Are you a casual gamer or someone who edits photos or videos and are looking for a budget graphics card? You don’t necessarily have to invest in 500 dollar GPUs. There are some good offerings available for under $100.
While the 100-dollar GPUs cannot handle AAA titles, they are the perfect fit for 720p and 900p gaming. And some of the older games can be played at 1080p as well. But with the increased costs and competition, you’ve got multiple new, old, and used options to choose from.
So locating an ideal card can be tricky. You might end up exceeding the budget or with outdated hardware. Either way, you might be disappointed. To keep this at bay, I’ve come up with 6 recommendations after focusing on features like memory size (VRAM), clock speed, compatibility, and real-world performance.
Contents
- 6 Best Graphics Cards Under $100 in 2023
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Verdict
6 Best Graphics Cards Under $100 in 2023
I haven’t selected these options randomly. Instead, I purchased a total of 15 GPUs that are available for under $100. Used each of them for 5-6 days with my 10-year-old computer and finalized these based on intensive tests.
From enlisting features, and unique traits, to highlighting the limitations, expect me to cover everything there is to learn about these devices. The most capable ones feature at the top as I slowly move from power to efficiency to value for money. So, let us get started.
TL;DR (Summary)
For the best possible option, consider adding an extra $10 to your budget and investing in the AMD RX 580. If you’re into gaming, get the ASUS GT 1030. For those interested in a used GPU that is performance-friendly, Gigabyte GTX 1060 is a great pick.
1. Best Overall: AISURIX Radeon RX 580
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AISURIX Radeon RX 580 surely doesn’t look like a $100 component. It is a robust card built on the Polaris 20 architecture, delivering a strong performance in all regards. While comparing it with the RX 550, I noticed a significant upgrade in the clock speed and performance, courtesy of double the VRAM and enhanced memory bandwidth.
Performance
What stands out is the 8GB GDDR5 video RAM, which can easily pull through most games. Also, the clock speed of 1750 MHz is worth mentioning, ensuring that demanding tasks and games run as easily as possible.
There are 2048 Stream processors in play for faster task completion. Plus, you get access to DisplayPort and HDMI functionality. You get PCIe 3.0 support, ensuring faster data transfer between the CPU and the graphics card.
As for the power supply, you need to pair a 500W PSU with the same. It still supports a moderate level of overclocking, making it worth the top pick in the $100 price segment.
Parameter | Value |
---|---|
VRAM | 8GB GDDR5 |
Clock Speed | 1750 MHz |
Stream Processors | 2048 |
Power Supply Requirement | 500W |
PCIe Version | 3 |
Connectivity | HDMI, DisplayPort |
Overclocking | Moderate |
Gaming Experience
The $100 price might not sound convincing to a gamer. However, it offers decent gaming experiences at 1080p, ensuring close to 60 FPS in specific cases.
Then there is AISURIX’s FidelityFX support for better resolution, followed by the presence of a semi-intelligent cooling setup. The dual fan setup keeps the heating to a minimum.
Here are some game-based FPS ratings to consider before investing in the AISURIX Radeon RX 580.
Game | Resolution | Settings | FPS |
---|---|---|---|
Fortnite | 1080p | Medium | 60 |
Apex Legends | 1080p | Medium | 55 |
GTA V | 1080p | Medium | 60 |
Overwatch | 1080p | Medium | 70 |
Witcher 3 | 1080p | Low | 50 |
CS: GO | 1080p | High | 100 |
Design and Warranty
Leading the design segment is the full-cover metallic backplate that gives added solidarity to the structure. Optimized copper tubes are in play, followed by cooling fans and conductive padding.
Despite all that, this low-noise GPU is built compact and can fit into any mid-size PC case. As for the warranty, AISURIX offers 2-year post-purchase support on this model.
Wrap-Up
AISURIX Radeon RX 580 is the best possible GPU for around $100, period. And while it comes with several nifty traits, the processing heft, led by over 2000 cores, enhanced clock speed, and a sizable chunk of VRAM, is what makes it appear on the list.
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Competitive Pricing
- Dual-fan cooling
- Overlocking support
- 8GB VRAM for better rendering
Cons
- Slightly out of budget
- No Ray tracing support
2. Best Runner-Up: ASUS GeForce GT 1030
- GPU Architecture: Pascal
- Memory: 2GB GDDR5
- GPU Clock Speed: 1227 MHz
- PCIe Version: PCIe 3.0
- Cooling: Passive Heatsink
- PSU Requirement: 300 Watts
ASUS GeForce GT 1030 2GB GDDR5 HDMI DVI does look like an affordable graphics card. However, the efficiency-centric Pascal architecture is what makes it feature on the list, led by excellent performance, energy efficiency, and noiseless cooling traits.
I compared it with the RX 580, which still seems more powerful on paper. However, despite the lack of power, the GT 1030’s fanless cooling makes it way more aesthetic.
Performance
Despite featuring 2GB worth of video RAM, the ASUS GeForce GT 1030 is powerful enough to handle 720p games, video content creation, and multimedia. However, you should be mindful of using it mostly for low-demand apps, which will keep the experiences smoother than usual.
The GPU packs 384 CUDA cores for decent parallel processing speeds. Additionally, you get HDMI and DVI support, allowing connections to monitors. The PCIe 3.0 ensures faster data transfers between the GPU and CPU, whereas the Pascal architecture handles the performance.
And yes, you must pair this with at least a 300W power supply unit.
Parameter | Value |
---|---|
VRAM | 2GB GDDR5 |
Base Clock Speed | 1228 MHz |
Boost Clock Speed | 1506 MHz |
CUDA Cores | 384 |
Power Supply Requirement | 300W |
PCIe Version | 3 |
Connectivity | HDMI, DVI |
Overclocking | Limited |
Gaming Experience
The ASUS GeForce GT 1030 boasts the GPU Tweak II — a novel piece of tech that monitors performance and brings in traits like the Game Booster. Do note that this still does not enable 1080p gaming but can certainly hold its own when gaming in 720p is concerned.
The cooling tech is noiseless, as no fans are involved. There are featured heatsinks that support passive cooling. And as expected, there is the 0dB mode that ensures a quieter multimedia experience. For the more complex games, the GT 1030 brings limited overclocking support into the mix.
Here are some of the games I tested the GPU against:
Game | Resolution | Settings | FPS |
---|---|---|---|
Fortnite | 720p | Low | 60 |
Apex Legends | 720p | Low | 50 |
GTA V | 720p | Low | 55 |
Overwatch | 1080p | Low | 60 |
Witcher 3 | 720p | Low | 40 |
CS: GO | 1080p | Medium | 70 |
Design and Warranty
The GeForce GT 1030 features auto-extreme technology, which is a handful in regards to manufacturing. There are aerospace-grade components in play, helping users with power efficiency. Not to mention the minimalistic form factor that makes it relevant to most PC cases – mid-tower and full-tower, respectively.
As for the warranty, ASUS offers three years’ worth of support, making the after-buying experience better.
Wrap-Up
The GeForce GT 1030 might not be the best gaming graphics card available for under $100, but it surely packs a punch when design and cooling enhancements are concerned. And if you are interested in something affordable, this is the perfect option.
Pros
- Can work with smaller cases
- Fanless cooling technology
- Energy-efficient GPU
- Handles 720p seamlessly
- GPU Tweak II technology
Cons
- 2GB VRAM
3. Best Value GPU: ZOTAC GeForce GT 1030
- GPU Architecture: Pascal
- Memory: 2GB GDDR5
- GPU Clock Speed: 1227 MHz
- PCIe Version: PCIe 3.0
- Cooling: Single Fan
- PSU Requirement: 300 Watts
ZOTAC GeForce GT 1030 lays out every relevant spec in its title. And despite packing 2GB worth of VRAM, it still manages decent 720p gaming performance.
When compared with the ASUS GeForce GT 1030, which also boasts similar specs, the ZOTAC model brings active cooling instead of passive, offering better heat management at an even lower price.
Performance
The ZOTAC GT 1030 rides on the advantages of the Pascal architecture, which is best known for its power efficiency. 2GB of VRAM and an enhanced boosted clock speed of 1468 MHz also add to the gaming and content-creation performances.
Plus, there are 384 CUDA cores in play, followed by support for HDMI and DisplayPort connectivity. The ZOTAC GeForce GT 1030 is suitable for HTPC, light gaming, and standard multimedia tasks.
It just requires a 300W power supply unit to fit in. PCIe 3.0 support allows you to transfer data faster, maximize gaming efficiency, and enhance case-specific compatibility.
Parameter | Value |
---|---|
VRAM | 2GB GDDR5 |
Base Clock Speed | 1227 MHz |
Boost Clock Speed | 1468 MHz |
CUDA Cores | 384 |
Power Supply Requirement | 300W |
PCIe Version | 3 |
Connectivity | HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI |
Overclocking | Limited |
Gaming Experience
As an entry-level gamer, the ZOTAC GT 1030 would work fine. What works best is the dedicated game optimization console. Also, you need not worry about overheating as 720p games wouldn’t stretch the component that much. And even if they do, there is a single dedicated cooling fan, which enhances heat dissipation.
Here is how some of the games I tested with this GPU fared:
Game | Resolution | Settings | FPS |
---|---|---|---|
Fortnite | 720p | Low | 55 |
Apex Legends | 720p | Low | 50 |
GTA V | 720p | Low | 53 |
Overwatch | 1080p | Low | 57 |
Witcher 3 | 720p | Low | 40 |
CS: GO | 1080p | Medium | 67 |
Design and Warranty
Design-wise, the ZOTAC variant of GT 1030 is pretty compact. Even though the single fan does offer additional airflow, compared to the passive heatsinks, you can still fit the card into most HTPC, microATX, and ITX cases. As for the warranty, you get two years’ worth of post-purchase coverage on this one.
Wrap-Up
The ZOTAC GT 1030 might not be the most powerful GPU unit that costs less than $100, but it offers almost everything a casual gamer would want. From a basic, active cooling setup to decent clock speeds, base and boosted, this GPU strikes the perfect balance between affordability and performance.
Pros
- Value for money
- Power efficiency
- Passive cooling with decent airflow
- Lets you connect external monitors
- Low noise levels
- Can work with HTPC & other smaller builds
Cons
- 2GB VRAM can be limiting
- Can only handle select games at 1080p
4. Best for Video Editing: Maxsun Radeon RX 550
- GPU Architecture: Radeon RX 550
- Memory: 4GB GDDR5
- GPU Clock Speed: 1183 MHz
- PCIe Version: PCIe 3.0
- Cooling: Radeon Chill
- PSU Requirement: 200 Watts
If you want to add some meat to your video editing PC, the Maxsun AMD Radeon RX 550 comes across as a powerful inclusion. Even though it is a budget unit, it blows the ZOTAC GT 1030 out of the water, courtesy of the 4GB VRAM and additional cores.
Performance
The Maxsun AMD Radeon RX 550 has a lot going for it, led by 4GB worth of memory and a clock speed of 1183 MHz. There are 512 stream processors in play, allowing you to easily handle multiple GPU-related tasks.
Regarding external memory compatibility, the GPU has HDMI, DisplayPort, and DVI slots — helping you maximize productivity. This card is PCIe 3.0 compatible and can work reasonably well with any 400W PSU.
I tested the Maxsun AMD Radeon RX 550 with the EVGA 400 N1 and didn’t experience any issues whatsoever.
Parameter | Value |
---|---|
GPU Clock Speed | 1183 MHz |
Memory Bandwidth | 112 GB/s |
Stream Processors | 512 |
Texture Units | 32 |
ROPs | 16 |
Power Consumption | 50W (TDP) |
DirectX Support | DirectX 12 |
Connectivity | HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort |
Gaming Experience
When it comes to raw gaming performances, the support for DirectX12 does enhance titles at low-res settings. In addition to the stream processors, this card also brings forth 32 texture units for adding realism to the visuals.
And with the DisplayPort functionality, you can further the gaming experience, courtesy of the 8K resolution on offer.
Other software-specific traits include FreeSync support for tear-free gaming, LiquidVR technology, and TrueAudio technology for enhancing acoustic quality. Regarding cooling, there is a single fan setup in play with the Radeon Chill software enhancement helping balance heat management and noise reduction.
Here are some of the games listed on the basis of performance:
Game | Resolution | Settings | FPS |
---|---|---|---|
Fortnite | 720p | Medium | 60 |
Apex Legends | 720p | Low | 50 |
CS: GO | 1080p | Low | 90 |
League of Legends | 1080p | Medium | 100 |
Rocket League | 720p | Medium | 70 |
Minecraft | 1080p | Medium | 60 |
Design and Warranty
The 9CM fan doesn’t take up a lot of space. The build is compact, sleek, and unobtrusive. This way, you can pair the Maxsun AMD Radeon RX 550 4GB GDDR5 ITX with ITX and HTPC builds. You get two years’ worth of support in the form of a warranty, which can be extended to five years if needed.
Wrap-Up
In case you want a decent GPU for light gaming, especially with support for Shader units, DirectX 12, and the Vulkan API, the Maxsun AMD Radeon RX 550 4GB GDDR5 ITX is the one to go with. Plus, it enjoys AMD’s diverse software enhancements, which ensure that it finds a place on our list.
Pros
- Power-efficient AMD architecture
- DirectX12 and Vulkan support
- A sizeable chunk of VRAM
- Compact and sleek design
- Several software enhancements
Cons
- Limited overclocking
- Not meant for games at high settings
5. Best for Multi-Display Setups: PNY NVIDIA NVS 510
- GPU Architecture: NVS 510 (Kepler)
- Memory: 2GB GDDR3
- GPU Clock Speed: 797 MHz
- PCIe Version: PCIe 2.0
- Cooling: Passive cooling
- PSU Requirement: 200 Watts
The PNY NVIDIA NVS 510 is a low-end graphics processor meant for commercial usage. If you want to build DIY PCs for office use and are still looking to pack some graphics prowess, this one can be a handful.
While it might not be as powerful as the RX 550, it wins the segment when it comes to pairing multiple displays and handling multitasking like a pro.
Performance
The 2GB GDDR3 video RAM feels dated but can handle some 720p games with ease. However, the VRAM unit feels adequate for video editing and viewing multimedia.
Also, the clock speed of 797 MHz is good enough for professionals who need to create basic visual content pieces. What stands out is the support for four 4K screens, all thanks to four DisplayPort modules.
Plus, you get software-specific traits like NVIDIA’s proprietary MOSAIC technology and the Stream cloning functionality for enhancing the visual experience.
You might want to pair a 350W PSU with this GPU, which has a TDP level of 35W. And yes, the PCIe 2.0 might be a legacy unit but still good enough for office and personal use if you seek data transfer between the processor and the GPU at a moderate tick.
Parameter | Value |
---|---|
GPU Clock Speed | 797 MHz |
Memory Bandwidth | 28.5 GB/s |
CUDA Cores | 192 |
Display Support | 4 |
Power Consumption | 35W (TDP) |
DirectX Support | DirectX 11 |
Connectivity | 4x Mini DisplayPort |
Gaming Experience
The PNY NVIDIA NVS 510 2GB GDDR3 isn’t meant for gaming. However, it can still pull through FPS levels of over 35 for dated games like Portal 2, Minecraft, and more if you need to.
Still, there are 192 CUDA cores in play to help you handle multitasking alongside some light gaming. There is a passive cooling setup in play, which ensures silent performances.
Even though most new games cannot run, here are a select few that performed reasonably well:
Game | Resolution | Settings | Average FPS |
---|---|---|---|
"Counter-Strike: Global Offensive" | 1280x720 | Low | 50-60 |
"League of Legends" | 1280x720 | Medium | 45-55 |
"The Sims 4" | 1280x720 | Low | 40-50 |
"Minecraft" | 1280x720 | Low | 55-65 |
"World of Warcraft" | 1280x720 | Low | 30-40 |
"Portal 2" | 1280x720 | Medium | 35-45 |
Design and Warranty
The compact design ensures that it can fit into any ITX or even ATX case with ease. As for the warranty, PNY offers three years’ worth of coverage, which can be extended if required.
Wrap-Up
If you are in the market for a low-cost graphics card that can host multiple displays for better multitasking, there isn’t a better bet than the PNY NVIDIA NVS 510. And while its gaming performance underwhelms, it also makes its presence felt when out-of-the-box device warranty is concerned.
Pros
- Supports up to four 4K panels
- Compact design
- Noise-free cooling
- Energy-efficient
Cons
- Dated VRAM version
- Average gaming performance
6. Cheapest Option: MSI GeForce GT 710
- GPU Architecture: GT 710 (Kepler)
- Memory: 2GB GDDR3
- GPU Clock Speed: 954 MHz
- PCIe Version: PCIe 2.0
- Cooling: Heatsink
- PSU Requirement: 300 Watts
The MSI GeForce GT 710 is one of the better cost-effective GPUs to consider, which is led by the power-efficient Kepler architecture. Compared to the low-end variant from PNY, this module comes across as a better unit for gaming, courtesy of the DirectX 12 support and a better clock speed.
Performance
The MSI Gaming GeForce GT 710 has two retail versions: one with 2GB VRAM and another with 1GB of video RAM.
I could get my hands on the former, experiencing 192 CUDA cores for parallel processing and a clock speed of 954 MHz. With these specs, content creation, multimedia viewing, and light games hardly feel like a stretch.
This is one of the few legacy GPUs to offer DVI, HDMI, and even VGA ports — allowing you to fit the same into older chipsets. There is PCIe 2.0 in play. As it is a power-efficient card, you would only need a 300W PSU to make it work.
Parameter | Value |
---|---|
GPU Clock Speed | 954 MHz |
Memory Bandwidth | 14.4 GB/s |
CUDA Cores | 192 |
DirectX Support | DirectX 12 |
Connectivity | HDMI, DVI, VGA |
Power Consumption | 19W (TDP) |
Gaming Experience
The GeForce GT 710 can handle most AAA titles from 2021 at 720p resolution. As for support for external displays, you can pair one 4K panel with the same, all thanks to the HDMI support.
However, if you seek a lower resolution for amping up the refresh rate, the DVI port seems like a better option.
As for the cooling, there comes a built-in heatsink. The passive cooling support isn’t anything fancy, manages overheating reasonably well, and ensures zero noise.
Here are some of the games I tested the GPU with:
Game | Resolution | Settings | Average FPS |
---|---|---|---|
"Counter-Strike: Global Offensive" | 1280x720 | Low | 30-40 |
"League of Legends" | 1280x720 | Low | 30-35 |
"Minecraft" | 1280x720 | Low | 25-35 |
"The Sims 3" | 1280x720 | Low | 25-30 |
"Torchlight II" | 1280x720 | Low | 35-40 |
"World of Warcraft" (Classic) | 1280x720 | Low | 25-30 |
Design and Warranty
Notably, while I tested the model with a heatsink, you can even opt for a version with a built-in fan. While the active cooling setup will slightly increase the noise levels, the form factor remains compact enough for most ITX and mid-tower cases. Warranty-wise, MSI offers coverage for up to 3 years.
Wrap-Up
The MSI GT 710 isn’t a good enough GPU that you can consider below $100. It can certainly cater to the newbie gamer in you. If you want to move beyond the integrated graphics modules and build your first PC, this graphics card is worth the investment.
Pros
- Cheapest option
- Consumes minimal power at 19W
- Passive cooling for noiseless operations
- Can fit into smaller builds
Cons
- Older GDDR3 support
- Not meant heavy gaming
And that sums up our individual reviews!
Frequently Asked Questions
There are many decently-specced GPUs up for grabs within 100 bucks. If you want the best one across categories, the Radeon RX 580 from AISURIX seems worthy for basic computing, and when on a very strict budget, the GeForce GT 710 from MSI is a good pick.
Yes, if you are starting with PC building or planning to try out a dedicated GPU for the first time, it is advisable to start under $100. However, you can still narrow down your preferences to specific tasks. For instance, if you want a GPU supporting multiple high-end displays, the NVIDIA NVS 510 from PNY makes a compelling case.
It is hard to play modern games with sub-$100 GPUs. However, if you are willing to let go of high settings and resolution, the AISURIX Radeon RX 580 can still support the latest games like CyberPunk 2077 and more.
While there are several factors to consider, some of the most important ones include looking at your performance requirements beforehand. Once that is out of the way, you can check for compatibility of the GPU with the processor and PSU, warranty and form factor, connectivity traits, and gaming capabilities, if any.
Verdict
Each of the GPUs within the $100 price segment is good enough in its own capacity. However, if you want to check out options far more specifically, here is a curated list for your reference:
- If you want a GPU that can easily handle modern games and even comes with a decent chunk of VRAM, the AISURIX Radeon RX 580 is the one to get.
- For the ability to pair multiple 4K units, all while being energy efficient, the PNY NVIDIA NVS 510 is your best bet.
- And suppose you seek a very budget-friendly unit that can fit into any PC build without any performance-specific noise whatsoever. In that case, consider getting the MSI GeForce GT 710.
These are only a handful of options. You can read through each review and pick any graphics card that aligns with your professional or personal needs, choice of PSU, budget, and other factors.
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