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If the CPU is the heart of a computer, it's safe to say that a PC with a dedicated graphics card has two hearts. That second heart, the GPU, is a second processor that is vital for graphically demanding tasks like video rendering and gaming. If you're building a desktop computer, your graphics card is probably the most expensive part of it all. Thankfully, the GPU shortage we saw a few years ago is behind us, and there are now a bundle of affordable GPU deals out there if you know where to look. You just found the right place. Below are the best graphics card deals - from budget 1080p gaming GPUs to GPUs that can handle 4K setups with multiple monitors - all in one convenient place.
Today's Best GPU Deals
- MSI Radeon RX 570 8 GB GDDR5 GPU - - $ 140 with code VGAQWMS27
- MSI Radeon RX 5500 XT 4 GB GDDR6 GPU - - $ 152 after discount with code VGAQWMS34 + free copy of Godfall and World of Warcraft: Shadowlands, was $ 240
- EVGA GeForce GTX 1660 6 GB GDDR5 GPU - - $ 180 after discount with code VGAPCJY529, was $ 240
- MSI GeForce RTX 2060 6 GB GDDR6 GPU - - $ 290 after discount with code VGAMSIET228 + free copy of Rainbow Six Siege Gold Edition, was $ 395
- MSI Radeon RX 5700 XT 8 GB GDDR6 GPU - - $ 360 after discount + free copy of Godfall and World of Warcraft: Shadowlands, was $ 440
How to choose a GPU
The boom in cryptocurrency mining resulted in a GPU availability crisis (graphics cards are required to mine things like Bitcoin) over several years, which led to a rise in prices. If you remember this, you know it was a dark time for PC makers for a while. Fortunately, things have stabilized in recent years; Additionally, there are now plenty of surprisingly affordable GPUs out there that make PC gaming at 1080p / 60 fps more accessible than ever - and if you're into 1440p Quad HD or 4K Ultra HD gaming, you have more than a few options even there.
When you buy GPU deals, you'll see two big names, AMD Radeon and Nvidia GeForce. These are often sold under different brand names (like XFX, MSI, Asus, etc.), but the GPU hardware itself - that is, the stuff that actually does the heavy lifting in graphics processing - is pretty much the same. The differences between card manufacturers will be down to details like heat sink efficiency and cooling performance. Make sure to read lots of customer reviews, but generally speaking, you'll be in safe waters and sticking to a highly rated card from a reputable manufacturer.
You can't go wrong when choosing between AMD and Nvidia. Both companies make great graphics cards, and today you can find affordable GPUs of both that can run modern games at 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second (the standard for PC gaming). AMD Radeon cards are usually touted as superior value, but Nvidia cards tend not to be much more expensive, and GPU deals mean you can often find the latest GeForce graphics cards for the same price you pay for an equivalent Radeon GPU would. Also, don't assume that you need an AMD GPU since you have an AMD CPU. AMD CPUs are a perfect match for Nvidia graphics cards.
Of all PC components, graphics cards may have the widest range of features and prices. The AMD Radeon RX 500 series and 5500 cards offer great 1080p performance and are great value for money. In the same bracket are the cards from the Nvidia GeForce GTX 16 series (1650, 1650 Super, 1660, 1660 Ti, etc.). Expect around $ 150 to $ 250 for a cheap GPU in this category. At the higher end of the spectrum are the cards from the AMD Radeon RX 5600 and 5700 series, as well as the cards from the Nvidia GeForce RTX 20 series. These are more expensive, of course, but a better choice for avid PC builds that prioritize 1440p or 4K gaming. We generally advise against the last-gen Nvidia GTX 10-series cards unless your budget is tight and you can find a really good GPU deal for one.
One final consideration (but one no less important for a gaming PC setup) is your monitor. A suitable gaming monitor will have built-in vertical sync technology - either AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync - that works with either GPU brand. In general, a FreeSync monitor is designed for AMD cards, while G-Sync monitors work best with Nvidia cards. However, this is not a hard rule. Nvidia has been offering more cross-compatibility support for its cards lately, and many FreeSync monitors will work fine with Nvidia GPUs (although you may need to use a DisplayPort cable instead of HDMI for the best results, make sure your Monitor supports this). Again, make sure to do your research when purchasing monitor deals to make sure your display is fully compatible with your GPU and vice versa.
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