The GPU market has suffered massive volatility over the last couple of years, however, things seem to have cooled down, and if you are on the market for a GPU, but have a limited budget, or simply don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on your hardware, it’s good to know that there are many budget friendly options out there.
We’ve tested a few cards in various builds and here are our recommendations.
AMD RX 6400
ASRock RX6400 CLI 4G AMD Radeon RX 6400
If you’re dealing with space constraints in a small form factor PC, our first pick, the RX 6400, might just be your ideal choice. Packing 4GB of GDDR6 RAM, this card often goes unnoticed, but it’s a solid performer. Now, a heads-up – it plays best with Gen 4 slots, so if you’re rocking an older Gen 3 system, there are still options. However, don’t underestimate the 6400; it can handle esports titles and even some AAA games at 1080p without breaking a sweat.
Nvidia GTX 1650
For those in need of a low-profile solution, but prefer NVidia, consider the GTX 1650. Although a tad pricier than the RX 6400, the 1650 brings a bump in performance and includes nifty features like an NVENC encoder. It’s a smooth upgrade for small form factor office PCs, offering decent 1080p performance at medium settings.
AMD RX 6600
Stepping up to the plate for full-size systems, we’ve got the AMD RX 6600. With 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM, this card can do wonders at 1080p gaming, without demanding a hefty power supply. At around 150 watts, it’s a powerhouse that won’t break the bank or your electricity bill. Just a heads-up: it requires external power, so ensure your system is ready for an eight-pin connection.
AMD RX580
Moving on to the more traditional budget PC builds, we have a classic in the budget sector, and the card, that for many years, was the king of price/performance ratio. We are talking about the RX 580. Available from various sellers, including the likes of 51 Risk and Acerix, this battle-proven gem is a budget-friendly option, usually hovering around the $100 mark. It’s a champ at 1080p medium settings, and at that price tag its probably one of the best choices you could make, if price is an issue.
It had a less known successor, the RX590, which at the time, of launch was too expensive to even be considered in the budget discussion. However, if you can find a RX590 at around the same price, it will be a worthy investment.
Intel Arc A750
This one came as a big surprise in 2023. With Intel trying to make its way in the GPU scene, we have the Arc A750.
Sporting a whopping 16GB of VRAM, it’s making waves in the sub-$300 category. Despite initial concerns about driver optimization, Intel has been on track, consistently pushing updates to improve performance. It’s even giving the 3060 Ti a run for its money, and with Intel’s commitment to updates, it’s a solid choice for those wanting impressive performance without breaking the bank.
As we hit the midway mark of 2023, it’s evident that the GPU market is stabilizing, and affordability is on the rise.
Though the supply chain hiccups persist, newer models like the 4060, alongside other releases from both NVIDIA and AMD, continue to inject dynamism into the market. The best part? Prices for existing cards are steadily dropping, especially if you are willing to try the second hand market.
