With these graphics cards, you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg
Source: Windows Central
Best Cheap Graphics Cards Windows Central 2020
When it comes to putting together a gaming PC, the GPU, or graphics card, will arguably be the most important piece of hardware in the entire system. Since games are graphics-intensive, a good (and separate) GPU is incredibly important to have. While the very best graphics cards are pricey, you can also get strong performance out of more affordable options. Out of all of the budget-friendly GPUs on the market, our favorite is the EVGA GeForce GTX 1660 Super because it performs very strongly for a GPU in its tier.
Best Overall: EVGA GeForce GTX 1660 Super
Source: EVGA
Pros:
- Perfect for ultra-quality HD gaming
- Can comfortably handle medium 1440p
- Excellent value
Cons:
- Struggles with ultra-level 1440p
- Only 6GB of DDR6 VRAM
Best Overall
EVGA GeForce GTX 1660 Super
The perfect balance
The EVGA GTX 1660 Super offers the perfect balance between price and performance, making it our top pick.
Best for 1440p: MSI Radeon RX 5700
Source: MSI
Pros:
- Excellent for ultra-quality 1440p gaming
- Also great for 100+ FPS maxed out 1080p
- Full 8GB of VRAM
Cons:
- Priciest of all the affordable GPUs
Best for 1440p
MSI Radeon RX 5700
High performance, good price
This GPU enables a good maxed out 1440p experience for a solid price, making it fantastic for people who need high quality.
1440p Alternative: GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5600 XT
Source: GIGABYTE
Pros:
- Excellent for high-quality 1440p gaming
- Also great for 100+ FPS maxed out 1080p
- More affordable than the RX 5700
Cons:
- Still a bit pricey
- Only 6GB of DDR6 VRAM
1440p Alternative
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5600 XT
The other option for 1440p
If you want to enjoy 1440p gaming at the high, but not ultra-high, level, this is the GPU for you.
Best for 1080p: GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1650 Super
Source: GIGABYTE
Pros:
- Perfect for ultra-quality 1080p gaming
- Also good for 60+ FPS with some lowered settings
- Very affordable
Cons:
- Can’t push into 1440p territory
- Only 4GB of VRAM
Best for 1080p
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1650 Super
Quality HD gaming for cheap
This card gives you top HD performance for a low price, making it an excellent option.
Best Sub-$100: ZOTAC GeForce GT 1030
Source: ZOTAC
Pros:
- Can handle 1080p with lowered settings
- Good option for inexpensive mini-ITX systems
- Most affordable option
Cons:
- Can’t enjoy high settings
- Only 2GB of VRAM
Best Sub-$100
ZOTAC GeForce GT 1030
As low as you should go
This GPU provides enough performance for low-end HD at a rock bottom price, making it great for people on extremely tight budgets.
Bottom line
No matter what type of gaming system you’re putting together, you’ll need an appropriate graphics card in order to handle today’s games reliably. While the best GPUs on the market are pretty pricey, it’s very possible to get your hands on quality graphics cards for low, affordable prices.
All of the GPUs on this list are great, but if we had to pick a favorite, it would be the EVGA GeForce GTX 1660 Super. With its high performance and relatively low cost, it’s a graphics card that nearly all mainstream gamers will enjoy, especially if you’re planning on enjoying ultra-quality 1080p settings. It also gives you the freedom to push into 1440p territory as well, giving the card even more value.
Make sure to check out our list of the best graphics cards if you’re interested in more expensive options. Meanwhile, folks who want to pay even less for a GPU should check out the best graphics cards under $100.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Brendan Lowry is a Windows Central writer with a burning passion for video games, of which he’s been an avid fan since childhood. He’s relatively new to the writing scene, but he counters that lack of experience with a rock-solid work ethic and a desire to improve at every opportunity. You’ll find him doing reviews, editorials, and general coverage on everything Xbox and PC. Follow him on Twitter.
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