Best Graphics Cards For Every Budget In 2019
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Trying to pick a GPU can be a frustrating process if you aren’t already familiar with the array of models offered by AMD and Nvidia. While some buyers arrive knowing exactly how much performance they want and what they should spend to get it, others have to spend time in the weeds sorting through various products.
Our goal here is to simplify that process and make it easier for you to decide on the GPU that’ll best fit your needs. Guides like this one should be considered an adjunct to our general GPU buying guide, which takes you through the basics of GPU specifications and identifies which features you need to pay attention to; this one will make concrete product recommendations. Keep in mind, however, new GPUs could soon be on the way.
All GPU prices listed reflect the lowest price for a new card at Newegg on 11/19/2018. Availability and price will vary depending on your locality. We’ve revised this guide since we issued it in Summer 2018, with new pricing data and updated recommendations at each price point. The pricing on many of these GPUs has changed fairly dramatically since we published the first edition. Keep in mind, many of these sales may be impacted by the Q4 holiday season and Black Friday’s imminent arrival.
Best Budget Card ($125 and below)
Competitors: GTX 1050 ($125), RX 560 ($105 – 2GB, $119 – 4GB)
At the low end of the market, the GTX 1050 is generally faster than the RX 560, despite the fact that it’s limited to a 2GB frame buffer. The RX 560 saves you $20 if you go for the 2GB frame buffer, but its overall performance is low enough that we’d treat this option as a “only if you have to” pick. Between the 4GB RX 560 and the 2GB 1050, performance data favors the 1050. This 30-game average from TechSpot shows how the two compare — while the overall average is similar, the RX 560 loses more games than it wins and loses them by larger margins. The 4GB card option on the RX 560 isn’t a great choice — while games definitely use more RAM these days, the RX 560 probably isn’t powerful to push above a 2GB frame buffer in most titles while maintaining playable frame rates. Unless you have specific reason to think otherwise, we’d take slightly higher perf over larger RAM that mostly won’t benefit the user.
Winner: GTX 1050. (Read the PCMag review, or 
)
Best Mainstream Card ($126 to $280))
Competitors: RX 570 ($139) versus GTX 1050 Ti ($159), RX 580 ($189) versus GTX 1060 3GB ($209) versus GTX 1060 6GB ($219), RX 590 ($279)
This segment covers the largest chunk of where the public practically spends its money. Right now, AMD has an overwhelming lead in this segment, thanks to very aggressive pricing. This may or may not continue for the entirety of Q4, but the RX 570 is an immediate and obvious pick over the 1050 Ti, which it generally leads in performance even at equal pricing. The RX 580 is generally considered to match or be very slightly (less than 5 percent) ahead of the GTX 1060, which means its $30 price advantage put it in a leadership position as well when overall performance/dollar is considered.
If you’re shopping for Nvidia-only, skip the GTX 1060 3GB altogether — even at 1080p, 3GB of RAM is often not enough these days for high-detail gaming, and unlike lower-end cards like the 1050 / 1050 Ti, the 1060 has more than enough horsepower to make use of that extra memory. The RX 580 has an overall price/perf lead over the 1060 at this price, but the 1060 is a cooler-running GPU that draws less power.
This graph from Tech Report shows current AMD GPUs against their NV counterparts, up to and including the recently launched RX 590.
Data and graph by Tech Report
The loser in all this is the RX 590, which is still priced much higher than comparable cards.
Winner(s): AMD has locked this category down hard with these price cuts. The RX 570 (PCMag review) is our go-to GPU of choice for sub-$150 gaming, while the RX 580 (read our review, or ) is the obvious pick for sub-$300 gaming. The excellent pricing on the RX 580 is actually making the RX 590 (read our review roundup, or ) less attractive, and it doesn’t offer enough of a performance improvement to justify its price increase relative to the RX 580, so long as the RX 580 is selling for this amount of money. The GTX 1060 is a solid choice if you aren’t willing to buy an AMD GPU, but it isn’t a compelling pick.
) is the obvious pick for sub-$300 gaming. The excellent pricing on the RX 580 is actually making the RX 590 (read our review roundup, or ) less attractive, and it doesn’t offer enough of a performance improvement to justify its price increase relative to the RX 580, so long as the RX 580 is selling for this amount of money. The GTX 1060 is a solid choice if you aren’t willing to buy an AMD GPU, but it isn’t a compelling pick.
Competitors: GTX 1070 ($329), GTX 1070 Ti ($349), RX Vega 56 ($409), GTX 1080 ($439), RX Vega 64 ($400)
Our high-end price band stretches from $280 – $480. The RX 590 isn’t really a competitor in this space — as the graph above from TR shows, it’s in a very awkward spot as far as price/performance is concerned. It’s the fastest GPU generally available for under $300, but if you can stretch just a little more, the GTX 1070 offers substantially higher performance. Note, however, that recent price drops on the 1070 Ti have brought it almost on top of the GTX 1070, while price cuts to the GTX 1080 relative to earlier this year have brought it into our “High-End” price band.
The GTX 1070 and 1070 Ti have a very strong position relative to AMD’s Vega 56 and it’ll take some substantial price movement to change that. At equal price, AMD’s Vega 56 would have an argument to make for itself, but not when the GTX 1070 has an $80 advantage. If you can afford one, the GTX 1080 makes an argument for itself at $439, mostly by virtue of not having any competitors in its own weight class. RX Vega 64 is in a similarly tight spot — it’s not quite as fast as the GTX 1080 and draws substantially more power. AMD fans should opt for Vega 64 over Vega 56 in the short run and we’ll revisit the ranking once holiday prices have cleared.
Winner: The GTX 1070 (Read the ExtremeTech review, or ) and 1070 Ti (Read the PCMag review, or ) are roughly matched on price/performance. Watch how prices change as we move out of the holidays, but so long as the price gap remains commensurate with the performance gap, both will be solid choices.
) and 1070 Ti (Read the PCMag review, or ) are roughly matched on price/performance. Watch how prices change as we move out of the holidays, but so long as the price gap remains commensurate with the performance gap, both will be solid choices.
Competitors: RTX 2070 ($500), RTX 2080 ($749), and RTX 2080 Ti ($1349)
ExtremeTech does not recommend purchasing a GPU in this price bracket at the present time. The specific reasons why are explored in great detail in our RTX 2080 and 2080 Ti review, as well as in our RTX 2070 pricing discussion. Nvidia’s decision to substantially raise GPU pricing with its Turing family of GPUs, combined with the enormous performance hit those GPUs take when ray tracing is enabled, make it impossible for me to recommend anyone purchase a Turing GPU.
The chances of an Nvidia 7nm refresh within the next 12-18 months are very high. The chance that the RTX 2070, which falls to just 45fps at 1080p in BFV with ray tracing enabled at anything above ‘Low’ detail will maintain playable frame rates with the feature on over the next 4-5 years isn’t very good, based on the statistical rate at which GPU performance declines over time. The GPUs above the RTX 2070 demand significantly larger investments and the RTX 2080 Ti is having defect problems that haven’t yet been fixed (in addition to a literal near-doubling of its price relative to the 1080 Ti). The 2080 Ti and 2080 are both running above MSRP as well.
If you must purchase a GPU in this price bracket, we’d choose the RTX 2080 Ti — it’s the only card to offer an actual meaningful performance improvement relative to the SKU it replaces. Buying an RTX 2070 to replace a GTX 1080 or an RTX 2080 to replace the 1080 Ti will only leave you with an 8-12 percent performance improvement and a much lighter wallet. If you can’t afford to kiss $1,400 goodbye and not think twice, we recommend waiting until 2019 – 2020, when hopefully stronger competition from AMD and more sane pricing from Nvidia will bring the cost of these features down to something approaching reasonable.
Winner: None.
Bonus Mention: FreeSync Support
AMD’s GPUs aren’t as good a buy as Nvidia’s in several markets, but a FreeSync display is one potential way to offset some of this. Unlike Nvidia’s G-Sync displays, which tend to command substantial price premiums, a wide range of FreeSync displays are available at virtually every price point. Make certain to buy a panel with a refresh rate range of at least 2.5x (i.e., 30Hz – 75Hz) if you want to take advantage of features like Low Framerate Compensation.
FreeSync is a feature that can dramatically improve gaming performance by ensuring each new frame of game data is matched to the display refresh rate without repeating frames of animation. AMD has made this argument in favor of FreeSync back when it launched Vega, and while it’s obviously only going to work if you’re in the market for a new monitor in the first place, FreeSync panels do tend to be cheaper than their G-Sync counterparts. We’ve also seen better industry support for FreeSync, with Intel, Microsoft, and various TV manufacturers all pledging support for it.
In short, depending on the GPU you are considering and the specifics of the offers in your area, there’s an argument to make for AMD as a competitive choice in the GPU + monitor match-up, even if the company’s GPU’s aren’t quite as quick as Nvidia’s in several head-to-head comparisons.
Our sister site PCMag has also published a comprehensive guide to upper-end graphics cards, if you’re looking for more information on how these models, specifically, shake out against each other.
Best Cheap G-Sync Monitors 2019: Budget Gaming Screens For Nvidia GPUs
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Cheap is relative. By John Higgins and Kevin Lee
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There’s nothing that takes me out of a game more than frame tearing. I mean, my day-to-day life is visually smooth and fluid, and I expect as much from my video games. But sometimes things get out of sync, and the fabric of visual reality is torn. (I’m still talking about video games here and not my life, honest!)
Simply put, screen tearing is caused when the refresh rate of your monitor is out of sync with the output from your graphics card. If your monitor isn’t done drawing an image before your computer sends it the next frame, any movement can cause tearing. It can look like your display has been torn in half with mismatched images on the top and bottom of the screen.
Developers have come up with plenty of ways of dealing with screen tearing, but if you're using a Nvidia graphics card, you owe it yourself to get the best G-Sync gaming monitor. These displays have been made specifically to work with Nvidia GTX and RTX GPUs to ensure a completely smooth gameplay experience. G-Sync displays have a history of being too expensive for their own good, but we've picked out the best cheap G-Sync monitors that won't empty your wallet completely.
TL;DR – These are the Best Cheap G-Sync Monitors: 1. Dell 24 Gaming Monitor (S2417DG) Best Cheap G-Sync Gaming Monitor
The Dell Gaming S2417DG just about maxes out my maximum $500 budget for a cheap G-Sync monitor, but it's well worth its cost. It offers a stunning QHD (2,560 x 1,440) picture that's almost entirely bezel-less.
More importantly it includes Nvidia's ritzy G-Sync technology, a super-fast 165Hz refresh rate, and minimal 1ms response time. It's a little on the small side at only 24-inches, but you can't really ask for a better G-Sync display at this price point.
2. Acer Predator XB241H The Cheapest G-Sync Monitor
The Acer XB241H can regularly be found for about $350, which makes it the cheapest G-Sync monitor currently available. Don’t think it’s a slouch, though. This 1080p display sports a TN panel with a 1ms response time and 144Hz refresh rate that can be overclocked to 180Hz, so it's one of the fastest monitors you can buy. It also has ULMB (Ultra Low Motion Blur) to help if you encounter any motion blur issues. It’s a great gaming monitor especially for fast-paced, twitchy gaming, and the perfect way to get one with G-Sync for the first time.
3. Viotek GFT27DB Best Cheap G-Sync Compatible Gaming Monitor
Viotek is probably not a brand you've heard of before, but I can assure you that the GFT27DB is one of the cheapest and best G-Sync compatible displays you can buy. Although this is technically a Freesync gaming monitor, the Viotek GFT27DB monitor we tested had no problems with working with G-Sync as well.
This monitor also offers a sharp 1440p picture at a speedy 144Hz refresh rate and quick 1ms response time. Despite utilizing a TN panel, the Viotek GFT27DB also renders a surprisingly wide color gamut and deep black levels.
4. MSI Oculux NXG251R Best Cheap G-Sync Gaming Monitor for Esports
Esports demands the fastest gaming monitors around with absolutely zero tearing. Lucky for you the MSI Oculux NXG251R (read our review) handles both of these things with a aplomb and for not much money to boot.
With this monitor you'll see everything you do in game play out in buttery smooth animation. Instead of seeing motion bluring or tearing every single frame you see on this display will be perfectly crisp and highly detailed.
5. Dell 27 Gaming Monitor (S2716DG) Go bigger with this G-Sync Compatible Gaming Monitor
If you can find the Dell S2716DG (read our review) for around $450 it’s a smokin' deal. The 27-inch TN panel has a response time of 3ms, but setting the response time in the menus to Fast gets that down to the 1ms Holy Grail target.
The 144Hz refresh rate with G-Sync enabled is fantastic and runs very well at its native 2,560 x 1,440 resolution. It's also a great resolution for this panel size, making for easy readability without the need for any scaling. It even has a USB 3.0 hub as well.
6. Acer Predator XB252Q Best G-Sync Monitor With a Fast Refresh Rate
The second Acer on this list is one inch bigger than the previous monitor, but it can run at a blistering 240Hz refresh rate—the highest refresh rate currently supported by G-Sync.
The XB252Q is a Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) TN display with ULMB for motion blur, though that feature can only be used up to 144Hz. At $500 it's not cheap, but that super high refresh rate plus G-Sync is something to behold, and this is the least expensive way to get them both in one monitor.
7. Acer Predator XB271HK 4K and G-Sync at a Reasonable Price
Sure, $600 isn't "cheap" but for a 4K G-Sync display, it's an absolute steal. This 27-inch Acer Predator XB271HK (read our review) panel features slim bezels, excellent color accuracy, and gorgeous 4K resolution. This is the only IPS panel on the list so response rate is a bit more sluggish at 4ms, but for gaming most people won’t notice any issues.
Like the majority of 4K monitors, refresh rate is limited to 60Hz and you’ll need a pretty beefy video card to keep those refresh numbers up while running in 4K. Some intensive games will need to be played in 1440p, but either way G-Sync will keep everything running nice and smooth.
What to look for in a Cheap G-Sync Monitor
Screen tearing is just about the most upsetting thing that can happen to you while gaming. Previously the solution to this problem was to simply enable V-Sync in your game, which synced the output of the video card to your monitor's maximum refresh rate, which was usually 60Hz.
Unfortunately V-Sync introduces its own set of issues including increased input lag and capping the frame rate to a maximum of 60 fps—or 30 fps if you're running below that.
Nvidia was unhappy with this solution (just like the rest of us), so it created G-Sync a few years ago to solve these issues. It locks your monitor's refresh rate to the current frame rate of your graphics card and eliminates screen tearing, but isn't limited to any particular refresh rate. It can work at 38Hz, 45Hz, and so on.
In general, it works really well, but there are requirements. You need a Nvidia graphics card (minimum of a GTX 650 Ti Boost) and a G-Sync-enabled monitor connected by DisplayPort 1.2 or newer, and you need to turn it on in the Nvidia control panel software.
All G-Sync monitors have a proprietary G-Sync module in them that allows it to work, and with the right monitor and video card you could get synced frame rates all the way up to 240Hz.
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With the right monitor and video card you could get synced frame rates all the way up to 240Hz
G-Sync monitors tend to be around $100 to $200 more than the comparable FreeSync panels (which is attributed to the required module), so ‘cheap’ has a slightly different connotation here. That said, the best cheap G-Sync monitors let you experience a tear-free gaming experience without having to break the bank.
Better yet Nvidia has decreed that some Freesync monitors can be G-Sync Compatible, making them an amazingly affordable way to sidestep your way to a completely tear-free and smooth gaming experience with a Nvidia-powered system. While Freesync monitors don't include a dedicated G-Sync display module, Nvidia has tested over 400 displays and certified that at least 30 of them will definiltey work with G-Sync. That said, our own testing has revealed there are even more compatible monitors out there.
More Expert Tech Roundups
John Higgins has been writing and testing all manner of audio, video, computer, and gaming gear since the early '00s. He has written for print and online publications including Home Theater, Wirecutter, Sound & Vision, SoundStage!, and Channel Guide. He is also a post audio editor, composer, and musician in Los Angeles.
Kevin Lee is IGN's Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam
Nvidia’s New GTX 1650 Could Solve One Of PC Gaming’s Biggest Problems
PC gaming’s biggest stumbling block has always been price. Which is why we’re pleased Nvidia has recently turned its attention towards the affordable end of the market and launched a new GeForce GTX 1650 GPU that looks like it’ll be amazing value for money.
The GeForce GTX 1650, which is now the cheapest graphics card available using Nvidia’s Turing architecture sitting below the previously released GTX 1660 and GTX 1660 Ti.. It was unveiled today alongside the 16 Series laptop GPUs and in our mind could be a water shed moment for PC gaming.
The PNY variant of the GTX 1650 will cost a staggeringly cheap £138. There won’t be a Founders Edition this time round, but expect many other third-party manufacturers to offer their own models of the GTX 1650 card.
While the GTX 1650 lacks fancy features such as ray tracing and DLSS, it should offer respectable frame rates for modern games in Full HD. Here’s everything you need to know about the new GPU.
Related: Best Graphics Cards 2019
Nvidia GTX 1650 Release Date
The GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card is available to buy right now. There’s no Founder’s Edition, but a large range of manufacturers will be offering their own model, including PNY, Asus ROG, Zotac and EVGA.
Nvidia GTX 1650 Price
The PNY GeForce GTX 1650 is available for £138. That’s incredibly cheap compared to Nvidia’s other Turing graphics cards.
Related: Best Gaming PC 2019
Nvidia GTX 1650 Specs
The table below shows how the GTX 1550’s specs compare to other Nvidia graphics cards. We’ve included the GTX 1050 and GTX 1050 Ti, which are essentially the Pascal counterparts to Nvidia’s latest Turing card. We also included the other two graphics cards in Nvidia’s new 16 Series range.
GTX 1560 GTX 1050 (3GB) GTX 1050 Ti GTX 1660 GTX 1660 Ti Architecture Turing Pascal Pascal Turing Turing CUDA Cores 896 768 768 1408 1536 Base Clock Speed (MHz) 1485 1392 1290 1530 1500 Boosted Clock Speed (MHz) 1725 1518 1392 1785 1770 VRAM 4GB GDDR5 3GB GDDR5 4GB GDDR5 6GB GRR5 6GB GDDR6 Memory Bandwidth (Gbps) 128 84 112 192 288 TDP (W) 75 75 75 120 120
The GTX 1560 showcases a sizeable improvement from both the Pascal GTX 1050 and GTX 1050 Ti, boasting more CUDA Cores and increased boosted clock speeds. Factor in the “TU117” Turing architecture that – like we’ve seen with the other 16 Series cards – uses a unified cache and intelligent adaptive shading techniques to boost the performance, and we’ve likely got a real bargain card here.
The specs do show the GTX 1560 lags a fair distance behind the GTX 1660 and GTX 1660 Ti cards though, especially when looking at the 4GB GDDR5 VRAM, but that’s to be expected since this new card is roughly £100 cheaper.
Bear in mind we’re yet to actually test the performance of the card, as the drivers only became available on launch day, so we don’t know for sure whether the boosted specs actually result in a superior performance. Check back for our full review.
Related: PNY GTX 1660 Ti Review
Nvidia GTX 1650 Laptops
The GTX 1650 graphics card has also been confirmed to be coming to laptops. Nvidia claims the new Turing GPUs will allow gaming laptop manufacturers to create thinner and more affordable devices capable of a solid Full HD performance.
Laptops with the GTX 1650 GPUs could cost as little as $799, which is very good value for money. Nvidia is yet to provide a base price for UK markets unfortunately, but we will update this as soon as we hear more.Nvidia also revealed there will also be laptops available with GTX 1660 Ti graphics card, providing an even better Full HD performance and capable of working with VR headsets. Of course, laptops rocking this card will have a more expensive base price than the $799 GTX 1650.
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