Nothing can beat the joy of purchasing a new graphics card for your PC, especially if you badly need one. Some people buy a new GPU because their current graphics card is already outdated and can't keep up with the game's high requirements.
However, your preference must be worth your money. With just enough budget, you can still choose a better GPU and not settle for less-quality builds.
Nvidia GeForce GT 1030: The Outdated Underperformer
Let's start with the Nvidia GeForce GT 1030, which hit the market in 2017. Think of it as an old car struggling to keep up with today's fast-paced traffic. With just 384 cores, a meager 2 GB of memory, and a top clock speed of 1468 MHz, it simply can't match the performance of modern integrated graphics solutions from Intel and AMD.
It ranks at the bottom of the list according to Tom's Hardware GPU Benchmarks Hierarchy. If you're looking for an entry-level graphics card under $100, the AMD Radeon RX 580 is a far superior option.
AMD Radeon RX 550 4 GB: Disappointing Performance for the Price
Now let's talk about the AMD Radeon RX 550 4 GB. This graphics card might seem slightly better on paper than the Nvidia GeForce GT 1030, but it still falls short in performance and value for money.
Imagine it as a product that promises a lot but fails to deliver when put to the test. Despite having a lower clock speed of 1183 MHz, it compensates with double the memory (4GB) and higher bandwidth. However, its performance per dollar doesn't live up to expectations. Even though it's priced around $90 on Amazon, you're better off investing in the superior RX 580, available at a similar price.
Nvidia GTX 1050: Overpriced and Underwhelming
Next is the Nvidia GTX 1050, a graphics card that once had its moment in the sun but is now struggling to keep up with the competition. Featuring just 640 cores, a mere 2GB of GDDR5 memory, and a boost clock of 1455 MHz, the GTX 1050 is overpriced for the performance it offers.
While it may have been a mid-range model in its heyday, it's not a wise choice for building a new PC today. For a decent GPU in the $200 range, we suggest considering the AMD Radeon RX 6600, which offers significantly better performance.
Related Article: Tips on How to Successfully Buy Graphics Card
AMD Radeon RX 6400: Limited Potential, Better Alternatives
Meanwhile, there's an AMD Radeon RX 6400, a last-gen graphics card released in early 2022. While it may seem promising, better options are available within a similar price range. With a score of just 15.9% on the Benchmarks Hierarchy, the RX 6400 falls behind its competitors.
Its 4 GB of GDDR6 memory, 768 shading units, and maximum clock of 2.3 GHz are decent for a budget GPU, but its narrow 64-bit memory bus and limited VRAM hold it back. Instead, consider investing more and opting for the vastly improved RX 6600, which provides better value for your money.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650: Cheap But Still Don't Buy
Nvidia's newer graphics cards have already established branding in the business by simply amplifying the players' gaming experience.
The GeForce GTX 1650, for instance, does not fall in this category. It's simply mediocre, with just 4GB of GDDR5 memory and 896 shading units. It's fine if it can handle your games, but there are more ideal alternatives than this one.
Nvidia RTX 3050 is a better pick to consider than it. While it's quite more expensive at $220, it does not stray away from GTX 1650's price range of $160 to $240.
