Graphics cards in 2021 have come a long way in the last few years as new high-end games continue to push the limits of what can be realized in the medium. While the most powerful GPUs are able to run modern games on ultra-high settings (and even come with ray-tracing capabilities), shortages and extremely high prices can be inhibitive for most gamers.
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When looking to upgrade your PC, it can be worth taking a smaller step up before going straight forhigh-end graphics cards. Budget GPUs can vary from cards from a few years ago to modern cards with lower specs. While these budget GPUs can run most games on the highest settings, they aren’t as cheap as they once were thanks to the ongoing GPU shortage and scalpers. In years past, these graphics cards may have easily been half the price, but “budget” has a new meaning in 2021. Still, for gamers with lower price ranges, these are worth a look.
5EVGA GeForce GTX 1650 Super
The EVGA GeForce GTX 1650 Super is an NVIDIA graphics card with pretty good specs overall, though it is at the upper end of the “budget” graphics cards out there. It’s a higher-end option, but it’s more able tokeep up with modern gamesthan some other affordable GPUs. With low energy requirements, dual cooling fans that operate quietly, and has 4GB of video RAM, it’s a good step forward in upgrading one’s PC.
The one major downside with this GPU is its high price in 2021. When it first came out this was a sub-$200 graphics card perfect for small budgets. Now, it goes for over $500 regularly, though there are plenty of used options that sell for a little less. It’s a good investment, though, as it is likely to keep up with games longer than other cheap GPUs.
4Gigabyte Radeon RX 580 4GB
The Gigabyte Radeon RX 580 graphics card is just over 9 inches long and comes with a specialized fan designed to increase airflow to the GPU. The 8GB version is more powerful, but it’s also much more expensive, and the RX 580 (despite being a few years old) gets almost as much done asmodern high-end graphics cardsfor more than half the price.
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With a 500-watt power supply, and a more than $500 starting point, it’s a bit more of an investment than some other graphics cards for people on a budget. This gives it thepower to do much more, though, and it’s even able to run modern games on very high settings. There are two versions of this card available: the 4GB and 8GB “gaming” versions.
3AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT
The AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT is a newer graphics card that can barely be described as a “budget” option. In the past this card sold for under $300, but nowadays it’s hard to find one used for less than $550. For a bit more money than many options on this list, though, this GPU really packs a punch.
It keeps up with modern titles on up to high settings at more than 60 FPS, though it can have a harder time maintaining a high framerate inextremely demanding games.
2AMD Radeon RX 570
The AMD Radeon RX 570 is a card the was first available all the way back in 2017, and wasn’t a bad choice for a high-end card at the time. Nowadays it doesn’t compare to the ever-elusive 3090 series, but then again, what can? The AMD Radeon RX 570 is an excellent choice for a first major upgrade for most PC players, and it’s not going to break the bank either.
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At just around $250 to $400, this GPU is able to maintain great FPSon almost all modern gameswithout too many limitations. It won’t run much on Ultra settings, to be certain, but it’s able to play games from its time extremely well and is more than able to keep up with modern titles too, although perhaps not above 60 FPS.
1XFX Radeon RX 570
The XFX Radeon RX 570 is a bit cheaper than other GPUs on this list, but only just. The RX 570 was first released about four years ago when it was closer to the top of the charts of graphics card performance. In 2021 it still holds up, though it does suffer with someparticularly demanding games due to its age.
It’s a dual-fan-cooled GPU with low energy requirements and 4GB of video RAM, making it an economical choice that can still match up four years later. While it’s hard to find a new version of this GPU anywhere, plenty of used versions are available all over the internet with prices ranging wildly – anywhere from $250 to $500 seems to be about the ballpark range.
