Best Graphics Cards (GPUs) under $100 in 2022

We always recommend to spend as much as you possibly can afford on the GPU, but that doesn't mean you need to spend hundreds on a new component to play a few games and get more done on your PC. We rounded up some awesome budget GPUs that cost less than $100. Not everybody needs the very best graphics card, and $100 can get you a solid GPU.

Best Overall: ZOTAC GeForce GT 1030

Plenty of budget-friendly GPUs like this excellent example from ZOTAC are considered low-profile, which essentially means they'll fit in even the most compact PC cases. The GeForce GT 1030 only requires a single PCI expansion slot on the rear of the chassis, making it possible to play some games on even the smallest ITX case.

Now, this GPU is less than $100, so you shouldn't expect amazing performance. It'll even struggle with some games at high settings on a 1080p display. This is largely due to the lack of physical processing components compared to more premium GPUs, as well as the 2GB of GDDR6 RAM.

But there's a flip side to this lack of performance, and that's a cooler running GPU. There's a small heatsink and fan that doesn't produce much noise, so the ZOTAC GT 1030 is an excellent option for a silent PC build.

AMD Runner-up: XFX RX 550

Much like the NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030, the RX 550 from AMD is low-profile and perfectly suited for an ITX build. Using just one PCI expansion slot, the XFX RX 550 is a good budget card for those looking for a solid deal. Costing less than the 1030, the significant difference here is RAM with AMD going for older GDDR5 (versus GDDR6 on the GT 1030).

The performance isn't terrible, but it's also not going to blow you away, just like the GT 1030. You won't be able to play most games at maximum settings unless they're not demanding on hardware. As a positive, this means the RX 550 doesn't produce much heat and therefore doesn't require a powerful (and loud) cooler.

Budget NVIDIA: EVGA NVIDIA GT 710

$100 isn't much for a GPU, especially when you consider cards like the RTX 2080 Ti from NVIDIA, which can set you back into the thousands. The GT 710 offers even more value, priced at almost half of our available budget for this collection. The EVGA GT 710 is best suited for a work PC (or one with a Ryzen CPU) where you'll play a game or two.

The RAM is slow, so too is the graphics processor. But there is 2GB of RAM, allowing you to fire up some 3D applications and games, and everything runs rather cool on the card. While quiet, this only requires a single PCI expansion slot on the rear of your PC, making it possible to throw one inside the smallest ITX case.

Budget AMD: AMD Radeon R5 235

One of the most affordable GPUs from AMD right now is the Radeon R5 235. It's not great at all, but you shouldn't really expect anything else at this price point. The value here is impressive, especially if you want a GPU to simply run an OS and some software if your PC doesn't come with an integrated GPU on the CPU.

It's a small PCIe card that requires just one expansion slot on the rear of the chassis and runs really cool. The 1GB DDR3 RAM is decent enough for media and general PC use, but won't work well for gaming at all. This card is best suited for small PC, and NAS builds with a focus on low noise and dimensions.

Bottom line

One of the best GPUs you can buy right now for less than $100 is the NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030. ZOTAC makes some excellent high-end graphics cards, and the company's budget-friendly GT 1030 is a reliable card. Should you simply require a GPU for a Ryzen processor and don't plan on playing too many games, this is a worthwhile consideration.

Not only does it produce little heat and noise, but the 2GB of GDDR6 RAM is ample enough for basic gaming and 3D work. It'll also fit inside even the smallest of ITX cases that support GPUs, requiring just one PCI expansion slot on the rear of the chassis. Other recommendations on this list will do the same, but won't be as good for gaming.