Are you wondering if it is possible to buy the Best Graphics Card Under $400. Due to the walid prices, selection of the video card is not as easy as it was before. There are options full of features and new technology at a high price, you have to find a blend of price and specs. For making your task easier we shortlisted a few tops, stay tuned for further details!
A graphics card is an important hardware and is responsible for accelerating the visual rendering. Not only for gaming but also it processes data and makes it useful for games, applications, machine learning and video editing. When you only need a graphics card for mid to high workload then you do not need to invest a big amount. You should find the one that comes in at a reasonable price but with required specs or can avail deals to save some money for other purposes.
Starting from the VRAM, never compromise on the memory size and type because it ensures the execution of graphics smoothly. You also need to determine your target resolution, in this price range you can get 4K. From our recommended products we choose ZOTAC RTX 3060 Twin Edge as overall best product. If you do not want much VRAM and have a very minimal budget then you can consider PowerColor AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT.
Moreover, you consider PSU and FreeSyn or G-Sync compatibility of graphics card with monitor and power supply. To add some spice in your build look for the RGB Fusion 2.0 support and make your system appealing. For proper heat management and quiet operations you should buy a video card with up to 3 fans and Mute 0 dB technology. For higher performance you can buy an overclocked GPU, you can buy an ASUS GeForce RTX 2060 overclocked and this leads to extreme performance with only 6 GB VRAM.
Our Recommended list of the Best Graphics Card Under $400
- ZOTAC GeForce RTX 3060 Twin Edge OC Graphics Card
- Gigabyte Radeon RX 6600 Eagle 8G Graphics Card
- ASUS GeForce RTX 2060 Overclocked 6G GDDR6
- PowerColor AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT ITX Gaming Graphics Card
- Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Gaming OC 8G Graphics Card
- PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT Gaming Graphics Card
Requirements:
- VRAM: Min 4 GB, Recommended 12 GB
- Memory Type: GDDR6
- Clock Speed: Mini 1785 MHz, Recommended 2610 MHz
- Fans: Min 1, Recommended 3
- Ports: At least 1 x HDMI and 1 x DisplayPort, DVI optional
- RGB: As per your choice
- Make sure the compatibility of GPU with motherboard
- For more realistic graphics get a video card with Tensor and RT cores
Tips:
- Wait for the sales to avail some discount
- For performance boost never compromise on overclocking
- Do not invest in dual cards they are worthless
- Look at MSRP to keep yourself away from fake deals
- Buy one that matches with your required power and features
- Consider nature of your work
- Refresh rate and resolution of GPU and monitor should match with each other
- Consider TDP
- Invest in a graphics card that comes with incredible cooling technology
- For fast performance consider the clock speed, VRAM size and type
- Buy a graphics card with enough Shader cores
- From your budget must save some money for your CPU
AMD or Nvidia?
Generally in the market of graphics cards AMD and Nvidia both are kings. Intel is also manufacturing graphics processing units but for gaming laptops, and plans to launch desktop video cards in near future. You can give preference to graphics cards manufactured by AMD when your purpose is gaming. Along with gaming to use heavy software and applications and computing tasks you should go for Nvidia.
Moreover, for ray tracing and 4K resolution Nvidia is better as compared to AMD. If you want only 1080p or 1440p gaming then the GPU series by AMD is waiting for you. Let’s talk about the price point: AMD is cheaper than Nvidia’s GPUs. The choice of your graphics card varies person to person as it depends upon the budget and usage.
1- ZOTAC GeForce RTX 3060 Twin Edge OC Graphics Card
To amplify your gameplay with Nvidia Ampere architecture you can get ZOTAC RTX 3060 Twin Edge OC. Having a blend of Tensor and RT cores that give you a more realistic effect of graphics. You get 12 GB of memory that is enough for mid to high end gaming and computing experience. The memory type is GDDR6 that increases the overall performance of your visuals.
The supported PCI express version is 4.0 that is fine to make secure and stable connection of GPU with motherboard. Boosted clock speed of RTX 3060 is 1807 MHz that is enough for gameplay and application running. Zotac took care of the cooling system of your graphics card by providing you IceStorm 2.0 cooling. Comes with active fan control which means you can set the fan according to your heating needs.
Whenever you do not need to manage heat then you can use the freeze fan stop. For further improvements it has a backplate made of metal that makes it durable and keeps it cool. This graphics card allows you to enjoy 4K resolution and provides you crispy visuals. Enables you to attach up to 4 display screens and you can enjoy graphics on more than 1 screen.
Designed with HDCP 2.3 technology that gives protection to your data while traveling one device to another. For the video output you get a large number of ports such as; 3 x DisplayPort 1.4a and 1 x HDMI 2. To provide you the next generation of gaming experience it has the support of DirectX 12 Ultimate. Equipped with OpenGL 4.6 for the rendering of graphics and offers you 2D or 3D images.
Comparison:
Zotac RTX 3060 are available in 2 variants, such as Twin Edge and Twin Edge OC. For more 30 MHz boost clock speed you can buy its OC version. However, if you want to save 13% and a bit better gaming performance than go for Twin edge.
Pros:
- Compact size
- Cool
- Excellent performer
- Features full Ampere set
- Relatively quite
- Great ray tracing
Cons:
- Slightly headroom in some high end games
- Get overheat
2- Gigabyte Radeon RX 6600 Eagle 8G Graphics Card
For the next level gaming experience you can try Gigabyte Radeon RX 6600 Eagle 8G Graphics Card. Powered by AMD RDNA 2 architecture to offer you high performance along with power efficiency. For a mid range graphics card this is an amazing option having 8 GB VRAM. And the memory type is GDDR6 that gives you capability to easily enjoy 4k resolution.
While having enough spec for delivering the usage experience of your choice it also has a required cooling system. Comes with WINDFORCE 3X cooling system that is sufficient to handle heat of RX 6600. Equipped with 3 alternate spinning fans that give you 2 times better heat management. There is a backplate for the nano lubricant protection and keeps it cool.
Using this graphics card, ultra high frame rates of your favorite games are waiting for you. For the high quality video output it is designed with 2 x HDMI and 2 x DisplayPort ports. This graphics card is a perfect blend of powerful and latest compute units and AMD Infinity cache. Having such elements you are ready to enjoy ultimate gaming and computing experience.
If you pair it up with an AMD Ryzen series desktop CPU you can get the next level experience. After the selection of memory, if you get AMD smart access memory technology then you have the best combo of computer system worlds. The maximum supported resolution by the card is 7680×4320, to avail it only need to have a compatible monitor. The form factor is ATX and it can easily and properly fit in almost standard sized cases.
Comparison:
Let’s compare 2 variants of RX 6600 XT, one is OC version and other is Eagle. The OC version is better because of better gaming performance, but for 53% less price and 18% lower TDP you can go for RX 6600 Eagle.
Pros:
- Good thermals
- Relatively quiet
- Excellent 1080p performance
Cons:
- RT performance is not so good
3- ASUS GeForce RTX 2060 Overclocked 6G GDDR6
For silent plus powerful usage experience look no further than GeForce RTX 2060 manufactured by ASUS. Contains such specs that give you powerful gameplay and productivity as well. Based on the Nvidia latest GPU architecture gives you innovative graphics that stay frosty. The supported maximum digital resolution is 7680 x 4320 which means 4k is waiting for you.
The memory size is 6 GB of GDDR6 that is enough for mid range gaming and productivity. Offers boosted clock speed of 1785 MHz that gives you a reasonable graphics processing speed. Designed with 1920 CUDA cores that make it efficient to deal with multiple calculations at the same time. On the graphics card you get DisplayPort 1. 4, HDMI 2. 0 and DVI ports.
By utilizing these video output ports you can enjoy graphics up to 4 display screens. There are 2 fans for the temperature management and to keep the video card cool. Wing blade fans along with IP5X dust resistance run at 0 dB level when the temperature will be below 55 C. For the better usage experience you should avoid the usage of unofficial softwares.
For the prevention of PCB flex and trace damage it is constructed with a protective backplate made of aluminum. With GPU Tweak II real time monitoring of performance and streaming was never easier before. For the enhancement of your experience some additional softwares are included such as QuantumCloud, Game Booster and XSplit Gamecaster. To ensure realism of graphics this video card comes with DirectX 12 Ultimate and this is also supported by Ryzen 7 5800X3D graphics Crad.
Comparison:
We have RTX 2060 from 2 different brands ASUS and Gigabyte, one is an overclocking version and the other is Windforce. For high boost clock speed and 1 HDMI port you should buy an RTX 2060 overclocked. You can give preference to RTX 2060 Windforce for 37% cheaper price, 1 DisplayPort and better gaming performance.
Pros:
- Excellent performance
- Dual BIOS switch
- 4K resolution
- Wing blade fans
- Protective Backplate
Cons:
- Ray tracing not support all games
4- PowerColor AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT ITX Gaming Graphics Card
When you want to design a compact build then the components of ITX form factor will be your best companion. When it comes to graphics cards for $400 but in compact size you can trust PowerColor RX 6500 XT. It’s simple design and ITX form factor make it attractive for the users who prefer compact GPUs. This video card is not only powerful and small but also keeps the price tag at a very low.
Although the memory size is only 4 GB of GDDR6 type but still can perform incredibly well in most games. Delivers the graphics quality at maximum digital resolution of 7680 x 4320. Comes with a 1024 stream processor that makes your GPU able to deal with multiple instructions at once. While gaming you can enjoy a 2610 MHz game clock that is enough speed for your favorite games.
Boost clock speed is 2815 MHz which is fine for the content creation and using heavy applications. Powercolor does not compromise on quality of manufacturing and designed RX 6500 XT with FSC certified materials. Equipped with 1 fan that is responsible for keeping it cool by heat elimination. Comes with dual ball bearings that increase the longevity of the graphics card up to 4 times.
Due to the mute technology the fan will work on 0 dB which means it will turn off when the temperature is below 60 celsius. Powered by the latest AMD architecture RDNA 2 and AMD infinity cache to unleash your desired performance. This graphics card is born to provide you impressive frame rates and 1080p resolution. You will enjoy vivid visuals with the support of DirectX 12 ultimate and AMD FidelityFX super resolution.
Comparison:
RX 6500 is available by 2 brands MSI and PowerColor and their specs are comparable. MSI Rx 6500 MECH gives a higher boost clock speed as compared to the PowerColor 6500 XT. However, RX 6500 XT from PowerColor is 9% cheaper and gives better gaming performance than MSI 6500 XT.
Pros:
- Affordable
- High boost clock speed
- Supports 4K
Cons:
- Less VRAM
5- Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Gaming OC 8G Graphics Card
Our next recommendation for the best budget GPU is from Gigabyte, aims to upgrade your life with their comprehensive products. Based on Nvidia Ampere streaming multiprocessors that make your gameplay faster than ever. Equipped with RT cores of 2nd Generation and 3rd Generation Tensor cores to add realism in your gaming. Along this video card you get a combo of GeForce RTX 3060 Ti with the enhancement by Gigabyte.
Integrated with GDDR6 memory of 8 GB that is quite better for gaming and computing as well. The memory bus interface is 256 bit which means you will get better graphics quality for sure. For the proper heat management it comes with the Windforce 3X cooling system. There are 3 alternative spinning fans that eliminate heat and keep the GPU cool.
For the protection of the video card it is a backplate made of metal and reduces stress on your PCIe slot. Supports RGB FUSION 2.0 that gives you better control over your onboard and external lighting. For the video output it has enough ports such as 2 x HDMI LHR and 2 x DisplayPort. Having a clock speed of 1740 MHz you can enjoy ultimate performance in gaming as well as content creation.
This graphics is a great choice for getting stunning and smoother quality of visuals in your favorite games. Comes with amazingly fast frame rates to provide you smoother and crisper image quality. Having RT and Tensor cores you get AI acceleration for your games and creative applications. Utilizing this video card you can play most games at ultra settings and 340 x 1440 resolution.
Comparison:
Gigabyte provides you RTX 3060 in 2 variants RTX 3060 Ti gaming OC and other is without Ti. The Ti version gives 29% better gaming performance in the comparison of RTX 3060. You can choose RTX 3060 over 3060 Ti because of 28% less price and 15% lower TDP.
Pros:
- Great 1440p Performance
- Very affordable
- Outperforms the 6600XT
- Excellent build quality
- Runs silently
- Comes with HDMI ports
- Compact design
Cons:
- Simple design
6- PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT Gaming Graphics Card
For the fans of PowerColor we are presenting the Fighter AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT. This is one of the best GPUs for gaming that is based on AMD RX 6700 XT and powered by PowerColor. Armed yourself with a fighter it will serve you the way you require you are not gonna regret your decision for sure. Having an incredible feature set this video card will make your gaming PC powerful.
To provide you the temperature control it is equipped with 2 fans of 90 mm, enlarged heatsink and Mute fan technology. Your graphics card will run at lower temperatures and also perform operation silently. Fighter RX 6700 XT is a great option for stable and outstanding high performance. Provides you near silent gaming experience at medium to low workload and also reduces power consumption.
Utilizing dual ball bearing technology that improves 4 times longevity of the fans. A copper base directly touches the card for the enhancement of heat dissipation and keeping it in optimum condition. You get performance that allows you to rule your game the way you want. Get it for your next gaming system and have usage experience that dominates your gameplay.
This powerhouse of performance gives you vivid and smoother graphics quality. Rx 6700 XT acts as one gaming DNA and performs equally for computer systems and consoles. Comes with 12 GB of GDDR6 VRAM that is sufficient to tackle all the mid to high end games and applications. For fast data access and rendering this graphics card is integrated with AMD Infinity cache.
Comparison:
Look at the RX 6700 XT and RX 6800 both from the Fighter series by PowerColor. Due to 23% less price and 8% lower TDP you can buy RX 6700 XT over RX 6800. However, if you need better gaming performance and more VRAM than buy RX 6800.
Pros:
- Offers 1440p
- Comes with sufficient cooling solution
- RDNA 2
- High boost clock speed
Cons:
- Ray tracing needs improvements
Best Graphics Card Under $400 Buying Guide
Assembling a PC with expensive components is easy but when it comes to the Best Graphics Card Under $400, selection will not be an easier task. You need to find out a well balanced deal of price and specifications. From our recommended graphics cards our choice is ZOTAC GeForce RTX 3060 Twin Edge OC. Consider the below mentioned pointer and make your decision easier!
Purpose:
When you plan to buy a new GPU your first and foremost duty is to define your goals. Because after understanding your aims and purposes then look for those specifications that suit them. Mainly a video card enables you to use applications for content creation and play games. In this article we included all the options for you that can be used for gaming and content creation as well, choose as per your needs.
VRAM:
When you determine your purpose you should look for the VRAM size and type. You must go for the VRAM that can easily tackle the power of your listed games and applications. We recommend you graphics cards from 4 GB to 12 GB of GDDR6, choose as per needs and budget. You can go for the ZOTAC GeForce RTX 3060 Twin Edge OC which is a 12 GB VRAM with GDDR6 and equally good for gaming and content creation.
Resolution:
For a clear and crisper graphics you have to look for the resolution delivered by your graphics card. There are different ranges of resolution like 1080p, 1440p or 4K, look for the one which fits in your budget. We recommend you a few video cards that can deliver 4k resolution so you can get smoother and clear visuals. You can purchase RTX 3060 Twin Edge OC by Zoatc it supports 7680 x 4320 resolution.
Ports:
The next pointer that you should pay attention to is the number of ports offered by your graphics card. These ports are necessary to achieve high quality of video output on your screen. Some of the video cards come with HDMI or DisplayPort or combo of both, even a few offer DVI as well. If you want to get all these ports then you can buy ASUS GeForce RTX 2060.
Ray Tracing:
Last but not the least, for the realism of graphics in your games you need to consider ray tracing. Most of the graphics processing units support this feature but also can be missing in some of the cheap video cards. Our recommended products come with ray tracing support and add realism in your gameplay. For upscaling and enhancement in graphics quality you can look for DLSS ad FSR features as well.
FAQs
What Is the Role Of A GPU?
A graphics card is responsible for providing high quality graphics.
What Factor Makes A GPU good?
For the determination of performance of a GPU its VRAM is the most important pointer.
Do GPUs Burn-out?
Yes, video cards burn out and are no longer useful after 5 to 10 years working.
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