Best Graphics Cards Under $100

Graphics Card Under $100

One of the most important components of your gaming equipment is the graphics card. A sluggish graphics card may wreak havoc on your gaming experience.

 

A strong GPU, on the other hand, will assist you in getting the most out of your gaming experience. When picking a graphics card, you should consider other important elements such as compatibility and onboard video RAM in addition to the budget.

 

If you're on a budget and looking for the best graphics card under $100, you've come to the perfect spot. I've reviewed the best graphics cards under $100 to allow you play games smoothly in order to ensure you acquire some of the greatest GPUs for your restricted budget.

 

These graphics cards will not degrade the performance of your PC gaming system. I recognise that not everyone can afford a mid-range or high-end graphics card, so I made certain you got the greatest choice available in your price range. Let's get started!

 

Things to Consider Before Buying Graphics Card Under $100

 1- V-RAM

VRAM is a type of memory that is separate from the main system RAM and is only dedicated to giving the graphics with the horsepower they demand. Every GPU has some dedicated VRAM, which can range in size from 1GB to 16GB in today's graphics cards.

 

If you want to play games at 1080p on higher settings, your graphics card should have around 3-4GB VRAM. If you go below that, you may need to adjust several game settings to reach excellent frames per second.

 

However, if you want anti-aliasing, maximum textures, shadows, and other features in AAA games, you'll need at least 6GB of VRAM for high-end graphics cards. It will, however, set you back more than $100. There are currently no games that utilise more than this, with the exception of high-resolution games such as 4K.

 

2- Cooling

Heatsinks on low-profile graphics cards are tiny. If you overclock them, though, it is ineffective in sustaining better temperatures.

 

On the other hand, graphics cards with larger aluminium heatsinks with copper heat pipes and two or more fans are essentially indispensable for maintaining proper temperature even while overclocked to the maximum.

 

Even if you are not overclocking, you should ensure that your PC's structure has sufficient ventilation for improved air intake and exhaust.

 

3- Power Supply

Different graphics cards have different TCP, and as a result, their power consumption differs. Before you buy a graphics card, make sure to verify the TDB. Ascertain that the power source has enough wattage capability to run the full system without a bottleneck.

 

A system built with low-cost or budget components will have no problems running on a 400-watt power supply. You'll need a larger wattage power supply if you're using multiple fans, numerous storage devices, RTX 2080 Ti, i7 9700K, and AIO cooling.

 

Make sure to verify all of the components' TDPs and see whether your PSU has enough watts to power your GPU.

 

4- Clock Speeds

Clock speed is usually divided into two categories. The memory clock speed is the rate at which the VRAM can transport data. GPU clock speed, on the other hand, determines how rapidly the graphics card cores can process data.

 

To make the graphics card work smoothly, it's advisable to go with the faster clock rates. A decent graphics card under $100 should have a clock speed of at least 1200MHz. This is usually sufficient for processing game data. Also, if you want to view your favourite Netflix seasons and movies, it's more than enough.

 

5- Ports

Another thing to think about is the graphics card's power connectors. Ensure that the power supply has the necessary power connections for your GPU. A graphics card with a 6-pin port will primarily connect to the power source through a 6-pin power connection.

 

In today's world, most inexpensive power supplies contain at least a 6-pin power connection. If your graphics card has two 8-pin power connectors, your PSU should include them as well, allowing you to use the graphics card more reliably.

 

Although ports are not as crucial as the graphics card's core hardware, they should be considered. They work out how to connect your graphics card to your computer. Display Ports and HDMI are the most common ports, and I recommend having a graphics card that has both.

 

VGA is still used by certain graphics cards, and DVI-Dual Link is still extremely widespread. When your graphics card has a lot of ports, it usually means you have a lot of alternatives. Even if you know exactly which ports you'll be utilising, it's not always necessary.

 

If you know what you're looking for, you may save a lot of money by purchasing a less expensive machine that simply has the ports you need. It's not anything that determines whether or not you should buy a certain graphics card, but it's really useful.

 

The sole difference between two comparable cards is an extra port that you may or may not require. Choose a less expensive choice to save some of your hard-earned cash.

 

6- Profile

Cases are made to contain a graphics card that falls inside a certain size range. Before purchasing a graphics card, make sure to think about the caus. Some cards are meant to be low-profile, and they can only be used in cases that are specifically constructed to carry their small frame safely.

 

Keep in mind that cases designed for low-profile graphics cards will not accommodate huge graphics cards. Before you buy a graphics card, take the time to measure the graphics card in your case. You may also check the given dimensions of a card to see if it fits nicely.

 

Whatever you do, don't let your graphics card flop around in your case because you got one that doesn't fit into the graphics card slot properly. It will also result in the loss of your hard-earned money.

 

7- Size And Connectivity: Compatibility Is Necessary

When shopping for the best graphics card under $100 for gaming, keep in mind that size and compatibility are two crucial elements to consider. To begin, make sure your case is large enough to handle the graphics card of your choice, as I said before.

 

If you have a compact PC chassis, such as a micro-ATX, a larger graphics card with several fans and a large heatsink would not suffice. Fitting a huge graphics card into a massive full-tower PC chassis, on the other hand, will not be an issue. If your case is large enough, you might be able to fit numerous graphics cards in it.

 

8- Memory And Bandwidth: Speedy Performance

When purchasing a graphics card for gaming, memory and bandwidth are crucial factors to consider. When it comes to memory, a card with at least 4GB of RAM is recommended for 1080p gaming. If you want to game at ultra-high resolutions like 4K, you'll need more.

 

Similarly, I recommend GDDR5 memory for bandwidth since it performs better than GDDR3. In terms of overall performance, even 1GB GDDR5 outperforms 4GB GDDR3.

 

9- Motherboard

If you want to add a graphics card to your computer, ensure sure the motherboard has a PCIe x16 slot. If you require several GPUs, make sure your PC motherboard has the necessary PCIe slots.

 

5 Best Graphics Card Under $100

1- Gigabyte GeForce GT 1030

graphics-card-under-100
image credit: gigabyte.com

This graphics card comes 1st in our list of best graphics card under $100. The Gigabyte GeForce GT 1030 is a low-profile GPU that costs less than $100. I wouldn't call it the most powerful machine, but it's enough for casual gamers and those who frequently deal with 3D modelling software. The graphics card has 2 GB of RAM and allows you to play a wide range of games at high settings.

 

It provides the best possible performance, especially with games that aren't very visually demanding. Despite this, it can play latest releases on low settings without overheating. The Gigabyte GeForce GT 1030 comes with a fan and a heatsink to avoid overheating.


This combo is completely quiet. You may play your favourite game without having to worry about annoying buzzes or noises. It also comes with AORUS, which allows you to overclock it with a one click. The clock has a base speed of 1468Mhz and runs rather rapidly.

 

You can overclock it to 1506Mhz with AORUS. It runs at a fast enough pace to perform well while also rendering the most popular games. Therefore it is a best option for best graphics card under $100.

 

Specifications

RAM: 2GB GDDR5

Cooling System: Silent

Clock Speed: 1468Mhz

Base Clock: 1228 MHz

Memory Clock: 1502 MHz, 6008 MHz effective

Ports: DVI-D and HDMI

Low profile design with 150 mm card length

Dimensions: 0.58 x 2.71 x 5.9 in

 

Pros

  • Work impressively in eSports and DirectX9/11-based games
  • Remarkably low 30W TDP
  • Reasonably priced
  • Single-slot or low profile form factor
  • Power-friendly architecture

 

Cons

  • Imprints AMD’s Radeon RX 550 in DX12 games


2- MSI Gaming GeForce GT 710 

graphics-card-under-100
image credit: msi.com

This one is another best graphics card under $100. This MSI graphics card is unquestionably one of the best affordable GPUs on the market. It employs a GeForce GT 710 processor to handle the demands of more demanding gamers.

 

Though the 710 chip is an older model and not as sophisticated as more contemporary ones, it is still capable of handling many demanding games with respectable graphics settings. The processor's speed helps this graphics card get the most out of its chip.

 

It has a typical 2GB RAM configuration, which is more than adequate to run most games properly. MSI has made the most of competitively priced components in addition to being a low-cost choice. As a primary graphics card for novices, the GT 710 works admirably.


It's also a supplementary card that advanced players may use to assist increase their systems to some extent. All these features makes this best graphics card under $100.

 

Specifications

Maximum Resolution on HDMI: 4096 x 2160

Base Clock: 954 Mhz

DDR3 Memory: 2GB

Chip: GT 710

Fan: Single

Clock Speed: 1600Mhz

Ports: Ports Display Port, HDMI, and DVI-Dual Link

CUDA Cores: 192

PCI Express 2.0 x16

Dimensions: 5.75 x 0.75 x 2.72 in


Pros

  • Support in-game video recording
  • Compatible with built-in DX12 effect test
  • Low profile design saves more space
  • Offers great environment for gaming and multimedia
  • Large heat sink covers memory and GPU
  • Low temperature and high efficiency

 

Cons

  • The card needs a power supply of a minimum of 300 watts

 

3- XFX RX 550

best-gaming-headset-under-100
image credit: xfxforce.com

The AMD RX 550 is the entry point into the RX series. The Polaris architecture is at the heart of the graphics card. It was created with gamers on a small budget in mind.

 

If you want to spend $300 on a gaming PC that can run 1080p games, your dream can still come true. This card, which costs less than $100, is ideal for a gaming setup. The XFX RX 550 is available in two configurations: 2GB and 4GB. The latter is quite pricey.

 

I would not recommend the 4GB version because you can get a better graphics card for the same money, such as the RX 560. The 2GB version of this card is ideal for those who want to start gaming at 1080p.

 

This GPU is the ideal choice for best graphics card under $100. Because the XFX RX 550 lacks a PCI connection, it must rely on the motherboard's PCI-Ex16 slot for power. It will increase the efficiency of your PC while lowering your costs without requiring a large power supply.

 

You may use the card with a low-cost power supply, but I recommend getting at least a 400 Watt power supply like a cooler master or EVGA. The card has a 128-bit memory interface with a core frequency of over 1100MHz. It can also be overclocked over 1200MHz.

 

Specifications

Memory: 2GB Gddr5

Memory Interface: 128-bit

Core Clock: 1203Mhz

Architecture: Polaris

DirectX: 12

Interface Type: PCI Express 3.0

Max Resolution: 4096 x 2160

Outputs: 1x HDMI, 1x DVI-I, and 1x DP

Stream Processors: 512

Process Technology: 14 nm

 

Pros

  • Contemporary ecosystem and media features
  • Operates cool and quiet
  • Great e-sports performance
  • Offers value to home theatre PC owners
  • Future-Proof Features
  • No auxiliary power connector

 

Cons

  • Does not come with small form factor versions

 

4- EVGA GeForce GT 740
graphics-card-under-100
image credit: evga.com

This graphics card is another important addition is list of best graphics card under $100. The EVGA GeForce GT 740 graphics card is a more powerful and sophisticated version of the GeForce GT 730. This graphics card performs far better than the GT 730. This graphics card has 384 Cuda cores and provides acceptable performance.

 

The GT 740's GDDR5 RAM has a 128-bit memory interface. This leads in increased memory bandwidth and, as a result, improved performance. The EVGA GeForce GT 740 is based on Nvidia's Kepler Architecture, which is a bit older than the more modern Maxwell and Pascal Architectures.

 

The one minor disadvantage of this graphics card is that it consumes slightly more power than the previous iteration, the GT 720, and requires a 400W power supply. This graphics card also includes 2GB and 4GB GDDR5 RAM. The 2GB version will set you back about $100, while the 4GB version will set you back a little more.

 

Specifications

CUDA Cores: 384

GPU Clock: 1085 MHz

Memory Clock: 5000 MHz

Memory Size: 2GB / 4GB GDDR5

Memory Interface: 128-bit

Bus Interface

PCI Express 3.0, DirectX 12, OpenGL4.4

Output Ports: DVI-I, DVI-D, Mini-HDMI

Screen Resolution: 4096 x 2160

 

Pros

  • Durable build quality
  • Minimal heat generation
  • Optimal power consumption
  • Offers great value for money

 

Cons

  • Not a good option for high-end games

 

5- ViewMax NVIDIA GeForce GT 740

graphics-card-under-100
image credit: shopus.pk
The ViewMax GeForce GT 740 is unquestionably one of the best graphics cards under $100 for gaming. It comes with 4GB of GDDR3 RAM and a 1600MHz memory frequency.

 

It won't replace an Nvidia Titan, but it'll suffice for novices who want to save money without being limited to outdated games. The ViewMax GeForce GT 740 has a multi-core GPU that runs at a very low temperature.

 

For something that costs less than $100, the fans are quite sophisticated. Furthermore, the GPU and cooling system use only 65 watts of electricity to run. This necessitates the use of a 400-watt power source.

 

It also includes the entirety of Nvidia's performance tools as well as Lossless audio, making the bundle even more appealing. The performance software allows it to compete with high-end models, making this a great value for money alternative. All of these features make this graphics card a best graphics card under $100.

 
Specifications

Interface: PCI Express 3.0 x16

Chipset Manufacturer: NVIDIA

Core Clock: 1059 MHz

Boost Clock: 1250 MHz

Stream Processors and CUDA Cores: 384

Memory Size: 2GB

Memory Interface: 128-Bit

Ports: 1 x HDMI, Multi-Monitor Support, 1 x DVI

Max Resolution: 4096 x 2160

Operating Systems Supported

Dual-Link DVI Supported

 

Pros

  • 4K Full Quad HD resolution production
  • 3K Output over DVI
  • Supports dual display
  • Great audio


Cons

  • Somewhat more expensive

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