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When it comes to GPU, we all set a budget before getting one, right? Sometimes we have a whooping thousand bucks budget, and sometimes our pocket is not so generous, so we have to settle on a low-budget GPU. And of course, we always want a bang for the buck, even for a low budget.
So I was challenged to get the best GPU under 200. And yes, there were a lot of options around, but I cut down the list to the following five GPUs.
Best GPU Under 200 Dollars Quick Comparison
| Graphics Card | RAM | CUDA Cores | Boost Clock Speed | Base Clock Speed | Bandwidth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PowerColor AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT | 4GB GDDR6 | 1,024 | 2815 MHz | 2610 MHz | 144 GB/Sec |
| Radeon RX 6600 (non-XT) | 8GB GDDR6 | 1,792 | 1792 MHz | 1626 MHz | 128 GB/Sec |
| GTX 1080 | 8GB GDDR5X | 2560 | 1733 MHz | 1603 MHz | 320 GB/Sec |
| XFX Radeon RX 580 GTS XXX Edition | 8GB GDDR5 | 2304 | 1386 MHz | 1257 MHz | 256 GB/Sec |
| GTX 1650 | 4GB GDDR6 | 896 | 1665 MHz | 1485 MHz | 128 GB/Sec |
You may also Like: Best GPU Under $300 in 2022-23
Best Graphics Card for 200 Dollars Detail Review
1. PowerColor AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT
Editor’s Pick
Reasons to Consider
Two hundred bucks are pretty less for a GPU, but this small ITX GPU RX 6500 XT is an amazing one since it offers impressive performance. When I tested GPU, I was surprised to see a steady 50-60 FPS for 1080p. And the fact that this GPU worked quietly in my serene gaming room made it the best decision for 200 bucks GPU. If you want a nice minimalist GPU, you should get this one.
Specifications
- Ram: 4GB GDDR6
- Video Output: 1x DisplayPort, 1x HDMI
- CUDA: 1,024 Stream Processors
- Boost Clock Speed: 2815 MHz
- Base Clock Speed: 2610 MHz
- Bandwidth: 144 GB/Sec
- Memory Interface: 64-bit
Hands down, one of the best GPUs under 200 is Powercolor Radeon RX 6500 XT. But why is this good? There are a lot of reasons.
First, this GPU can deliver steady 50-80 FPS for 1080p. And when I tweaked the in-game settings a bit, it will even get higher. Next, this GPU has a PCIe 4.0. When I first used this GPU with my PCIe 3.0 supporting motherboard, I noticed a bit of lag in performance, but switching to PCIe 4.0 can let you unleash your gaming power.
While I can find many other GPUs in this price bracket, the fact that this GPU has a 4GB VRAM and 1024 CUDA makes it an enticing option for me. If you have a small ITX or small PC build, this GPU will smoothly slide in its thanks to its single fan design.
But when I overclocked this GPU and did an intense gaming session, it did overheat. And yes, don’t forget that this GPU is not VR-ready, so if you have VR headsets or stuff, don’t go for this one.
All in all, for my budget, build PC, this GPU does suffice, so if you don’t have even 200 bucks, you can get this one below 150, and believe me, it will not let you down.
2. XFX Speedster SWFT 210 Radeon RX 6600
Budget Pick
Reasons to Consider
Our previous pick was a bit lagged behind 1080p performance, but this one offers amazing 1080p performance. It can benchmark at 100-120fps for most modern titles. And yes, this GPU stayed amazingly cool for my gaming sessions with its dual fan design. The aesthetics, performance, and cooling of this GPU check all my criteria boxes. And yes, it remains under the 200 bucks mark.
Specifications
- Ram: 8GB GDDR6
- Video Output: DisplayPort x 3 (v1.4a) / HDMI 2.1 x 1
- CUDA: 1,792 Stream Processors
- Boost Clock Speed: 1792 MHz
- Base Clock Speed: 1626 MHz
- Bandwidth: 224 GB/Sec
- Memory Interface: 128-bit
Yes, that’s one of the best 1080p graphics cards, and for a good reason. Its 8GB VRAM plus overclocking profile and 1792 stream processor go hand in hand with my games. In fact, I achieved amazing 80 FPS gameplay at 1080p for games like Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Modern Warfare 2, all on ultra settings. Now that’s something unparalleled for 200 bucks.
While I’m happy with this GPU purchase since it can suffice for most titles but the fact that its Radeon software is not up to mark made me a bit dishearted. I could not see the clock speeds and had to rely on third-party software to control the fan speed.
And yes, if you have a free-sync monitor, you will experience crisp and fluid graphics. While this non-XT version was my favorite out of the box but its sibling RX 6600 XT has 15% better performance than this one. But I added the XT version to the list; it will not make our list today.
3. MSI Gaming GeForce GTX 1080
Best Value
Reasons to Consider
GTX 1000 series has some impressive GPUs, and this GTX 1080 is no exception. When I first planned to buy this card, I was a bit skeptical, but after trying a few titles, I was glad I bought it. The fact that this GPU has an 8 GB VRAM and still costs less than 200 is what makes it a star. Although it does not have a GDDR, 6 is the area where it can perform better.
Specifications
- Ram: 8GB GDDR5X
- Video Output: DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0b, Dual-Link DVI
- CUDA: 2560
- Boost Clock Speed: 1797 MHz
- Base Clock Speed: 1657 MHz
- Bandwidth: 320 GB/Sec
- Memory Interface: 256-bit
The GTX 1080 was unleashed in 2016, and it stirred the market back then. But still, in 2023, this GPU rocks for 1080p gaming, and thats why I turned my head towards this unit.
Yes, I know it’s a low-end GPU but is 1080p at 100fps a sweet spot for you? If yes, then this one is a good choice. The GTX 1080 boasts a lot of amazing features that are near to NVIDIA’s 2060 and 3050 GPUs which are the starters of their series. So knowing that this GPU can beat NVIDIA’s betters series, I was excited to buy it, and this GPU does not disappoint me either.
I played different titles like Cyberpunk and even new games such as Elden Ring, and it didn’t go below 60FPS at 1080p. It would not be fair to say that it’s a low-end GPU in fact, it depends on what your standard for low-end is. If I can play 1080p at max settings at 60 fps, it’s a mid-range for me.
And yes, one thing more, it’s a dual fan GPU, which keeps things cool even under pressure, but sometime you will hear the fan noise.
So if you think that you have only 200 bucks and want good FPS at 1080p, then this 1080 is worth every penny.
4. XFX Radeon RX 580 GTS XXX Edition
Best for 1080p Gaming
Reasons to Consider
XFX Radeon RX 580 GTS XXX Edition is yet another GPU that I tested for budget buyers, and it does suffice for what we are looking for in 1080p gaming. You can play all titles big or small, at 1080p and steady frame rates of 60-65 FPS. Moreover, its temperature did not exceed 80 C during overclocking. And don’t worry, you don’t even have to spend 200 bucks as it costs less than 150.
Specifications
- Ram: 8GB GDDR5
- Video Output: DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0b, DVI-D, DVI-I
- CUDA: 2304
- Boost Clock Speed: 1386 MHz
- Base Clock Speed: 1257 MHz
- Bandwidth: 256 GB/Sec
- Memory Interface: 256-bit
The RX 580 GTS XXX has everything that budget buyers like us want. 8Gb RAM, amazing OC profile, and a lot of gaming perks, all under 150 bucks; yes, that’s RX 580.
During our test, this GPU benchmarked for Resident Evil 2 with Max settings at 1080p/60 without any problem. And yes, I achieved 4K/30 in RE2 without performance lag. And for my older titles, it benchmarked at resolutions up to 4K for 60 fps. In addition, for my modern games, I was as good as 1440p at 60FPS. Now that’s something impressive for 200 bucks.
I had a 1060 gtx in the past, and when I compare this one to a 1060, this one really outperforms and gives you the bang for the buck. one thing that I noticed in this GPU is a strange screeching noise that faded away when I changed the HDMI cable, but the noise is a problem with this GPU.
Now if you ask me about its temperature and cooling, its liquid cooling technology, coupled with two fans, lets you overclock this GPU to its limits. I gained a significant performance edge when overclocked, yet the PC remained under its temperature threshold.
So if you have AAA games and a 1080p monitor, you should go for this GPU.
5. MSI Gaming GeForce GTX 1650
Best for Ray Tracing
Reasons to Consider
The GTX 1650 is a good GPU if you previously had no GPU in your PC and now want an upgrade. When I first opened this GPU, I was a bit worried that it might consume more power than my PSU, but that was not the case. And during my tests, this GPU benchmarked at 60+FPS for most modern and old titles, so you can trust our words and rely on this GPU.
Specifications
- Ram: 4GB GDDR6
- Video Output: DL-DVI-D x 1 / DisplayPort x 1 (v1.4) / HDMI 2.0b x 1
- CUDA: 896
- Boost Clock Speed: 1665 MHz
- Base Clock Speed: 1485 MHz
- Bandwidth: 128 GB/Sec
- Memory Interface: 128-bit
If you have a limited budget but still want an excellent graphic card for your gameplay, then get this GPU. Since it comes with a 4GB GDDR6 VRAM and a massive cooling fan, you can easily play most of your titles. In addition, it also entails Nvidia’s Turing architecture which is surprising for a GPU this reasonable.
While this GPU has 896 CUDA cores, you can also render graphic illustrations. Although its bandwidth could be more enticing, its boost clock of 1620 MHz lets you do visual processing much faster.
And the best thing is that you can get the multi-display of 4k resolution for as many as three monitors thanks to its HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, and DVI-D ports.
How to Get the Best out of Your 200 Dollars GPU?
Whenever I get a low-end GPU, follow some tips to get the best out of my GPU performance. 200 bucks GPU is entry-level and mid-range, but here are some tips to juice out max performance.
- Play with your game settings. Tweak them so you can achieve max FPS, and also, you should find the hang of performance and visual quality.
- You should install the relevant GPU software and look out for the GPU drivers for better visuals.
- With 200 Bucks GPU, the cooling system is weak, so I always install the water cooling system with my GPU.
- Always buy a GPU that comes with a warranty for added safety. So if things don’t go in your favor, you can return it. Always check your GPU reviews and feedback to make an informed decision.
What GPU can you get for $200?
There are a lot of AMD variants under 200 bucks that offer amazing performance. However, if you want an NVIDIA, it will take a toll on your performance for this price bracket. So if you are a true NVIDIA fan, things might not be suited for you.
- AMD Radeon RX 570
- AMD Radeon RX 580
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
- AMD Radeon RX 590
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Super
- AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT
How do We Choose the Best GPUs?
There were a lot of things I had to consider when looking for the best GPU under 200. But what I focus on the most are:
Performance benchmarks
The performance of the GPU was my first consideration. I wanted to juice out the best performance out of GPU that’s why I thoroughly tested my GPUs for their gaming benchmarks. Note that all the GPUs in my list offer no less than 60 FPS for 1080p.
Price-to-performance ratio
Yes, 200 bucks are not much for GPU, but still, I want to find the best price-to-performance ratio. Two hundred bucks doesn’t mean you have to settle for less. There are a lot of variants that offer even 4k for 30-40 Fps under 200 bucks. So all the chips in my list offer bang for the buck.
Customer reviews and ratings
I trust word of mouth more than anything, and that’s why I always head to customer reviews and Q&A websites to check out what people are saying about the GPUs.
Compatibility with popular software and games
Most 200 bucks GPUs are released in the previous decade and that means they might not play your modern games. So that was another must-have factor that I considered.
Availability and warranty
The availability of GPUs is often a problem, so when I was looking for my budget picks, I made sure that they were in stock and that I could buy them.
What to Look for in 200 bucks GPU?
So that was what I looked for in my GPUs when I was looking out for them. If you don’t like any of our picks, here is a buying guide for you to consider. So let’s see what you should consider:
Power requirements
Although low-end GPUs are not power-hungry, and it is not common that they will need a supplemental PSU, but you still have to make sure that your PSU has enough juice for them. Check if you can provide the required TDP to the GPU with an existing system or not.
Compatibility with your existing system
When it comes to getting a GPU, you should be mindful of your PC case, GPU size, available PCIe connectors, and PSU power. If your GPU checks all the boxes, you can get it, as it will not let you invest more than 200 bucks.
Memory capacity
Most 200 bucks GPUs have 4GB to 8 GB VRAM. It is always best to go for a high VRAM as it can handle demanding games well. Moreover, you should also check if the GPU has an overclocking profile or not to get the best out of your GPU performance.
Connectivity options
Do you love multiple-screen display systems? You should get multiple output ports GPU so you can connect maximum monitors.
Cooling and noise levels
Cooling is often an issue with budget GPUs, but there are a lot of units that offer superb cooling and quiet operation during the overclocking sessions. So you have to choose one with the best cooling.
Conclusion
When I was looking for a 200 bucks GPU, I tried to find the best one under this price bracket. I was challenged to find the best price-to-performance ratio. When looking for a GPU, I focus on achieving the best resolution for my games without losing the FPS.
So after searching for hours, I came up with the best GPU under this price bracket. And during my tests, these GPUs benchmarked at 60+ FPS for 1080p, and some even crossed 1440p. So if you are on the verge of finding the best GPU under 200, read our list of GPUs.
