If you are an enthusiastic PC, you know that having a powerful graphics card is essential for smooth and high-quality gaming performance. However, with so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right graphics card for your needs and budget. That’s where we come in. In this review guide, we will be revealing to you our top 3 picks for the best graphics cards under $500, taking into consideration factors such as performance, value for money, and buyer reviews.
Best Graphics Cards under $500 Review
-
PNY GeForce RTX 3060 Ti XLR8
Our top pick for the best graphics card under $500 is the PNY GeForce RTX 3060 Ti XLR8. What’s impressive about this graphics card is that it has the NVIDIA Ampere architecture. Moreover, it features the GeForce RTX 30 Series GPUs with a 1410 MHz core clock and 1665 MHz boost clock speeds. In addition, it has 8GB of GDDR6 memory with up to 448 Gbps of memory bandwidth for faster gaming efficiency.
In terms of build quality, the PNY GeForce RTX 3060 appears to be well-made and should hold up well over time. It even has a dual-fan cooler to help dissipate heat, which further helps in keeping the GPU running at a stable temperature.
Overall, the PNY GeForce RTX 3060 Ti XLR8 is a solid choice for those looking for a mid-range graphics card that can handle most modern games at high settings. It has good performance and is relatively affordable compared to other options in its class.
The only downside of the PNY GeForce RTX 3060 is that it may not be as powerful as some of the other graphics cards in the RTX 30 series, such as the RTX 3070 or RTX 3080. However, it is still very much capable of delivering good performance for most PC games.
Pros:
- Super easy to install
- Power efficient
- Low fan noise
- Doesn’t run hot even during extensive gaming
Cons:
- Finding the software for RGB is hectic
-
EVGA GeForce RTX 2060 12GB XC
At number 2 on our list, we have the EVGA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card. Released in 2022, this graphics card is a top choice for gamers who are on the quest for a high-performance graphics card.
Based on the NVIDIA Turing architecture, EVGA GeForce RTX 2060 is particularly designed for gaming and professional use. For enhanced performance, the graphics card features 12GB of GDDR6 memory along with a GPU clock speed of 1680 MHz.
In addition, the graphics card boasts real-time RAY TRACING in games to offer hyper-realistic graphics. So in terms of performance, the EVGA GeForce RTX 2060 is capable of running most modern games at high settings and up to 1080p and 1440p resolutions.
There are also dual fans that offer higher-performance cooling for much quieter acoustic noise.
Pros:
- Extremely powerful performance
- Significantly improves the gaming experience
- No overheating issues
- Impressive build
Cons:
- A little louder
-
ASUS ROG Strix AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT
Our last pick for the best graphics card under $500 is the ASUS ROG Strix AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT and there is no way this graphics card is less than the other two.
With an impressive memory speed of 16 Gbps and a max digital resolution of 7680 x 4320, the ASUS Radeon RX 6600 is a beast that is capable to run almost any game on your PC.
The graphics card is smartly designed to be power efficient. It features an axial-tech fan design along with a fan hub to help longer blades and a barrier ring for increased downward air pressure. Moreover, it features dual ball fan bearings that are more reliable than sleeve bearing designs.
Another good thing about ASUS Radeon RX 6600 is that it uses auto-extreme technology for automation to boost reliability and performance.
Pros:
- Stellar performance
- No FPS drops or micro-stuttering
- Doesn’t get hot
- A breeze to install
Cons:
- A little pricey
Buying Guide
- Performance:
The first thing you need to consider is the performance of the graphics card and whether it will meet your needs. For instance, if you want to play the latest games at high settings, you will need a more powerful graphics card.
- Memory:
Consider the amount of memory (VRAM) on the graphics card. More VRAM can be helpful for high-resolution displays and for running resource-intensive PC games.
- Compatibility:
While buying a graphics card make sure that it is compatible with your computer’s power supply and motherboard.
- Cooling:
If you are planning on overclocking the graphics card or using it for long periods of time, make sure it has a good cooling system to prevent overheating.
- Brand:
Always consider the brand of the graphics card and whether it has a good reputation for quality and support.
- Price:
Finally, consider the price of the graphics card and whether it offers good value for your money.
