12 best budget graphics cards

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

A video card, that is, a graphics subsystem, is an important functional module, on the technical characteristics of which the performance of a computer depends on performing certain tasks. And the more resource-intensive these tasks are, the more expensive a video card is to handle them. We are talking about working with complex and voluminous graphics, 3D modeling and, of course, modern video games. Top-end video cards have always been expensive, and after the boom in cryptocurrency mining, they have become prohibitively expensive. The editors offer you a short guideline in the current computer electronics market – a special rating of budget video cards. In three nominations, we will describe the best, in the opinion of our experts, solutions for budget gaming, professional design and office work.

Rating of the best budget graphics cards

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
The best budget graphics cards for gaming	1	Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 550	RUB 5 911
	2	ASUS Radeon RX 560	RUB 8,895
	3	GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1050	RUB 7 988
	4	MSI GeForce GT 730	RUB 3,610
DIFFERENCES OF PROFESSIONAL VIDEOCARDS FROM 'NORMAL'
BEST PROFESSIONAL BUDGET VIDEOCARDS	1	PNY Quadro K1200	RUB 20,900
	2	GIGABYTE Radeon RX 570	RUB 9 819
	3	PNY Quadro K620	RUB 11,767
	4	HP Quadro NVS 310	RUB 5,510
Best budget graphics cards for the office	1	GIGABYTE GeForce GT 730	RUB 3,648
	2	PowerColor Radeon R7250	RUB 10,790
	3	Sapphire Radeon R5230	2 339 rub.
	4	ASUS GeForce GT 710	RUB 2,538

The best budget graphics cards for gaming

The first nomination is dedicated to budget video cards that can handle modern video games. Of course, their capabilities cannot be compared with the functionality of flagship graphic monsters, and not all games will run at maximum speed, but this is the only option for consumers who are not ready to pay the cost of a new MacBook for a video card. Our experts included one sample from the most reputable manufacturers in the rating. Each presented video card has its own advantages over others.

Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 550

Rating: 4.9

The most powerful and expensive card in the game's collection opens the rating. Its high cost is very relative, since the price cannot be compared with the video cards of the highest category. And even if you take a quick look at its characteristics, then the cost is generally leveled.

A card based on AMD's Radeon RX 550 processor under the code name Polaris 12 is designed. The thin electronics are manufactured using the 14nm process technology. The video processor frequency is 1206 MHz. Supplied with 2 or 4GB GDDR5 video memory, depending on the modification. Memory speed – 7GHz. 128-bit bus.

The maximum screen resolution that this model can reproduce is 7680×4320. Connection interface configuration – PCI-E8x3.0. Three monitors supported. There are external interfaces DVI-D, HDMI 2.0b, DisplayPort 1.4 and HDCP protection (technology Intel, which allows you to prevent unauthorized third-party video removal).

The video card supports the following standards and technologies: OpenGL 4.5, DirectX 12, Vulkan AMD APP (ATI Stream). Characteristics of the mathematical subsystem: 512 universal processors; shaders 5.0; 32 texture subunits; 16 rasterization modules; 16x anisotropic filtering.

There are serious contradictions regarding the connection in the descriptions on many resources. So, in the technical descriptions it is often indicated that the card occupies two expansion slots, but in fact it is one-slot – in any case, this point needs to be clarified at the point of sale.

Board dimensions – 158x112x28 mm. The cooling system is extremely simple – one fan, and this is not quite enough under serious loads, unwanted heating may occur. Regarding the nominal heating, there are also discrepancies between the described characteristics and the real properties of specific modifications. So, the declared TDP can be either 50W or 75W – this also needs to be checked with the distributor. The recommended computer power supply unit is 400W.

Let's summarize. This model is the undisputed leader among modern budget video cards. According to some parameters, it is bypassed by a card with the same processor but manufactured by ASUS. These differences are minor, but can be important in some cases. The disadvantage of the analog from ASUS is the higher price.

Advantages

• the best price / gaming performance ratio in the budget class;
• compact size;
• quiet operation (only 1 fan);
• support for three monitors;
• resolution – up to 7680×4320.

disadvantages

• heats up noticeably under load.

ASUS Radeon RX 560

Rating: 4.8

The model described above is essentially a shortened version of the Radeon RX 560, and we will consider such a configuration in the second position in the rating of the best budget gaming video cards by version. It is more expensive than the previous one, but in absolute terms it remains in the budget segment.

This video card uses the aforementioned Radeon RX 560 graphics processor, code-named Polaris 21, manufactured using the 14nm process technology and operating at a frequency of 1275 MHz. The video memory configuration is the same as in the previous model – 4GB GDDR5 7000 MHz. The bus is 128 bits. Implemented SLI / CrossFire technology.

Possibilities of the mathematical subsystem: 1024 universal processors, shaders 5.0, 64 texture units, 16 – rasterization, 16-degree anisotropic filtering.

The card is capable of displaying screen resolutions up to 7680×4320 and broadcasting the image to three monitors simultaneously. Advanced PCI-E-16×3.0 interface configuration. Supports technologies and standards DirectX12, OpenGL4.5, Vulkan, OpenCL2.0, AMD APP (ATI Stream).

Board dimensions – 194x120x35 mm, occupies two slots. To connect monitors, there are DisplayPort 1.4, DVI-D, HDMI 2.0b interfaces, there is support for HDCP. The recommended power supply unit is 400W. For the video card to work, additional power is required on the 6-pin connector. Cooling system – two fans on the radiator. The calculated heat dissipation corresponds to 80 W.

Advantages

• compact;
• low heating;
• quiet work;
• wide coverage of modern video games where possible using the maximum settings.

disadvantages

• no serious flaws have been identified.

GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1050

Rating: 4.7

The third number in our rating is a video card manufactured by GIGABYTE, especially for the ideological fans of the GeForce family. With a slight difference in price from the above-described solutions in the direction of increase and a smaller amount of RAM, this model has some advantages that may well recoup the difference in cost.

This model is based on NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 1050 GPU. Manufactured using a 14nm process technology, it operates at a nominal frequency of 1379 MHz and is still amenable to overclocking. Includes a 2GB GDDR5 video memory card with an operating frequency of 7008 MHz. The bus is 128 bits. PCI-E16x-3.0 interface configuration.

This model supports DirectX 12, OpenGL 4.5, CUDA 6.1 technology, Vulkan, and OpenCL 1.2. Mathematical subsystem parameters: 640 universal processors, 5.0 shaders, 40 texture subunits, 32 – rasterization and 16-degree anisotropic filtering.

The video card is capable of displaying images in resolutions up to 7680×4320 and transmitting to three monitors simultaneously. You can connect monitors via DVI-D, HDMI 2.0b, DisplayPort 1.4. There is HDCP signal protection.

Board dimensions – 191x111x36 mm, occupies two expansion slots. The active cooling system consists of two standard WINDFORCE fans on the radiator. To ensure operation in all modes, it is recommended to install a power supply unit with a power of at least 300W in the system unit.

It should be separately emphasized that perhaps the main advantage of this model is the 'official' overclocking capability of the video processor. In game mode, you can raise the clock frequency up to 1493MHz, in OC Mode – up to 1518MHz.

Advantages

• sufficient performance to play many modern games at maximum speed;
• the ability to overclock the video processor;
• does not require a powerful PSU;
• slight heating;
• quiet operation in game mode and silent in office mode.

disadvantages

• the fan mode settings are reset at each reboot.

MSI GeForce GT 730

Rating: 4.6

Rounding out the selection of the rating of the best gaming video cards in the budget segment is one of the cheapest models that can handle modern games. According to the conventional class, this model balances between gaming and office, but many games run on it, and some even at high resolution settings with decent fps. However, you should not expect superpowers from this model, and it is recommended to study independent tests and reviews before purchasing for a specific game.

The computing center of the video card is the GeForce GT 730 processor from NVIDIA, manufactured using the 40nm process technology and operating at a frequency of 700 MHz. Video memory package – 2GB GDDR3 1800 MHz. The bus is 128 bits. The frequency of the digital-to-analog converter RAMDAC is 400 MHz. PCI-E configuration – 16x 2.0.

The card reproduces images up to 4096×2160 resolution and supports two monitors. To connect monitors, there are DVI-D, HDMI 1.4a, VGA connectors, HDCP protection is implemented. There is support for DirectX12, OpenGL4.4, CUDA and Vulkan technologies.

Mathematics characteristics: 96 universal processors, shaders 5.0, 16 texture subunits, 4 rasterization subunits, 16-degree anisotropic filtering, maximum FSAA degree – 32x.

The card's dimensions are 151x111x38 mm and it takes up two slots. Active cooling – one fan on the radiator. The nominal TDP is 49 W. In operating mode and under gaming loads, the video card does show a slight heating, however, the noise of the standard fan is not quite comfortable for many users.

Advantages

• compact;
• minimum heating;
• low power consumption;
• the cheapest office and gaming room.

disadvantages

• noisy.

The best professional budget graphics cards

There is a widespread belief that the most powerful and expensive video cards are gaming ones. In fact, this is not the case. There is another class of video cards – professional. You can often come across an incorrect interpretation of this term. In the context of graphics cards, great performance does not automatically imply professional grade. To close this question, let us clarify what exactly this difference consists in.

Differences between professional video cards and 'ordinary' ones

In professional video cards, even budget ones, the emphasis is not on fps and some other parameters important for a comfortable game, but on those characteristics that are critically important when processing heavy graphics (raster and vector), three-dimensional modeling, video editing in high resolution, complex design systems etc. At the same time, many models can be used for comfortable gaming without any problems.

Do not be confused in places with similar characteristics with cheaper video cards, even from the same manufacturer. The key difference between a gaming and a professional video card with the same technical stuffing is 90 percent or more in the drivers.

Such video cards with comparable parameters are much, and even several times more expensive than gaming ones. However, top models costing hundreds of thousands of rubles are redundant for many professional tasks. It is often possible to ensure normal operation with a much more budgetary model. Such decisions will be discussed in this nomination of the rating.

PNY Quadro K1200

Rating: 4.9

First, consider the most expensive video card from the budget professional, manufactured by the American company PNY Technologies. It is based on Maxwell architecture and 28 nm process technology. This is exactly the card for work, aimed at professional designers.

The card is equipped with a Quadro K1200 processor from NVIDIA and 4096MB GDDR5 video memory. The bus is 128 bits. The RAMDAC analog-to-digital converter operates at 400 MHz. PCI-E interface configuration – 16x 2.0.

This model reproduces images up to 3840×2160 resolution with support for four monitors via 4 Mini DisplayPort connectors. HDCP supported. Implemented compatibility with DirectX 12, OpenGL 4.5, OpenCL 1.2, Vulkan standards. Supported technologies 3D Vision Pro, Mosaic, nView Desktop Management.

Configuration of processor 'mathematics': 512 universal processors, 5.0 shaders, 32 texture subunits, 16 rasterization modules, 16-degree anisotropic filtering. FSAA – up to 64 degrees.

Active cooling is made up of one standard fan. The nominal TDP heating rate is 45 W.

The board is low-profile, 20mm thick and 160mm long. It occupies two slots.

Advantages

• stability and reliability;
• compliance with the declared characteristics;
• support for 4 monitors;
• low profile;
• slight heating.

disadvantages

• connect monitors only via Mini DisplayPort.

GIGABYTE Radeon RX 570

Rating: 4.8

The second number in the ranking is the budget graphics card from GIGABYTE. Its main advantage is its versatility. It can be equally used both for professional work and for moderate gaming and even for mining cryptocurrencies, although in 2019 mining on video cards, even budget ones, is advisable only with free electricity.

The card is based on AMD's Radeon RX 570 video processor, code-named Polaris 20 XL. Manufactured according to the 14nm process technology, operates at a frequency of 1244 MHz. The card is equipped with 8GB GDDR5 video memory. Memory speed – 7GHz. Bus – 256bit. The connection of video modules using SLI / CrossFire technology is supported. PCI-E-16×3.0 interface configuration.

This model supports DirectX12 and OpenGL4.5 standards, compatible with OpenCL2.0, Vulkan. Has built-in support for AMD APP (ATI Stream). Mathematical subsystem: 2048 universal processors, shaders 5.0, 128 texture subunits, 32 rasterization subunits, 16-degree anisotropic filtering.

The video card reproduces the image in a resolution up to 7680×4320, broadcasts the signal to five monitors simultaneously. To connect monitors, there are DVI-D, HDMI 2.0b, DisplayPort 1.4, three DisplayPort ports. There is protection against signal removal using HDCP technology.

Card dimensions – 232x116x40 mm, occupies two expansion slots. Needs additional power supply for 8pin connector. The recommended power supply of the system unit is 450W. Active cooling includes two fans. The nominal TDP heating rate is 150 W.

Advantages

• versatility;
• high performance;
• low heating;
• 8GB of RAM;
• value for money.

disadvantages

• some users note the cooling noise.

PNY Quadro K620

Rating: 4.7

The rating is continued by another budget professional 'American' developed by PNY Technologies. Like the above-described Quadro K1200, it is aimed at professional designers and engineers working in specialized CAD programs. At the same time, it is almost half the price of the already budgetary older model.

The graphics processor is created according to the 28nm process technology, operates at a frequency of 1058 MHz, in Boost mode – up to 1124 MHz. The volume of the GDDR3 graphics RAM is 2GB. The bus is 128 bits. The speed of the analog-to-digital converter is 400 MHz. PCI-E-16×2.0 interface configuration.

The card reproduces images in resolution up to 4K 3840×2160, and is capable of broadcasting a signal to 4 monitors. To connect monitors, there are DVI-I and DisplayPort connectors. Supports all current standards and technologies: DirectX12, OpenGL4.5, CUDA5.0, Vulkan, OpenCL1.2.

Math block parameters: 384 universal processors, 5.0 shaders, 32 texture subunits, 16 rasterization subunits, 16-degree anisotropic filtering, FSAA – up to 64 degrees.

This model is quite compact – 160mm long and 20mm thick, low-profile, occupies one slot. Active cooling includes only one cooler. The rated heating corresponds to a TDP of 45W.

Advantages

• compact;
• not demanding on the power supply;
• low profile;
• quiet work;
• price-performance ratio;

disadvantages

• no significant deficiencies were found in the context of price.

HP Quadro NVS 310

Rating: 4.6

Rounding out the list of the best budget professional video cards is the cheapest, but quite efficient and reliable graphics card from the American tech giant Hewlett-Packard.

The map is based on the Fermi 2.0 architecture. The graphics processor is based on the 40nm process technology and operates at a frequency of 520MHz. The amount of installed graphics memory is 512 MB GDDR3. The bus is 64 bits. The RAMDAC operates at 400 MHz. PCI-E2.0-16x interface configuration.

The card supports DirectX11 and OpenGL4.1 standards. Possibilities of the math block: 48 universal processors, shaders 5.0, 8 texture sub-blocks, 4 rasterization modules, 16 degrees of anisotropic filtering and FSAA.

The maximum resolution that the video card can reproduce is 2560×1600. Supports 2 monitors via two DisplayPort connectors.

The device is quite compact – 156 mm, occupies only one slot. The form factor is low profile. In any operating mode, the heating is extremely low – it corresponds to a TDP of 20W.

Advantages

• reliability and continuity;
• compact;
• single-slot;
• minimum heating.

disadvantages

• not the widest range of tasks to be solved due to limited performance.

Best budget graphics cards for the office

And the third nomination in the ranking of the best budget video cards according to the version includes a selection of the most inexpensive graphics modules, even in the budget segment. These are affordable solutions for equipping office workstations that can provide comfortable work with documents, accounting, presentations, spreadsheets. There is no question of any kind of full-fledged play in modern video games here, with rare exceptions.

GIGABYTE GeForce GT 730

Rating: 4.9

The first 'budget of budget' video card in our rating is a fairly powerful and well-balanced GeForce GT 730 from GIGABYTE. On it, you can easily watch 4K videos, arrange a three-screen presentation for clients or partners, and even play old or simple games in between work.

The board was made according to the 28nm process technology. The processor runs at 902MHz. Equipped with 2GB GDDR3 video memory. Memory speed -1800 MHz. The bus is 64 bits. RAMDAC – 400MHz. Connection interface configuration – PCI-E 16x 2.0.

Computational mathematics parameters: 384 universal processors, 5.0 shaders, 16 degrees of anisotropic filtering, 32 degrees of FSAA. The video card supports DirectX 12, OpenGL 4.4, CUDA, Vulkan.

The limiting resolution of the reproduced image is 4096×2160. It supports broadcasting to three screens via VGA, HDMI 1.4a, DVI-D ports. Implemented protection against video signal removal – HDCP.

Board dimensions – 167x115x27 mm, occupies one slot. Active cooling includes one fan on the heatsink.

Advantages

• compact;
• low power consumption;
• performance;
• support for 3 monitors;
• 4K resolution;
• slight heating;
• performance-to-price ratio.

disadvantages

• not found.

PowerColor Radeon R7250

Rating: 4.8

The second position in this nomination of the rating of the most budgetary office video cards is represented by the product of a large American specialized manufacturer PowerColor. This is a rather concise, but very interesting solution, perfect for equipping office workstations.

The video card was created according to the 28nm process technology. It is based on the Oland XT graphics processor with a frequency of 1030MHz (it can slightly accelerate in boost mode up to 1080MHz). The card is equipped with 2GB GDDR3 1600 MHz memory. The bus is 128 bits. RAMDAC – 400MHz. Connection – via PCI-E16x3.0 interface.

Like the previous model, this card is capable of displaying images in 4K quality with a resolution of 4096×2160. Only monitor support here is limited to two with VGA, HDMI 1.4a, DVI-D. There is HDCP support.

As regards compatibility and standards support, this model has the following situation: full support for DirectX12, OpenGL 4.5, Vulkan, OpenCL 1.2 and AMD APP (ATI Stream). Mathematical apparatus: 384 universal processors, shaders 5.0, 24 texture subunits, 8 rasterization modules, 16-degree anisotropic filtering, FSAA – up to 24 degrees.

The dimensions of this model are 168x111x38 mm. The card is equipped with a simple active cooling based on one cooler. Estimated TDP level – 75W. The card has a striking design in the Radeon corporate style, so it will look especially impressive in an open case or under a transparent wall.

Advantages

• price-performance ratio;
• support for 4K;
• output to two monitors;
• 2GB of RAM;
• design.

disadvantages

• not marked.

Sapphire Radeon R5230

Rating: 4.7

The third position in the list of the rating of the best budget office video cards is a representative of the junior series of the Radeon line of the Sapphire trademark. This is an extremely simple solution for a limited range of tasks, but completely suitable for ordinary office work and pleases with an extremely affordable price.

A map was created using the 40nm process technology. It is based on the Caicos processor with a frequency of 625 MHz. The amount of graphics memory GDDR3 with a frequency of 1334MHz – 2GB. Bus – 64bit. RAMDAC – 400MHz. Connection – via PCI-E16x2.1.

The video card is capable of reproducing resolutions up to 2560×1600. Supports two monitors connected via DVI-D, VGA, HDMI 1.4a, HDMI 1.4a. Supports DirectX11, OpenGL4.1, OpenCL1.2 and AMD APP (ATI Stream).

Mathematics characteristics: 160 universal processors, shaders 5.0, 8 texture units, 4 rasterization modules, anisotropic filtering – up to 16 degrees, FSAA – up to 24 degrees.

Dimensions of the device – 190x94x22 mm. The form factor is low profile. Cooling is passive. The card occupies one expansion slot.

Advantages

• compact;
• low profile;
• 2GB of video memory;
• silent;
• affordable price.

disadvantages

• not marked.

ASUS GeForce GT 710

Rating: 4.6

And the budget video card that concludes our rating in the rating of the best graphics modules according to the specialists is the GeForce GT 710 manufactured by ASUS. Its price is so affordable that it is hard to believe that it is really ASUS, especially since the characteristics, although very modest, are definitely encouraging.

The card was made according to the 28 nm process technology. The processor frequency is 954 MHz. Video Memory – 1GB GDDR3 1800 MHz. The bus is 64 bits. RAMDAC – 400 MHz. Connection via PCI-E 8x 2.0 interface.

The advantage of this model is the ability to reproduce images in full 4K 4096×2160, which the previous video card is not capable of. At the same time, two monitors are supported with a choice of connection via VGA, DVI-D, HDMI. There is HDCP support.

The mathematical component has the following characteristics: 192 universal processors, shaders 5.0, 16 texture units, 8 rasterization units, anisotropic filtering – up to 16 degrees. The card supports DirectX 12, OpenGL 4.5, CUDA 3.5, Vulkan, OpenCL 1.2.

The card is low-profile, dimensions – 137x69x33 mm, occupies two slots. The recommended power supply unit of the case is 300 W. With passive cooling, the calculated TDP does not exceed 19 W.

Advantages

• reproduces the image in 4K;
• supports two monitors;
• silent;
• low profile;
• three years warranty.

disadvantages

• demanding on the power of the power supply.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.