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Since the release of 4K monitors, 1440p has become increasingly popular as a resolution option, offering a significant step up from 1080p without a large price increase. It has become the go-to resolution for many gamers due to its perfect balance of image quality and price.
In recent years, both AMD and Nvidia have released some great value-for-money graphics cards that can handle modern AAA titles at 1440p.
Listed below are the seven most budget-friendly graphics cards for 1440p gaming.
Note: This article is subjective and reflects the opinions of the writer
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050, AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT, and 5 other budget-friendly graphics cards for smooth 1440p gaming
1) Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti ($399.99)
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is the company's mid-tier graphics card. It is based on the same Ampere architecture as the RTX 3070 and RTX 3080, and it offers comparable performance to those cards.
The graphics card also features ray tracing for a stunning cinematic gaming experience and DLSS support to massively boost performance in games.
The 3060 Ti is an excellent choice for gamers who want to build a powerful gaming PC on a budget. It supports up to four displays, thanks to its three 1.4a display ports and one 2.1 HDMI port. It can also run games at 4k in medium settings and 1440p in both ultrawide 32-inch and 34-inch monitors, as well as standard 27-inch monitors in ultra settings at 60 fps.
The Ti variant of this graphics card comes with 8GB of VRAM, less than the standard variant with 12GB of VRAM. However, it struggles a bit to run games at the stated 8K resolution, even in the lowest settings.
2) Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 ($296.99)
The RTX 3050 is the entry-level graphics card in the 3000 series. It is based on the same architecture as the RTX 2080 and RTX 2070 but is a more budget-friendly option.
The RTX 3050 is geared mainly towards 1080p gaming but can also handle most games at 1440p at 50–60 fps. It is also VR Ready, meaning it can be used with the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. It is a great option for those looking for a budget-friendly graphics card that can still handle modern games.
Although it is a great budget graphics card, the RTX 3050 has a few limitations. It only has 4GB of VRAM, which is not enough for some of the more demanding games. It also has a lower clock speed than some of the more expensive cards, so it may not be able to keep up with them in terms of performance.
3) AMD Radeon RX 6700 ($329.99)
The AMD Radeon RX 6700 (Non-XT) is a mid-tier graphics card in the 6000 series. It is highly capable of running games at 1440p in high settings.
The graphics card offers great value for money and can handle most modern games at 60 fps without any problems.
The RX 6700 is also relatively quiet and cool, making it a great choice for those who want to game without worrying about their graphics card overheating.
Another great advantage of the graphics card is that it supports FreeSync, which can help reduce screen tearing in games. It is also compatible with DirectX 12 Ultimate and Vulkan 1.1.
The RX 6700 is a rock-solid card, but several users have faced some driver issues in the past, which have later been fixed with updates.
4) AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT ($279.99)
The AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT is a mid-tier but powerful graphics card that is positioned as a budget offering in the Radeon RX 6000 series.
It is a great choice for budget-conscious gamers who are looking for a graphics card that can handle 1440p gaming for modern AAA titles in high settings at 60 fps.
The Radeon RX 6650 XT beats NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 and competes directly with the Ti variant at 1440p while being priced at $100 and $120 less, respectively. Ultrawide monitors are recommended for a cinematic gaming experience.
Despite being a budget-friendly graphics card, the RX 6650 XT is reported to be quite noisy, so it might not be ideal for a quiet gaming experience.
5) AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT ($279.99)
The AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT is a mid-range graphics card for desktop PCs. It is based on the RDNA 2 architecture.
The graphics card is positioned below the RX 6700 XT and above the RX 6500 XT in AMD's lineup. It can easily handle modern AAA games at 1440p in high settings at 60 fps.
The RX 6600 XT supports AMD's FreeSync and HDR technology for stutter-less and tear-less gaming. It displays accurate images and videos while providing more color shades.
The graphics card has a TDP of 180 watts and requires one 8-pin PCIe power connector. It also has two 2.1 HDMI ports and two DisplayPort 1.4 ports.
Although the RX 6600 XT is great for 1440p gaming, the ray-tracing performance is not as good as similar Nvidia cards. It supports FSR, which is DLSS for AMD cards, but it does not perform up to the potential of the competitor.
6) Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super ($239.99)
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super is an excellent budget graphics card for those who want a reliable and efficient 1440p gaming experience without breaking the bank. This card offers excellent value for money and has performance comparable to the performance of the more expensive cards in the market.
Based on the Turing architecture, the GTX 1660 Super provides a boost over the standard GTX 1660 and delivers a better gaming experience at 1440p resolution. The card comes with 6GB of GDDR6 VRAM, which is more than sufficient for most modern games at medium to high settings.
One of the primary advantages of the GTX 1660 Super is its power efficiency. With a TDP of just 125 watts, it consumes less power compared to other cards in its class, making it an ideal choice for those who want a powerful graphics card without worrying about high electricity bills.
AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT ($279.99)
The AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT is another budget-friendly graphics card that delivers impressive performance at 1440p. Based on the RDNA architecture, this card is designed to provide a balance between price and performance, making it an excellent choice for gamers who want to enjoy high-quality gaming without spending a fortune.
The RX 5600 XT comes with 6GB of GDDR6 VRAM and a 192-bit memory interface, ensuring smooth gameplay at 1440p resolution in most AAA titles. It can handle games at medium to high settings, providing a satisfactory gaming experience for the budget-conscious gamer.
This graphics card also supports AMD's FreeSync technology, which helps to eliminate screen tearing and provide a smooth gaming experience. Additionally, the RX 5600 XT is compatible with DirectX 12, Vulkan 1.1, and OpenGL 4.6, guaranteeing support for the latest games and software.
Conclusion
These additional graphics card options provide a wider range of options for gamers looking to build a gaming PC with 1440p capabilities. Each card has its strengths and weaknesses, so it's essential to consider your gaming preferences, desired features, and budget when making a decision. With the right graphics card, you can enjoy a fantastic 1440p gaming experience without breaking the bank.
