The Best Low Profile Graphics Cards

A low-profile graphics card might be the best option for your next build for various reasons. A product that the tech experts call the best low profile graphics card provides flexibility and space savings at the same time. They may be smaller than the full-height best graphics card, but LP graphics cards can fit into almost any PC case. The low-profile graphics card has seen technological advances despite not being considered a premium hardware option. Consumers can now purchase a half-size GPU with enough power to play AAA games with reasonable frame rates. This guide features the top-end flagship low-profile graphics card products. It is an excellent alternative to cramming your PC case full of other significant components if you want to save space. There is a lot of power in low-profile graphics. Low-profile graphics cards are more compact, quieter, and produce less heat. Finding the right low-profile graphics card can be a challenge for those building their PCs for the first time or considering them first.

There is a lot of heat generated even by the best cheap graphics card, so you must choose wisely. Low Profile Graphics Cards are generally not intended to be used for gaming, but some people choose to buy them for particular reasons. The low-profile graphics cards we have used in the past have served my purpose well. The gamers can enjoy the absolute fun of the best graphics card for 1080p 144hz. Additionally, low profile graphics cards can also be categorized into low profile graphics cards and low profile graphics cards ready for low profile use. These graphics cards differ in the size of the brackets used on the backside. In slim cases, low-profile graphics cards are often the best budget graphics card. A low-profile bracket or half-height bracket comes preinstalled on the first, and a standard size bracket comes with the second.

Our top picks

Quick Shopping Tips:

Before diving deeper into this worthwhile discussion, let’s discuss a few factors that immensely affect a graphics card. These factors serve as shopping tips and are helpful while choosing the right product.

Clock Speed: Your graphics card’s clock speed is crucial. The clock speed determines the GPU’s ability to process information. Your graphics card’s cores are responsible for rendering graphics. Your GPU’s clock speed plays a significant role in how fast it processes and performs well. Due to this, we made our selection and chose only graphics cards that had a high to average clock speed.

VRAM: Video Random Access Memory is an essential component of gaming performance. The use of VRAM improves image quality and reduces load times on the system. It is generally better to have a low profile graphics card with more VRAM. To this end, we have selected GPUs with at least a decent level of performance. Generally, 4GB of VRAM is sufficient for 1080p gaming. You should, however, choose a higher resolution if your monitor is QHD or UHD.

Connectivity Ports: Your monitor needs connectivity ports to display the image that your GPU generates. Our picks provide several different connectivity options to achieve 4K graphics. However, the average PC consumes very little energy, which increases over time, especially if you play for hours. Due to this, we have selected low profile graphics cards that offer decent performance but are also relatively efficient, saving you money at the same time.

GPU Model: We should always check the GPU model before buying a new GPU. As we only analyze low-profile graphics cards, we can ignore high-end categories such as Nvidia’s Geforce RTX 3060, RTX 3070, RTX 3080 series, and AMD’s Radeon RX 6700 XT and Radeon RX 6800 XT series as most of these items are bulky and aren’t great for compact rigs. Some of the top yet sleek GPU models are the GTX 1650, GTX 1050, GTX 1030, GT 730, GT 710, RX 560, and RX 570.

The Best Low Profile Graphics Cards: First look

The Best Low Profile Graphics Cards: In-depth Review

Go with the ZOTAC GAMING GeForce GTX 1650 OC for a compact card with good performance. This card may be small, but it is pretty powerful as well. Additionally, because it’s a super edition model, you can expect good results even in newer titles. It would fit into most mini-ITX computers. In contrast, this best low profile graphics card offers decent cooling and thermal performance. With this model, you’ll receive a plastic shroud, and the overall color scheme is neutral most of the time, so it should blend in well with most builds. The clock frequency is 1530MHz, with an optional boost to 1725MHz. If you receive it, you will be able to adjust it according to your preferences.

The design has a twin-fan design without any factory overclocking and judging by the overall dimensions. Its fast VRAM makes it hands down the best graphics card for gaming. Furthermore, the PCI 3.0 support combined with Direct X12 compatibility rounds out the list of other integral features. Two slots on this card are used for primary IO outputs. This one comes with a single HDMI, DVI, a DisplayPort 1.4 and supports quite a lot of modern technologies. You can use it both for a 4K and an 8K setup. However, you will need a power supply of 350 Watts to run this beast, while the original voltage draw was set at 100 Watts.

GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1050 Ti OC Low Profile is a famous brand that specializes in high-end gaming laptops and components and accessories that are designed for heavy-duty use is Gigabyte. Products are developed by the company with advanced features and customizable options to meet various consumer requirements. A low-profile design with a 167mm card length allows this best low profile GPU card to fit into small systems. The graphics card’s specifications show it runs at a boost clock of 1442 MHz and a base clock of 1328 MHz in OC mode. The boost clock is 1417 MHz for seamless performance, and the base clock is 1303 MHz when in gaming mode. You get an intuitive tool for monitoring and tuning the performance.

The Xtreme engine utility offers you the ability to customize the card by clicking a button. It eliminates the hassle of manual adjustment and requires no overclocking experience. We appreciate that this best runner-up low profile graphics card comes with ultra cooling systems. Even though it uses fewer RDS and GPU, it is pretty cost-efficient. It has MOSFETs for faster electric current charging and a lower switching resistance. Metal chokes prevent energy loss and electromagnetic interference. Moreover, solid capacitors with a lower ESR have better electronic conductivity, resulting in longer lifespans and better performance. The graphics card can support multiple monitors at once to the graphics card. The device features two HDMI ports, two DVI-D ports, and a DP port.

EVGA GeForce GT 1030 SC 2GB is low profile can mean many different things, but the essential characteristic is the lack of noise. A GPU without any fans is the quietest you can get, one that relies solely on the heatsink. Even though it’s a dual-slot GPU, it’s still miniature compared to almost every other “normal” video card. The heatsink alone is compelling enough to maintain the temperature to prevent severe throttling. There may be 83 degrees Celsius temperature rise in your case, but if there is adequate airflow, this won’t be a problem. EVGA constantly puts the same care and attention into the design of their products, regardless of whether they are budget cards or high-end graphics cards.

With 1030, you get everything you could want in a slight form factor gaming build. Compared to other cards in this guide, this is the only one with good visual appeal. If you accompany your mid-tier gaming computer with the best mid-range low profile graphics card, you can benefit from the performance and save some bucks. Additionally, Direct X 12 is supported, which improves graphics on PC games. A low-budget user looking to upgrade from integrated graphics should consider this card. For gamers, the 1030’s low-to-medium settings make it suitable for playing games. It makes an excellent option for those on a budget looking to play mainstream games. Indeed, these graphics cards deliver a superior gaming experience.

MSI Radeon RX 560 4GB is a low-profile, affordable graphics card offering modest performance at 1080p; these graphic cards are suitable for low-profile PCs. The low-profile GPU is willing to compromise graphics quality and set it to medium settings. The card is a good choice if you have a limited budget for gaming on your PC. You can get much more worthy best low profile GPU on a budget. The GPU has a low-profile design and a single fan. The system should be easy to install in a compact system. For PC gaming, this card offers a lot of value, and it also works well with home entertainment systems.

The device comes with multiple video output ports to connect to an HDMI port or an external display regardless of its size. The boost clock speeds can reach as high as 1196MHz, which gives you decent performance. This GPU is also one of the better low-profile GPUs under a hundred bucks due to its 4GB of GDDR5 RAM. This card would perform well as the best AMD low profile graphics card outperforms its rivals on settings at 1080p. World of Warcraft, The Witcher 3, and other similar games are all playable at 60 frames per second. A low-profile graphics card should prove to be within your budget.

As its name shows, EVGA GeForce GT 1030 SC Passive uses passive cooling; this high-quality graphics card is quiet and provides a great viewing experience. Compared with other cards, the low profile ones differ in energy consumption. Where a typical small form factor graphics card runs at about 300 watts, this one can operate at 250 watts. If you are trying your best to optimize your experience, that saves you time, money, and battery life. The GPU in this particular model will be a great asset to beginners or those just starting with building their machines. This GPU is easy to install and comes with all the high-quality benefits of other GPUs, including passive cooling, decreased waste, and improved durability.

These low profile graphic cards are decent cards. It is still an excellent card for a variety of general-purpose applications and light games. This item is the best budget low profile graphics card and is perfect for PC cases with small form factors. Due to the card’s small size, only one slot is available. This graphic card can hold its own in some games tested. Most of the time, we achieved 60fps with the occasional dip into the 30s or 40s. With built-in automatic tuning, it combines EVGA Precision and EVGA OC Scanner to give users an experience that is powerful and easy to handle. This card is a well-optimized option for most PC users.

ZOTAC GeForce GT 1030 Low Profile offers excellent performance at a meager price, so they’re a perfect choice for most computer users. The GPU uses GDDR5 VRAM, which runs at 6000 MHz for high performance, regardless of the only two gigabytes of RAM. In addition, this best graphics card for gaming includes a fan to ensure that you get excellent performance without thermal throttling. So no matter how much you play and how long you keep playing your favorite games, this product will always have your back since it ensures that the user achieves high performance without thermal thrust.

The performance of the GPU should be excellent at its base clock speed of 1227 MHz and its boost clock speed of 1468 MHz. Due to its GPU for playback and introductory video being very balanced, this product is one of the top items and is the best overall low profile graphics card. You can anticipate good performance because of the top-tier features, swift performance, and excellent build quality. A VGA and HDMI port are available on this GPU background. Although some users may find them limiting, they are still an admirable addition to a low-profile product like this one. This product is highly acclaimed because of its balance between gaming and primary video output.

The MSI GeForce GTX 1650 4GT LP OC is enjoyable to use because of the additions it has to offer. Participating in this community, we have seen my computer performance increase dramatically. The product works as expected every time, and it has some fun perks. It goes beyond the best graphics card for gaming and has a clear screen with features like Afterburn and the live streaming platform. The video card also has 4GB of memory, allowing you to work through and use a lot of memory. This method maximizes output while at the same time ensuring your system is running at its best at whatever level you are working. When I first began using the system, monitoring my metrics in real-time put my mind at ease.

The software made overclocking a simple task, regardless of your system. Two display ports are present on this GPU, enough for most applications. GTX low-profile video cards are capable of performing integer and floating-point operations simultaneously. Contrary to previous models, it has a unified architecture and best value low profile graphics card with adaptive shading technology and twice the memory and a larger cache. Using Turing graphics makes this model 1.4x more efficient than its predecessors, making gameplay faster, quieter, and less prone to overheating. DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0b are both available on the front of the card. You can use the GTX 1650 for gaming and other intensive tasks thanks to CUDA or other APIs.

MSI GT 710 2GD3H LP is modest yet powerful and relatively inexpensive compared to most of its other graphics cards and computer components. Low-profile graphics cards give your computer a GPU without spending much money. The 192 CUDA cores on this graphics card are affordable and low profile, are clocked at 954 MHz. The GPU also features the best low profile GPU, and a low-profile graphics card is the perfect fit for anyone building an entry-level PC case. Having a single-slot design is an excellent advantage of this budget-friendly GPU. As a passive cooling heater, you won’t hear any fan noise.

As with the clocked DDR3 VRAM, 1GB of VRAM is available with this GPU. The card is built on the 28 nm process and uses the GK208B graphics chip in the GK208-203-B1 variant. DirectX 12 support, 16 texture mapping units are the best Nvidia low profile graphics card, and 8 ROPs are all included in this graphics card. There is a frequency of 954 MHz for the GPU; 900 MHz for the memory. These single-slot cards do not require additional power connectors, and their power draw is rated at 19 W. They measure 145 mm in length and feature a single-slot cooling solution.

Final Words

Low-profile GPUs make for an excellent entry-level gaming option for casual gamers. Today’s graphics cards are often bulky and may not fit into smaller form factor PCs, so anyone with a compact system should choose the best low profile graphics card. You can solve this problem with a low-profile graphics card. In this list, even the lowest tier GPU can run practically any mainstream game at a minimum of 45-50 FPS, so it is an ideal choice to pick one of the top low-profile cards. A low-end product or upgrading your entire system could be the right option if your situation is similar. Even though all of these cards will perform optimally according to their specifications if you’re looking for casual gaming, if you’re looking to compete or become a professional gamer, then a proper PC build is the right move.

There is only one kind of user who uses low-profile graphics cards, and that’s someone who wants to build a small, inconspicuous desktop computer. To maximize performance, they have been specially designed. With new developments in technology, we are finally rewarded with decent products that serve a purpose. Casual gamers can benefit from low-profile GPUs. The performance is typically better with low-profile GPUs. Even the lowest tier GPUs in this selection can run most mainstream titles comfortably at 45-50 FPS, which is excellent for casual gamers. Low-profile GPUs are the better option for serious gamers who want to take advantage of the best performance. In any case, you’re still likely to need graphics cards that support basic graphics-intensive tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions