Building or upgrading a gaming PC without breaking the bank? GPUs can get expensive fast. But don’t worry! You can still find top-notch graphics cards under $400 that play modern games smoothly.
TLDR:
Looking for the best GPU under $400? You’ve got great picks from AMD and NVIDIA. These cards can run modern titles at high settings. Perfect for 1080p or even 1440p gaming. Budget gaming doesn’t mean boring performance!
What to Expect From a Sub-$400 GPU
Gaming on a budget doesn’t mean settling for potato graphics. GPUs under $400 can:
- Run AAA games at high settings in 1080p
- Handle e-sports titles at high frame rates
- Even dip into 1440p gaming with the right setup
They’re great for gamers who want solid performance without burning through cash.
Top GPUs Under $400
Let’s dive into the best options available in 2024. Prices can vary, so check for deals!
1. AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT
Estimated Price: Around $370
The RX 6750 XT is an absolute beast for its price. It’s fast, efficient, and great for 1080p and 1440p gaming.
- 12GB GDDR6 VRAM
- Excellent rasterization performance
- Beats some NVIDIA cards that cost more
However, ray tracing isn’t its strongest point. But turn it off, and it flies.
2. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti (8GB)
Estimated Price: Around $380
The RTX 4060 Ti is fast and power-efficient. It runs cool and quiet, which is great for smaller PC builds.
- DLSS 3.0 support
- Great ray tracing for the price
- 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
8GB isn’t a lot these days, but DLSS helps stretch performance quite far — especially in supported titles.
3. AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
Estimated Price: Around $330
The RX 6700 XT is like the younger sibling of the 6750 XT. Slightly slower, but still an amazing performer for the price.
- 12GB GDDR6 VRAM
- Strong performance at 1080p and 1440p
- Often cheaper than a 4060 Ti
This one’s a great pick if you’re more into traditional rendering than ray tracing.
4. Intel Arc A770 (16GB)
Estimated Price: Around $340
Yes, Intel is in the GPU game! The A770 offers something unique: 16GB of VRAM at this price point.
- Generous 16GB VRAM
- Solid performance in modern games
- Still improving with frequent driver updates
Performance has become way more stable since launch. It’s quirky, but powerful if you’re adventurous.
5. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
Estimated Price: Around $300
This card was a fan-favorite at launch, and it’s still going strong. Great 1440p card for gamers on a budget.
- 8GB GDDR6
- Excellent performance in most games
- DLSS and ray tracing support
Even though it’s from a previous generation, it offers great value today.
Honorable Mentions
Some cards just miss the mark by a few dollars, or have limited stock, but they’re worth looking for if you catch a sale.
- AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT – A great 1080p card for under $300
- NVIDIA RTX 4060 (non-Ti) – Low wattage, solid mid-tier performance
- Used RTX 3070 – Keep an eye on the second-hand market
Things to Know Before You Buy
Let’s quickly walk through what to consider before clicking that “Buy Now” button.
VRAM
For modern games, 8GB is the minimum. Go for 12GB or more if possible. More VRAM helps performance at high resolutions and with future games.
Power Supply
Make sure your PSU can handle your GPU. Some cards need only 200W, others go up to 300W or more.
Resolution
If you game at 1080p, most cards under $400 will do great. If you’re aiming for 1440p, go for more power and more VRAM.
Ray Tracing and DLSS/FSR
NVIDIA GPUs offer DLSS, which boosts frame rates using AI. AMD has FSR, which works on all GPUs. Both help stretch your performance further.
Which One Should You Choose?
Let’s break it down by type of gamer.
- For Competitive Gamers: RTX 4060 Ti or RX 6700 XT – High FPS, fast rendering
- For Visual Quality: RX 6750 XT – Gorgeous high-res graphics and lots of VRAM
- For Multiplayer or eSports: RTX 3060 Ti – Balanced and reliable
- For Experimenters and Tinkerers: Intel A770 – Cool tech and big memory pool
Where to Buy These Cards
You can check sites like:
- Amazon
- Newegg
- Micro Center
- eBay (for used cards)
Watch for deals during events like Black Friday, Prime Day, or back-to-school sales. Prices change fast!
Final Thoughts
Who says you need to spend $1000 for great gaming? For $400 or less, there are a bunch of awesome GPUs ready to power your favorite games.
Whether you love story-rich RPGs, fast-paced shooters, or immersive open-world adventures, a good GPU makes all the difference. Pick the one that fits your needs — and your wallet — and start gaming!
