTX technology( Ray tracing for more realistic looking graphics and support of DLSS frame generation technique which adds the missing frame rates so that you dont experience fps drops while gaming). It is ideal for serious gamers as it can play most of the post 2021 games at 1080p high settings.
6. GTX 1080Ti
Nvidia Geforce GTX 1080Ti is one of the OG graphic cards present in this list. Back in the times of its release , you could have thrown any game at it & it would play it at the maximum settings possible. Nvidia Geforce GTX 1080Ti comes with a massive 11gb DDR5 memory. It can handle mostly any gaming title at 1080p ultra settings, even many of the post 2020 gaming titles. Despite being an old card, it can run GTA 5 on the highest settings with ease.
7. RX 6600
AMD Radeon RX 6600 is a budget friendly beast to be quite honest. It comes with an 8 gb( decent according to 2024 standards but okay for 1080p gaming) DDR6 memory and AMD RDNA technology( high performance & low energy consumption). You can throw any of the latest gaming titles at it & it will easily manage ultra settings at 1080p resolution.
8. RTX 2060 Super
Nvidia Geforce RTX 2060 Super packs some serious gaming power in it. It comes with 8gb DDR6 memory, RTX technology and an impressive 2176 cuda cores. The DLSS support becomes a gamechanger for the RTX 2060 super as it allows literally game to run on 60 frames per second at 1080p ultra settings. Even 1440p gaming is possible with RTX 2060 super on medium to high settings with a constant 60 frames per second.
9. RX 5700XT
AMD Radeon RX 5700XT comes with 8gb DDR6 ram and FSR( a technology that runs the game at a lower resolution & upscales it to a better resolution so that the frames dont drop at more graphically demanding portions of the game ) support. The RX 5700XT is good enough for 1440p gaming at 60 fps on medium, high and even ultra settings at times. Any game will run like a dream on 1080p ultra settings with this card, thanks to FSR technology.
10. RTX 3050
Nvidia Geforce RTX 3050 comes with an 8gb DDR6 memory. The card gives a decent performance considering its price point. Not ideal for 1440p gaming but 1080p gaming at medium to high settings is seriously good for even modern titles. Ideal for those who don’t want to play every game at ultra settings.
11. RTX 2070
Nvidia Geforce RTX 2070 comes with an 8gb DDR6 memory and 2304 cuda cores. This graphic card is ideal for 1080p gaming at ultra settings. Even modern titles can be easily run on more than 60 frames per second at ultra settings if DLSS is turned on at quality preset.
12. RTX 3060
Nvidia Geforce RTX 3060 comes with an impressive duo of 12gb DDR6 ram which makes it ideal for modern gaming titles & 3584 cuda cores. It is ideal for 1080p gaming at high settings. With the help of DLSS, you can even play modern gaming titles at ultra settings on 60 fps.
13. RTX 2080
Nvidia Geforce RTX 2080 comes with an 8gb DDR6 memory and 2944 cuda cores. This card is capable of playing modern titles at 1080p resolution on ultra settings with a constant 60 plus frames per second.
14. GTX 1650 Super
Nvidia Geforce GTX 1650 Super comes with a decent 4gb DDR6 memory and 1280 cuda cores. This card can handle most games at custom-high settings at 60 frames per second. GTX 1650 Super is even capable of running less demanding titles on ultra settings smoothly. Ideal for casual gamers who just want to play pc games at smooth frame rates without focusing much on super high resolutions.
15. GTX 1660Ti
Nvidia Geforce GTX 1660Ti comes with 6gb DDR6 memory, Overclocking feature( it increases gpu speed thus promoting more frames per second). This graphic card is capable of handling modern gaming titles on high settings with 1080p resolution & still churn out 60 frames per second. Surprisingly enough, this card supports AMD’s FSR feature which can help you run demanding titles without dropping frames at 1080p high resolutions.
16. RTX 3060Ti
Nvidia Geforce RTX 3060Ti comes with an 8 gb DDR6 ram and Icestorm 2.0 advanced cooling feature which maximizes the cooling surface and reduces heating to a minimum. RTX 3060Ti can easily handle high-ultra settings at 1440p resolution and if you decide to game at 1080p settings, then 60 plus fps at ultra settings are guaranteed.
17. RX 6700XT
AMD Radeon RX 6700XT comes with 12gb DDR6 memory and 2560 graphical cores. This card is a beast and can run any modern gaming title at 1440p resolution at ultra settings with 60 plus fps easily. You can also use this card for 4k gaming at ultra resolution with 40 to 60 frame rates by using the FSR feature on more demanding titles.
18. RTX 3070
Nvidia Geforce RTX 3070 comes with an 8gb DDR6 memory. It is capable of generating 60 frames per second at 1440p and ultra settings while playing the most graphic intensive titles. You can also run most gaming titles at 4k resolution at high settings with smooth frame rates & even 4k ultra settings with DLSS set to quality preset. If you want to play games at 1080p resolution then you can get the highest frame rates at the maximum settings without a single frame drop.
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