10 Best Cheapest 4K Graphics Cards for Gaming PC (Tested) 2023

If you are looking for a gaming PC, the graphics card is one of the most important components. Here are 10 of the cheapest 4K graphics cards available. All of these cards will give you great performance for 4K gaming. Which one is right for you? That depends on your budget and your system requirements.

As technology advances, so does the need for more powerful hardware to keep up. One of the most important pieces of hardware when it comes to gaming is the graphics card.

Not all graphics cards are created equal, however, and some are much better suited for gaming than others. 

So if you’re looking to build a new gaming PC or upgrade your old one, then check out these 10 cheapest 4K graphics cards that will deliver a great performance! Read on to learn more about each card and find the best one for you.

10 Cheapest 4K Graphics Cards for Gaming PC

DesignGraphics CardsRetailer
1. MSI Gaming GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
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Best Pick2. EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
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3. ZOTAC Gaming GeForce GTX 1080
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4. Nvidia GEFORCE GTX 1080 Ti
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5. ASUS GeForce GTX 1080 TI
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6. MSI Radeon RX 6600 XT
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7. SAPPHIRE NITRO+ Radeon RX 470
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Budget Pick8. ASUS ROG-STRIX-RX580-O8G-GAMING
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Staff Pick9. EVGA GeForce GTX 1060
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10. PowerColor Radeon RX 560 
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1. MSI Gaming GeForce GTX 1080 Ti

If you have a hefty budget then look no further because the MSI Gaming GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB GDRR5X Graphics Card is just what you’re looking for to take your gaming PCs performance up to the next level.

This one comes equipped with NVIDIA’s flagship gaming GPU; The GTX 1080 Ti. Nvidia claims that this monster card is faster than its predecessor by 35%! 

If you are looking for something that’s not only VR-Capable but VR ready then look no further because this beast comes with all the bells and whistles. This card features NVIDIA Ansel which allows you to capture 360-degree in-game screenshots, even in 4K! 

This graphics card even supports DirectX 12! This is great news for those of you who prefer Microsoft’s gaming platform. It also ensures that your games will run as smoothly as possible and it’ll take care of all the graphical needs for any upcoming games. 

If you are looking to build a 4K gaming PC then this is one of the cheapest 4K graphics cards you should consider.

This card is a great choice for any high-end gaming setup and comes with a 3 Year Warranty, if that’s not enough to convince you then maybe its ultra-high 11GB frame buffer will. Which means larger textures, higher rendering resolutions, and more!

This card remains cool and quiet no matter what you throw at it thanks to MSI’s Twin Frozr technology. 

This card also has GameFast technology which should allow you to experience smooth gameplay free of any stuttering or lagging. For those of you who want the best graphics available without spending an arm and a leg, this is one of your best options!

With its three-year warranty, high-end performance, and included game bundle you really can’t go wrong with the MSI Gaming GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB GDRR5X.

Pros

  • DirectX 12 Ready VR 
  • Ready NVIDIA Ansel technology 
  • Great cooling High performance

Cons

  • Only 3 display outputs Expensive

2. EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti

Best Pick

If you are looking for a graphics card that’s been built from the ground up to deliver smooth 4K gameplay without slowing down or lagging, then take a look at the EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti SC2. This card features a massive 11GB frame buffer and 11Gbps memory which helps avoid stuttering and tearing. 

It also comes with NVIDIA Ansel technology, enabling you to take 360-degree screenshots in your games! Similar to MSI’s gaming series Maxwell-based gaming cards.

The Nvidia Pascal architecture brings significant improvements to performance as well as power efficiency so this is an upgrade worth considering if you already have a high-end PC setup. 

With gamers in mind, this card has been crafted to allow you to game faster, the game long, and the game strong! With gamers in mind, this card has been crafted to allow you to game faster, the game long, and the game strong!

This card features EVGA’s iCX technology which allows for constant monitoring of temperatures, voltages, and speeds. Allowing you to feel confident knowing that your PC is safe whilst remaining cool! 

The GeForce GTX 1080 Ti also brings smoother gameplay to virtual reality. This is thanks to the VR Ready technology that this card utilizes. This graphics card features a single HDMI 2.0b and 3 DisplayPort 1.4 to ensure that you can enjoy 4K gameplay on your large monitor or TV! 

This graphics card is built on the 16nm FinFET process, which means it’s one of the most power-efficient cards available right now. It also features Dual-FET power supplies, a 7+1 phase power supply, further improving its efficiency.

It also offers incredible performance over previous-generation GPUs like the GTX 980 Ti. All this mixed with EVGA’s Precision XOC software makes for some great value that won’t break your bank account! 

With all these amazing features you’d be forgiven for thinking this card was expensive, but the EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti SC2 is one of the cheapest 4K graphics cards you can buy right now!

Pros

  • 16nm FinFET process 
  • Dual-FET power supply 7+1 phase power supply
  • Lower temperatures and higher clock speeds 
  • More efficient than previous generation GPUs 
  • Universal viewing angle for multiple monitor setups

Cons

  • This GPU does not come with a backplate High price point

3. ZOTAC Gaming GeForce GTX 1080

If you are on a tight budget then you might want to consider this ZOTAC Gaming GeForce GTX 1080 which offers great value for money. This card comes equipped with Nvidia’s Pascal architecture which allows for high clock speeds, increased efficiency, and lower power requirements compared to previous-generation cards. 

This card is also VR-ready, meaning that you can enjoy a smooth and immersive virtual reality experience. It’s also got next-generation display capabilities, allowing you to play games in 4K resolution. But this graphics card isn’t only suited for the latest games, it’ll still give you an amazing gaming experience with older titles too! 

It comes fully equipped with 8GB GDDR5X video memory so whether you are playing big or small titles this card will be able to handle it all whilst leaving enough power in reserve for highly intensive moments within your game.

This ZOTAC graphics card features a single HDMI 2.0b port and 3 DisplayPort 1.4 ports which gives you more than enough options to plug into multiple monitors simultaneously while maintaining a good level of graphical performance. 

Additionally, it is also surprisingly quiet in comparison to most high-end graphics cards, with the fans only spinning up when it needs to and then immediately slowing down or stopping altogether when not needed!

This is achieved through ZOTAC’s FireStorm which allows for real-time monitoring and adjustment of your graphics cards functions such as clock speed and fan speed! 

It also comes equipped with ZOTAC’s IceStorm cooling technology which ensures that this graphics card will remain cool even when you are pushing it to the limit!

Being one of the cheapest 4K graphics cards available right now doesn’t mean that this card has skimped on performance either, you’ll be able to push your games to ultra settings and still maintain a smooth 60fps at 1080p or 2160p (4k)! 

This dual-fan cooler is great because it offers excellent heat dissipation while remaining relatively quiet during operation. This means that if you’re looking for a cheap 4K graphics card then this could be just what you’re looking for!

Pros

  • Affordable price point 
  • Great overclocking potential 
  • Nvidia Pascal architecture

Cons

  • Lengthy warranty process 
  • Poor cooling at idle speeds

4. Nvidia GEFORCE GTX 1080 Ti

Another great 4K graphics card is the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti FE. This card provides you with all the power you would expect from an NVIDIA flagship graphics card and it might even be good enough to last you a few years! 

This GPU contains 11GB of GDDR5X memory which allows for high levels of performance when gaming at UHD resolutions, especially when paired with a compatible G-Sync monitor.

It also has 3584 CUDA cores and comes equipped with 3x DisplayPort 1.4 and 1x HDMI 2.0b ports which offer plenty of options to connect your display devices without any bottleneck in graphical performance. 

Geforce GTX 1080 Ti is also VR Ready, meaning that it can handle any virtual reality experience you throw at it. It’s also got support for next-generation G-Sync HDR monitors which show off your games in an awesome new high dynamic range! 

It’ll run cool and quiet even when you’re maxing out your games settings thanks to the card’s advanced cooling design and low power requirements.

When not gaming this card will be able to continue operating while barely emitting a sound, making it perfect if you want graphics cards that won’t distract from your gaming or movie watching experience!

Pros

  • Unparalleled 4K performance 
  • Supports next-gen G-Sync HDR monitors 
  • Quiet operation at idle speeds

Cons

  • No SLI support

5. ASUS GeForce GTX 1080 TI

Another great 4K graphics card is the ASUS GeForce GTX 1080 TI 11GB Turbo Edition. This card uses a lot of the same technology as its predecessor, but takes things a little further with a large overclock out of the box and an all-new cooling design! 

This GPU has 11GB GDDR5X memory which makes it ready to handle 4K resolution gaming without sacrificing performance or visual fidelity. It also comes equipped with 3584 CUDA cores and includes 3x DisplayPort 1.4 and 1x HDMI 2.0b outputs for flexible connectivity options.  

It’s also got support for Nvidia G-Sync and next-generation gaming displays which take advantage of NVIDIA HDR technology, offering crisp contrast and vibrant colors at high resolutions. 

In terms of cooling, this graphics card features a high-performance cooler design to keep it running cool and quiet even when you’re pushing your games to the limits! This GPU is completely custom and contains a large heatsink and fan which keep it running cool even when under heavy loads. 

The included all-metal backplate is designed to reduce vibrations caused by high-speed fans, preventing any screen tearing issues while also protecting your graphics card from long-term wear and tear.

This GTX 1080 Ti also has a really neat feature called ASUS Aura Sync which allows you to customize the LED lighting on your graphics card so it matches the rest of your components! 

The DIGI+ VRM controller on this GPU is great because it ensures stable power while eliminating digital noise, meaning that you’ll get reduced interference while playing games or listening to music.

The Turbo fans also keep things nice and quiet even while running at high speeds without any form of disconnection during playtime!

Pros

  • Great overclocking potential 
  • Rapid cooling performance 
  • Customizable LED’s for fun aesthetics

Cons

  • Heatsink not included (must be purchased separately) 

6. MSI Radeon RX 6600 XT

If you’re looking for a cheap 4K gaming graphics card and don’t want to settle for anything less than the best, then look no further than the MSI Radeon RX 6600 XT MECH 2X OCv2!

This is one of the most powerful graphics cards on this list and it’s designed specifically to support 4K gameplay at high frame rates.  

It’s got all the bells and whistles which you’d expect from an AMD flagship GPU such as DirectX 12 support, 1440p performance in both 60FPS & 120FPS+ framerates, augmented reality rendering capabilities, and much more!   

This GPU is designed with overclocking in mind, which means that you can tweak it to work at peak performance while ensuring that you’re getting the highest possible fidelity from your games.

It also supports multi-GPU configurations so if you want to build a powerful 4K gaming rig without breaking the bank this could be an option worth considering! 

Despite being relatively affordable, this RX 6600 XT doesn’t skimp on quality or aesthetics either. It’s got a solid metal backplate that protects your graphics card PCB against damage and it also provides additional weight which helps reduce vibrations caused by high-speed fans.

This GPU is one of the best-looking cheap 4K graphics cards available right now thanks to its sleek black finish and awesome LED lighting features which you can customize to match the rest of your PC gaming setup.

With its 2x 90mm TORX fans with exclusive Zero Frozr technology, this graphics card keeps things running nice and cool. The latest AMD Radeon Chill feature reduces the GPU’s power consumption while also keeping your system cooler during long gaming sessions.

The MSI Afterburner LED control on this graphics card is convenient because it allows you to change the LED lighting based on the temperature of your card or even allow it to breathe while under light load! 

When you’re not gaming, this RX 6600 XT will keep operating at ultra-low noise levels which means no more distractions or annoyances while listening to music or watching movies. 

Pros

  • Low noise operation when idle 
  • Great for 1080p & 1440p gaming 
  • Powerful 4K performance

Cons

  • No backplate included (must be purchased separately) 

7. SAPPHIRE NITRO+ Radeon RX 470

This brand new RX 470 4GB card from Sapphire is aimed squarely at the 1080p market, so if you’re after a reasonably priced entry-level graphics card that can handle 4K then you should probably look elsewhere.

This GPU is equipped with 2x 90mm dual ball-bearing fans that work together to reduce noise levels while also keeping your operating temperatures nice and cool. 

The Nitro+ RX 470 has a black backplate and an all-metal shroud and cooler, giving this graphics card a very premium feel which you don’t normally get at this price point.

This advanced cooling system also includes dual BIOS technology which allows you to switch between UEFI & Legacy modes by pressing the button on the top of your GPU. 

It is really useful as it means that if something goes wrong with your UEFI mode then you can always fall back to the standard legacy BIOS mode. It’s also worth mentioning that this RX 470 comes factory overclocked, so you can expect higher performance levels than reference models right out of the box!

It’s got an upgraded black diamond choke which provides more power stability than regular models, ensuring fewer crashes during gameplay.

The NITRO+ RX 470 also has Super Alloy Power II technology which uses premium alloy chokes (to improve power & reduce buzzing), high-quality capacitors (to increase lifespan), and a 10-phase PCB design to provide maximum power efficiency.

With support for AMD FreeSync, this card is great for smoother gameplay with no screen tearing or stuttering! It’s got dual HDMI ports as well as DVI & DisplayPort so you can plug it into any modern monitor without having to worry about compatibility issues. 

The biggest downside here is that there isn’t much overclocking potential and if you want to squeeze the most out of this GPU you’ll probably need some third-party software. That said, the Saphire NITRO+ RX 470 is one of the best-looking 4K graphics cards for 1080p gaming right now and it’s perfect if you’re not planning on overclocking your GPU or pushing resolutions beyond 1440p.

Pros

  • 1080p – 1440p gaming 
  • AMD FreeSync technology 
  • Customizable LED lighting options 
  • Low noise operation when idle

Cons

  • No 4K gaming performance 

8. ASUS ROG-STRIX-RX580-O8G-GAMING

Budget Pick

The Asus ROG STRIX RX580 is a powerful 4K card that excels in 1440p gaming while also managing to handle 4K nicely too.

This brand new graphics card features both ASUS’ MaxContact and Auto-Extreme manufacturing technologies which help keep your GPU running smoothly by providing high-quality materials & craftsmanship.

This ensures lower temperatures, increased lifespan, and improved overall performance compared to cards that don’t have these premium features.

With its Aura Sync RGB lighting, you can easily customize the LED lighting on this RX 580 from either a red, blue, or white color scheme depending on your desired look! 

Making adjustments to the Aura Sync settings is super easy thanks to the intuitive user interface included with the AURA software. This ROG Strix RX 580 is an impressive 4K graphics card for 1080p gaming, delivering a truly immersive experience. 

Playing games at 60fps has never been so good! Equipped with Aura RGB lighting on the shroud and backplate, this ASUS ROG Radeon RX 580 graphics card allows you to customize the color based on your system lighting or even have it change colors automatically during gameplay! 

The FanConnect headers allow you to attach compatible case fans directly to the GPU to increase cooling efficiency by up to 30%.

This is great if you care about performance but also want a cool-looking PC that isn’t going to annoy people when they come over for a LAN party or something.

With 8GB of GDDR5 RAM, these cards are perfect for VR gaming as well as playing games at higher resolutions like 1440p & 4K. This ASUS ROG RX 580 is cheap, efficient & packed full of features so it’s well worth taking a closer look at if you’re interested in 4K gaming!

Pros

  • 4K – 1440p gaming 
  • Asus Aura Sync lighting system 
  • Premium materials & craftsmanship 
  • AMD FreeSync technology support 
  • Low noise operation when idle

Cons

  • No 4K gaming performance 

9. EVGA GeForce GTX 1060

Staff Pick

The EVGA GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card is one of the most affordable 4K cards out right now. It’s not as powerful as some of the other 1080p/1440p graphics cards on this list but you’re still going to be blown away by how well this card performs in games at 1440p & 4K resolutions!

If you want a high-performing GPU that offers a smooth 60fps+ gaming experience then the best resolution to target is 1440p with this card. The GTX 1060 features NVIDIA’s new GP106 processor which delivers better performance per watt, increased clock speeds, and support for DirectX 12 & Vulkan. 

At the moment, this card is also a lot cheaper than some of its competitors so if you’re looking for a budget 4K graphics card then 1060 is an absolute steal right now.

In terms of overclocking potential, this GTX 1060 from EVGA isn’t going to be as good as some other reference cards but on average you should be able to get at least 30% extra performance out of it with a bit of tinkering around in the settings.

 If you want to overclock your GPU even further then we’d recommend overclocking on a custom water cooling loop or at least using a third-party heat sink like the Arctic Storm which will allow for better overall cooling. 

The GTX 1060 has a base clock speed of 1506MHz and a boost clock speed of 1708MHz which combined with its 6GB GDDR5 VRAM is more than enough to run modern games at ultra settings.

Thanks to the new Pascal architecture, this card also runs extremely efficiently compared to previous-generation cards. 

In conclusion, this graphics card from EVGA provides great value for money as it’s cheap yet will handle 1080p & 1440p gaming effortlessly!

Pros

  • 60fps 4K UHD performance   
  • Solid build quality/heat dissipation design 
  • EVGA PrecisionX OC software included

Cons

  • Not the best overclocking performance 

10. PowerColor Radeon RX 560 

The PowerColor Radeon RX 560 graphics card is the cheapest 4K gaming graphics card that I’ve included in this list. This AMD graphics card offers 4K gaming performance which makes it perfect for people who want to play games in ultra settings without spending too much money. 

The RX 560 features 16 compute units, 1024 stream processors, and a 2GB GDDR5 memory capacity which provides enough power for smooth 60fps+ gameplay when paired with a decent CPU.

As far as cooling goes, the Dual Fan/Single Slot design means that this GPU runs relatively quietly even under load so you can enjoy your games without any distractions. 

Additionally, if you’re looking for a budget UHD graphics card that will allow you to play games at 60fps or more then this RX 560 offers great value for money.

It’s also great if you don’t have any USB 3.0 ports on your computer as this GPU features DisplayPort, HDMI & DVI outputs which are very useful for those who want to hook up multiple screens. 

With an 8pin PCIe connector, this RX560 can be overclocked well above 50% of its stock clock speed which is great if you’re looking for a lot of performance out of it. The memory can be overclocked as well but doing so will result in a pretty significant increase in power consumption and heat output. 

If you’re looking to build a cheap 4K gaming PC then the RX 560 from PowerColor is perfect as it’s extremely cheap yet still offers decent 1440p/4K performance.

In terms of other AMD cards, this RX560 performs similarly to an R9 390 however I’d recommend choosing the R9 390 over the RX 560 due to its better price & slightly higher levels of performance/usability. 

Pros

  • Great value for money 
  • Decent 1080p & 1440p performance  
  • Can handle 4K Gaming without bottlenecking

Cons

  •   Poor overclocking potential (50% increase)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum graphics card for 4K gaming?

Out of the graphics cards that I reviewed, the minimum UHD gaming graphics card is the GeForce GT 1030 (See here). This model features 512 Streaming processors which are not enough to play most games at 4K/High settings. However, some older games will still run quite well even though up-to-date AAA titles won’t be playable at 4K.

Which graphic cards can support 4K?

If you’re looking to build a 4K gaming PC then the RX 570 or above is recommended as these cards have at least 4GB of GDDR5 memory which will allow for decent performance. Alternatively, the GTX 1060 offers decent performance up-to-date games although it can bottleneck on some more demanding titles so we’d recommend going with the GTX 1070 or GTX 1080 if you want the best 4K performance possible.

What is the minimum graphics card for 4K gaming?

Out of the graphics cards that I reviewed, the minimum UHD gaming graphics card is the GeForce GT 1030 (See here). This model features 512 Streaming processors which are not enough to play most games at 4K/High settings. However, some older games will still run quite well even though up-to-date AAA titles won’t be playable at 4K.

Is RTX 3080 enough for 4K gaming?

No. RTX cards are not good at all for 4K gaming due to their limited memory buffer and very high price tags. To get decent 4K performance, we’d recommend going with a GTX 1070 or better.

Final Words

As you can see, there are a lot of budget graphics cards that offer 1080p & 1440p performance which is enough for most gamers. This means that anyone can now build a budget gaming PC without having to rely on integrated graphics or low-quality GPUs to get the job done.

As far as this list goes though, I’m pretty confident that it offers great value for money. The GPUs on this list are all great for building a cheap 4K gaming PC or even an entry-level 4K workstation so definitely check them out.

If you want to share your thoughts on this article or if you have any questions then feel free to leave a comment below. I’ll reply ASAP!

Thanks for reading & I hope you enjoyed my 10 Cheapest 4K Graphics Cards for Gaming PC article.


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Aaron
By Aaron


ProPCreviews is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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