Best budget gaming GPU in 2023 – the top cheap graphics cards
In this article, we will explore some of the best GPU options for budget gaming, taking into account factors such as price, performance, and compatibility with popular games. Whether you are a casual gamer or a serious enthusiast, we hope that this article will help you find the perfect GPU for your gaming needs. So, let’s dive in and explore some of the best GPUs available for budget gaming!
With the ever-evolving technology in the gaming industry, it can be challenging to find a graphics processing unit (GPU) that meets your gaming needs without breaking the bank. However, fear not. There are still several budget-friendly options available that offer excellent performance and immersive gaming experiences.
Early Christmas GPU deals
Before we continue, we’ve spotted these top early Christmas GPU deals, which could be good options if you want to save some money on your new purchase.
Nvidia GPUs
- ASUS ROG Strix NVIDIA GeForce RTX™ 4070 Ti OC Edition – $899 (Save $150)
- PNY GeForce RTX™ 4060 Ti 8GB XLR8 Gaming Verto – $369 (Save $80)
AMD GPUs
Products at a Glance
Features and considerations
To build a gaming PC under budget, you need to check for the minimum requirements first. The first thing you’ll have to check on your GPU is the VRAM. This feature will allow your GPU to run games smoothly. However, the higher the VRAM the more expensive the GPU becomes.
The minimum VRAM required for a GPU to run modern games depends on the specific game and its graphics settings. Generally, around 6 or 8 GB of VRAM is considered the minimum requirement for gaming on a 1080p resolution monitor at lower to mid-range graphics settings. You can go lower than that, but you’ll be limited in the type of games you’ll play.
After VRAM, other important factors to consider when choosing a budget gaming GPU include:
- Core Clock Speed: A higher clock speed typically indicates better performance.
- CUDA Cores/Stream Processors: A higher number of these processing units usually indicates better performance.
- Memory Bandwidth: A higher memory bandwidth can improve performance, especially in games with high-resolution textures.
- TDP (Thermal Design Power): A higher TDP can mean more power consumption and heat generation.
- Cooling Solution: Efficient cooling is essential to prevent overheating and maintain optimal performance.
Best budget gaming GPU in 2023 – the top cheap graphics cards
- Best price
- Amazing performance
- Good cache memory
- High-frequency speed
- No ray tracing
- Slow with the most demanding games
A budget gaming GPU is one of the most looked-up options in the gaming industry. We all would love to have the most high-end component but there are sometimes when is just not possible. AMD will become our best friend in those situations. The RX 6600 XT is the budget option that fits all gaming rigs. Although is not the cheapest option out there, is the most potent budget option.
The RX 6600 XT features 8 GB of GDDR6 VRAM. That VRAM will allow you to play almost any game lowering the setting enough to enjoy a beautiful game and high FPS. The GPU is great for 1080p gaming with a consistent 100+ FPS. The RX 6600 XT also has a boost clock speed of 2589 MHz, 32 MB L3 cache, and 256 GB/s Bandwidth. The price of this GPU is insanely low for the performance it delivers.
- Great price to performance for big emulators
- Ample 12GB VRAM
- Efficient and compact designs available
- EVGA card is a bit noisy
The best part about Nvidia at this level is that you will get access to ray tracing and DLSS. Although DLSS won’t help much in the 1080p resolution, ray tracing will provide better performance in a vast variety of games. Nowadays, the majority of game creators are utilizing Nvidia’s ray tracing technology.
The RTX 3060 XC gaming is built by EVGA to ensure access at the lowest price possible. And, although AMD offers better pricing than Nvidia. Of all the Team Green GPUs, this is the best budget option.
The GPU offers a clock speed of 1882 MHz, allowing lightning-fast performance in most of the games you want to play. The 12GB of GDDR6 video memory has dual fan cooling, helping to minimize temperature during long PC gaming sessions. Its 7.9-inch compact size allows it to fit into smaller builds.
The RTX 3060 CPU has 3584 CUDA cores and provides an average of 13.49 trillion calculations per second for demanding gaming tasks. It focuses on high-definition images and advanced designs, which makes it an ideal option for gaming.
- Great for 1080p gaming
- Very affordable
- Efficient and quiet
- Some games use more than 6GB
The ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1660 is a great option for budget gaming as it offers solid performance at an affordable price point. With 6GB of GDDR5 VRAM and 1408 CUDA cores, it can handle most modern games at 1080p resolution and high settings with ease.
The core clock speed of this GPU is 1530 MHz with a boost clock of 1785 MHz. This is decent for a mid-range GPU. Its memory bandwidth of 192 GB/s is also impressive for its price point. Helping to ensure smooth performance even in games with high-resolution textures.
Additionally, the ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1660 has a TDP of only 120 watts, making it energy-efficient and not requiring a high-wattage power supply. It also features a dual-fan cooling system to help keep the GPU cool during heavy gaming sessions.
Overall, the ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1660 is an excellent GPU for budget gaming, offering great value for its price point and performing admirably in most modern games.
- Great overclocking
- Nice price
- Not the best cooling
The RTX 3050 is a recently released GPU from Nvidia and is also a great option for budget gaming. With 4GB of GDDR6 VRAM and 2048 CUDA cores, it offers solid performance at a lower price point than other GPUs in the RTX 30 series.
The RTX 3050 has a core clock speed of 1485 MHz with a boost clock of 1740 MHz, and its memory bandwidth is 128 GB/s. While its performance may not be as high as other RTX 30 series GPUs, it still offers an excellent gaming experience at 1080p resolution with high to ultra settings.
The TDP of the RTX 3050 is 95 watts, making it an energy-efficient option that can run on a lower-wattage power supply. It also features Nvidia’s new cooling technology, which helps to keep the GPU cool during gaming sessions.
One significant advantage of the RTX 3050 is its support for Nvidia’s RTX ray tracing technology, which provides more realistic lighting and shadows in games that support it. This technology was previously only available in higher-end GPUs, making the RTX 3050 a unique budget-friendly option.
How do we pick the best GPU for budget gaming
The first aspect to check is considering your gaming needs involves thinking about the types of games you play and the graphical settings you prefer. For example, if you play less graphically-intensive games, you may not need a high-end GPU with a lot of VRAM.
On the other hand, if you play more demanding games, you may want to consider a GPU with higher VRAM and other advanced features to ensure smooth gameplay.
Researching GPU options involves looking into the available options within a low-budget range and checking reviews and benchmarks to see how each GPU performs. You can also look for compatibility information for specific games that you play to ensure the GPU is capable of running them smoothly.
Comparing features involves looking at key specs like core clock speed, CUDA cores/stream processors, memory bandwidth, TDP, and cooling solution. These features can impact the performance of the GPU and its ability to handle certain games and graphical settings.
Is the RTX 3060 a budget GPU?
Since the release of the 40 series, the 30 series has started to become more affordable, but the 3060 is still quite expensive for most people. We’d say it’s more of a mid-range option, but one you should certainly consider if you’re planning on upgrading your setup.
What is a good budget GPU for 60 fps?
It’s widely thought that the GeForce GTX 1660 Super is a good go-to for anyone wanting 1080p/ 60hz on most games. For those of you who enjoy Fortnite, CoD, or any other popular modern games – this could be a great option that won’t break the bank.
Our Verdict
In conclusion, finding the best GPU for budget gaming can be a daunting task, but it’s possible to strike a balance between performance and price. Based on our research and analysis, the RX 6600 XT is the best overall GPU for budget gaming due to its impressive performance and affordability.
The RTX 3060 is the best Nvidia GPU for budget gaming, providing excellent value for money and solid performance. If you’re on a tighter budget, the GTX 1660 and RTX 3050 are both excellent options that deliver good performance without breaking the bank. Ultimately, the choice of the best GPU will depend on your budget, gaming needs, and personal preferences. With careful consideration of these factors, you can find a budget GPU that offers an enjoyable gaming experience without putting a strain on your wallet.