Choosing a new graphics card can be challenging, especially when you’re on a budget. However, there are several excellent budget graphics card options in 2022 that can handle 1080p gaming and general use very well without breaking the bank. In this in-depth guide, I’ll compare the top budget graphics cards under £200 available right now and help you pick the best one for your needs and budget.
What to Look for in a Budget Graphics Card
When choosing a budget graphics card under £200, here are the key factors to consider:
Performance
The most important specification is overall performance and frame rates in games. You want a card powerful enough to handle most modern games at 1080p resolution with decent settings. The latest budget cards can easily achieve 60fps+ in eSports titles and 30-60fps in more demanding AAA games.
Video Memory
Look for cards with at least 4GB of video memory. 6GB is ideal for future proofing and handling texture-heavy games. More VRAM helps deliver smooth gameplay at higher resolutions and graphics settings.
Cooling Design
A good cooling system with large fans keeps the card running fast and quiet. Dual and triple fan designs are ideal for budget cards which can run hot when gaming.
Connectivity
Ensure the card has the outputs you need. Most budget cards offer HDMI and DisplayPort. DL-DVI ports are sometimes included too.
Power Requirements
Make sure your power supply can deliver adequate wattage for the card. Budget cards tend to use between 75W – 150W under load. Aim for a quality 500W+ PSU.
Size
Measure the space inside your case if needed. Budget cards tend to be around 8.5-9 inches long. Low profile and single slot options are also available.
Best Budget Graphics Cards Under £200
Based on the above criteria, below are my top recommendations for budget graphics cards under £200:
AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT
The RX 6500 XT is AMD’s latest entry-level gaming GPU. It’s built on the efficient RDNA 2 architecture and offers excellent 1080p performance close to the last-gen RX 5500 XT. The RX 6500 XT handles eSports titles like Fortnite and Valorant at over 100fps and can run heavier games like God of War and Cyberpunk 2077 at 50-60fps on medium settings.
With 4GB of GDDR6 memory and a compact size, the RX 6500 XT is a great choice forbudget gaming systems. The main downsides are the lack of ray tracing support and limited VRAM. However, at around £180, it’s currently the fastest sub-£200 card available.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650
The GTX 1650 remains a solid budget choice in 2022 thanks to its capable 1080p gaming performance and efficient power draw. It’s around 15-20% slower than the RX 6500 XT but also cheaper at around £150. Most GTX 1650 models also don’t require PCIe power connectors, making them great for upgrading pre-built PCs.
With 4GB of GDDR5 memory, the GTX 1650 can run eSports titles above 60fps and handle AAA games at 30-60fps on medium settings. The lack of ray tracing hurts it in the latest games but it’s still a very capable 1080p card for the price.
AMD Radeon RX 6400
For under £150, the RX 6400 is currently AMD’s cheapest gaming graphics card. It’s built on the power efficient RDNA 2 architecture and performs around 10% faster than the old RX 550. The RX 6400 is able to handle eSports gaming at 60+ fps and can run most modern AAA titles around 30-45fps on lower settings.
The big caveat is the tiny 2GB frame buffer. This severely limits performance in texture heavy games. Still, for casual 1080p gaming on a strict budget, the RX 6400 gets the job done. Just don’t expect to play intensive titles at high settings.
Nvidia GeForce GT 1030
If you just need very light gaming performance and video outputs, the GT 1030 remains a popular choice. It’s not suitable for modern AAA gaming but can handle older titles, indie games, and eSports titles like League of Legends around 60fps. The extremely low power draw (30-35W) makes it great for upgrading basic office PCs.
The GDDR5 version is slightly faster than the DDR4 model. But both pack 2GB of memory, which is very limiting. Still, for under £100, the GT 1030 is the cheapest current-gen gaming GPU available. Just keep your performance expectations very low.
Bottom Line
When buying a budget graphics card under £200, the AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT currently provides the best balance of 1080p gaming performance and value. It outperforms other entry-level cards like the GTX 1650 and RX 6400. Just be aware of the limitations of its 4GB VRAM.
Alternatively, the GTX 1650 remains a reliable 1080p gaming card under £150 that works well in pre-built systems. And for lightweight gaming duties, the RX 6400 and GT 1030 deliver usable performance on a tight budget. Overall, there are solid options for every budget to suit different needs.
