The graphics card market has been on the rise over the past few years. With more and more powerful cards being released, it can be hard to decide which one is best for you. This article will help you make that decision by listing the best graphics cards under $100 in 2016.
The best used gpu under $100 is the graphics card that you should choose for your PC. There are many options to choose from, but these cards will be best for most people.
The most overlooked GPU budget nowadays is the $50-$100 price range, which is where millions of gamers lie. Nvidia and AMD have produced excellent graphics cards in the $100-$200 range, but the sub $100 category seems to have been neglected for a long time, maybe because we now have APUs that perform similarly to the current GPUs for about $100?
However, it should be noted that with the newer APUs, one must use the latest chipset motherboards, highly overclocked memory, and so on for better compatibility and performance, and those who have had a computer for a few years but want to upgrade to be able to play games will need a dedicated GPU because upgrading to an APU will cost more than $200. (if current RAM is not DDR4).
So, here’s a list of the finest graphics cards available for as little as $50 and as much as $100, which should be plenty for basic 720p and 900p gaming, as well as 1080p gaming in certain instances.
AMD Radeon R7240 from MSI
Price on Amazon.com
The AMD R7 240 is one of the oldest GPUs on the market right now, yet it doesn’t fall short in basic casual gaming. There is no better option since there are no other decent GPUs available for about $50-$60. With 2GB of DDR3 RAM, you can run most games at medium settings on 720p resolution and get 30+ frames per second, but don’t expect it to run some of the most demanding AAA titles at high frame rates.
You won’t need an additional GPU power cord since the card has a low-profile GPU, and the PCI-Ex 16 slot on the motherboard will be enough to completely power it. This card includes DVI, VGA, and HDMI connections, all of which are found on most displays and are easy to connect.
I’m not sure whether this graphics card is always accessible on Amazon, but if you can find one for around $60, take it.
Memory | 2gb DDR3 |
---|---|
Memory Access Interface | 64-bit |
Clock in the Core | 730MHz |
Architecture | GCN |
DirectX | 11.2 |
Outputs | 1 HDMI cable 1 DVI port 1 VGA port |
2GB DDR5 Sapphire Radeon Pulse RX 550
Price on Amazon.com
The RX 550 is AMD’s entry point into the RX series. It is built on the Polaris architecture and is designed for gamers on a shoestring budget. People who wish to spend $300 on a gaming PC that can run 1080p games may finally realize their desires. This card is exactly what a $250-$300 gaming setup need for just $70.
It comes in two sizes: 2GB and 4GB, which is a bit more costly. I don’t suggest getting the 4GB version since you can get a better graphics card, the RX 560, for the same money. However, the 2GB version of this card is excellent for those who are just getting started with 1080p gaming. This one is the best option if you don’t mind medium settings and slight aliasing in the games.
Because it lacks a PCI connection, it will take power from the motherboard’s PCI-Ex16 slot, making your PC more energy efficient while also lowering your costs by eliminating the need for a large power supply. You can easily operate it on a low-cost power supply, but I still suggest using an EVGA or Cooler Master 400 Watt power supply.
This card has a 128-bit memory interface, a core speed of over 1100MHz, and the ability to overclock to above 1200MHz. It can run all of the current games at 1080p with 30-40fps on medium settings, but it can also run certain games at medium-high settings with 40+ fps, such as GTA V, Overwatch, and Fortnite. This card isn’t designed for graphically demanding games like The Witcher 3 or Mass Effect, but you can play them at 1080p medium settings with a consistent 30 frames per second or more. With a $300 gaming PC budget, I wouldn’t mind playing at 40 frames per second on medium settings.
Specs:-
Memory | 2gb Gddr5 |
---|---|
Memory Access Interface | 128-bit |
Clock in the Core | 1206Mhz |
Architecture | Polaris |
DirectX | 12 |
Outputs | 1 HDMI port, 1 DVI-I port, and 1 DP port |
2GB Gigabyte GT 1030 OC
Price on Amazon.com
The Nvidia GT 1030 is a low-profile graphics card that replaces the previous generation 700 series graphics cards, which were formerly the most inexpensive. The earlier cards were a waste of money since they were no better than the Intel HD graphics. Despite the fact that this card costs about $90, the performance is well worth the money. It used to be cheaper, but since it doesn’t have a direct competition other than the RX 550, Nvidia has increased the price.
Comparison of the RX 550 and the GT 1030
When compared to the RX 550, this card outperforms it by about 5-10%, while being more power-efficient and only being a 64-bit card. It features 2GB of VRAM and is available in a variety of low-profile configurations. They either have a very simple heatsink and fan, or they don’t have a fan at all since it uses so little power and produces so little heat. However, since the Gigabyte OC version is a step higher in terms of design, you’ll get somewhat better temps.
At 1080p medium settings, this GPU can play any game. But don’t expect it to provide 50-60 frames per second. It can provide an average of 30-40 frames per second in most games on medium settings, which is quite acceptable, particularly for those on a budget. Specs:-
Memory | 2gb Gddr5 |
---|---|
Memory Access Interface | 64-bit |
Clock in the Core | 1265Mhz(Base)/1544Mhz(OC) |
Cores of cuda | 384 |
Architecture | Pascal |
SLI | No |
DirectX | 12 |
Outputs | 1 HDMI port, 1 DVI port |
2GB DDR5 XFX Radeon RX 560
Price on Amazon.com
The XFX Radeon RX 560 with 2GB VRAM, which is cheaper than any other RX 560s, is the best and most powerful graphics card on our list that is presently priced under $100. It’s not often that a card like the RX 560 is under $100, but it is right now. The RX 560 is the successor to the RX 460 and one of the finest budget graphics cards under $100 right now.
It can easily play games at 1080p with 40-50fps on medium-high settings, which isn’t possible with any of the other graphics cards mentioned above. This makes it a great bargain for gaming, giving you performance that no integrated GPU can match, whether it’s the RX Vega 11 or Ryzen 5 2400G. It has 1024 Stream Processors and a 1196MHz core frequency.
With just 75 Watts of power usage, it’s a highly power-efficient GPU that’s not reliant on external power supplies. Because of the low power consumption, the two fans and the large aluminum heatsink atop it are more than adequate to keep it cool. When it comes to gaming with smoother performance, no other GPU can compete with this one under $100. If its price rises a few dollars over $100, do not hesitate to pay a little more to gain at least a 20% performance boost over the GT 1030. Specs:-
Memory | 2gb Gddr5 |
---|---|
Memory Access Interface | 128-bit |
Clock in the Core | 1196MHz |
Cores of cuda | 1024 |
Architecture | GCN 4th Gen |
CrossfireX | Yes |
DirectX | 12 |
Outputs | 1 HDMI cable 1 DVI port 1 unit of DP |
Before you purchase a graphics card, there are a few things you should know.
Price and Requirements are the first two factors to consider.
Price
Make sure you know your budget before purchasing a graphics card. You can spend $100 or even $500 on a GPU, but if you’re building a new PC, identifying and dividing the costs among the other components is a bit more complicated. If you’re purchasing a new computer, be sure you don’t choose a graphics card that’s too powerful for your CPU. The RTX 2080 or GTX 2080 Ti cannot be run on a Pentium CPU. A GT 1030 is also too sluggish for an i7 9700K.
Requirements
It’s also critical to establish your needs. You may either overpay or underspend on your graphics card if you don’t know what you want. If you’re just getting started and want to play some eSports or casual games, a low-cost graphics card will suffice. However, if you want to play games with extreme textures at 1080p or greater resolution, you’ll need to invest in higher-end graphics cards like as the RTX 2070 or RTX 2080.
2. How much VRAM are you going to need?
VRAM is a kind of memory that is separate from the regular system RAM and is only devoted to delivering the graphics horsepower you need. Every dedicated graphics card has some dedicated VRAM, which may range from 1GB to 16GB in current GPUs. You’ll need at least 3-4GB VRAM on your graphics card to play games at higher settings at 1080p. If you go lower than that, you may have to adjust some of your game’s settings to achieve decent frames per second.
If you want to get the most out of textures, anti-aliasing, foliage, shadows, and other features in a AAA game, you’ll need at least 6GB of VRAM, which is available on GTX 1660 and higher-end Graphics cards. I’m not aware of any game that uses more than that at the moment, especially in the case of higher resolutions such as 4K.
3. A suitable cooling system
Low-profile graphics cards have smaller heatsinks and are less effective at maintaining good temperatures when overclocked, whereas graphics cards with larger aluminum heatsinks, copper heat pipes, and two or more fans are much more effective at maintaining good temperatures even when overclocked to their maximum potential. Even if you are not overclocking, you should ensure that your PC chassis has enough ventilation for appropriate air intake and exhaust.
4. Understand how much power your graphics card uses.
The TDP of graphics cards varies, as does their power consumption. As a result, you should verify the graphics card’s TDP before purchasing it. Make sure your power source has adequate wattage capacity to keep your whole system running smoothly.
A system with low-cost or budget components may get by with a 400-watt power supply, but if you want to run an RTX 2080 Ti, an i7 9700K, several fans, AIO coolers, and multiple storage devices, you’ll need a higher-wattage power supply. Check the TDP of all of your components, and make sure your PSU has adequate wattage capacity to run your graphics card.
Another item to keep in mind is the graphics card’s power connectors. Ensure that your power supply has the necessary power connections for your graphics card. The power supply will utilize a 6-pin power connection for a GPU with a 6-pin port. Almost all cheap power supplies in today’s market include a 6-pin power connection as a bare minimum. If your graphics card has two 8-pin power connectors, your power supply must also have two 8-pin power ports in order to operate the graphics card reliably.
5. The Use of I/O Connectors
Occasionally, a graphics card from a different manufacturer may lack the I/O connections that your monitor needs to display the display. Examine the I/O ports on the back of your display, as well as the I/O ports on the graphics card you’re considering purchasing.
If your display is a 144Hz gaming monitor, you’ll need a DVI or DP connection on your monitor/GPU to enjoy the smoothness of the 144Hz refresh rate. To prevent mishaps, make sure your graphics card and monitor both have these ports.
The graphics card for gaming pc is a computer component that allows users to play games on their computers. Graphics cards are important because they can provide the best performance for your money. There are many graphics cards available, but some of the best ones are under $100.
Frequently Asked Questions
What graphics cards came out in 2016?
There were three graphics cards released in 2016. The first was the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080, which came out on May 27th, 2016. The second was the AMD Radeon R9 Fury X, which came out on July 14th, 2016. And finally, the third was the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti, which came out on November 2nd, 2016.
Which graphic card is best for gaming and cheap?
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 is a great option for gaming. It has a low price, is powerful, and has good speed.
What is the best graphics card for a low end PC?
The best graphics card for a low end PC is the Nvidia GeForce GT 740.
Indiana - based graphic designer for more than 6 years. Creator of multiple awesome print and web designs. Interested in blogging as a second addiction since 2019. 100% animal lover.