Graphics cards are an important part of any gaming PC. In many cases, they may be THE most important piece of hardware. But what is the best video card for the money? What is the best video card for gaming? In the coming article, we will be discussing our pick for the best graphics card 2018, as well as the best overall gaming video card.
When selecting our choices for the best gaming GPU, there were many different factors to consider. How low-profile is the card in question, how well does it perform when paired with intense gaming experiences? Does the card generate large amounts of heat, and does it require a larger power source? All of these are factors that will be discussed in greater detail in our buyer’s guide. For more information, keep reading the article below.
Buyer’s Guide:
There are many factors to keep in mind when purchasing a new gaming GPU. Is it the best gaming video card overall? Is it the best value graphics card? These factors, paired with things like power consumption, longevity, compatibility, and overall performance, are the most crucial things to keep in mind when selecting a new video card. Additionally, card manufacturers will often release multiple iterations of a given graphics card, which can make understanding which version of the same card is the best overall. Don’t worry, though: We’ll set you straight with each of our picks listed below. Each entry is paired with a detailed description that includes all of these crucial factors, which will make your buying experience both pleasant and expedient.
Keep your eye for things like clock speed and heat dispersion, as well as what hardware generation the card is compatible with. Additionally, for some PCs, it is important to note how much power a given card requires to function optimally. Make sure you have a comprehensive understanding of your own rig, as well as what it is capable of, before making a concrete decision in regards to the cards below.
Without further delay, let’s get started!
Zotac GeForce GTX 1050 TI
The Zotac GeForce GTX 1050 TI is a great option for those looking for a lowkey graphics card. It excels everywhere an option in the space should. The card takes up very little real estate, is visually appealing, has admirable performance, and can hold up well over long periods of time. Additionally, the card features very little heat output, which results in less overall strain on your rig. All-in-all, it’s a wonderful option for a gaming PC.
A member of the ‘Ti’ family of graphics cards, the Zotac GeForce 1050 TI is a more powerful version of the pre-existing 1050 model. This distinction only translates to an increase in power, and the card is otherwise identical. The power increase is substantial, however, and when paired with the stellar power efficiency options, makes the card a wonderful option for anyone looking for an upgrade. It comes highly recommended.
Check Latest PriceGigabyte GTX 1050
The Gigabyte GTX 1050 is a great choice for gamers. Designed to be paired with modern video games, this option from Gigabyte delivers admirable performance in just about every aspect of its operation. In addition to its wonderful feature-set, which includes everything from enhanced in-game physics to photography options, the card handles temperature monitoring on its own, which translates to a significantly more stress-free experience for you. If you plan on playing a lot of games, and if you plan on playing those games for extended periods of time, you will find the Gigabyte GTX 1050 to be an excellent choice.
This model of 1050 is also designed to work well with other media programs, like music creation software and video editing tools. These factors work in the cards favor, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to use their gaming rig professionally as well. Streaming will also be an easy task with the card, which can enhance the social-networking capabilities of your PC. Overall, it’s a great all-around graphics card solution, and it is a very easy recommendation.
Check Latest PriceZOTAC GT 710
This model of graphics card will be wonderful for anyone looking for a more professional option. The card intentionally lacks features like RGB to create a more palatable look, one that can be used in office scenarios and more plain personal spaces. This fact means that if you’re a professional who needs to be able to use a powerful graphics card without affecting the professional look of your work environment, the ZOTAC GT will be a great fit.
In addition to these factors, the ZOTAC also takes up an impressively small amount of space. Able to fit into a space that is less than half of the competition, this option can be fantastic for those operating with smaller PC cases. In addition, the card also makes significantly less noise, as the internal fan hardware is significantly reduced. While these factors do mean it’s one of the least powerful cards on this list, that doesn’t mean it can’t hold its own in the long run. Give it a go if all these factors sound appealing to you.
Check Latest PriceMSI ATI Radeon
Another great choice, the MSI ATI Radeon can be a great fit for just about any rig. Yet another choice specialized for gamers, the MSI ATI Radeon will function well in rigs that feature an assortment of other gamer-centric hardware. The hardware has compatibility and extra features with other pieces of technology from the same manufacturer, so if you’re already working with a rig decked out with MSI hardware, this may be an easy choice. Additionally, this card can very easily play the fast majority of popular games at high resolutions, and at smooth framerates as well. If you find yourself longing for a more visually impressive gaming experience, but don’t want an excessively large card, this option from MSI may just steal the show for you.
In addition to the other factors mention, this card has lots of in-card cooling solutions. So if your PC is lacking in fans and liquid-cooling solutions, this piece may have an enhanced value proposition. Give it careful consideration if these features sound appealing to you.
Check Latest PriceMSI Gaming GeForce GTX 1050 TI
This is another more powerful piece of hardware, and as such, you should definitely give a close look if you consider yourself a gamer. Another more powerful version of the massively popular GTX 1050 hardware, this option from MSI brings a lot of power to the table. In addition to its effectiveness in video games, this card will also make itself useful when using other intensive pieces of software, like 4K video and video editing platforms. Additionally, the card features noise reduction technology, which means you won’t need to worry about excessive noise from fans or coils. These are some seriously sought after features, and it only makes this option more impressive.
This MSI card is one of the best options on the list for hardcore gamers. If you plan on playing a lot of video games, and you plan on playing them for an extended period of time, this option will easily distinguish itself. It gets a hearty recommendation from us.
Check Latest PriceXRX RX 550 4GB
The XRX RX 550 is another standout option in the low-profile graphics card space. Striking an excellent balance between performance and efficiency, this card is a great all-around option for those just getting into customizing gaming PCs. If you aren’t interested in overclocking, and you don’t want to be using your PC for extremely powerful video games, this card will fit like a glove. While the card is able to play some powerful games, its real selling point comes from its excellent performance in professional environments. If you find yourself doing large amounts of graphic design or editing work, this cards efficiency options will be a dream come true for you and your practice. Additionally, the card also features many of the more popular power saving options found in other entries on this list, which means it is by no measure slacking in its feature set. Try it out if these features sound appealing to you.
Check Latest PriceZOTAC GeForce GT 1030 2GB
The ZOTAC GeForce GT 1030 excels in a lot of ways. A very compact and powerful card, it can get you where you need to go in terms of performance with very little hassle. Don’t let its small size, if when compared to the other compact entries on this list, fool you: This card can compete with even the most impressive options listed thus far. In short, if you want a small graphics card that can still bring the goods, you’ve come to the right place: The ZOTAC GeForce GT 1030 has you covered.
Check Latest PricePNY Nvidia GT 710
This option for PNY is another great fit for gamers. Featuring a ton of great options if you’re into indie games and MOBAs, this card is by no means a slouch, even with its relatively modest specifications. It can be a fantastic choice for anyone who only wants to do some light gaming every now and then, and isn’t necessarily concerned with needing to play every big-name title that gets released. Additionally, this can be a good option for students who want a great video game solution for small spaces.
Check Latest PriceEVGA GeForce 1030 SC 2GB
The EVGA GeForce 1030 SC is a great option for those looking for an all-around GPU solution. Containing a modest amount of RAM but a surprising amount of performance, the card will deliver so long as you plan on using it in tandem with the appropriate software. While the card won’t be able to play the newest triple-A software at the highest settings, it will allow you to enjoy them at some more modest specifications. Another excellent choice for beginners or casual gamers.
Check Latest PriceGigabyte 2GB RAM Video Card
Our final option, the Gigabyte 2GBN RAM Video Card is yet another fantastic choice. This card is compatible with a laundry list of PCs, and as such, can be a great fit if you find yourself working with older or uncommon pieces of hardware. In spite of its size and relatively modest specifications, it can bring some excellent performance in terms of its overall benchmarks and visual fidelity capacity. It comes highly recommended.
Check Latest PriceConclusion
Nearly every option on this list is a potentially great choice for someone. Make sure you know the model that most appeals to you is compatible with the rest of your rig, and then have fun gaming!
