Detailed graphics card specifications and reviews are great - that is, if you have the time to do the research. But at the end of the day, what a gamer needs is the best graphics card within a certain budget.

So if you don’t have the time to research the benchmarks or if you don’t feel confident enough in your ability to make the right decision, fear not. We at Tom’s Hardware Guide have come to your aid with a simple list of the best gaming cards offered for the money.

March Review And April Updates

March has shown the graphics card industry some of the most aggressive price cuts to date. An example is the Radeon 3850; while retailing for over $200 just a few months ago, this card can now be found for $135 online. The GeForce 9600 GT is now $150, wiping the more expensive 3870 off of the recommended list. But these are only two of the most dramatic examples as the entire sector has seen massive price reductions. This is very good news for the consumer, indeed!

The other notable news in March was the introduction of the GeForce 9800 GX2. But unfortunately, as is the case with the 3870 X2, this dual-GPU card is difficult to recommend at this time. This is because falling prices have made it much cheaper to purchase separate graphics cards and link them together in an SLI or Crossfire configuration, which often results in increased performance over the dual-GPU cards.

A final note regarding the AGP bus: it has become very difficult to source AGP X1950 PRO and 7900 GS stock. This is the first time there are no compelling products for AGP between $120 and $220, and we can’t help but wonder if this product hole is an omen that AGP is on the verge of dropping off the map.

The Best Gaming Graphics Cards For The Money

A few simple guidelines to keep in mind when reading this list include:

• This list is for gamers who want to get the most for their money. If you don’t play games, the cards in this list are more expensive than you need;
• Prices and availability change on a daily basis. We can’t offer up-to-the-minute accurate pricing info, but we can list some good cards that you probably won’t regret buying at the price ranges we suggest;
• The list is based on some of the best U.S. prices from online retailers. In other countries or retail channels, your mileage will most certainly vary;
• These are new card prices. No used or open box cards are in the list; they might be a good deal, but it’s out of the scope of what we’re trying to do.

(Compare Prices on Top Graphics Cards)

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