It is possible to get excellent performance without breaking the bank with the best mid-range graphics cards.
It is really hard to find a decent GPU that offers the best value for money when Nvidia and AMD compete to produce the best graphics cards in the market.
In 2023, the majority of high-end graphics cards will exceed the budget caps of most PC gamers. However, some mid-range cards are still within reach.
You’ll find that finding the best cheap graphics card to meet your needs is easier than ever now, whether you’re looking for a budget GPU or upgrading from an older model. In addition to helping you get the best cheap graphics card without giving up too much performance, we can also point you in the right direction.
What is a Mid-Range Graphics Card?
Best Mid-range graphics cards are typically more affordable than high-end models, making them a popular choice among budget-conscious gamers and other users who need improved graphics performance.
These cards are often based on newer graphics architectures and offer better core count, clock speed, and memory throughput than their lower-end counterparts.
Mid-range graphics cards are well-suited to running games and other graphics-intensive tasks at 1080p and 1440p resolutions, making them a popular choice for those who want to enjoy smooth, high-quality visuals without breaking the bank.
9 Best Mid-Range Graphics Cards to Buy in 2023 (Handpicked!)
You’ll find the best budget GPU below, based on our testing of the most recent GPU releases.
EVGA GeForce RTX 3060 XC – Best Mid-Range Graphics Card
Specifications
| Graphics Processor | Nvidia Ampere GA106 |
| GPU Base Clock | 1320 MHz |
| GPU Boost Clock | 1777 MHz |
| Graphics Memory Type | GDDR6 |
| Graphics Memory Amount | 12 GB |
| DVI Outputs | 0 |
| HDMI Outputs | 1 |
| DisplayPort Outputs | 3 |
| VirtualLink Outputs | No |
| Number of Fans | 2 |
| Card Width | double |
| Card Length | 7.94 inches |
| Board Power or TDP | 170 watts |
| Power Connector(s) | 1 8-pin |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Small, quiet, and cool
- As long as ray tracing is enabled, it performs similarly to the RTX 2070 Super
- Ray tracing can be made possible with DLSS
- Dual HDMI 2.1 Port
- The complete Ampere feature set
- 12GB RAM
Cons
- For 1440p, this is not an ideal choice
- The latest games have little headroom
- At 1080p, the RX 5700 is only 8% faster
- Not suitable for owners of RTX 20-series graphics cards
Regarding affordable best mid-range video cards, the EVGA Geforce RTX 3060 XC is the gateway to Nvidia’s RTX 30-Series, which includes GPUs like RTX 3070 and 3080.
Even though this isn’t a GPU designed to run at 4K or 8K resolutions, the EVGA Geforce RTX 3060 XC delivers smooth performance in Resident Evil Village and Red Dead Redemption 2 at 1440p.
It did play 4K games well, thanks to the 12GB GDDR6 memory on this card. However, average frame rates dropped, requiring us to move back to 1440p settings.
When we compare this GPU with same-priced AMD cards on the market, it stands out due to the inclusion of ray-tracing and DLSS technologies.
If you’re upgrading from a low-budget video card, the Geforce RTX 3060 XC should be a consideration. It comes with features like ray-tracing, DLSS, and 60fps gameplay.
Intel Arc Alchemist A750
Specifications
| Graphics Processor | Intel Alchemist |
| GPU Base Clock | 2050 MHz |
| Graphics Memory Type | GDDR6 |
| Graphics Memory Amount | 8 GB |
| HDMI Outputs | 1 |
| DisplayPort Outputs | 3 |
| Number of Fans | 2 |
| Card Width | double |
| Card Length | 11 inches |
| Board Power or TDP | 225 watts |
| Power Connector(s) | 1 6-pin, 1 8-pin |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Gaming performance at 1080p and 1440p
- Raytracing performance that rivals
- Affordably priced
Cons
- Resizable BAR is necessary
- XeSS needs some work
There are a few issues with Intel’s Arc A750, and Intel still needs to improve the drivers. But overall, this is a great graphics card for around $290 compared to $400 for Nvidia’s RTX 3060.
Even though AMD has traditionally been the budget alternative to Nvidia, if you want ray tracing on, you’re better off getting the RTX 3060. The Arc A750 has competitive ray tracing, unlike its AMD counterparts, meaning it can compete with the RTX 3060.
Furthermore, the card also supports Intel’s XeSS upscaling feature, which improves performance by upscale games using artificial intelligence. It isn’t available in many games, but Intel is expected to add support soon.
NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 2060 – Best Graphics Card 2023
Specifications
| GPU | Nvidia TU106 |
| Stream multiprocessors | 30 (64 CUDA per SM) |
| CUDA Cores | 1,920 |
| Tensor cores | 240 |
| Ray tracing cores | 30 |
| Power Draw (TGP) | 160W |
| Boost clock | 1,680MHz |
| VRAM | 6GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Speed | 14Gbps |
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 |
| Power connector | 1 x 8-pin |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Game in 4K at 30FPS
- 1080p gaming with silky ray tracing
- The System runs much cooler
Cons
- The price is slightly higher than the predecessor
- QHD and 4K performance are heavily influenced by RTX
Despite being overshadowed by the RTX 3060 and the RTX 3060 Ti, Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 remains one of the best budget GPUs, and the new RTX 4060 and RTX 4060 Ti are likely just a few months away.
Nvidia’s GPU lineup isn’t just meager and plasticky, it brings a lot. In addition to mastering Full HD and QHD gaming, it lets you soak in Nvidia’s ray-tracing future while keeping things affordable, so it is the best mid range graphics card for most gamers out there. Every new generation of Nvidia GeForce graphics cards always outperforms their predecessors in power. Like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 1070 before it, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 offers some major improvements over the AMD graphics cards it competes with.
Despite the lower frame rate of 30 frames per second, this mid-range graphics card is capable of playing games at 1080p, 1440p, and even 4K. The graphics card also offers ray-traced gaming, though not to the same level as the company’s higher-end cards.
The Radeon RX 590 may be a better fit for those on a tighter budget if they’re okay with playing at Full HD. Otherwise, the Nvidia RTX 2060 is unquestionably the best midrange graphics card currently available.
Zotac GeForce RTX 3050 Twin Edge OC
Specifications
| Architecture | GA106 |
| Transistors (Billion) | 12 |
| GPU Cores | 2560 |
| Tensor Cores | 80 |
| RT Cores | 20 |
| Boost Clock (MHz) | 1807 |
| Memory | 8GB GDDR6 |
| VRAM Speed (Gbps) | 14 |
| VRAM Bus Width | 128 |
| Bandwidth (Gbps) | 224 |
| TDP | 130 |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent 1080p performance
- Low power consumption
- Easy to overclock
- Good cooling options
- A great entry-level graphics card
Cons
- Limited memory capacity
- Not suitable for 4k gaming
- No support for ray tracing
- Expensive compared to its competition
The Zotac GeForce RTX 3050 Twin Edge OC is a powerful and efficient graphics card that offers a top-of-the-line experience.
In addition to its advanced shader core architecture, which is 25% better than traditional shader cores, the card features a unique Twin Edge OC cooling system to ensure it stays cool even at maximum power.
RT Cores enhance ray tracing performance so that shadows, reflections, and global illumination appear more realistic. The Zotac GeForce RTX 3050 Twin Edge OC performed quite well from a performance perspective. For gamers looking for a premium gaming experience, it can handle demanding games at up to 4K resolutions and even supports VR.
All in all, the Zotac GeForce RTX 3050 Twin Edge OC is an incredible graphics card. It is sure to impress even the most ardent gamers out there.
AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT – Best Cheap Graphics card
Specifications
| Stream Processors | 2048 |
| Ray tracing cores | 32 |
| Core base clock | 2,064MHz |
| Core boost clock | 2,607MHz |
| Memory | 8 GB GDDR6 |
| Power draw (TDP) | 160W |
| Memory clock | 16 Gbps |
| Power connectors | 1 x 8-pin |
| Outputs | 1 x HDMI 2.1, 2 x DisplayPort 1.4a |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent 1080p performance
- Low power usage
- Impressive thermal performance
Cons
- Higher than the average price
- Not significantly ahead of the RTX 3060 in terms of performance
The AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT is the latest addition to AMD’s Radeon RX series of graphics cards.
While it offers high-quality 1080p performance and low power consumption, some consumers may not find it appealing due to its higher-than-average price. We tested the MSI Gaming X version of the 6600 XT, which is available only through third-party manufacturers like XFX and MSI.
It comes with a backplate, RGB lighting, and MSI’s Twin Frozr cooler design, but these additional features do not significantly affect performance unless you plan to overclock it.
Compared to its competitors, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 and 3060 Ti are more affordable. The RX 6600 XT offers 10% faster performance than the RTX 3060 but costs $50 more. Whether or not the 6600 XT is worth the extra cost will be determined by the individual consumer’s needs and preferences.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Founders Edition – The Most Affordable GPU
Specifications
| Graphics Coprocessor | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 |
| Brand | NVIDIA |
| Graphics Ram Size | 8 GB |
| GPU Clock Speed | 1410 MHz |
| Video Output Interface | DisplayPort |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Faster than the GeForce GTX 1080
- Impressive Founders Edition design
- Quiet operation, even under heavy load
- Axial fans effectively cool the GP106 processor
Cons
- High price compared to other options on the market
- The thermal solution may not be ideal for all users
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Founders Edition is a top-of-the-line graphics card that offers strong performance and a sleek design. It operates quietly and efficiently, thanks to its axial fans and GP106 processor. However, its high price and unconventional thermal solution may not be ideal for everyone.
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 is the successor to the popular GTX 1080 graphics card. According to Nvidia, the RTX 2070 is faster than the GTX 1080 in every game at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Our testing has confirmed this to be true.
The real question, however, is whether the RTX 2070 can justify its $600 price tag compared to other options on the market. It is more expensive than the GTX 1080 Founders Edition and AMD’s Radeon RX Vega 64, which both start at $500. Third-party RTX 2070s are expected to have a starting price in the $500 range, making them a more affordable alternative to the Founders Edition.
Radeon RX 5700 – best AMD Budget Graphics Card
Specifications
| Stream Processors | 2,304 |
| Core base clock | 1,465 MHz |
| Core boost clock | 1,725 MHz |
| Memory | 8 GB GDDR6 |
| Memory clock | 14 Gbps |
| Power connectors | 1 x 8-pin and 1 x 6-pin |
| Outputs | 1 x DisplayPort 1.4 DSC, 1 x HDMI with 4K60 support |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Faster than RTX 2060 Super
- Unique, high-quality design
- Quieter than previous AMD reference cards
Cons
- No ray tracing acceleration
- Higher power consumption
- High operating temperatures
- Protection mechanisms may interfere with certain workloads
The AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT is a high-performance graphics card designed for gaming and other demanding applications. It features AMD’s rDNA architecture and is built with high-quality materials for durability and reliability. The 5700 XT offers strong performance and is capable of running games and other graphics-intensive tasks at high frame rates and resolutions.
One of the standout features of the 5700 XT is its unique design. It has a sleek, stylish appearance that is sure to impress. The card is also built with cooling in mind, featuring a robust cooling system that helps to keep the card running cool and quiet even under heavy load.
In terms of performance, the 5700 XT offers a significant boost over its predecessor, the Radeon RX 5700. It is capable of delivering fast, smooth gameplay and is a great choice for gamers and other users who require a high-performance graphics card.
Despite its many strengths, the 5700 XT does have some drawbacks. For one, it does not support ray tracing, which is a feature that is becoming increasingly common in high-end graphics cards. Additionally, the 5700 XT has higher power consumption and operating temperatures than some competing graphics cards. These factors may be off-putting for some users, but overall the 5700 XT is a solid choice for those in need of a high-performance graphics card.
MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 2080 Super – The Budget Graphics Card Under $750
Specifications
| Model | RTX 2080 Super Gaming X TRIO |
| Interface | PCI Express 3.0 x16 |
| Chipset Manufacturer | NVIDIA |
|---|---|
| GPU | GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER |
| Boost Clock | 1845 MHz |
| CUDA Cores | 3072 |
| Effective Memory Clock | 15.5 Gbps |
| Memory | 8GB GDDR6 |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Faster than the RTX 2080 Founders Edition
- Great for 1440p and 4K gaming
- Fastest memory on a graphics card
- The game bundle includes Control and Wolfenstein: Youngblood
- Supports ray tracing and DLSS
- Beautiful Founders Edition design
- Supports multi-GPU SLI configurations
Cons
- Pricey compared to other options
- Only slightly faster than the RTX 2080
- No idle fan stop
- The power limiter complicates overclocking
- The RTX 2070 Super offers similar performance for less
- High power draw for its performance level.
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Super is a high-end graphics card designed for gaming and other demanding applications. It is based on Nvidia’s Turing architecture and features improved core count, clock speed, and memory throughput over the original RTX 2080. The RTX 2080 Super is available from Nvidia’s online store for $699, the same price as the base reference models of the original RTX 2080.
In terms of performance, the RTX 2080 Super offers a modest boost over the original RTX 2080. Nvidia claims that users can expect a 10-15% increase in performance, but actual results may vary depending on the specific workload and other factors.
The RTX 2080 Super is a strong performer, but it may be overshadowed by the more expensive RTX 2080 Ti and the similarly priced RTX 2070 Super. Whether or not the RTX 2080 Super is worth the investment will depend on the individual user’s needs and preferences.
MSI Gaming GeForce GTX 1660 Super
Specifications
| Graphics Processor | Nvidia Turing TU116 |
| GPU Base Clock | 1530 MHz |
| GPU Boost Clock | 1785 MHz |
| Graphics Memory Type | GDDR6 |
| Graphics Memory Amount | 6 GB |
| DVI Outputs | 0 |
| HDMI Outputs | 1 |
| DisplayPort Outputs | 2 |
| VirtualLink Outputs | No |
| Number of Fans | 2 |
| Card Width | double |
| Card Length | 6.83 inches |
| Board Power or TDP | 125 watts |
| Power Connector(s) | 1 8-pin |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent performance ratio for 1080p gaming
- Good overclocking potential
Cons
- Driver issues may limit performance improvements over GTX 1660
The MSI GTX 1660 Super Gaming X is a high-performance graphics card designed for gaming and other demanding applications. It is based on Nvidia’s Turing architecture and features improved core count, clock speed, and memory throughput over the original GTX 1660. The GTX 1660 Super Gaming X is available from various online retailers for a price of $269.99.
In terms of performance, the GTX 1660 Super Gaming X offers a modest boost over the original GTX 1660. It comes with a factory overclock and a more robust power delivery system, as well as the Twin Frozr 7 thermal design to keep things cool.
However, it faces stiff competition from the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT, which offers similar performance for a similar price. Whether or not the GTX 1660 Super Gaming X is worth the investment will depend on the individual user’s needs and preferences.
How to choose the Best Budget Graphics Card for You
Finding the best cheap graphics card can be a challenge, especially if you’re not sure what to look for. To make your search easier, there are a few key things to consider.
Firstly, understand that you’ll likely need to stick to 1080p or occasional dips into 1440p territory if you want good performance. Ray tracing is also difficult to achieve at this price point, so you may need to choose between ray tracing and high-quality textures and models.
Additionally, consider your system’s capabilities and honestly assess whether you need a last-gen or last-last-gen graphics card to avoid bottlenecking. By keeping these factors in mind, you can find a cheap graphics card that meets your needs.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
How long will a mid-range graphics card last?
A mid-range graphics card can be expected to last for several years, depending on how heavily it is used. Most mid-range cards can be expected to remain relevant for running the latest PC games for around three to four years before they become too obsolete for developers to support.
Can a mid-range graphics card run ray tracing?
While some mid-range graphics cards may be able to run ray tracing, it is generally difficult to achieve effective ray tracing performance at this price point. Instead, you may need to choose between ray tracing and high-quality textures and models, depending on your budget and the games you plan to play.
Are there any downsides to using a mid-range graphics card?
One potential downside of using a mid-range graphics card is that you may not be able to achieve the same level of performance as a high-end card. Additionally, mid-range cards may be more susceptible to bottlenecks if they are paired with slower components such as a slow CPU or slow RAM.
What is a mid-level graphics card?
A mid-level graphics card is the perfect balance of affordability and performance – essential for every gamer on a budget.
Is GTX 1650 a Mid-Range GPU?
Yes, the GTX 1650 is considered to be a mid-range GPU.
Is RTX 3060 a Mid-Range GPU?
Yes, the RTX 3060 is a mid-range GPU.
Conclusion
As a gamer, having a good graphics card is crucial for a smooth and immersive gaming experience. A mid-range graphics card is a good option for those who want to enjoy high-quality graphics without breaking the bank. In this guide, we have rounded up some of the best mid-range graphics cards currently available on the market.
One of the cheapest options on our list is the RX 570. This graphics card offers solid performance at a very affordable price, making it a great choice for those on a tight budget. It is also capable of running many popular games at high settings, so you can still enjoy a good gaming experience without spending too much money.
Overall, there are many good options for the best mid-range graphics card, and the right choice will depend on your budget and performance needs. The RX 570, RTX 2070, and RTX 3060 XC are some of the best choices currently available, and they offer a good balance of price and performance. Whether you are a casual gamer or a hardcore enthusiast, one of these graphics cards will surely meet your needs.
