Nvidia’s GTX 1650 has maintained its legendary status among PC gamers, dominating the top spots in the Steam hardware survey for years. Although it’s still popular, it’s starting to show its age in contrast to modern games such as Alan Wake 2 and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. While still suitable for low-impact esports titles like Overwatch 2 and Valorant, an upgrade is advisable to enjoy AAA games in 2024 and beyond.
We will explore the best upgrade options from the GTX 1650 while considering its budget nature. This means focusing on GPUs close to the $160 to $200 price range and concentrating on 1080p gaming.
Nvidia RTX 3060
Undoubtedly, the best GPU upgrade from the GTX 1650 is Nvidia’s RTX 3060, boasting performance that surpasses the GTX 1650, bringing advancements like ray tracing support and Nvidia’s Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS), providing a significant leap in performance over its predecessor. Though the current price may be a concern, the secondhand market offers more affordable options.
AMD RX 7600
Although the AMD RX 7600 may come second to the RTX 3060, its price-to-performance ratio remains attractive and offers excellent all-around performance at 1080p. Refurbished models are available, making it a viable option for an upgrade from the GTX 1650.
Intel Arc A750
Intel’s Arc A750, while the cheapest option, offers good all-around performance, making it a viable alternative for budget upgrades from the GTX 1650.
Time for an upgrade
With the GPU shortage in the rearview mirror, several budget options provide a significant performance boost over the GTX 1650. As you consider upgrading, watch out for sales and promotions to take advantage of the best deals available.
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