The most expensive GPUs tend to have more power, which makes them future-proof for several upcoming years, though that’s quite an investment. If you are tight on budget, don’t worry. You can still enjoy a lot of features that you must be expecting. In this comprehensive buyer’s guide, I have selected the top 6 best graphics cards under 200. Isn’t it amazing? These budget-friendly graphics cards will let you play most games at medium to high settings. My selection is primarily based on graphics memory, clock speed, port, and other essential features. Let’s get started!
Best Graphics Card Under 200 Comparison Chart
Best Graphics Card Under 200
#1- Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB (Best Pick)
The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1050 Ti is very much similar to the Strix 560 unit, though this one has a little more power. This graphics card makes a great option for hardcore gamers. Featuring 4GB of V-RAM and operating at 1468MHz, it comes with an excellent set of features that assist with maximum performance.
CUDA Cores: 768 GPU Clock: 1392 / 1506 MHz Memory Clock: 7008 MHz Memory Size: 4GB GDDR5 Memory Interface: 128-bit Bus Interface: PCI Express 3.0 DirectX: 12 OpenGL: 4.5 Output Ports: DVI-D, DisplayPort, HDMI
Modifiable Xtreme engine Equipped with Wind Force 2X cooling Operates 1080p gaming at 60FPS Powerful for most titles Durable build and efficient performance
Sometimes there is a software loading issue
While Strix 560 had to struggle to play the most demanding games, the GTX 1050 unit allows you easily enjoy modern title at 60FPS in 1080p. It let you play the most challenging games at 4K. Also, you can play them at 1080p. That’s a great value in this price category. Isn’t it? To keep it effectively cool, the unit uses Wind Force 2X fans. The fans circulate air in opposing directions that create a tunnel of air and eliminate heat. You will not come across any concerns with overheating. Besides, if you want to tune the GTX 1050, it is equipped with the Xtreme engine utility that you can easily access. With just a simple click, you can entirely optimize the unit as per your choice.
#2- MSI GeForce GTX 1650 Super Ventus (Most Powerful)
MSI GeForce GTX 1650 Super Ventus is another tremendous GPU option featuring modifiable shading technology and emerging unified memory architecture, I am pretty much impressed. Turing shaders allow excellent performance in modern gaming. GeForce GTX 1050 Ti is undeniably one of the best Gigabyte’s version. Equipped with 4GB RAM, 128-bit GDDR5 memory, and Nvidia Pascal GPU architecture, it allows gamers to enjoy a fanatic in-game performance and the recent most graphics enhancements. The unit is certainly a high-performance graphics card, and its onboard video memory and memory clock rate makes it one of the best graphics cards under $200 on the market.
GPU Interface: PCIe x16 Chipset: GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER Memory Size: 4GB Memory Type: GDDR6 Memory Interface: 128-Bit Clock Rate: 1530MHz Boost Clock Rate: 1740MHz DirectX: 12 OpenGL: 4.6 Max Resolution:7680 x 4320 TDP: 100W Length: 180mm Cooling Type: 2 Fans Power Connectors: 1 PCIe 6-pin
Good value Impressive OC potential Operate cooler and quieter Power-efficient
No factory overclocks
You can conveniently get 1.4x power efficiency over the preceding generation for a cooler and quieter gaming experience. Further, this graphics card comes with ultra-fast GDDR6 memory that brings you performance way more than the original GTX 16 series and two times than the prior 10 series GPUs. Besides, the aluminum heat sink enhances the direct contact area with the graphics card and memory to discharge any excessive heat. The heat dissipation is guided through a smooth airflow. It’s time to gear up your gaming experience!
#3- MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Gaming X (Best Budget)
The MSI GTX 1050Ti Gaming X is one of the nicely designed graphics cards that you can easily get under $200. The GPU is equipped with a 7008 MHz processor that works optimally for most AAA titles. Also, you get an impressive 4 GB of GDDR5 VRAM. When it comes to choosing the best graphics cards under 200, I would definitely recommend you MSI GeForce GTX 1650 Super Ventus. The company boasts its industrial shapes in diverse neutral colors to perfectly fit any build. Founded on the Turing architecture, this GPU delivers excellent performance, memory bandwidth, and impressive power efficiency. The Pascal architecture foundation is what makes it even more efficient. Absolutely worth your money!
Stream Processors: 768 CUDA Cores Boost Clock Speed: Silent Mode: 1392 MHz and Gaming Mode: 1468 MHz OC Mode: 1493 MHz Base Clock Speed: Silent Mode: 1290 MHz and Gaming Mode: 1354 MHz OC Mode: 1379 MHz Interface: PCI Express 3.0 x16 Display Connectors: 1 x DVI-D DL, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.0b Maximum Digital Resolution: 7680 x 4320 at 60 Hz
Offer ultra HD video resolution Comfortable and easy setup Operate quietly Considerably cool and power-efficient card Ergonomic design
Installation is somewhat complicated Not very compatible
From the price point, the 4 GB memory is pretty inviting. Further, the clock speed is 1493 MHz when overclocked, that means it will work best even under heavy load. The GPU is a solid unit supported by a reliable manufacturer who has years of experience in producing quality products. The front panel of the graphics card comes with a variety of outputs, including DisplayPort 1.4 output, DVI-D Dual-Link output, and HDMI 2.0b output. This GPU is more about high-resolution gaming with intensive programs that use the 768 cores to speed up tasks using CUDA and other APIs. Equipped with Twin Frozr VI cooler that uses two large fans, it recirculates air back into the case. The GPU operates best in cases with unrestricted airflow. You can also regulate the side and front LEDs to compliment your build. Speaking of its operational capabilities, it offers top-notch efficiency and therefore earned a top spot on the list.
#4- Gigabyte Radeon RX 5500 XT (Best Airflow)
For the 4th Radeon RX 5500 XT, I declare it as one of the topmost budget-friendly graphics cards on the market. The unit features the traditional three Wind Force fan design from the enterprise and is clocked a notch higher. With somewhat overclocked memory, overclocked core, and centered on NVIDIA’s Pascal architecture, the MSI GTX 1050Ti comes with major development in performance and power efficiency. The innovative features and technologies redefine the unit to play AAA games. If you are tight on budget, you cannot simply go wrong with it.
Core Clock: Boost Clock up to 1845 MHz and Base Clock at 1685 MHz Stream Processors: 1408 Memory Clock: 14000 MHz Memory Size: 4GB/8GB Memory Type: GDDR6 Memory Bus: 128 bit Card Bus: PCI-E 4.0 x 16 Digital Max Resolution: 7680 x 4320 @60 Hz Power Connectors: 8 Pin Output: Display Port 1.4 x 3, HDMI 2.0b x 1
Equipped with 4GB/8GB VRAM Quicker and efficient performance Offers 1080 ultra-performance Features durable Wind Force 3 cooling
It’s an 11-inches GPU that may not fit every case
The codename for the graphics card empowers the RX 5500 XT. This mainstream GPU targets at a massive 1920×1080 resolution gaming market available in both 4GB and 8GB versions. The memory runs a 128-bit wide bus with an efficient data rate at 14 Gbps. Once you own this graphics card, I can certainly say that you cannot get over it. With impressive performance and power efficiency, it’s a top-notch selection.
#5- ZOTAC Gaming GeForce GTX 1650 OC Edition (Great Performance)
The ZOTAC Gaming GeForce GTX 1650 OC is centered on Turing architecture that comes with the fundamental shading engine. The graphics card offers a memory 4GB GDDR5 and runs at 128-bit wide bus. This 70 Watt GPU is equipped with 896 active shader processors. With the release of Radeon RX 5500 series graphics cards, this GPU soon became a mainstream card. The model comes in 4GB and 8GB versions, with the 8GB unit considerably faster in some titles because of the impressive VRAM limit. You can easily perform gaming with ultra-settings at 1080p. Also, it comes with a cooler and improved efficiency. From a price point, you cannot simply miss considering this option.
CUDA Cores: 896 Texture Units: 56 ROPs: 32 Boost Clock (MHz): 1695 Base Clock (MHz): 1485 Memory Type: 8 Gbps GDDR5 Memory Bandwidth (GB/s): 128 VRAM: 4GB GPU: TU117 Architecture: Turing Pascal TDP: 75W
Operates faster than original non-super GeForce GTX 1650 Allows gaming in 1080p and 1440p Runs quietly Small and compact Competitively priced
Less-efficient on some games Operates hotter than the non-Super GTX 1650
You can easily get a boost clock in the 1.665 GHz domain. With TU117 silicon, the graphics card doesn’t operate too hot. You will be amazed to know that the unit is very energy efficient. As far as cooler is concerned, it is following a dual-slot design. Besides, the graphics card comes without a power connector. Also, the compatibility options are great – the DCI and HDMI DisplayPort. This Turing 117 graphics card is empowered by an excellent set of features to keep it effectively operating even under load. The small and compact card is founded on an OC model that you would highly appreciate.
#6- Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 580 (Best Value)
We cannot ignore the updated 500-series of graphics cards! The upgraded unit uses the 14nm FinFET technology and the 4th Gen GCN architecture to offer you performance worth your money. The durable graphics card will surely serve you in the long run. ZOTAC Gaming GeForce GTX 1650 OC is definitely a solid version of the mainstream graphics card. For all the budget-focused gamers, it gives 1080p gaming performance against many competing AMD cards under the same price category. This all-new generation graphics card is centered on the advanced NVIDIA Turing architecture. It’s time to get ready for a fast and powerful game.
Chip: Polaris P20 Manufactured: 14 nm GPU Base Clock: 1,257 MHz GPU Boost Clock: 1,340 MHz Memory Bus: 256 Bit Memory Bandwidth: 256 GB/s Memory Size: 4 GB / 8 GB Power (Watt): 185 W
Faster and more efficient than Radeon RX 480 Video playback power use Low multi-monitor Budget-friendly option
Somewhat high power consumption compared to the preceding unit
This is one of the reasons why I have selected Sapphire RX 580 as the top pick. You will get an enhanced base clock speed compared to the reference RX 480 cards. The base and boost clocks of the RX 580 are 1,257MHz and 1,340MHz. The memory system is another plus feature. With 8GB of GDDR5 that delivers a full 256GB/s of memory bandwidth, you are more likely to operate heavy-duty games conveniently. In addition, you will also find both 4GB and 8GB versions. Sapphire nails a certain look with its updated Nitro+ branding that looks awesome. Also, how I can forget to mention the RGB LEDs at the top. Though I do want the PCIe power connectors should be at the end of the card. Otherwise, it’s a delight!
Best Graphics Card Under 200 – Buying Guide!
Selecting the right graphics cards can be quite challenging particularly if you don’t have an idea what to look for. Don’t worry! I am here to help. I have invested some time to highlight the most important features you should consider in a graphics card. Sapphire RX 580 is an impressively reasonably priced and powerful graphics card. With a relatively huge pool of video memory and the capability for dealing with upgraded graphics APIs, you will get optimal performance. The graphics card uses a similar Ellesmere model at high clock rates. Considering the reasonable price, you will not be disappointed. Absolutely, one of the highly recommended graphics cards on the market under $200.
#1- Which Company Makes Better GPUs?
It’s important to consider the companies that make popular graphics cards if you don’t want to support a specific enterprise and your ultimate goal is a high-end GPU. Certainly, it’s one of the major determining factors to help you make the right choice. In my opinion, NVIDIA presently offers better value GPUs across the board. Nevertheless, video card prices modify more often and there are diverse tiers of graphics card performance. On certain tiers, NVIDIA based graphics card provide you an enhanced price to performance. While on other tiers, it may be AMD based video cards offering optimal performance. There is no definite answer to which graphics card manufacturer is the best option. It primarily depends on your requirements, budget and what deals are available at the time you buy the selected GPU.
#2- Resolution
Only a few graphics cards let you play the most demanding titles in 4K. This tends to be a premium feature and you might have to pay straight $1000. Though you can still find many graphics cards that allow you to play your favorite games at 1080p. Typically, they will operate at 60FPS. Most graphics cards on this list allow you to do so in less than 200. If you own a graphics card that renders your graphics in 4K, you are perhaps saving a lot of money. Also, it makes an effective choice to buy a reasonably priced card with less power.
#3- Length
Typically, it is considered as the greatest barrier of entry. Length is generally calculated in millimeters. You need to ensure that your graphics card fits inside the PC case. For many users of prebuild PCs, this is particularly a concern. Make sure to compare and contrast the measurements to the dimensions inside the framework before making a purchase. You are more likely to be fine with most standard ATX and Micro ATX cases. Still, I recommend you to double-check the dimensions for a safe investment.
#4- Width
Another relevant consideration for users with prebuilt systems. Width is typically measured in PCI Express slots in the framework with two slots being the standard for most GPUs. As long as you have two slots open in the chassis, you are going well.
#5- Power
Power is another important consideration in this price range. You need to ensure the chosen graphics card offers reasonable performance and consumes minimal power. As you are unable to substitute the power supply in a prebuilt office PC, at times this becomes even more problematic. You can easily find the required PSU wattage and the power connectors needed in every graphics card specification. GPUs that don’t need a connector can be powered by a PCI Express lane.
#6- Mind Your Monitor
While looking at the graphics cards specification and choosing the one that has the highest numbers may end up wasting a lot of your precious money. Make sure to consider your monitor’s refresh rate. One key factor in a GPU’s price is its clock speed. If your monitor is unable to refresh quicker than your graphics card can, you are more likely to waste each bit of extra speed that your GPU has. On the contrary, you don’t have to purchase a card that works slower than your monitor. It will perhaps end up with choppy visuals.
#7- Overclocking
No graphics card has the ability to double or triple its clock speed. Overclocking capabilities can assist you to render more demanding graphics. If you want more graphical power, you should probably invest in a high-end graphics card.
#8- Form Factor
Most powerful and expensive graphics cards are simply impossible to easily fit in a small computer case. If you are not interested in buying a new PC gaming case, you should look out for the physical limitations of what you are presently using. You can modify the GPU-shopping as per your preference.
#9- PCIe Connectors
Another important thing you will want to consider on the graphics card is what type of PCIe connector the power supply has and what sort of PCIe connector port the graphics card comes with. Most GPUs are required to be connected directly to the power supply. You can use a PCIe power connector conveniently to secure the power supply to the graphics card. Keep in mind these connector ports on graphics cards differ from one card to another. Generally, the more powerful the graphics cards are the more pins on the PCIe power connector the GPU need. Some common connection requirements are referred to as 6-pin, 6+2 pin, 8-pin, and 2 x 8-pin. A mid-range graphics card such as a GTX 1060 needs a 6-pin connection. A high-end GPU like a GTX 1080 Ti may require two 8-pin PCIe connectors. Before you opt for a graphics card and power supply, you need to make sure the power supply you are receiving comes with the suitable PCIe connector(s) to perfectly accommodate your graphics card. You can easily find this information on both the power supply and graphics card’s specification list.
#10- Budget
Every graphics card I have listed is of high-quality. Though not each of them is useful for intense gaming, they make a smart choice for casual users. Keep in mind that the market is saturated with graphics cards of every quality. If you are not careful while making a choice, you are more likely to end up wasting your money. A budget-friend card is capable of performing almost most tasks and durable enough for lasting use. On the other hand, a low-quality graphics card is likely to be weak and barely have any protective features that keep it operating in the long run. Make sure to consider the GPU, V-RAM, clock speed, and cooling features.
#11- AMD or Nvidia? (For Under $200)
Every graphics card I have listed is of high-quality. Though not each of them is useful for intense gaming, they make a smart choice for casual users. Keep in mind that the market is saturated with graphics cards of every quality. If you are not careful while making a choice, you are more likely to end up wasting your money. A budget-friend card is capable of performing almost most tasks and durable enough for lasting use. On the other hand, a low-quality graphics card is likely to be weak and barely have any protective features that keep it operating in the long run. Make sure to consider the GPU, V-RAM, clock speed, and cooling features. Gaming enthusiasts may want to go with a high-end card, still, GTX 1050 is good enough to let new gamers get a better idea of what PC gaming is all about. Also, you can go for the Zotac unit – another best graphics card on this list. It’s worth investing $200 for it. The GPU is compact enough to fit in almost any desktop computer. Besides, it is equipped with diverse goodies into its small shell. Moreover, you can also opt for MSI units that come both economical and offer better streaming than any other graphics card I have reviewed. At the end of the day, if you are looking forward to the best graphics card under 200, you can consider my best picks or choose the one based on the factors I have discussed. Happy Buying!
Question 1: 4GB Graphics Card Under $200 Enough for Gaming?
If you want to max out the graphics settings and play the modern titles at 4K or 1440p, you can surely get a graphics card under 200. It’s mostly overloaded for 1080p gaming, though it allows all ray tracing effects that support the feature which makes them a reasonable option. If you are building a mid-range gaming PC, you can get the graphics card in this price range that best suits the build. Nvidia’s mid-range cards are founded on the Turing architecture and lately refreshed with super versions which can significantly improve the price-to-performance ratio.
Question 2: Can GPUs Under $200 Run Latest Game Titles?
Yes, definitely! Many budget-friendly graphics cards under 200 can operate most high-end 1080p gaming titles launched in the year 2023. AMD and Nvidia have some excellent options in this price range. All you have to do is to make sure they meet your individual requirements. Considering important factors discussed in this guide along with the best GPUs reviewed, you can easily get a graphics card that is capable of running modern game titles.
Question 3: What is the best graphics card under 200?
If you are purchasing a graphics card less than 200, you can conveniently get it for 1080p. MSI and GTX offer some of the finest units that operate at maximum settings at 60 FPS in most advanced games. With medium settings and common resolutions, you can get much better gaming experience. Also, make sure to consider the above-listed factors. Considering these features and optimal performance, you can get a card worth $200.
