Are you like someone who just gets exhausted due to a lot of choices for the best graphics card under 500 dollars? You have come to the right place, in this article we are going to help you out to find your future video card while staying within your budget. Even a value minded gamer cower in fear of the complex long nomenclature and number laden graphics cards. Stay tuned with us for more info regarding your query!
A graphics processing unit is an essential component of a gaming system. For better gameplay you can not compromise on a right graphics card. Although an expensive 1440p GPU is not less than a good investment and is incomparable. But not everyone can afford it, so gamers who are on a budget still can enjoy the best gaming performance by having a compatible video card.
If they can not invest a fortune on their graphics card then they can avail good performance by spending on a budget graphics card. The core tip to buy a graphics card must be to check, it has enough memory size, type, clock speed and output ports. Get a GPU with more output ports so you can get video output on more than one screen. MSI AMD RX 6600 XT comes with both HDMI and DisplayPort ports.
Furthermore, for the lover of colorful components EVGA GeForce RTX 3070 XC3 Ultra is the best option on our list because it comes with ARGB. For a future proof graphics card you should buy at least a 12 GB card and in this category XFX RX 6700 XT is a better option. Ray tracing is a feature that can enhance the graphics quality.
EVGA GeForce RTX 3060 XC features Real-Time ray tracing that offers cutting-edge and hyper-realistic graphics in gaming. Clock speed impacts the overall speed of your computer so you can consider PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 6600 with Boost Clock 2491 Mhz. Never compromise on the temperature management, you can buy the MSI GeForce RTX 3060 Ti. because it is designed with a strong cooling system and stays cool and quiet. Scroll down for more details!
Our Recommended list of the Best Graphics Card Under $500
- MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
- PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 6600 Graphics Card
- EVGA GeForce RTX 3060 XC Gaming
- XFX Speedster SWIFT 309 AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
- EVGA GeForce RTX 3070 XC3 Ultra Gaming
- MSI Gaming AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT
Tips:
- Wait for sales and avail discounts
- Do not count on overclocking if you are serious for performance boosts
- Do not get dual cards because they are not worth it
- Look over the MSRP before purchasing, so you can avoid fake deals
- Make sure your video card is packed with enough power and space
- Determine nature of work
- Consider your refresh rate
- Match your monitor resolution
- Consider TDP
- Check cooling technology of your future video card
- Get required Memory size, type and Clock speed
- Choose a graphics card with enough Shader cores
- Save some money for the gaming CPU
AMD or Nvidia?
The tech market is full of graphics processing units manufactured from hundreds of brands. However there are only 2 companies making the actual powerful graphics cards, that are Nvidia and AMD. Intel has started to produce video cards but they can only be used for gaming laptops.
Experts are predicting that the graphics cards by Intel will be soon available for desktop computers, maybe within a few months. AMD and Nvidia both are producing the best graphics card with the latest specs. Recently both have launched their new architecture and graphics coprocessor. You can choose your future video card from AMD or Nvidia according to your requirements.
Generally we can recommend that if you want a graphics card for gaming then you can go for AMD and if you need a video card to run heavy applications or other computing tasks then you can consider Nvidia. Nvidia wins if it comes to ray tracing performance and 4K. And AMD wins to offer standard 1080p and 1440p gameplay. However AMD products are less expensive as compared to the Nvidia and can easily win the price wars against Nvidia even at every price bracket.
1- MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
If you are one of them who wants to experience the thrill of new things then you can try this latest iteration of the iconic gaming series by MSI. Then you can consider GeForce RTX 3060 Ti to bring performance for your gaming system. Hardcore gamers will love to have it due to its low-noise efficiency, and aesthetics. Manufactured with all the features and specifications that you need to recognize and trust.
Now it’s time to enjoy all your favorite games with this powerful RTX 3060 graphics card. The best thing about this GPU is that it stays cool and silent. If you bring it in your life you would not regret it because it will deliver just the way you like it. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti will let you take your gaming to the next level by using NVIDIA’s 2nd generation RTX architecture.
Avail an incredible power and performance due to its enhanced Tensor Cores and Ray Tracing Cores. Designed with new streaming multiprocessors which makes it able to offer the best. Packed with a high-speed G6 memory that is more than enough to run the latest games smoothly. The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti with lite hash rate offers 25 MH/s ETH hash rate (est.) for the best performance out of it.
The size of memory is 8 GB, which is good enough to play all the latest games or heavy applications as well. Comes with 1170 MHz boost clock speed and 256 bit memory interface you are ready to dominate in gaming or other kinds of computing. Having DisplayPort x 3 (v1.4a) and HDMI 2.1 x 1 you have enough choices for video output. Recommended for the powerful gameplay!
Comparison:
We compared it with the Zotac GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, you can go for whether MSI or Zotac both deliver the same way. There is no noticeable difference in both the products. However if you go for Zotac RTX 3060 Ti then you can save your 30 dollars while getting almost the same performance.
Pros:
- Good performer
- Beautiful looks
- Excellent value
- Stays silent and cool
- Delivers solid rat tracing performance
Cons:
- Power limited at stock specifications
- Due to the power limit overclocking can be more complicated
2- PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 6600 Graphics Card
If you are looking for something that can make your gaming performance up to the mark. Look no further than PowerColor Flighter AMD Radeon RX 6600. This graphics processing unit will give the performance to rule your game the best way. Experts consider it the powerhouse of performance to deliver vivid visuals.
Get a boost in frames for your favorite games and have an elevated experience. Packed with stream processor 1792 and gives 2044 Mhz game clock and 2491 MHz boost clock. With this graphics card you can have the best blend of powerColor and AMD Radeon RX 6600. Designed with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory type that is best for latest games and heavy applications.
Features a 2 x 90 mm optimized fan and utilizes 2 ball bearing technology that give it excellent cooling performance and 4 times greater longevity. Armed with enlarged heatsink surface and set heatpipes that direct touching graphics card to offer enhanced heat dissipation. With this GPU you can start enjoying your gaming life.
A noisy environment can distract you and spoil your enjoyment however this graphics card can save you from all of this. Because it uses mute fan technology that gives you o db silent gaming. It automatically turns off the fan when temperatures get below 60 celsius.
Which means you have silent usage while low to medium load and also reduces power consumption. This PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 6600 is one gaming DNA that works excellently for both consoles and gaming PCs. ready to deliver the interface of Windows 11. Recommended for the latest games and heavy computational tasks.
Comparison:
You can also try AMD Radeon RX 6600 chipset with the blend of XFX Speedster SWFT 210. Both graphics cards are based on the same specs and features to deliver the same way. However, XFX Radeon 6600 comes in 10 dollars less in price as compared to the power fighter Radeon 6600.
Pros:
- Power efficient
- Decent 1080p performance
- Quiet
- Works with 450W PSUs
Cons:
- Weaker ray tracing performance
- Often slower than an RTX 3060
3- EVGA GeForce RTX 3060 XC Gaming
Are you looking for a GPU that can be proved as a solid upgrade at a good price. Look no further than EVGA GeForce RTX 3060 XC. This will be the best purchase for you which will give better performance at a reasonable price at the same time. Absolutely a great video card at a very affordable price.
You will see a huge difference and better performance than ever before. It’s easy to install and excellent working is just like cherry on the cake. The only downside of this video card which is complained by the experts is the lack of output ports. This graphics processing unit only comes with a single HDMI port.
Which means you have to run only 1 monitor for output until a new cable comes. That will allow you to attach more than one output screen. The real boost clock speed is 1882 MHz which is fine for the better gameplay of a latest game. Equipped with 12288 MB memory of latest type GDDR6 which is compatible for gaming and heavy software as well.
To provide you hyper realistic graphics and cutting edge performance in gaming it comes with real time ray tracing. Plus, to avoid overheating it is manufactured with dual fan cooling technology. So while using this graphics card you will not only have higher cooling performance. But also it will offer much quieter acoustic noise. Recommended for 1080p cards and 1440p gaming.
Comparison:
EVGA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti XC is a bit better than Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060. As it has 90 MHz faster GPU clock speed and 3.89 TFLOPS higher floating-point performance.
Pros:
- Fast frame rates
- Better overclocking performance
- Compact card design
Cons:
- Little pricey for its performance class
4- XFX Speedster SWIFT 309 AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
If you need a fast performer GPU under 500 dollars then you can trust XFX Speedster SWFT 309 AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT CORE Gaming Graphics Card. with this card you will have the best blend of AMD and XFX. XFX designed this card in their style by using AMD chipset.
Powered RDNA 2 architecture by AMD and 40 powerful enhanced Compute Units that make it your dream video card. And the all new AMD Infinity Cache gives you the best computational speed. This graphics processing unit is good to go for both gaming and heavy applications.
Engineered with 12 GB of dedicated GDDR6 memory that can play your favorite game much better like ever before. This powerhouse can deliver ultra-high frame rates and 1440p resolution gaming. The memory speed of memory speed is 16 GB per second to tackle your gaming needs.
Based on AMD RX 6700 XT with GPU clock speed 2321 MHz that can boost up to 2581 MHz. with the amazing specs they did not ignore the cooling performance. Because temperature management is very necessary to maintain the performance and longevity. Manufactured with XFX Speedster SWFT 309 Triple Fan that dissipates the heat in the best way.
This video card is built for high performance and high resolution gameplay. You can get ultra HD up to 8K gaming that gives you crystal clear graphics. Zero DB Fan System is there to keep fans running at efficient RPM and minimize annoying noise that can be caused by the fan. For your peace of mind they offer a 3 year limited hardware coverage plan.
Comparison:
While comparing it with XFX Speedster QUICK 319 AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT, we analyzed gaming graphics cards manufactured with the same power and spacs. Both are available for 440 dollars.
Pros:
- Great for 1080p and 1440p resolution
- Fast performer
- Stays cool and quiet
- Gorgeous design
Cons:
- Massive size
- Ray tracing performance is lackluster
5- EVGA GeForce RTX 3070 XC3 Ultra Gaming
Here is EVGA GeForce RTX 3070 XC3 Ultra Gaming graphics card that is A phenomenal custom cooler. This graphics card has abundant overclocking-friendly specs. When temperature increases then automatically it starts dropping due to the cooler and known as boost bins. Comes with GPU boost 4.0 that maintains the temperature automatically.
Based on the GA 104 graphics processor which is a variant of GA104-300-A1 that makes it a powerful video card. Designed with 5888 cores, 184 TMUS and ROPS 96 that so you performance of your choice. Powered by the Nvidia Ampere architecture and built to provide you power that you require to rip. With the set of amazing features you are ready to tackle most demanding games.
Best combination of the next generation design, overclocking and cooling system. If you need to enjoy your favorite game at 1440p resolution then trust this video card. EVGA GeForce RTX 3070 is here to create definition for ultimate performance. There are 3 fans installed on this video card to optimize airflow, improve cooling and decrease noise.
Furthermore, it is designed with 8 GB memory of latest type GDDR6 that is good enough for gaming. Best of all, its power consumption is very less which is only 220 watts. To make it colorful and attractive for the users it have ARGB LEDs. with the 1770 MHz boost clock speed you can done any task easily. This video card provides you cutting edge and hyper realistic visuals.
Built it to deliver better heat dissipation. Airflow pockets enable air to move more freely from heatskin to eliminate more heat. Small cuts in the PCB and backplate enhance airflow and also reduce exhaust recovery. A power supply unit of 450 watts is recommended for better performance.
Comparison:
Let’s compare it with the EVGA GeForce RTX 3070 FTW3 Ultra Gaming graphics card. Both are based on the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 manufactured with the same version. And addition of ARGB makes it a colorful component for your rig. However, RTX 3070 FTW3 Ultra is 100 dollars cheaper as compared to the RTX 3070 XC3 Ultra.
Pros:
- Excellent 1440p performance
- Inclusion of ARGB
- Ray tracing at 1440p
Cons:
- 8 GB memory is not future proof
- Massive size
6- MSI Gaming AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT
Again introducing a graphics card by MSI based on AMD chipset. AMD RX 6600 XT is designed by MSI by using the all new RDNA by AMD. This video card is here to deliver High-fidelity gaming and exceptional performance. Take control of gaming to provide you the game of your desire. With this card, get ready yourself to experience powerful and accelerated gaming that is customized for you.
Features new compute units and the latest instructions which will be better suited to offer amazing visual effects. And the multi-level cache hierarchy is here to greatly decrease latency and make it highly responsive for gaming. The purpose of high-performance RDNA architecture is to enhance features such as VR technologies, Radeon Image Sharpening and FidelityFX.
This graphics processing unit gives maximum performance and jaw-dropping experiences. with dramatically decreased input lag you will get the competitive advantage. Supports AMD Radeon FreeSync technology and Anti-Lag your graphics will be stutter-free and tear-free. Radeon Software makes this video card incredibly responsive for insanely immersive gameplay for sure.
Moreover, equipped with the latest memory type GDDR6 and the memory size is 8 GB that is fine for gaming and day to day tasks. And the clock speed is 1845 MHz to offer you improved speed. Best of all, it comes with the DisplayPort x 3 (v1.4) and HDMI x 1 for the video output. Which means you can output more than one display screen at the same time. TORX Fan 4.0 and Zero Frozr give better cooling and silent operations.
Comparison:
We compared it with Sapphire Pulse AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT Gaming Graphics Card. Both video cards are based on the same AMD chipset and also reset of the features are the same. However, RX 6600 by Sapphire is 200 dollars expensive and has less clock speed. Also its installation is a bit difficult because it has to be done manually.
Pros:
- Reasonable price
- Inclusion of TORX FAN 4.0
- Excellent fast 1080p gaming
Cons:
- Ray tracing lags
- Not future proof due to 8 GB memory
Best Graphics Card Under $500 Buying Guide
If you are going to DIY your computer system and looking to find out the best graphics card under 500 dollars. It would not be a simple drive for you because finding your best purchase within your budget is quite challenging. Above mentioned all products are good on their own and also their price range is within your budget.
First of all determine your usage then find according to them. If you have a tight pocket but still want an amazing GPU then you can choose PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 6600 Graphics Card. However, on our list the best overall video card is XFX Speedster SWFT 309 AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT. Below are a few factors that must have features. Read them carefully and make the best purchase!
Purpose:
The selection of your future graphics processing unit depends upon the purpose of your usage. So first of all you need to determine the nature of work for which you are DIY your computer system. There are basically 2 main purposes, gaming or using softwares. Check the requirements of your favorite games or your required softwares then a GPU according to those requirements.
Memory Size And Type:
The next important factor is the size of your memory where you must have a required memory size, so you can run softwares or play games smoothly. XFX Speedster SWFT309 RX 6700 XT has a memory size of 12 GB of the latest type GDDR6. That is not only better for gaming and day to day tasks but also this is an accurate size which is future proof.
Resolution:
More clear and smooth graphics can enhance your overall gameplay. That is why resolution is a key factor of a graphics card. For the more pixels you need a more powerful GPU. If you only need 1080p gaming then do not need a top of the line video card. XFX Speedster SWFT309 6700 XT offers 1440p resolution which is enough for the crisp visuals.
Power Supply Unit:
While buying your future graphics card you also need to consider the power supply unit. Which means you need to check whether your current power supply unit has enough juice to handle the power of XFX Speedster SWFT309 RX 6700 XT or not. Otherwise you need to buy a new Power supply unit. It requires 2 8-pin PCI-E power connectors and all pins must be connected with the power supply.
Ports:
Another most important feature that you must have to consider while buying a graphics card under 500 dollars. Must check out the output ports flexibility because there can be a lack of ports due to tight budget options. Speedster SWFT309 RX 6700 XT is a rich ports GPU as it comes with HDMI x 1 and 3 x DisplayPort output ports.
Ray Tracing:
Most of the newest GPUs support ray tracing to enhance the visuals. XFX RX 6700 XT comes with ray tracing and AMD RDNA 2 architecture. Also AMD’s FSR offers upscaling and enhancement.
FAQs
Below are a few frequently asked questions, let’s go through them!
Will GPU Prices Drop 2022?
The prices of graphics cards at the start of August 2022 are lower as compared to the prior month, although the rate of decrement has slowed down a bit.
Is a 4GB Graphic Card Enough for Gaming?
A graphic card with 4 GB memory is good enough for gaming with high to medium level of settings.
How Can you Manage GPU’s Temperature?
Modern graphics cards can automatically prevent heat because they are manufactured with efficient cooling fans. However, if the cooling performance is not satisfactory then you can go for the additional cooler.
Also See:
- Best RX 6800 XT Graphics Cards
- Best AMD RX 6600 Graphics Cards
- Best RTX 2080 Ti Graphics Cards
- Best AMD Radeon RX 6950 XT Graphics Card
- Best AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT Graphics Card
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