10 Best Low Power Graphics Cards (Tested) 2023

If you’re looking for a great low-power graphics card, you’ve come to the right place. To keep your computer running at optimal performance, you need to make sure you have the best graphics card for your needs. Not all graphics cards are created equal, however. 

Some require a lot of power and can drain your system’s resources, while others are much more low-maintenance. If you’re looking for a quality graphics card that doesn’t require a lot of power, then check out our list of the top 10 best low-power graphics cards!

Our top 10 list includes some of the best options on the market, so you can find the perfect one for your needs. Whether you need a card for intense gaming or just occasional use, we have something for everyone here. So read on to find out more about our top picks!

At a Glance:

10 Best Low Power Graphics Cards

DesignGraphics CardsRetailer
1. MSI GeForce GTX 1650 Low Power Graphics Card
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Budget Pick2. ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1650 Low Power Graphics Card
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3. ASUS ROG Strix Radeon RX 460 4GB OC Edition
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4. Gigabyte Geforce GTX 1050 Ti OC Low Profile
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5. Sapphire Radeon RX 560 Pulse OC Edition
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Best Pick6. GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3070 Ti
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Staff Pick7. MSI Computer Video Graphic Cards GeForce GT 1030
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8. ASUS GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB Phoenix
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9. MSI Gaming Radeon RX 560 128-bit 4GB GDRR5 DirectX 12 VR Ready CFX Graphics Card
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10. Biostar Radeon RX 550 4GB GDDR5  128-bit DVI HDMI DP
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1. MSI GeForce GTX 1650 Low Power Graphics Card

If you’re looking for a great low-power graphics card, the MSI GeForce GTX 1650 is a fantastic choice. For one thing, it has 4GB of GDDR5 VRAM as well as 1536 CUDA cores that offer excellent performance for most games. It can run some games at 1080p and 60 frames per second (FPS) without any problems, which is more than enough for casual gamers.

What’s impressive about this card is how quiet it runs. Keep in mind that this isn’t a high-powered gaming GPU, so you don’t need to worry about an excessively loud fan kicking on every time you turn your computer on.  This means you can more on enjoying your favorite games without cutting into your budget for a graphics card.

The MSI GeForce GTX 1650 also has many other great features that make it worth your while, like the ability to support up to four monitors at once! It also comes with Freesync technology which allows you to have smooth gameplay without lags or tears. You can get up to 6X faster performance in video editing software thanks to NVENC technology, so this is an excellent choice if you work with videos regularly.

One of the few downsides about this card is that 4GB of VRAM isn’t enough for high-end games. It can handle most games just fine, but some options are simply too much for it. 4GB should hold you over just fine for casual gaming, though.

Another thing to keep in mind is the fact that this card requires an 8-pin power supply. This makes it slightly less low-powered than some of the other options on our list, but you can still use it in a lower-powered system without any problems.

For all of these reasons and more, the MSI GeForce GTX 1650 remains one of the best low power graphics cards available today. It offers excellent performance for games at 1080p or below while also being quiet enough to run all day long without disrupting your work or play!

Pros

  • Great performance for its price range 
  • 4GB of GDDR5 VRAM 1536 CUDA cores 
  • High quality build 
  • Freesync technology 6X faster video editing 
  • Allows up to 4 monitors

Cons

  • Not enough VRAM for high-end games 8-pin power supply

2. ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1650 Low Power Graphics Card

Budget Pick

If you’re looking for a lower-powered card that still offers excellent performance, the ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1650 is an excellent choice. It’s faster than the MSI option listed above and features 4GB of GDDR5 VRAM as well. It also has 1536 NVIDIA CUDA cores, which makes it slightly more powerful than our number one pick in terms of raw power.

 The only major downside to this graphics card is that it doesn’t offer Freesync technology or much in the way of video editing capabilities like the MSI model does. On top of that, it can support up to four monitors at once which is impressive given its lower price tag! While 4GB isn’t enough for high-end gaming, it should be more than enough for casual gaming or everyday use. 

This card has a core clock of 1545MHz, so it can handle most games at 1080p or 60FPS without any problems. Games with minuscule graphics might not run quite as well since this is considered to be lower-powered, but casual gamers shouldn’t have too many issues with this card’s performance.

It also doesn’t run as loud as higher powered cards thanks to its dual fan design, so it’s a great option if you need something quieter. You’ll hear your PC running but it shouldn’t be an excessive amount of noise unless you’re running the card at full capacity while gaming.

For all of these reasons and more, the ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1650 is an excellent choice if you want to be able to handle high-end games at 1080p or below. It has a great price and performs well without running too loud, making it perfect for casual gaming!

This graphics card also keeps cool thanks to its ultra-quiet fan that never turns on unless you’re playing graphically intense games. The ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1650 is compatible with just about every game, so whether you’re into Minecraft or Grand Theft Auto V , you’ll get the best possible results!

Pros

  • Quiet operation Dual fan design 
  • Compatible with most games 
  • Excellent 1440p performance

Cons

  • Not enough VRAM for high-end games

3. ASUS ROG Strix Radeon RX 460 4GB OC Edition

Asus has become one of the most popular brands in the gaming community over the years, and for good reason. Their products are high quality and perform well under pressure, making them perfect for gaming or everyday tasks.

The ASUS Radeon RX 460 is no different. This graphics card is an affordable option that goes above and beyond what you’d expect from a low-powered model. It’s packed with 4GB of GDDR5 VRAM so it can handle most games at 1440p without any issues. It also features 896 NVIDIA CUDA cores which makes this card even more powerful than some of our other picks on our list! 

It doesn’t have anything to offer when it comes to video editing capabilities, however, so keep that in mind if you’re an avid YouTube creator or just want something that can handle video editing better than this card. That being said, it can still perform well in that regard which is why it’s included on our list of low-power graphics cards. 

This card is also one of the more affordable options on our list, so it’s a great choice if you’re looking to save money. It has a core clock of 1212MHz which is outstanding, especially since it never gets very loud while gaming or running other tasks. It only reaches its max frame rate while under heavy load, making

This card has a core clock of 1290MHz so games will run smoothly without any issues. It features standard gaming capabilities like FreeSync technology and fans control to make sure your games are running at their best while making the card itself run as quietly as possible! 

 The ASUS ROG Strix Radeon RX 460 is perfect for budget gamers who don’t want to break the bank when building their next rig!

Pros

  • 4GB of GDDR5 VRAM 896 NVIDIA CUDA cores 
  • Great 1440p performance 
  • Very quiet 
  • Low price tag

Cons

  • Less powerful than some other cards 

4. Gigabyte Geforce GTX 1050 Ti OC Low Profile

Gigabyte is known for creating high-quality products and the Geforce GTX 1050 Ti OC Low Profile is no different. If you’re looking for a graphics card that can handle most modern games at 1080p and below, this is one of the best choices available right now. It’s quiet, comes with 4GB of GDDR5 VRAM, and has a core clock that goes as high as 1366MHz!

The Gigabyte Geforce GTX 1050 Ti OC Low Profile is compatible with just about every game on the market, so whether you’re playing Grand Theft Auto V or Monster Hunter World, you’ll get impressive results all around. This card also runs extremely quiet even under heavy load, making it perfect for desktops where noise is an issue.  

The Gigabyte Geforce GTX 1050 Ti OC Low Profile is also almost inaudible when running games, allowing you to play your favorite titles while your significant other is sleeping or just not home.

This card isn’t the most powerful option available, but it’s capable of handling 1080p resolution at 60fps without any issues because it has 768 NVIDIA CUDA cores to ensure smooth performance compared to some other low power graphics cards. It also features 4GB of GDDR5 VRAM which is more than enough for running demanding games at 1080p (most titles don’t even require more than 2GB). 

The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1050 Ti OC Low Profile does not come with anything special in terms of extra features or design, though that makes it quite affordable. One thing to note about this card is that it doesn’t come with video ports like DisplayPort or HDMI, so keep that in mind before buying this card as it won’t be compatible with some monitors. 

It doesn’t have anything to offer when it comes to video editing and other demanding tasks, however, so if that’s something you’re looking for, you might want to check out one of our other picks on the list. That being said, it’s still powerful enough for most tasks so if you’re looking for a graphics card that can handle games with ease while staying quiet, this is one of the best options available right now!

Pros

  • Stylish design 
  • 1080p performance at 60fps 
  • Very quiet 
  • Affordable

Cons

  • No video ports/connectors 

5. Sapphire Radeon RX 560 Pulse OC Edition

The Sapphire Radeon RX 560 Pulse OC Edition is one of the best budget graphics cards available right now thanks to its affordability and impressive gaming capabilities! This graphics card is perfect for gamers who want something better than a console but don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a powerful PC build. It’s also great for parents who want to buy their kids a gaming PC on a budget.

The Sapphire Radeon RX 560 Pulse OC Edition features 2GBs of GDDR5 VRAM and comes with an impressive core clock speed of 1300MHz, allowing it to run games like GTA V, Overwatch, Counter-Strike: GO, and many more at 60fps on 1080p resolutions! 

 It features 1024 Stream Processors and is compatible with DirectX 12, making it the perfect graphics card if you’re looking for an affordable way to play modern games. This card is perfect for budget gamers who are looking to build a gaming PC on a budget but don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a top-of-the-line graphics card.

Like other options on this list, it does not come with any extra connectivity or video ports so you’ll need to keep that in mind before buying this graphics card. This card isn’t as powerful as some other options, though it’s still more than capable of handling most modern games at 1080p resolution and below. 

One thing that might be off-putting about the Sapphire Radeon RX 560 Pulse OC Edition is its appearance. It doesn’t have anything special to offer design-wise outside of its cool-looking backplate, so if you’re looking for a graphics card with an attractive design, this isn’t the right option. However, if you care about performance and don’t mind the plain exterior of this graphics card, it’s worth considering.

Similar to NVIDIA cards, AMD Radeon graphics cards are also compatible with most PC games available today. You can play demanding titles like Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey, No Man’s Sky, Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Rise Of The Tomb Raider, Far Cry 5, Far Cry 4, DiRT Rally 2.0 at 60fps on 1080p resolutions! The Sapphire Radeon RX 560 Pulse OC Edition is also quiet during use thanks to its unique “dual-x” cooling which keeps both your GPU and VRAM cool during long gaming sessions.

Pros

  • Compatible with most games and VR 
  • Fast Performance 
  • 60fps at 1080p on most titles 
  • Quiet

Cons

  • No extra features or design elements 

6. GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3070 Ti

Best Pick

The GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Gaming OC 8G Graphics Card features a sleek black design with 2 fans included to keep it cool during those long gaming sessions. It has been tested and proven to be more effective at cooling making sure the GPU doesn’t overheat as well as the voltage regulators that can handle high loads without overheating or frying your cards components.

This graphics card also supports Gigabyte’s GPU Gauntlet Sorting that grades graphics cards depending on their overclocking potential, stability, and thermal properties, so you’ll always know which one is the best for your PC. This graphics card is great for gamers who play modern games at 1080p resolutions but don’t want to spend over $150 on a graphics card.

It has 8GB of GDDR6 memory which is pretty impressive for its price, however, the Gigabyte RTX 3070 Ti does not have any SLI compatibility so you can’t connect two or more cards for better performance. The card also features 3 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.0, and 1 x USB Type-C, which are all pretty standard in low-power graphics cards

It’s also compatible with DirectX 12 titles and supports high-resolution display output which will allow you to play modern games at 1080p resolution without sacrificing image quality or performance.

One downside of this gaming GPU is that it requires at least 650Watts to function properly but GIGABYTE recommends an 850Watt power supply to be safe. It also requires 8-pin PCI-E connectors so it might not fit some low profile or SFF cases.

Overall the GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 2070 Gaming OC is a great graphics card for its price, but keep in mind that there is no SLI compatibility which might be limiting if your case only has 1 PCI space. It’s very fast and powerful for 1080p resolutions with high-quality settings, but it does require lots of power compared to other similarly priced cards. The card features RGB lighting and a sleek black design making it fit great into any gaming PC.

Pros

  • Extremely powerful for 1080p and 1440p 
  •  Ultra Settings 60+fps 
  • Overclocking potential is impressive for its price range
  • Cool Design
  • Lots of memory capacity 8GB GDDR6 Memory

Cons

  • Not available in SLI so you won’t be able to combine two cards for better performance.

7. MSI Computer Video Graphic Cards GeForce GT 1030

Staff Pick

The MSI Computer Video Graphic Cards GeForce GT 1030 is one of the most popular graphics cards available right now thanks to its impressive performance and innovative design! If you’re looking for a budget-oriented graphics card that can still handle modern games, this is the perfect option for you. 

It features 2GBs of DDR5 video memory and comes with 1024 CUDA cores which allow it to run more demanding titles like Fallout 4, Grand Theft Auto V, Far Cry 5, Witcher 3: Wild Hunt at up to 60fps on 1080p resolutions. Moreover, it also has a core clock speed of 1290MHz so it’s very fast when compared to other options in its price range. 

It’s also compatible with VR gear like the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift, so if you want to use your VR headset to play games, this graphics card will allow you to do that. Furthermore, it doesn’t come with any extra ports or connectivity options which makes it one of the best low power graphics cards on the market today. 

The MSI Computer Video Graphic Cards GeForce GT 1030 is also very quiet thanks to its unique fan design which prevents your GPU from overheating even during long gaming sessions. It features 384 CUDA cores and 2GBs of GDDR5 video memory making it one of the most powerful budget-friendly graphics cards available today. 

It can run demanding titles like Fall Out 4, Grand Theft Auto V, Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Far Cry 5, Rise Of The Tomb Raider, and many other titles at up to 60fps on 1080p resolutions! This graphics card is compatible with VR games like Fallout 4 VR, Skyrim VR, DiRT Rally VR, and many others. 

It also has a core clock speed of 1279MHz so it’s powerful enough to play modern games. It doesn’t have ports or connectivity options which isn’t a big deal considering the MSI Computer Video Graphic Card GeForce GT 1030 is meant for home theaters users, not gamers.

This graphics card is also compatible with VR headsets like the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift, meaning you can enjoy your favorite PC games in immersive virtual reality! The MSI Computer Video Graphic Cards GeForce GT 1030 does not feature any extra features or design elements making it one of the most simple low-power graphics cards available.

Pros

  • Extremely powerful for the price range 
  • Delivers 60fps on medium-high settings at 1080p 
  • VR compatible 
  • Cool & Quiet

Cons

  • No extra features, ports, or connectivity options were available for this graphics card.

8. ASUS GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB Phoenix

One of the most impressive low-power graphics cards available is the ASUS GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB Phoenix featuring a sleek backplate and extra cooling fans! If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line graphics card, this should be at the top of your list.

The ASUS GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB Phoenix features 4GBs of GDDR5 video memory and 768 CUDA cores which allow it to run more demanding titles like Assassin’s Creed : Odyssey, No Man’s Sky, Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided at up to 60fps on 1080p resolutions. 

This graphics card also has a core clock speed of 1392MHz so it’s very fast considering its price range. The additional fans included with this graphics card also help keep it cool during long gaming sessions, so you won’t have to worry about overheating or performance issues which is important! 

It’s also compatible with VR headsets like the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift, so if you want to enjoy your favorite games in immersive virtual reality, this low-power graphics card will allow you to do that.

 The ASUS GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB Phoenix features a DVI-D + HDMI 2.0 + DisplayPort 1.4 port configuration for connectivity options and includes a few extra features like DirectCU II Technology and FanConnect II Technology for better cooling and improved reliability.

This graphics card also comes with Aura Sync technology which allows you to sync up its lighting scheme with other components such as the motherboard, keyboard, and mouse for a more immersive gaming experience. Unfortunately, this graphics card does not have any SLI compatibility which is why it’s best to play games on a single monitor rather than multiple monitors.

If you want to play modern games at 1080p resolutions without compromising performance or quality, this graphics card will allow you to do that! It also comes with an attractive price tag considering its specs making it one of the best low power graphics cards available today.

Pros

  • Aura Sync technology 
  • Fast performance 
  • High-quality backplate & cooling fans included 
  • Compatible with VR headsets like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive

Cons

  • No SLI compatibility which means you won’t be able to play games on multiple monitors.

9. MSI Gaming Radeon RX 560 128-bit 4GB GDRR5 DirectX 12 VR Ready CFX Graphics Card

Another impressive low-power graphics card is the MSI Gaming Radeon RX 560 128-bit 4GB GDRR5 DirectX 12 Vr Ready CFX Graphics Card which features a sleek black and red design with 2 fans included to keep it cool during long gaming sessions. The MSI Computer Video Graphic Cards GeForce GT 1030 does not feature any extra features or design elements making it one of the most simple low-power graphics cards available. 

This graphics card also has a small size making it perfect for smaller PC cases and it can deliver a smooth gaming experience at 1080p resolutions with high-quality settings. It is also compatible with all the latest DirectX 12 titles, so you’ll never have issues with compatibility. 

It supports HDCP 2.2 allowing you to stream protected content from services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Youtube, and Hulu. The MSI Gaming Radeon RX 560 also features Dual-Link DVI-D, HDMI, and DisplayPort which are all pretty standard for low-power graphics cards. It does have 2 x 6 pin PCI-E connectors so it may not be compatible with some older power supplies.

The MSI Gaming Radeon RX 560 requires a minimum of 400Watts to function properly however, MSI recommends a 600Watt power supply to prevent any potential damage. It can support up to 3 monitors simultaneously and supports high-resolution graphics which will allow you to play modern games at 1080p resolutions without compromising performance or quality.

The card also has a core clock speed of 1300MHz so it’s very fast for its price, which is important especially if you want to play more demanding modern games. Unfortunately, this graphics card does not have any SLI compatibility, so you won’t be able to connect two or more graphics cards for better performance.

 This Graphics Card features DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0 ports for connectivity but doesn’t include any additional features or elements outside of the basic specs making it one of the most simple low-power graphics cards available today. If you’re looking for a low-power graphics card with no extra bells and whistles, then this should be at the top of your list!

Pros

  • It fits an SFF case
  • Cool Design
  • AMD Free-Sync Featured for esports
  • 60+fps gaming on 1080p resolution with medium settings

Cons

  • There is no GDDR6 memory

10. Biostar Radeon RX 550 4GB GDDR5  128-bit DVI HDMI DP

The Biostar Radeon RX 550 4GB is a powerful and versatile card that is great for those on a tight budget or just looking for something small and efficient to use in their SFF case. It’s one of the most affordable low-power graphics cards with no extra bells and whistles but it still packs quite a punch when compared to other similarly priced graphics cards.

This GPU features 2 x DVI ports, 1 x HDMI port as well as 1 x DisplayPort so you can connect any monitor or display via VGA, HDMI, or DisplayPort. The only downside of this graphics card is that it does not include a built-in GPU cooler, which means may overheat during long gaming sessions. It’s not an issue if you have an SFF case with good airflow, but it may be a problem for those who don’t or use a full ATX tower.

The RX 550 features 4GB of GDDR5 memory which is pretty standard for low-power GPUs. The memory offers decent performance and makes sure the GPU can handle the latest games at 1080p resolutions without dropping below 60fps. You won’t be able to play games at high graphics settings though as this card only offers a 1 x 8-pin PCI connector which does not support SLI.

It also supports AMD FreeSync technology so you’ll get smooth frame rates and vibrant images free from screen tearing and choppy frame rates. This graphics card is great for people on a budget, but it requires low power to function properly so make sure you have the proper wattage before buying it.

Pros

  • Lots of memory 4GB GDDR5 Memory 
  • AMD FreeSync technology for smooth performance 
  • Low wattage requirements (54-watts). 
  • Good option if you’re building a small gaming PC in an SFF case with little space.

Cons

  • No GPU Cooler which might cause overheating problems during long gaming sessions. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Which GPU uses the least power?

The Zotac GeForce GT 710 uses the least power. It has a TDP of 25-watts which is pretty impressive for such a budget GPU. It’s also very affordable and budget friendly. 

Which GPU is the most powerful?

 The MSI GeForce GTX 1650 Low Power Graphics Card is the most powerful card on our list. It comes with a lot of features and you can play games at high graphics settings without dropping below 60fps. It’s slightly more expensive, but it’s still one of the best options for 1080p gaming. 

Which low-power graphics card offers the most features? 

The GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 2070 Gaming OC is the most feature-packed card on our list. It comes with one of the best cooling systems, lots of memory capacity, built-in fan control and the graphics card itself has adjustable RGB lighting colors. It’s one of the best options on our list if you’re looking for a graphics card with lots of features.

Do some graphics cards not need power?

Some graphics cards don’t need external power, but most of them do. The only exceptions are the cards that have no cooling system installed so they only need the power connector from your motherboard. If you’re looking for an SFF graphics card that doesn’t require external power, check out our list of the best external graphics cards.

Final words on Top 10 Best Low Power Graphics Cards

In this article, we have listed some of the best low-power graphics cards you can buy. Thanks to advancements in technology and the increased popularity of cryptocurrency mining, there are now a lot more options available if you’re looking for something budget-friendly and energy-efficient.

If you want a graphics card to play games at 1080p resolutions without dropping below 60fps, then you’ll need a GPU with at least 4GB of memory. In this case, we suggest getting either the GIGABYTE GTX 1050 Ti or the MSI RX 550.

For those who want to play games at high graphics settings and don’t want to spend too much money on a powerful graphics card , we recommend getting one of the budget-friendly options we listed in this article.


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Aaron
By Aaron


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