Are you looking for the best graphics card for under $400 to get amazing gaming experience at affordable prices? No worries, this blog is for you to read and make a buying decision.
If you’ve got around $400 to spend on a graphics card, you’re in luck because you’ve got some solid options from the latest GPU offerings by Nvidia, AMD, and Intel. These GPUs fall into the entry-level to mid-range categories, making them perfect for building a decent mid-range PC without breaking the bank.
With any of these picks, you’ll be able to enjoy smooth gaming at 1080p with good refresh rates. Some of the newer cards, like the RTX 4060 Ti, even let you play 1440p games at decent frame rates. Options like the RX 7700 XT can handle well-optimized 4K titles if you have a powerful PC.
We’ve researched and reviewed extensively to bring you the best GPUs for under $400. These choices balance performance, price, and efficiency, ensuring you get the most bang for your buck. For a broader range of options, don’t forget to check out our recommendations for the best graphics cards for 4k gaming.
How We Selected The Best GPUs Under $400?
For this guide, the experts researched, compared, and shortlisted the graphics cards that offer the best performance under $400. They’ve reviewed each of the top picks to give you a clear idea of how they perform in real-world scenarios. We continuously monitor the market for new releases, so check back often for the latest recommendations.
Remember, graphics cards are a significant investment. We strongly recommend reading the full reviews linked below when you are going to buy a graphic card under $400. You’ll also find detailed information on how we test GPUs to ensure our recommendations are accurate and reliable.
1. ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 Ti OC Edition
Specifications
| GPU | AD106 |
| CUDA Cores | 4,352 |
| VRAM | 8 GB |
| Bandwidth | 288.0 GB/s |
| Memory bus bandwidth | 128-bit |
| Base clock speed | 2310 MHz |
| Boost clock speed | 2550 MHz |
The RTX 4060 Ti boasts a base clock speed of 2.31 GHz and a boost clock speed of 2.54 GHz, making it a solid choice for 1080p and 1440p gaming.
This GPU comes in two memory variants: 8GB VRAM and 16GB VRAM, both featuring a 128-bit memory bus. With a budget of $400, you can opt for the 8GB VRAM version, which is sufficient for 1080p or 1440p gaming. However, if you want to future-proof your setup and have a bit more money to spend, the 16GB variant is worth considering.
During the testing, the RTX 4060 Ti consistently delivered 60fps or higher in 1080p and 1440p gaming, with only a few minor exceptions. In games like Doom Eternal, The Finals, and CS2, it even surpassed 100fps in 1440p, which is impressive for an entry-level GPU.
However, this card cannot handle 4K gaming effectively, as it’s not powerful enough for that resolution—nor are any other GPUs in this price range.
What users say about ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 Ti OC Edition
The ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 Ti OC is making waves on Amazon with an impressive rating of 4.7 stars, backed by feedback from over 400 users. Customers are singing praises about this GPU, emphasizing their satisfaction with its performance, quality, and price point. One reviewer even hailed it as a top-notch choice, offering solid power and cost-effectiveness compared to other graphics cards in the market.
However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Some users have reported encountering an issue where their screens blank out when the card heats up excessively. While this seems to be a relatively rare occurrence, it’s worth considering if you’re thinking of purchasing this card.
Our Verdict
The Nvidia RTX 4060 Ti 8GB stands out as an exceptional graphics card for gaming, especially at its price point of $399 or below. It delivers impressive performance for 1080p and 1440p gaming, even when utilizing ray tracing technology.
2. Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT OC
Specifications
| GPU | Navi 33 |
| Stream Processors | 2,048 |
| VRAM | 16GB GDDR6 |
| Bandwidth | 288.0 GB/s |
| Memory bus bandwidth | 128-bit |
| Base clock speed | 2029 MHz |
| Boost clock speed | 2539 MHz |
If you’re considering an AMD GPU for your build, we highly recommend the Radeon RX 7600 XT. This powerhouse comes equipped with 2,048 stream processors, AMD’s equivalent to NVIDIA’s CUDA cores. These processors handle all the heavy visual tasks, ensuring smoother performance with more cores. With a base clock speed of 2029 MHz and a boost clock speed of 2539 MHz, you can expect solid performance for most 1080p and 1440p games.
In terms of memory, the RX 7600 XT boasts a generous 16GB VRAM, providing ample headroom for future gaming experiences, even though few games currently utilize its full capacity. You can rest assured that bottlenecking won’t be an issue for quite some time.
In review of the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT, experts found it to excel in 1080p gaming and deliver respectable performance in 1440p. For example, in Assassin’s Creed Mirage, they achieved an average of 91fps in 1080p and 67fps in 1440p. However, in Cyberpunk, performance dipped to 53fps in 1440p, especially when ray tracing was enabled.
Overall, within a $400 budget, few options rival the AMD RX 7600 XT with its 16GB GDDR6 VRAM, lightning-fast clock speeds, and strong performance across both 1080p and 1440p resolutions. While it may not be a top-tier powerhouse, it offers an attractive price-to-performance ratio that even flagship RDNA 3 models struggle to match.
If you’re looking for an AMD GPU for your PC build, we’d definitely recommend checking out the Radeon RX 7600 XT. It’s a solid choice, packing in 2,048 stream processors, which are like the brains behind the graphics processing. Having more of these cores means smoother performance, especially when you’re gaming.
Further, you get a base clock speed of 2029 MHz and a boost clock speed of 2539 MHz, which should be enough to run most 1080p and 1440p games at decent framerates.
To fully leverage the potential of the RX 7600 XT, utilizing technologies like FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) and Fluid Motion Frames (FMF) is highly recommended. These features enhance gaming experiences by optimizing image quality and smoothing out motion, delivering a more immersive and fluid gameplay experience.
What users say about Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT OC
The GIGABYTE Radeon RX 7600 XT boasts an impressive rating of 4.5 stars on Amazon, backed by feedback from over 30 customers. Many users have praised its stellar performance, excellent value, and top-notch quality. One satisfied customer remarked, “Overall the 7600XT is working pretty well. And the Gigabyte logo adds a nice touch to my PC.” Another reviewer highlighted its ease of installation and exceptional value for money, stating, “Easy to install, great value for your buck.” With such positive feedback, it’s clear that the GIGABYTE Radeon RX 7600 XT is a solid choice for gamers and PC enthusiasts alike.
Our Verdict
The AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT boasts a significant upgrade in VRAM compared to its predecessor, providing ample resources for gaming at both 1080p and 1440p resolutions. With double the VRAM capacity, this graphics card offers plenty of headroom for pushing the boundaries of visual quality and performance in modern games.
3. MSI RTX 3070 Gaming X Trio
Specifications
| GPU | GA104 |
| CUDA cores | 5,888 |
| VRAM | 8GB GDDR6 |
| Bandwidth | 448 GB/sec |
| Memory bus bandwidth | 256-bit |
| Base clock speed | 1500 MHz |
| Boost clock speed | 1725 MHz |
The Nvidia RTX 3070 might be nearing its fourth year since release, but don’t let its age fool you – this mid-range offering from the Ampere architecture still packs a punch.
With 5,888 CUDA cores under the hood, the RTX 3070 boasts a solid core count. Its base clock speed of 1,500 MHz and boost clock of up to 1,750 MHz mark a significant leap from the Turing-based RTX 2070.
In terms of memory, the GPU sports 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM on a 256-bit memory bus, falling within the typical range for budget and mid-range NVIDIA cards.
What sets the RTX 3070 apart is its capability for 4K gaming at 60fps when paired with DLSS. However, it lacks support for DLSS 3’s Frame Generation, tying you to older technology and its higher native performance demands.
In our review, we found that the RTX 3070 delivered just under 100fps in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p and slightly above 60fps at 1440p, dipping to around 30fps at native 4K. While playable, utilizing AI upscaling is recommended for smooth 2160p gaming. Its synthetic performance in 3DMark is comparable to newer models like the RTX 4070 but at a more budget-friendly price point.
Originally priced at $499, the RTX 3070 is now available from retailers like Amazon for $399 or even less, offering excellent value for its performance. If you can overlook some of the more modern features, this older model still holds its ground.
What users say about MSI RTX 3070 Gaming X Trio
The GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3060 Gaming OC is highly regarded on Amazon, boasting an impressive rating of 4.7 stars based on feedback from over 2,300 customers. Positive reviewers highlight its stellar performance with new games, its excellent price-to-performance ratio, and its remarkably quiet operation. One satisfied customer exclaimed, “This works like an absolute dream. I have encountered zero issues with it. It operates silently and looks stunning.” However, a few users cautioned that the GPU’s size is on the larger side, which could pose challenges for those with compact builds. So, if space is a concern, it’s something worth considering before making your purchase.
Our Verdict
If you’re in the market for a reliable GPU, the Nvidia RTX 3070 is definitely worth considering. Despite being a bit older, it still performs exceptionally well in both 1080p and 1440p resolutions, and it can even handle some 4K applications smoothly. Plus, with DLSS support, you can enjoy even higher frame rates, as long as you’re not too attached to generating every single frame yourself.
4. Acer Predator BiFrost Intel Arc A770 OC
While AMD and Nvidia have long dominated the mainstream GPU market, Intel has entered the arena with its flagship offering from the Alchemist lineup, the Arc A770.
Packed with 4,096 GPU cores (akin to AMD’s stream processors or NVIDIA’s CUDA cores), the Arc A770 ensures efficient handling of visual tasks. More cores translate to better overall performance.
In addition to its formidable core count, this GPU boasts a hefty 16GB GDDR6 VRAM, providing memory for accessing assets swiftly. With a spacious 256-bit memory bus width and a bandwidth of 512GB/sec, it surpasses the standards set by many budget GPUs.
When it comes to performance, the Arc A770 holds its own against competitors, particularly with its native capabilities, further bolstered by Intel XeSS AI upscaling for enhanced performance. Not to mention, its 32 RT cores enable immersive ray tracing, elevating visual fidelity.
Our testing revealed commendable performance in titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and solid synthetic performance in 3DMark. While newer games should run smoothly without driver issues, older titles may require some compatibility adjustments. However, Intel has made significant strides in this regard over the past year. While we didn’t encounter any issues ourselves, we’ve positioned Intel’s offering slightly below AMD and Nvidia in this scenario.
What users say about Acer Predator BiFrost Intel Arc A770 OC
The ACER Predator BiFrost Intel Arc A770 Overclocking GPU on Amazon boasts a solid rating of 4.1 stars, backed by feedback from over 150 reviewers. Many customers have praised its affordability, labeling it a good buy for the price point. One satisfied customer noted, “Overall, for the price it is a good card and happy with it. Aesthetics could be better but it’s not too bad.”
Users generally appreciate the performance and quality of this GPU. However, some did mention that it tends to lag and become noisy when under heavy load. Despite these minor drawbacks, the majority of reviewers seem content with their purchase, highlighting its value proposition within the market.
Our Verdict
The Intel Arc A770 packs a punch with plenty of VRAM and a massive bandwidth, giving you the firepower to tackle games at both 1080p and 1440p resolutions. However, it’s worth noting that some older PC games might not run as smoothly on this card.
FAQs – Best Graphics Cards Under $400
What can I expect from a GPU under $400?
Considering a GPU under $400 opens up a range of options for solid gaming performance, particularly at 1080p and 1440p resolutions. You can expect top-end performance in these resolutions, even with real-time ray tracing enabled, although 4K gaming might be a stretch unless you opt for an older GPU available at a discounted rate, as outlined in our buying guide.
Is a graphics card priced under $400 a wise investment for future-proofing?
As for future-proofing, a GPU in this price range typically offers good performance for the next couple of years before you might start considering an upgrade. This is due to factors like lower memory bandwidth compared to flagship models and smaller memory pools. While these GPUs may not offer the longevity of higher-end options, they still provide a great gaming experience for the price.
Hassan is a digital marketer with a passion for technology. He writes about laptops, PC components, and gaming hardware, offering valuable insights and simplifying complex concepts. Whether you’re upgrading your gaming rig or looking for the best tech tools, Hassan’s articles help you make informed decisions and stay updated with the latest trends.