What Games Can I Play With Budget Graphics Cards?

Gaming on a budget can be challenging, but it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on great gaming experiences. Even with a budget graphics card, there are plenty of fantastic games you can play if you make smart choices. 

Here are tips for getting the most out of budget GPUs, along with game recommendations in different genres.

Choosing The Right Budget GPU

When looking for a budget graphics card, aim for options in the $100 to $200 range. Cards like the NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti and AMD RX 560 offer solid 1080p performance on medium settings in most games. 

Older cards like the GTX 960 and RX 470 are also good values on the used market. Avoid extremely low-end cards, as they won’t play recent games well.

Pay attention to VRAM – cards with 4GB or more will have better longevity. Make sure your power supply can support the card’s power needs. 

Most budget cards don’t need external power cables, making them easy to upgrade. Also, ensure your case has room and your motherboard has an appropriate PCIe x16 slot.

Optimizing Game Settings

Once you have your new budget GPU, optimizing game settings is key to good performance. Lower resolutions like 900p or 720p can boost framerates substantially. 

Run games at medium detail settings, lowering specific taxing settings like shadows, anti-aliasing, and post-processing.

Use FPS overlay tools like MSI Afterburner to find optimal settings. Aim for 30-60 FPS depending on game genres. Some competitive online games like League of Legends or CS: GO can run well even at 100+ FPS on budget cards. Tweak settings until you find the right balance of visuals and performance.

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Great Games For Budget GPUs

Here are some top game recommendations that run well on budget graphics cards while still looking great:

RPGs

• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

• Fallout 4

• Dragon Age: Origins

• Divinity: Original Sin 2

• Dark Souls 1 & 2

• The Witcher 2 & 3

Shooters

• Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

• Valorant

• Overwatch

• Doom 2016

• Wolfenstein: The New Order

• Bioshock Trilogy

Strategy

• Civilization V & VI

• XCOM: Enemy Unknown

• Total War: Warhammer

• Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

• StarCraft 2

• Portal 1 & 2

Indie & Others

• Hollow Knight

• Stardew Valley

• Undertale

• Cuphead

• Minecraft

• Dead Cells

• Grand Theft Auto V

There are tons of great games that work well even on budget graphics cards if you stick to optimized settings. 

Focus on fantastic games with lower system requirements and you’ll still have an awesome gaming experience.

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Upgrading Your Budget GPU

One great thing about budget graphics cards is that they make for easy upgrades down the road. Once you save up more cash, you can upgrade to a powerful GPU like an RTX 3060 Ti or RX 6700 XT. Your budget card still runs games fine in the meantime.

Sell your old budget GPU to help fund the new upgrade. Watch for price drops during sales events. With a simple swap of graphics cards, you can enjoy a huge boost in gaming performance.

Budget GPUs are a smart starting point, but don’t be afraid to upgrade when you can. It’s an affordable way to ease into PC gaming.

Maintaining Privacy With A Budget GPU

Gaming on a budget doesn’t mean you have to compromise your privacy. There are steps you can take to game securely:

• Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication where possible. This prevents account breaches.

• Avoid suspicious downloads or mods that could contain malware. Stick to trusted sites and communities.

• Run antivirus software to detect any malicious software.

• Enable VPNs when gaming online to encrypt traffic and mask your IP address.

• Adjust privacy settings in games and launchers to limit data collection.

• Research companies and be cautious about sharing personal information.

With good security habits, you can enjoy private, safe gaming even with budget hardware. Protect your accounts, be careful when downloading, and leverage security tools.

2What Is The Best Budget Graphics Card?

The GeForce GTX 1650 Super is one of the best budget graphics cards currently. It offers great 1080p performance for around $150-170. Other good options include the Radeon RX 570 and Radeon RX 580.

What Games Can I Play With A Gtx 1050 Ti?

The GTX 1050 Ti can play most games at 1080p medium settings around 30-60 FPS. Great games that run well include GTA V, Valorant, Doom, Rocket League, Minecraft, and Rainbow Six Siege.

Should I Buy A Used Graphics Card?

Buying used can be a good way to get strong budget performance. Cards like the GTX 970 and R9 390 hold up well. Check for issues like mining use, overclocking, and thermal paste needs.

Conclusion

Budget graphics cards can still enable smooth 1080p gaming if you manage expectations and optimize game settings. 

Focus on awesome games with lower requirements, and upgrade down the line. With the right budget GPU, you can have an excellent gaming experience even without breaking the bank.