Just because you’re not a gamer, doesn’t mean you don’t need a good graphics card. Even if you only use your computer for basic tasks like email and web browsing, you still need a good graphics card.
A good graphics card can improve the performance of your computer in general, and it can also improve the performance of your other programs. If you’re not sure which graphics card to choose, here are a few of the best graphics cards for non-gamers.
List of Best Graphics Card for Non-Gamers
The right product is out there, but it can be hard to find. Our experts have put together a list of their top picks for you!
1. Asus GeForce GT 710
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Brand: Asus
- Model: GeForce GT 710 Video
- RAM: 2GB GDDR5
- Clock Speed: 954 MHz Output
- Ports: VGA, DVI, HDMI
- Max Resolution: 2560×1600
- Dimensions: 6.7 x 0.7 x 2.7 inches
VRAM Specifications
Asus GeForce GT 710 2GB GDDR5 is one of the best graphics cards for non-gamers since you easily perform some medium to light video editing tasks for your youtube channel, especially if you are budgeted and want to kickstart your career.
Compact Dimensions
It’s a low-profile card, so it’ll fit in most PCs, even if they have limited space because, in pcs that have mini-Atx motherboards, you should consider yourself lucky if you get a hold of a compact video card that could easily fit in its place.
Ports
It has HDMI, VGA, and DVI ports so you can connect your monitor with ease. The triple monitor support is great if you want to maximize productivity.
DirectX Support Version
It also has DirectX 12 support, which means that it’ll work with the latest Windows 10 and Windows 11 where almost every program is switching to newer DirectX 12, so be assured you will have the best possible experience.
Audio Aptitude
With all its features, the Asus GeForce GT 710 also supports HD Audio, which means that you’ll get high-quality sound while watching movies and playing games. If you want a cheap graphics card for your non-gaming PC, then go for the Asus GeForce GT 710.
Expert Opinion
Even though it doesn’t require much power to run, the Asus GeForce GT 710 delivers excellent performance. You can even play mid-range games like Dota 2 and World of Warcraft on low settings. It’s also great for other productivity tasks like photo and video editing.
Eddie.B says,
“This is an absolutely awesome graphics card if you want a nice and quiet computer, especially if you’re making this for a home entertainment center or for music production like me. I simply have nothing bad to say about it.”
2. ZOTAC GeForce GT 1030
SPECIFICATIONS
- Brand: Zotac
- Model: GeForce GT 1030 Video
- RAM: 2GB GDDR5
- Clock Speed: 1227 MHz Output
- Ports: DVI, HDMI
- Max Resolution: 7680×4320
- Dimensions: 6.77 x 0.63 x 4.38 inches
Affordable Price Tag
The Zotac GeForce GT 1030 is one of the cheapest GPUs available. But don’t let its price fool you, as it can outperform most other non-gaming graphics cards in its range.
Low Profile Build
It has a compact design and it uses very little power. If you have a small PC case, then this card will fit perfectly inside your rig.
Architecture Version
It uses the newest Pascal architecture, which means that it has a new display engine that gets you enhanced performance, and better productivity.
VRAM Bandwith
It has enough video memory to handle most tasks including photo and video editing, gaming, and streaming videos. The 2GB VRAM allows you to connect dual monitors without any problems.
Expert Opinion
The Zotac GeForce GT 1030 can handle most games at 1080p without any issues.
However, you might have to tweak the settings in some games depending on the resolution of your screen. You should buy this card if you want a cheap graphics card for general day-to-day tasks on your PC.
Casey Claims
“This card fits entirely within the envelope of one slot and still leaves a gap between it and a PCIe card in the adjacent slot. At 4K60, the screen tearing issues are resolved, and the combination of a Pascal core and GDDR5 graphics memory produces a significantly better viewing experience.”
3. VisionTek Radeon 5450
SPECIFICATIONS
- Brand: VisionTek
- Model: Radeon 5450 Video
- RAM: 2GB DDR3
- Clock Speed: 667 MHz Output
- Ports: VGA, DVI, HDMI
- Max Resolution: 2560×1600
- Dimensions: 5.9 x 2.4 x 0.6 inches
Decent Price To Value Ratio
The VisionTek Radeon 5450 is one of the best video cards for non-gamers, especially if you have a budget under $100, for a non-gaming video card, this one will bedazzle you.
DirectX Support Version
Although there is no DirectX 12 support available here, be assured you would be having a good time with the features of the latest DirectX 11 that includes but are not limited to, high-resolution graphics with better texture, shadows, and lighting.
Multiple Screen Support
It also supports triple monitor set-ups, so you can split your screen into three parts for multitasking and enhances the level of comfort so you don’t have to deal with constantly switching tabs while you stream or during projects.
Maximum Bandwith
It comes with three outports with a max resolution of up to 2560×1600, such ports include a VGA port for older displays, while the DVI and HDMI ports are ideal for HD screens.
Expert opinion
The VisionTek Radeon 5450 is great if you want to watch high-definition movies. It also works well with professional photo and video editing applications, even though it’s not recommended for heavy tasks like 3D rendering or 4k video editing.
It can also handle low-end games but you’ll have to limit your graphics and special effects. Overall, the VisionTek Radeon 5450 is a great entry-level nongaming graphics card, especially if you have a small budget under $100.
Frodude Claims
“I have two identical ACER SB220Q monitors that can display HD resolution. I was looking for a card that would display to both via HDMI, but I’m not willing to spend 300 as I’m not a gamer and don’t need the high refresh rates.
I got this card as a replacement and I couldn’t be happier. The installation was a breeze. One HDMI and one DVI to HDMI cable was easy. The BEST part is that they both display at 1920 x 1080 – Identical resolution.
Overall – a great card. Highly recommended”
4. MAXSUN AMD Radeon RX 550
SPECIFICATIONS
- Brand: Maxsun
- Model: AMD Radeon RX 550
- Video RAM: 4GB GDDR5
- Clock Speed: 1183 MHz Output
- Ports: DisplayPort, DVI, HDMI
- Max Resolution: 7680×4320
- Dimensions: 7.28 x 4.44 x 1.37 inches
Want the best video card for non-gamers? Well, the AMD Radeon RX 550 is a good choice if your PC is powered by an older generation processor. It’s great for entry-level gaming and it delivers more impressive graphics performance than most other non-gaming GPUs.
DirectX Version Support
It also supports DirectX 12, so you get optimized visuals with crisp images and smoother gameplay. Moreover, you can also take advantage of newer software optimization which is readily available in Windows 11.
VRAM Specifications
With its 4GB video memory, you can play games at 1080p on medium settings. Older AAA titles like Fallout 4 and GTA5 run smoothly, but expect some lag in more demanding titles. If your processor is not new, then the Radeon RX 550 is a good option for high-quality gaming visuals.
Array Of Ports
The output ports on the Radeon RX 550 allow you to connect three displays, which makes it a great choice for multitasking on your PC. You can use the DisplayPort and HDMI ports for high-resolution screens, while the DVI port is ideal for traditional monitors.
Expert Opinion
A big bonus with this card is that it uses very little power so your computer won’t need a lot of juice to run smoothly. Overall, the AMD Radeon RX 550 is a great entry-level GPU for non-gamers who want to enjoy high-quality visuals at an affordable price.
Dj Says
“Going from HD 8370D integrated graphics to an RX550 is a far bigger upgrade than I could’ve ever hoped for. Would definitely recommend“
5. VisionTek Radeon 7750
SPECIFICATIONS
- Brand: VisionTek
- Model: Radeon 7750
- Video RAM: 2GB GDDR5
- Clock Speed: 700 MHz Output
- Ports: DisplayPort
- Max Resolution: 4096×2160
- Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 1.5 inches
A remarkable video card that is ideal for non-gamers who want to enjoy high-quality graphics at 1080p.
VRAM Specifications
It’s great for video editing, photo work, and other day-to-day tasks. The 2GB video memory is just enough for two 4k monitors, so consider multitasking as if it’s your second nature.
DirectX 12 Version Support
As for DirectX 12 compatibility, this non-gaming video card passes the support test with flying colors and ensures you get a better viewing experience and software optimation.
Ports
This graphics card comes with two DisplayPorts which are ideal for 4k monitors, however, if you don’t own a 4k resolution monitor, a lower resolution such as 1080p wouldn’t be an issue either.
Auditory Support
For audio, each port features Dolby TrueHD audio to give you 7.1 channel surround sound, which is pretty handy if you are a movie or song enthusiast and want to bask in the joyful experience of your life.
Expert Opinion
The VisionTek Radeon 7750 is great for non-gamers because it’s cheap and it doesn’t require a lot of power.
You also get great performance for the price, making it a good choice for everyday applications. You can use this card if you want to enjoy high-quality graphics on your PC without spending a lot of money.
Aron says
“This VisionTek AMD Radeon HD 7750 Graphic’s Card is just Awesome its great @ Handling media on youtube @ 4k!”
6. MSI Gaming AMD Radeon RX 6600
SPECIFICATIONS
- Brand: MSI
- Model: AMD Radeon RX 6600
- Video RAM: 8GB GDDR6
- Clock Speed: 1792 MHz
- Ports: DisplayPort, HDMI
- Max Resolution: 2160*1080
- Dimensions: 9.3 x 1.8 x 4.9 Inches
Another entry in the list is from the most renowned graphics card manufacturer known as MSI, hailing from Taiwan is a land known for its finely crafted computer parts, so you would automatically know that you are getting the best product.
VRAM
Looking at its VRAM, this graphics card is highly suitable for non-gamers since it has 8GB GDDR6 VRAM which makes it highly suitable for individuals that like to indulge in tasks like video editing and rendering.
If you look at its price to value ratio you are getting here, I would consider this one the cheapest video card for 4k resolution, since with such massive VRAM bandwidth watching movies or video editing at 4k is pretty ideal.
Bit Rate
With 128 bits, you would be having a silky smooth experience while performing graphics-intensive tasks since the high bitrate would be able to move data swiftly from your graphics card to RAM in each clock cycle.
DirectX Support
This non-gaming graphics card also supports the latest version of DirectX 12 which means you get to have plenty of software support as well as highly optimized Ray tracing capabilities.
And the best part is that it is even backward compatible, so if a program performs slower or has some sort of glitch, then you can switch to DirectX 11 with ease.
VR Ready
The world is going virtual and if you don’t own a graphics card that isn’t VR Ready, then consider your hardware pretty much obsolete.
To keep up with the newest technology having a Virtual reality-oriented graphics card should be your utmost priority. With VR Ready capabilities, you would have a phenomenal experience in a virtual world.
Just pop your Oculus Rift or any other VR headset and connect it to the back of your graphics card and you are all set.
Display Synchronization Support
This non-gaming video card also has a FreeSync feature integrated into it and ensures that you don’t have to deal with any sort of screen tearing or distortion while having variable screen refresh rates and frame rates.
Since the adaptive technology makes sure that every frame you see on your screen is kept in complete sync.
Ports
Obviously, ports are the crucial part of a video card because how else would you hook up your monitor?
This versatile piece of engineering has a triple Display port 1.4a and a single HDMI 2.1a, so you can easily hook it up to external projections or your color-accurate monitor for your daily work routine.
Expert Opinion
The MSI Gaming Radeon RX 6600 is an obvious choice for being the best video card for a 4k monitor because when I felt like the 8GB GDDR6 VRAM was more than enough to edit my videos and render them at such high resolution.
Meanwhile, the FreeSync and VR ready also seemed pretty handy considering I am currently working on a virtual reality project, so if you have a similar scheme to design, so I would suggest that you get a hold of this graphics card.
A happy Tony Lynn says,
“MSI DID A AWESOME JOIN WITH THIS AMD CARD & IT RUNS COOL & SILENT.”
7. Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1650
SPECIFICATIONS
- Brand: Gigabyte
- Model: GeForce GTX 1650 D6
- Video RAM: 4GB 128-Bit GDDR6
- Clock Speed: 1650 MHz
- Ports: PCI-Express x16
- Dimensions: 7.52 x 4.53 x 1.42 inches
Truly Fine craftwork from Nvidia Geforce GTX 1650 D6 WindForce OC 4G that has plenty of aces up its sleeve and will surely surprise you.
Optimized Cooling System
Working and stressing your graphics card can take a toll on its component which is why having top tier cooling system is highly necessary, the WindForce 2X Cooling system with alternate fans ensures that your non-gaming video card remains frosty at all times without having to deal with thermal throttling every now and then with its 80MM unique blade fans.
VRAM
It took me by surprise that even with such a cheap price tag, it had a whopping 4GB GDDR6 VRAM, so fiddling with designing-based software such as AutoCAD and SolidWorks is virtually a breeze.
Clock Speed
On the other hand, it’s not just the VRAM that is important but also the clock speed, by having 1650Mhz, even the most daunting tasks would be done in splits seconds, or minutes, depending on the size of the allotted task.
Nifty And Compact
Haven’t got a gaming casing? Well, you would be happy to know that this non-gaming video card is considerably smaller compared to the ones that weigh a lot and has a size of an absolute unit. At a mere 172mm, you can basically fit it in almost any computer without a hitch.
Ports
It has various ports such as 1x DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0b, and 1 x DVI-D, implying you wont have to look for display adapters if you don’t find the port compatible with the cable or your monitor.
Expert Opinion
With such a slim and compact design and design range of 4GB VRAM, i pretty much consider this piece quite solid.
And with the added proficiency of having a unique and optimized cooling system, you might as well say your goodbyes to thermal throttling.
A Fulfilled Jayy says,
I’m running an Optiplex XE2 with the stock 375w gold PSU, 8GB RAM, and I can confirm that it will fit inside with no issues.