Best Graphics Card for Gaming Under $100 - 2023 Review & Guide

Gaming is a fun and exciting hobby that has captured the hearts of millions of people around the world. However, to fully immerse yourself in the gaming experience, you need a good graphics card. The GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or video card is responsible for rendering the images on your screen and can significantly impact your gaming experience. If you’re on a budget, you may think that getting a good graphics card is out of reach, but that’s not the case. In this article, we will be discussing the best graphics card for gaming under $100.

Contents

What to Consider When Buying

When shopping for a GPU for gaming under $100, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Here are some key factors to consider:

Performance: The most important factor to consider is the GPU’s performance. You want a card that can handle modern games at decent frame rates without lagging or stuttering.
VRAM: Video RAM or VRAM is the memory used by the GPU to store data. A higher VRAM capacity means that the GPU can handle more demanding games and perform better.
Power Consumption: Graphics cards consume a lot of power, so it’s important to choose a card that doesn’t require too much power. Otherwise, you’ll need to upgrade your power supply, which can add to the cost.
Compatibility: Make sure the graphics card is compatible with your motherboard and other components. Check the card’s physical dimensions and make sure it fits inside your case.

Top 5 Best Graphics Card for Gaming Under $100

1. MSI GeForce GT 710 1GD3H LP

The MSI GeForce GT 710 1GD3H LP is a great graphics card for gaming under $100. It is powered by the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 GPU, which has 1GB DDR3 memory and a clock speed of 954 MHz. The card has a low profile design, making it perfect for small form factor builds. It also has a silent passive cooling system that doesn’t require a fan, reducing noise and power consumption.

Review:

The MSI GeForce GT 710 1GD3H LP is an entry-level graphics card that is suitable for basic gaming. It is equipped with a single fan cooler and features 1GB of DDR3 memory.

Can run some older games at lower settings, it may struggle with more demanding titles. Gamers who are looking for high-end performance and the ability to run the latest games at high settings should look for a more powerful graphics card.

It is a good choice for those who are building a budget PC or need a graphics card for basic tasks such as web browsing and video playback. Its low profile design and quiet operation make it suitable for use in small form factor PCs, and its low power consumption makes it energy efficient.

The MSI GeForce GT 710 1GD3H LP good option for casual gamers who are looking for an affordable graphics card that can handle basic gaming needs. However, serious gamers should look for a more powerful graphics card with better performance capabilities.

Specifications:

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GT 710

Memory: 1GB DDR3 64-bit

Core Clock: 954 MHz

1 HDMI, 1 DL-DVI-D and 1 VGA (D-sub)

Low Profile Design

All Solid Capacitors

Passive Cooling System

Fanless and Noise less GPU Heatsink

Afterburner Overclocking Utility

Pros:

Affordable: One of the most affordable graphics cards on the market, making it a great choice for gamers on a tight budget.

Low power consumption: With a TDP of only 19 watts, this graphics card is very power efficient and can be used in low-power systems without the need for a dedicated power supply.

Low profile design: Designed to be small and low-profile, making it a great choice for small form factor PCs and HTPCs.

DirectX 12 support: This graphics card supports the latest version of DirectX, which is required for many modern games and applications.

Passive cooling: Passively cooled, meaning it does not require any fans to operate, resulting in silent operation.

Cons:

Limited performance: With only 192 CUDA cores and 1GB of VRAM, the MSI GeForce GT 710 1GD3H LP is not designed for high-performance gaming or demanding applications.

No display port: This graphics card only features VGA, DVI, and HDMI outputs, which may limit its compatibility with some newer displays that require DisplayPort connections.

Not suitable for VR: The limited performance makes it unsuitable for use with virtual reality applications and games.

No SLI support: This graphics card does not support SLI, which may limit its upgrade options in the future.

Overall, great choice for budget-minded gamers who want a simple and power-efficient graphics card for basic gaming and multimedia tasks. However, it is not suitable for more demanding applications or high-performance gaming.

2. Gigabyte GeForce GT 1030 Low Profile 2G

The Gigabyte GeForce GT 1030 Low Profile 2G is another excellent graphics card for gaming under $100. It is powered by the NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 GPU, which has 2GB GDDR5 memory and a clock speed of 1252 MHz. The card has a low profile design, making it perfect for small form factor builds. It also has an efficient cooling system that keeps the card running cool and quiet.

Review:

The Gigabyte GeForce GT 1030 Low Profile 2G is a budget-friendly graphics card that is designed for basic gaming needs. It is equipped with 2GB of GDDR5 memory and a low profile design that makes it suitable for use in small form factor PCs.

Can handle some modern games at lower settings, it may struggle with more demanding titles. It is not designed for high-end gaming and is better suited for casual gamers who are looking for an affordable option to play older games or less demanding titles.

It is a good option for those who are building a budget PC or need a graphics card for basic tasks such as web browsing and video playback. Its low profile design and quiet operation make it suitable for use in small form factor PCs, and its low power consumption makes it energy efficient.

Gigabyte GeForce GT 1030 Low Profile 2G is a good choice for casual gamers who are looking for an affordable graphics card that can handle basic gaming needs. However, serious gamers should look for a more powerful graphics card with better performance capabilities.

Specifications:

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030

Memory: 2GB GDDR5 64-bit

Core Clock: 1252 MHz

Low Profile Design with 150 mm Card Length

One-Click Overclocking via AORUS Graphics Engine

Efficient Cooling System

Max Resolution: 4096×2160, 60Hz.

Avoid Using Unofficial Software

Pros:

Affordable: Affordable graphics card that offers good value for money.

Low profile design: This graphics card features a low profile design, which makes it ideal for use in small form factor PCs and HTPCs.

Efficient: Power-efficient graphics card, with a TDP of only 30 watts, which means it can run without the need for a dedicated power supply.

DirectX 12 support: Supports the latest version of DirectX, which is required for many modern games and applications.

Good performance: This video card offers good performance for its price range and is capable of running most modern games at low to medium settings.

Cons:

Limited memory: Only has 2GB of VRAM, which may limit its performance in some games and applications.

No SLI support: This graphics card does not support SLI, which means it cannot be used in multi-GPU configurations.

No display port: Only features VGA, DVI, and HDMI outputs, which may limit its compatibility with some newer displays that require DisplayPort connections.

Not suitable for VR: The limited performance means it is not suitable for use with virtual reality applications and games.

Overall, good choice for budget-minded gamers who want a graphics card that offers good performance for its price range. It is also a great choice for those who want a low-profile graphics card for use in small form factor PCs and HTPCs. However, its limited memory and lack of SLI support may limit its performance in some games and applications.

3. XFX Radeon RX 550

The XFX Radeon RX 550 is a powerful graphics card that can handle most games at 1080p resolution. It is powered by the AMD Radeon RX 550 GPU, which has 4GB GDDR5 memory and a clock speed of 1203 MHz. The card has a compact design, making it perfect for budget builds. It also has an efficient cooling system that keeps the card running cool and quiet.

Review:

The XFX Radeon RX 550 is a budget-friendly graphics card that is designed for entry-level gaming. It is equipped with 2GB of GDDR5 memory and a single fan cooler.

It is a good option for those who are building a budget PC or need a graphics card for basic tasks such as web browsing and video playback. Its low power consumption makes it energy efficient, and its compact size makes it suitable for use in small form factor PCs.

XFX Radeon RX 550 is a good choice for casual gamers who are looking for an affordable graphics card that can handle basic gaming needs. However, serious gamers should look for a more powerful graphics card with better performance capabilities.

Specifications:

GPU: AMD Radeon RX 550

Memory: 4GB GDDR5

Core Clock: 1203 MHz

Clock Speed: 6000MHz

Compact Design

PCI Express x16 3.0 Interface

Efficient Cooling System

Ports: 1 x HDMI, 1 x DVI-D, 1 x DisplayPorts

Pros:

Affordable: Affordable graphics card that offers good value for money.

Good performance: This video card offers good performance for its price range and is capable of running most modern games at low to medium settings.

Low power consumption: Only 50 watts, making it power efficient and able to run on lower-wattage power supplies.

DirectX 12 support: Supports the latest version of DirectX, which is required for many modern games and applications.

AMD FreeSync support: Supports AMD’s FreeSync technology, which synchronizes the refresh rate of the monitor with the graphics card for smoother gameplay.

Cons:

Limited memory: Only has 2GB of VRAM, which may limit its performance in some games and applications.

No SLI support: Does not support SLI, which means it cannot be used in multi-GPU configurations.

No ray tracing: Unlike Nvidia’s RTX graphics cards, the RX 550 does not support ray tracing, which is a technique used to create more realistic lighting and shadows in games.

No display port: Only features HDMI and DisplayPort outputs, which may limit its compatibility with some older displays that require VGA or DVI connections.

Overall, good choice for budget-minded gamers who want a graphics card that offers good performance for its price range. Its low power consumption and AMD FreeSync support make it a good choice for those who are building a budget gaming PC.

However, its limited memory and lack of SLI support may limit its performance in some games and applications, and its lack of ray tracing support means it may not be the best choice for those who want to play the latest games with the most advanced graphics.

4. ASUS GeForce GT 710 1GB

The ASUS GeForce GT 710 1GB is a budget-friendly graphics card that can handle basic gaming needs. It is powered by the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 GPU, which has 1GB DDR3 memory and a clock speed of 954 MHz. The card has a low profile design, making it perfect for small form factor builds. It also has a passive cooling system, which means it runs silently and consumes less power.

Review:

The ASUS GeForce GT 710 1GB is a budget-friendly graphics card that is designed for basic computing needs. It is equipped with 1GB of DDR3 memory and a low profile design that makes it suitable for use in small form factor PCs.

Can handle some basic gaming at lower settings, it may struggle with more demanding titles. It is not designed for high-end gaming and is better suited for basic tasks such as web browsing and video playback.

It is a good option for those who are building a budget PC or need a graphics card for basic computing needs. Its low profile design and quiet operation make it suitable for use in small form factor PCs, and its low power consumption makes it energy efficient.

ASUS GeForce GT 710 1GB is a good choice for basic computing needs, but not recommended for serious gaming. For better gaming performance, a more powerful graphics card with better performance capabilities should be considered.

Specifications:

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GT 710

Memory: 1GB DDR3

Core Clock: 954 MHz

Pci Express 2.0

Low Profile Design

Passive Cooling System

Triple Display Support

Power Requirement: 300-watt Power Supply. 25-Watt Max Power Consumption

Pros:

Low profile design: Has a low profile design, which makes it suitable for use in small form factor PCs.

Affordable: Affordable and offers good value for money for budget-minded gamers.

Quiet operation: Equipped with a passive cooling system, which means it operates quietly and does not produce any noise.

Energy efficient: Has a low power consumption of only 19 watts, making it energy efficient and able to run on lower-wattage power supplies.

DirectX 12 support: Supports the latest version of DirectX, which is required for many modern games and applications.

Cons:

Limited performance: Not designed for high-end gaming and may struggle to run modern games at high settings or resolutions.

Limited memory: Only has 1GB of VRAM, which may limit its performance in some games and applications.

No SLI support: Does not support SLI, which means it cannot be used in multi-GPU configurations.

No HDMI port: Only features DVI and VGA outputs, which may limit its compatibility with some modern displays.

Overall, good choice for those who are building a budget PC or need a graphics card for basic tasks such as web browsing and video playback. Its low profile design and quiet operation make it suitable for use in small form factor PCs, and its low power consumption makes it energy efficient.

However, its limited performance and memory may limit its ability to run modern games and applications, and its lack of HDMI output may limit its compatibility with some modern displays.

5. Zotac GeForce GT 710 2GB DDR3

The Zotac GeForce GT 710 2GB DDR3 is another great graphics card for gaming under $100. It is powered by the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 GPU, which has 2GB DDR3 memory and a clock speed of 954 MHz. The card has a low profile design, making it perfect for small form factor builds. It also has a passive cooling system, which means it runs silently and consumes less power.

Review:

The Zotac GeForce GT 710 2GB DDR3 is a budget-friendly graphics card that is designed for basic computing needs. It is equipped with 2GB of DDR3 memory and a low profile design that makes it suitable for use in small form factor PCs.

Zotac GeForce GT 710 2GB DDR3 is a good choice for basic computing needs, but not recommended for serious gaming. For better gaming performance, a more powerful graphics card with better performance capabilities should be considered.

Specifications:

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GT 710

Memory: 2GB DDR3

Core Clock: 954 MHz

Pci Express 2.0

Low Profile Design

Passive Cooling System

Triple Display Support

Power Requirement: 300-watt Power Supply. 25-Watt Max Power Consumption

Pros:

Low profile design: Has a low profile design, which makes it suitable for use in small form factor PCs.

Affordable: Affordable and offers good value for money for budget-minded gamers.

Quiet operation: Equipped with a passive cooling system, which means it operates quietly and does not produce any noise.

Energy efficient: Has a low power consumption of only 19 watts, making it energy efficient and able to run on lower-wattage power supplies.

DirectX 12 support: Supports the latest version of DirectX, which is required for many modern games and applications.

2GB of VRAM: Comes with 2GB of VRAM, which provides a slight performance boost compared to the 1GB version.

Cons:

Limited performance: Not designed for high-end gaming and may struggle to run modern games at high settings or resolutions.

No SLI support: Does not support SLI, which means it cannot be used in multi-GPU configurations.

No HDMI port: Only features DVI and VGA outputs, which may limit its compatibility with some modern displays.

The 2GB of VRAM provides a slight performance boost compared to the 1GB version, but its limited performance and lack of HDMI output may limit its ability to run modern games and applications.

Comparison Chart of the Best Under $100 GPUs for Gaming

Comparison table of the five graphics cards under $100 for gaming:

Graphics Card	VRAM	Base Clock	Boost Clock	CUDA Cores	Stream Processors	TDP	Price
MSI GeForce GT 710 1GD3H LP	1GB	954 MHz	–	192	–	19W	$50
Gigabyte GeForce GT 1030 2G LP	2GB	1227 MHz	1468 MHz	384	–	30W	$85
XFX Radeon RX 550	4GB	1100 MHz	1183 MHz	–	512	50W	$99
ASUS GeForce GT 710 1GB G	1GB	954 MHz	–	192	–	19W	$50
Zotac GeForce GT 710 2GB DDR3	2GB	954 MHz	–	192	–	19W	$60

As we can see from the comparison table, the XFX Radeon RX 550 is the most powerful graphics card in this list, with the highest VRAM and the most stream processors. However, it also has the highest TDP and is the most expensive option at $99.

The Gigabyte GeForce GT 1030 Low Profile 2G offers a good balance between price and performance, with a higher VRAM than the other options and a reasonable TDP of 30W. It also has the highest boost clock speed, which can help improve performance in games.

The MSI GeForce GT 710 1GD3H LP, ASUS GeForce GT 710 1GB, and Zotac GeForce GT 710 2GB DDR3 all offer similar performance and specs, with 1GB or 2GB VRAM and a TDP of only 19W. These graphics cards are the most affordable options on the list, with prices ranging from $50 to $60.

Overall, the XFX Radeon RX 550 and Gigabyte GeForce GT 1030 Low Profile 2G are the best options for gamers who want the most performance for their money, while the MSI GeForce GT 710 1GD3H LP, ASUS GeForce GT 710 1GB, and Zotac GeForce GT 710 2GB DDR3 are good choices for gamers on a tight budget who still want decent performance.

What You Can Do to Improve the Performance of a $100 Graphics Card

You’ve therefore upgraded your graphics card, but you’re still not experiencing the same level of performance improvement as others? It could be a variety of things, such system optimization or age, but the other computer parts in your system are most likely to blame.

First off, if you want to get rid of the all-too-common feeling of a “slow computer,” an SSD is a terrific upgrade to start with. Although SSDs can be pricey, they’re almost more crucial for an upgrade than a CPU or GPU because they help the entire system perform somewhat faster.

They are removing any storage bottlenecking that may be there, enabling you to expand with your other parts more quickly and precisely. Even if it doesn’t strictly do so, an SSD speeds up game loading. Based on this, upgrading your gaming rig is worthwhile.

Another simple method for reviving a sluggish PC is to add more RAM. Consider this carefully because you’d probably see a more noticeable and immediate improvement in (game) performance if you upgraded RAM and the SSD rather than the GPU.

Since RAM typically operates on an equal-numbers basis, if your PC currently has 4GB of RAM, update it to 8GB. If it has 8GB, don’t add another four to make it 12GB; instead, equal the 8GB that it already has to make it 16GB.

The last and least convenient possibility is that your processor, the computer’s brain, is making everything go slower. This is a hard pill to take because, if you’re replacing your processor, you’ll probably need to buy a new motherboard and reinstall your operating system unless you were extremely savvy and careful while purchasing your motherboard.

If you’ve tried everything else previously, it may be a long and exhausting process, but it will be worth it. Starting over with a brand-new, clean, and freshly wiped system also feels wonderful.

If you decide to change your CPU, we suggest shopping for upgrade kits that include a motherboard, CPU, and RAM as you’ll have a lot fewer headaches choosing the proper parts and maybe save a few dollars here and there.

FAQs

Q. Can these graphics cards handle modern games?

A. While these graphics cards may not be able to run the latest AAA games at the highest settings, they can handle most modern games at 1080p resolution with medium to low settings.

Q. What is the best GPU for gaming for under $100?

A. There are several great GPUs for gaming under $100, including the MSI GeForce GT 710 1GD3H LP, Gigabyte GeForce GT 1030 Low Profile 2G, XFX Radeon RX 550, ASUS GeForce GT 710 1GB, and Zotac GeForce GT 710 2GB DDR3. These graphics cards offer excellent performance for the price and can handle most modern games at 1080p resolution with medium to low settings.

Q. How much power do these graphics cards consume?

A. These graphics cards are designed to be power-efficient and consume around 30-75 watts of power.

Q. Which graphic card is best for budget gaming?

A. The best graphic card for budget gaming depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a GPU under $100, the MSI GeForce GT 710 1GD3H LP, Gigabyte GeForce GT 1030 Low Profile 2G, XFX Radeon RX 550, ASUS GeForce GT 710 1GB, and Zotac GeForce GT 710 2GB DDR3 are all great choices that offer excellent performance for the price. However, if you’re willing to spend a bit more, you may want to consider options like the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon RX 570, which offer even better performance for a slightly higher price.

Q. Do these graphics cards require additional power connectors?

A. Most of these graphics cards do not require additional power connectors and can be powered by the PCI Express slot. However, it’s always best to check the manufacturer’s specifications before purchasing.

Q. Can these graphics cards be used for cryptocurrency mining?

A. While these graphics cards can be used for cryptocurrency mining, they are not the best option as they are not designed for that purpose. There are other GPUs available in the market that are more suitable for mining.

Q. Is GTX better than RTX?

A. In general, GTX and RTX refer to different generations of NVIDIA graphics cards. While GTX cards are generally considered to be more affordable and offer great performance for their price, RTX cards offer newer features like real-time ray tracing and DLSS, which can significantly improve the graphics quality in supported games. However, RTX cards tend to be more expensive than GTX cards, so it ultimately comes down to your budget and specific needs.

Q. Is RTX cheaper than GTX?

A. In general, RTX cards tend to be more expensive than GTX cards due to their newer features like real-time ray tracing and DLSS. However, the exact price difference between RTX and GTX cards can vary depending on the specific model and manufacturer. If you’re on a tight budget, GTX cards may be a better option, but if you want the latest features and are willing to pay more, RTX cards may be worth the investment.

Conclusion

If you’re on a budget and looking for the best graphics card for gaming under $100, you have a few good options to choose from. The MSI GeForce GT 710 1GD3H LP, Gigabyte GeForce GT 1030 Low Profile 2G, XFX Radeon RX 550, ASUS GeForce GT 710 1GB, and Zotac GeForce GT 710 2GB DDR3 are all great choices that offer excellent performance for the price.