Best GPU for the Money 2019

Best GPU for the Money 2019

In the 21st century, we’ve witnessed the meteoric rise of 3D graphics and the advent of augmented and virtual reality. The once mighty 720p resolution is all but forgotten and 1080p is holding on to the end of the rope, as 2K and 4K slowly become the new standards of gaming.

To keep up with the industry and the ever-more demanding games, PC gamers need GPUs that can rise up to the challenge and deliver the needed pixels and refresh rates. Read on to find out what’s the best GPU for the money 2019.

Comparison Chart

Best GPU for the Money 2019 Reviews

EVGA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti SC

Made by the EVGA Corporation, this GPU is based on the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti model introduced back in October 2016. The EVGA version sports Nvidia’s latest Pascal architecture.

The GTX1050 Ti SC is one of the four GTX1050 models in EVGA’s lineup. The “SC” designation stands for “Superclocked.” The other models are the standard GTX1050 Ti, Ti SSC, and Ti FTW DT.

Review

The EVGA GTX 1050 Ti SC starts off with 4,096MB of 128-bit GDDR5 memory which is more than enough for a pleasant HD experience even with the latest next-gen titles. The effective frequency of the memory is 7,008MHz and the bandwidth is 112.16.GB/s.

As for the performance, the GPU offers respectable 768-pixel pipelines and 65GT/s texture fill rate. The base clock speed is 1,354MHz while the boost speed is 1,468MHz.

Like the rest of the series, this mighty 1050 uses the PCIe 3.0 interface. It connects to monitors via DVI-D, HDMI, and display port; you can have a maximum of 3 monitors connected it at any given time. The max refresh rate is 240Hz and supported resolution is 7680 x 4320 pixels.

This GPU is compatible with Windows 7, 8, and 10 in 32 or 64-bit. In order to run this beast properly, you will need at least a 300W PSU. However, having a more powerful power supply is recommended, as the GTX1050 Ti SC consumes around 75W on its own.

Besides the basic GTX 1050 Ti, the SC is the only other member of the series that has a single cooling fan. The other cool features include support for Microsoft DirectX 12 API, NVIDIA Ansel, and Open GL 4.6. It also supports simultaneous multi-projection, Vulkan API, NVIDIA GPU Boost 3.0, and NVIDIA G-SYNC ready.

PROS

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    4GB GDDR5
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    Pascal architecture
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    4K resolution support
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    PCIe 3.0 interface

CONS

  • Might be underpowered for top-class rigs

MSI Radeon RX 580 Armor 8G OC

The Radeon RX580 came out in April 2017 as a replacement for AMD’s previous bestseller – the RX480. Compared to its predecessor, the most important upgrade in the RZ580 is a significant boost in clock speed.

At the time of this writing, the RX580 sit at the top of the RX range, superseded only by the top AMD Vega GPUs. That being said, with its ample power, dual fans, and wide range of advanced features, the MSI Radeon RX580 Armor 8G OC is considered an enthusiast-level graphics card.

Review

MSI’s RX580 Armor 8G OC features the widely used GDDR5 memory. There’s 8,192MB of it with an effective clock speed of 8,000MHz. The memory bus is 256-bit wide. With its sheer power and speed, the Armor 8G is more than capable of running modern titles in 4K resolution without losing its breath.

With 2,304 Polaris 20 XTX cores at 1,366MHz, the performance is no less impressive. The GPU’s interface is PCIe x16.

The RX580 offers a wide range of outputs, including two display ports, two HDMI, and a single DL-DVI-D. The GPU can support up to four monitors at once.

Compatibility won’t be an issue with the RX580 Armor, as it supports all the major operating systems. That being said, the Armor 8G OC is a hungry beast that requires 185W of power. It is recommended to pair it with a 500W PSU.

The GPU has two PORX fans: a dispersion blade and a traditional blade. The Zero Frozr system stops the fans when the workload is low. The GPU is VR-ready and supports DirectX 12 and multi-GPU setups.

PROS

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    8GB GDDR5 memory
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    High quality Armor cooling system
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    Military Class 4 components
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    256-bit memory bus

CONS

  • Might be too expensive for some gamers

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1050

As you might guess, the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1050 is based on NVidia’s highly acclaimed GTX 1050 GPU. Besides various configurations of the GTX 1050, Gigabyte’s NVidia series covers the GTX 1030, 1060, 1070, and 1080, all of which are based on the Pascal architecture.

While technically considered an intermediate-class GPU, the relentless march of technology pushes the GTX 1050 closer and closer to the entry level. That being said, this dual-fanned GPU offers great bang for the buck and is powerful enough to give newer models a run for their money.

Review

The economical Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1050 comes with 2GB of GDDR5 memory at a decent 7,008GHz.

The 1050’s core runs at 1,404MHz in OC mode and 1,379MHz in Gaming mode. The boost speeds go up to 1,518MHz and 1,493MHz respectively. The GPU has 640 CUDA cores and a 128-bit memory bus. The card interface is PCIe 3.0 x16.

As for the outputs, the GTX 1050 offers one each of HDMI 2.0, Dual-link DVI-D, and DisplayPort 1.4. The HDMI port supports a maximum resolution of 4096 x 2160 pixels at 60Hz refresh rate, while the DisplayPort supports 7680 x 4320 pixels at 60Hz.

The GTX 1050 is equipped with dual fans that are custom-designed for this particular card with an emphasis on silent and smooth operation. They feature the Windforce cooling system and measure 80mm in diameter.

The various GTX 1050 models support the most popular operating systems, including 64-bit versions of Windows 7, 8, and 10. Additional features include Microsoft DirectX 12, GeForce Experience, NVidia G-Sync, and NVidia GameWorks.

PROS

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    Affordable
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    Great price/performance ratio
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    Dual cooling fans
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    Supports 4K

CONS

  • Not recommended for high-end gaming rigs
  • Supports up to two displays

Conclusion

The search for the best GPU for the money takes a lot of knowledge and experience. If you’re starting out and have a moderately powerful rig, then the Gigabyte GeForce GTX1050 might be your best call. It offers 2GB of GDDR5 memory and a top clock speed of 1,518MHz. The dual–fan cooling system and affordable price are among its strengths, as well.

If, on the other hand, nothing but the smoothest performance will satisfy you, then you might want to take a look at the MSI RX580 Armor 8G OC. This mighty little GPU offers 8GB of GDDR5 memory, 2,034 cores, and the ability to connect up to four monitors at once. Also, it is VR-ready.

Finally, if your gaming PC is somewhere in the middle and you’re not hell-bent on having 60fps at 4K, you might want to give the EVGA GTX 1050Ti SC a look. It boasts 4GBs of GDDR5 memory, advanced connection options, and the innovative Pascal architecture.

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