Best Budget Graphics Card Under $100

We usually encourage spending as much money as you can on the GPU, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend hundreds of dollars on a new component just to play a few games and get more work done on your PC. We’ve compiled a list of the best budget GPUs under $100. Not everyone requires the most advanced graphics card, and a good GPU may be had for under $100.

Overall winner: ZOTAC GeForce GT 1030

Many budget-friendly GPUs, such as this outstanding example from ZOTAC, are low-profile, which means they’ll fit into even the smallest PC chassis. The GeForce GT 1030 only requires a single PCI expansion slot on the back of the chassis, allowing even the tiniest ITX system to play select games.

Because this GPU costs less than $100, don’t anticipate spectacular performance. On a 1080p display, it’ll even struggle with some games at high settings. This is due to the absence of actual processing components, as well as the 2GB of GDDR6 RAM, as compared to more costly GPUs.

However, there is an upside to this loss of performance: a cooler-running GPU. The ZOTAC GT 1030 has a compact heatsink and fan that makes very little noise, making it a perfect choice for a silent PC setup.

XFX RX 550 (AMD) is the runner-up.

The AMD RX 550, like the NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030, has a low profile and is ideal for an ITX setup. The XFX RX 550 is a decent budget card for individuals seeking for a bargain deal, as it only has one PCI expansion slot. The main difference between this model and the 1030 is the RAM, with AMD opting for older GDDR5 memory (versus GDDR6 on the GT 1030).

Like the GT 1030, the performance isn’t horrible, but it’s also not going to blow you away. Unless the game isn’t particularly demanding on hardware, you won’t be able to play it at maximum settings. On the plus side, this means the RX 550 generates less heat and so doesn’t require a strong (and noisy) cooler.

EVGA NVIDIA GT 710 is a budget NVIDIA.

A GPU for $100 isn’t cheap, especially when you consider GPUs like NVIDIA’s RTX 2080 Ti, which can cost hundreds of dollars. The GT 710 is even better value, costing less than half of our total budget for this collection. The EVGA GT 710 is perfect for a business PC (or one with a Ryzen CPU) that will be used to play a few games.

The graphics processor, like the RAM, is slow. However, there is 2GB of RAM, which allows you to run various 3D applications and games, and the card runs quite cool. While this is quiet, it just requires a single PCI expansion slot on the back of your PC, allowing it to fit into even the tiniest ITX case.

AMD Radeon R5 235 (Budget AMD)

The Radeon R5 235 is one of AMD’s most cheap GPUs right now. It’s not amazing, but at this price point, you shouldn’t expect anything better. The price is great, especially if you just need a GPU to run an OS and some software and your computer doesn’t have an integrated GPU.

It’s a little PCIe card that only takes up one expansion slot in the chassis and runs very quietly. The 1GB DDR3 RAM is adequate for media and everyday PC use, but it is insufficient for gaming. This card is suitable for tiny PC and NAS configurations that prioritize low noise and small size.

In conclusion

The NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 is one of the greatest GPUs available for around $100 right now. ZOTAC produces several fantastic high-end graphics cards, and the company’s GT 1030 is a solid affordable option. This is a worthwhile idea if you only need a GPU for a Ryzen processor and don’t plan on playing many games.

Not only does it run cool and quietly, but the 2GB of GDDR6 RAM is plenty for basic gaming and 3D work. It will also fit into even the tiniest ITX cases that accommodate GPUs, requiring only one PCI expansion slot on the chassis’s back. Other suggestions on this list will accomplish the same goal, but they will not be as excellent for gaming.