If you have a compact PC setup, then getting a small, low profile GPU makes a lot of sense. These versatile LP GPUs are smaller than the standard full-height graphics cards, and they can fit into pretty much any PC case. They’re a great space-saving alternative if you want to cram loads of other great components into your setup.
While low-profile graphics cards aren’t as powerful or high-end as the more traditional graphics cards, they’re still able to pack a punch in terms of power. Being smaller, quieter, and producing less heat than their full-height counterparts, if you’re building a compact PC, a low-profile GPU is all you need.
In this article, we will review the best graphics cards for your compact rig, focusing on options that deliver efficient performance without the bulk of standard GPUs.
Products at a glance
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Best low profile GPUAsus GeForce RTX 4060 LP BRK OC
- CUDA Cores: 3072
- VRAM: 8GB GDDR6
- Memory bus: 128-bit
- Base clock speed: 2460 MHz
- Boost clock speed: 2520 MHz
- Best dual-fan low profile GPU
ASUS Dual Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 OC
- GPU: GA106
- VRAM: 8 GB
- Base Clock Speed: 1552 MHz
- Boost Clock Speed: 1777 MHz
- Bus Width: 128 bit
- CUDA Cores: 2560
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Best low profile AMD GPUPowerColor AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT ITX
- Stream Processors: 1024
- VRAM: 4GB GDDR6
- Memory bus width: 64-bit
- Base clock speed: 2610Mhz
- Boost clock speed: 2815Mhz
How we selected the best low profile GPUs
Choosing a low-profile graphics card for your compact PC requires careful consideration. At PC Guide, we’ve got you covered. We leverage our expertise in PC building and graphics cards, along with in-house reviews (including GPU reviews), to recommend the best low-profile options for your needs.
Since low-profile cases often have limited airflow, we prioritized cards with low power consumption to avoid overheating. We also look for GPUs with efficient cooling systems that keep things quiet and under control. While low-profile cards might not match the raw power of full-size models, many offer enough muscle for casual gaming and creative work. We find the sweet spot between performance and size to ensure a smooth experience.
For those not constrained by size, it might be worth checking out our picks of the best GPUs overall, or even the best budget graphics cards.
- CUDA Cores: 3072
- VRAM: 8GB GDDR6
- Memory bus: 128-bit
- Base clock speed: 2460 MHz
- Boost clock speed: 2520 MHz
- High performance in a compact size
- Supports advanced DLSS 3.0 technology
- Efficient power consumption
- Pricier than other low-profile options
- Limited to 8GB of memory
- No RGB lighting for those who prefer it
Now, we have reviewed the Asus ROG Strix variant of the RTX 4060, and we can vouch for its performance. The LP variant here is from the same range, so you can expect similar performance and build quality.
Compared to the ROG Strix, this LP card is small – the dimensions look like 7.4 x 2.72 x 1.53 inches. Plus, it weighs 11.2 ounces, which is lighter than standard GPUs that can weigh around 2.5 pounds. Plus, you also get IP5X dust resistance, which should ensure reduced wear and tear for your card.
The card sports three fans with dual ball bearings, which promise enhanced cooling.
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In terms of performance, the LP version can be overclocked to 2520 MHz, which is only a slight boost from what the original NVIDIA card offers. Still, you get access to overclocking abilities in a compact card.
Further, even with the smaller profile, Asus hasn’t compromised with the fans for this model. The card sports three fans with dual ball bearings, which promise enhanced cooling. So, if you decide to overclock the GPU, this cooling system should help you with it.
As far as price is concerned, the ROG Strix models are usually pricier, as they’re often considered premium. In comparison, the LP model is around $40 cheaper – so you can save a few bucks along with some space in your case.
What users say
On Amazon, the Asus RTX 4060 LP BRK OC has an average rating of 4.7 stars, and over 1,700 people have reviewed it. The positive reviews praised the card’s performance, build quality, and also the design.
- GPU: GA106
- VRAM: 8 GB
- Base Clock Speed: 1552 MHz
- Boost Clock Speed: 1777 MHz
- Bus Width: 128 bit
- CUDA Cores: 2560
- Solid performance for its size
- Adequate 8GB GDDR6 memory
- Compact and fits in small cases
- Struggles with more demanding games and titles
- Limited ray-tracing capabilities
- Lacks RGB lighting for aesthetics
If you prefer having a decent cooling system in your low profile GPUs, then we think that the Asus Dual GeForce RTX 3050 OC is a great card.
Now, we have personally reviewed this Asus RTX 3050 variant so we can get better insights into overall performance. In our review, we discovered that the GPU can deliver excellent framerates at 1080p resolution. Another notable thing here is that the GPU has a 2-slot design, which makes it compatible with various systems.
Another notable thing here is that the GPU has a 2-slot design, which makes it compatible with various systems.
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With the dimensions of 7.87 x 4.84 x 1.5 inches, this card is much smaller than standard 3-fanned GPUs, the length of which can go up to 11 inches. Plus, this card weighs 1.2 pounds, which is about half of what regular cards weigh.
Much like the name suggests, this GPU comes with a dual-fan design to keep it cool. More specifically, the GPU has axial tech fan design – so the fan blades are longer and the hub is small. Plus, as it is a 0dB card, you can enjoy cooling without the noise.
What users say
On Amazon, the Asus RTX 3050 card has a 4.6 star-rating, and more than 700 people have rated it. In the reviews, most people mentioned that they were pleased with the performance and easy installation. “Definitely improves graphics. I needed a new one and this was the best in my price range. Very easy to have it installed,” one of the customers said in a review.
- Stream Processors: 1024
- VRAM: 4GB GDDR6
- Memory bus width: 64-bit
- Base clock speed: 2610Mhz
- Boost clock speed: 2815Mhz
- Decent 1080p performance
- Budget-friendly
- Suitable for ITX builds
- Only 4GB VRAM
If you prefer having an AMD card in your rig, then this PowerColor RX 6500 XT GPU will be a good fit. In fact, this particular single-fanned model has been designed for ITX builds – so if you have a compact rig, this card will be suitable.
To start with, this AMD card packs in 1024 Stream Processors and 4GB GDDR6 VRAM, which should be sufficient for a ‘lite’ gaming rig. You also get a 2815 Mhz boost clock speed for some performance tweaks. Overall, this card is suitable for people looking to get decent 1080p performance.
Overall, this card is suitable for people looking to get decent 1080p performance.
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As mentioned, this card is quite small – we’re looking at dimensions of 6.5 x 4.92 x 1.57 inches. Further, the card weighs about 1.23 pounds, which is quite light. If you have a mini-ITX build or if you’re looking to save space, then this card should fit right it.
Further, the graphics card comes with a single 90mm fan, which promises to maintain optimal temperatures. This fan comes with two-ball bearing technology, which claims to increase the longevity of the fan by up to four times.
What users say
On Amazon, the PowerColor card has a rating of 4.5 stars, and more than 2,400 customers have rated it. As per the reviews, customers were pleased with the performance and price of the card.“One of the standout features of the Fighter RX 6500 XT is its commendable gaming performance in its price range. Designed for 1080p gaming, this graphics card handles a variety of titles with smooth frame rates and decent image quality,” a customer said in a review.
Considerations for the best LP GPUs
There are many factors when it comes to picking the right LP graphics card for your setup. Let’s take a look at some of the most important.
Size
The size of your chosen LP graphics card will likely be the most influential factor when choosing the best fit for your PC case. Take a look at the measurements of your chosen low profile graphics card. Is it small enough to fit into your PC case? Does it give you plenty of space to add all the other components that you want in your computer setup?
Some of these may be longer than other LP GPUs, so you should ensure that your PC case has enough room to accommodate your model of choice. It will also be worth double-checking if your chosen LP GPU comes with the low profile bracket you need to fit it into your PC case, as not all of them will include this.
Cooling and noise
One of the best features of a low profile graphics card is that they are so much quieter than their standard, full-sized counterparts. Whereas a standard GPU could potentially make a lot of noise when the fans are whirring to try and cool the unit down, an LP GPU will be able to keep itself cooler at a much-reduced volume. These types of graphics cards don’t tend to produce as much heat as their full-sized counterparts, which could also play a factor in why they’re not as noisy as the fans have less work to do.
However, while most LP graphics cards come with a single fan or two fans thanks to their smaller stature, some more budget-friendly versions carry passive heatsinks for them to cool efficiently. This will be an important thing to look out for if you want a truly quiet graphics card as they often produce very little noise as a result.
Power
The great thing about LP graphics cards is that they require less power to work efficiently. While this is mostly because they tend to be less high-spec than their full-sized counterparts, it makes them more energy efficient. This is mostly down to several factors, such as additional features, thermal design, and the LP GPU’s overall makeup.
This helps to reduce the overall cost of your computer build. Because these graphics cards consume less power, you’ll need a smaller overall PSU (power supply unit). Most LP graphics cards don’t tend to use the PSUs to draw power. Instead, they tend to use the PCI-e 16x slot directly. They shouldn’t require any external PCI-e connectors unless the model specifically mentions this.
What is a low profile graphics card?
A low profile GPU is a smaller version of a graphics card made for compact computers. They fit in smaller cases thanks to their reduced height and often have less powerful cooling systems. This means lower performance compared to full-size GPUs, but also lower power consumption. While not ideal for hardcore gaming, they’re perfect for basic tasks and light gaming in constrained builds.
