Best Gaming Chair The GPU is one of the crucial determinants of your gaming experience. You can have top-notch CPU and RAM, but without a good graphics card, your gaming won’t be nearly as enjoyable as you want it to be.
Luckily, we’re past the time where a good-performing GPU was reserved only for those willing to splurge. If you need proof, take a look at our top choices for the best budget gaming GPU.
Comparison Chart
Best Budget Gaming GPU Reviews
ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1050
The ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1050 is a perfect example of a powerful GPU that won’t burn a hole in your pocket. It can keep up with many of the latest releases in providing a smooth gaming experience.
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Powered by NVIDIA Pascal, the GeForce GTX 1050 lets you get the most out of your favorite games. The architecture is considered to be among the most advanced in the world, so you can expect stunning graphics.
The video memory is 2GB GDDR5 with a 128-bit interface. This ZOTAC GPU features an engine clock boost of 1,455MHz and supports all DirectX 12 features for a very smooth, lightning-fast performance.
If you’re looking for a top-notch cinematic experience, GameWorks and G-SYNC technologies won’t let you down.
To squeeze every single drop of this GPU, ZOTAC offers the FireStorm software. It lets you fine-tune every performance aspect to the finest details so that you can find the exact configurations that match your setup.
There are three connectors:
- DisplayPort – 4K resolution
- DVI Dual Link – 2560 x 1600 resolution
- HDMI - 1080p HD video
There’s also the multi-display capability, which lets you connect up to three displays.
Of course, going with a budget GPU means you’ll have to make some sacrifices. This one won’t let you play all the latest games in the highest settings, and you might experience some lag. Also, the fan might be a bit too loud for some, which can be frustrating until you get used to it. In addition, some users have complained about the installation process, which might be a bit harder than advertised.
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MSI Gaming GeForce GT 710
MSI has definitely made a name for itself in the PC world. The products are famous for offering a decent performance at great value. This is exactly what you can expect from the GeForce GT 710. At a price that’s more than fair, you can enjoy an above-average gaming experience.
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MSI’s solution features NVIDIA’s GeForce GT 710 chipset. It might not be anywhere near the best-performing today, but it can still deliver a smooth experience with few sacrifices. With 2GB of DDR3 video memory, 64-bit interface, and a core clock speed of 954 MHz, you should be able to enjoy most games at decent quality.
There are VGA, DVI-D Dual Link, and HDMI connectors and the highest possible resolution is 4096 x 2160. You can also connect two displays at the same time.
Now, despite the advertised 4K abilities, this card doesn’t perform that well in practice, which is its biggest flaw. Some users have experienced quite some overheating while trying to push for 4K, while others weren’t able to run their games at this resolution at all.
Another thing that might bother some gamers is that you can’t play many new releases at more than 20 FPS. You might notice quite a bit of lag and end up more frustrated than enjoying yourself.
Truth be told, you can’t really blame this GPU for not having the best performance, as it wasn’t made for that. Instead, it’s meant to satisfy the needs of casual gamers that don’t need the best performance and aren’t looking to spend a lot of money on a gaming GPU.
If you can live with these few shortcomings, you’ll see why this card is in the run for the best budget gaming GPU.
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ASUS GeForce GTX 1050Ti
Whenever you hear the name ASUS, you know you’re in for a treat. The GeForce GTX 1050Ti is no exception. It offers a perfect blend of style and high performance at a slightly higher, but still more than fair, price.
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When it comes to performance, this one doesn’t disappoint. With 4GB of GDDR5 video RAM and a boost clock of 1,506MHz, you can expect smooth and ultra-fast performance. Of course, this goes for a majority of classic games, as well as some newer releases. You should be able to play new games on medium-high settings, which is more than enough for most gamers.
There are DVI, HDMI, and display port video connectors and the max resolution is 7680x4320. Provided that the other components of your setup are powerful enough, this can ensure stunning visuals.
The GeForce GTX 1050Ti comes with two 0 dB fans that ensure great airflow and are up to 3x quieter than previous versions. ASUS claims that this is the quietest GPU in the market, and even if this isn’t true, you can expect distraction-free gaming.
Another neat feature is Aura Sync, which lets you customize the color and brightness of RGB lighting. It also offers six different effects, such as strobing, breathing, and music effect.
If you wish to overclock the GPU, you can do it easily with the included GPU Tweak II. The software lets you tweak pretty much all settings and makes overclocking intuitive and easy.
As for the drawbacks, there aren’t that many bad things to say about it. The main issue is the DVI port, which has a habit of malfunctioning sometimes. Also, this GPU is on the higher end of the ‘budget’ spectrum, so it might not be for everyone.
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Conclusion
When choosing the best budget gaming GPU, it’s important to think about the intended use. If you plan on playing some of the more modern games, the ASUS GTX 1050Ti might do a good job but not the economical MSI.
If you’re a casual gamer, either the ZOTAC GTX 1050 or the MSI GT 710 might be perfect for you.
