If youre in search of a mini graphics card for ITX builds then youve come to the right place.
While this can result in slightly higher temps, it does create some new, exciting build opportunities.
In this post, we will cover the best mini graphics cards on the market right now.
What is the best mini graphics card?
Although it is based on the older Pascal architecture, it runs reasonably fast and is energy-efficient.
Despite being a single-slot card, it takes up two expansion slots on the motherboard.
Nevertheless, the thicker form factor manages to optimize airflow with a custom-designed 90mm fan.
Were talking at least 50 fps on most games max configs.
Surprisingly, it only requires 300 watts of power.
Another big plus of the ZOTAC 1050 is that it offers full DirectX 12 compatibility.
You wont have to fool around with drivers to get this card up and running.
No, instead youre getting a set it and forget it kind of card.
Simply connect it to your motherboard, turn it on, and youre ready to go.
Overall, the 1050 Ti Mini is a still top choice for some casual 1080p gaming.
Even though the 1650 Ventus XS is a double slot card, the build maintains a relatively slim profile.
Dual 90mm fans handle the cooling needs without taking up a lot of space.
Because of this, it runs at faster speeds without overheating or crippling airflow throughout the chassis.
Native Full-HD resolution support for all modern games is available right out of the box.
For 1080p gaming, max prefs are attainable without any trouble at all.
The latest Nvidia drivers are hardcoded into this GPU, too.
That means it supports DirectX 12 from the moment its connected.
Simply plug it into the PCI-e slot and youre done.
Overall, the 1650 Ventus XS is a great upgrade for beginners after as snug fit.
The innovative design also helps to keep temperatures low.
It fits 99% of all systems while leaving plenty of room for airflow and cable management.
To handle the temperatures effortlessly, a single, oversized fan sits on top.
Native support for Full-HD resolutions is standard on the GTX 1650.
4K resolution and 8K resolution options are available, too.
ZOTACs software (used to dial in custom GPU options) is fully compatible with this card.
Connecting your monitor to your PC through this GPU is super easy, too.
Overall, the GTX 1650 is an awesome solution for anybody with a limiting system.
Based on Turing chipset architecture, it offers fantastic performance while increasing efficiency.
With 6GB of dedicated VRAM, it has no problems handling games up to 1440p resolutions.
At just 6.2 inches long, its not hard to find space for this SFF GPU in any build.
The compact design doesnt compromise cooling capabilities, either.
The Super Twin natively supports full-HD resolutions, with 4K and 8K resolution support available as well.
Thats because of the 1280 CUDA cores for a 1725 MHz boost.
To boost, throttle, and optimize the hardware, ZOTACS software is present.
Firestorm makes it easy to fiddle with the controls to get your build running the way you want.
Youll also appreciate the connectivity options, too.
Featuring integrated HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, and Dual-Link DVI ports.
A Phoenix double ball-bearing fan increases airflow significantly while increasing the longevity too.
Aesthetically, the whole thing sort of looks like a UFO as it slots into your gaming rig.
Game Booster, Game Caster, and Quantum Cloud software can be used too.
Connecting it up to tipple monitors is effortless through HDMI 2.0, Display Port 1.4, and DVI-D ports.
All in all, the GTX 1660 Super OC is an incredibly fast and stylish mini graphics card.
This card is no exception.
From a pure design standpoint, this GPU is a little bit on the larger side of things.
It takes 2.75 slots on the mobo (though it only connects via one).
Of course, frame rates are going to drop at those resolutions.
Impressively, it is powerful enough to handle video capture, HDR, and demanding renderings as well.
To help make this possible, Nvidia G-Sync technology is built right in.
That smooths out refresh rates regardless of the kind of monitor you own.
Support for DirectX 12, OpenGL, and Vulkan API comes standard, too.
Getting it up and running is simply plug and play thanks to the built-in drivers.
Based on Turing architecture, it brings real-time ray tracing and AI to your games.
Despite its small size, the RTX 2070 Mini still manages to cool the unit effectively.
The result is a whisper-quiet operation without sacrificing the performance.
During testing, we found that it could handle Apex between 90-100 fps, and RDR2 over 60 fps.
Therefore, it can likely handle most things.
Lastly, to monitor and tune the GPU, you will appreciate the ASUS GPU Tweak II software.
All parameters are easily customizable via the on-screen configurator.
Much like the Asus 2070 Mini, this card takes advantage of NVIDIA Turing architecture.
However, to improve gaming power it boasts 2560 CUDA cores for a 1770 MHz boost clock.
In terms of form and size, the ZOTAC RTX 2070 Super Mini closely resembles the Asus 2070 Mini.
Similarly, it has a dual-slot design with twin 85mm fans cooling the aluminum heatsink.
To dissipate heat, the heat sink offers full coverage and the fans are optimized for static pressure.
Built into the heatsink are 3 x 6mm copper pipes that provide direct contact for maximum heat extraction.
On the whole, the fans are fairly quiet and allow for decent circulation.
It performs excellent on high tweaks, and can sometimes push 1440p 144 fps on less demanding titles.
Firestorm allows you to fine-tune the GPU voltage, memory clock, temperature targets, and much more.
We find this software to be highly effective and pleasant to work with.
Due to this, the compact, dual-slot design measures as little as 6.7 inches in length.
Like most other RTX 30 series cards, the Aero 3060 is based on Nvidia Ampere architecture.
Ampere brings a massive boost in performance with enhanced ray-tracing cores, tensor cores, and streaming multi-processors.
Powering the card is Nvidias GA104-200 graphics processing unit with 3584 CUDA cores.
Assisting this is an Aero ITX series fan to remove the surrounding hot air.
It can handle 1440p, high prefs and is capable of some 4K60fps gameplay.
Based on Nvidia Ampere architecture, it takes advantage of the latest ray-tracing abilities.
Powering this is 3584 CUDA Cores for a 1882 MHz boost clock, plus 12GB of GDDR6 memory.
As a result, its compatible with all compact cases including mini-ITX and console-size builds.
Despite its small size, the RTX 3060 XC does not sacrifice temperatures in the cooling department.
Additionally, two cutouts in the PCB and metal backplate improve airflow and exhaust recovery.
In terms of performance, the RTX 3060 XC triumphs both 1080p and 1440p gaming.
At 1440p we found it capable of hitting 80 fps on RDR2 (high prefs).
Impressively, it only maxed out at 69C (21C ambient temperatures) under a full gaming load.
Idle temps, were around 45C.
BAR Support is also available for most EVGA motherboards.
What Does Mini Mean in Graphics Cards?
Like most other components, the term mini in graphics cards refers to a small version of that component.
Most mini graphics cards setups only utilize one fan, which may not be sufficient for certain applications.
Typically, mini graphics cards are the same price as full-sized cards, and they boast similar performance.
Are Mini Graphics Cards Good?
Mini graphics cards are about as good their full-ITX cousins, but there are a few things to consider.
Both graphics cards use the GA104-202-A1 graphics chip, and they feature 8GB of memory.
The full-sized GPU measures 36 Db, so the difference isnt that great.
The mini debuted at $449, only $20 less than the full-sized setup.
The numbers provide plenty of information, but you should consider how they perform in a real-world setting.
Most mini cards struggle with overclocking.
The cards offer similar performance and pricing, but there are slight differences.
Nvidia is preferred for a 4K experience, and Nvidia cards have a slight advantage in performance.
AMD cards are usually cheaper, but there is not as much of a gap as before.
you’re free to also get more VRAM with AMD in certain equivalencies.
Ray-tracing
Ray-tracing is newer technology that simulates how light reflects off surfaces and streaks through the air.
Not all graphics cards support ray-tracing, so this is a nice feature to have.
Even if your games dont have the right standards for it, this can future-proof your build.
check that you choose a mini graphics card that meets your expectations.
For casual gaming, the baseline is now 144Hz.
Moreover, a 240 Hz refresh rate is preferential for professional or competitive gaming.
A top-end mini graphics card will have no problems running at 240 Hz.
Pay attention to dimensional features like length, height, and thickness.
Most mini-ITX motherboards can accommodate a mini graphics card that runs a standard length of 8 inches or less.
Memory for Video (VRAM)
Pay attention to the VRAM offered by your graphics card.
Higher resolution performance requires more VRAM for a single frame.
For 1080p, you want at least 2GB, but 6GB is the best.
For the 4K experience, look for 8GB or more.
You cannot install more VRAM, so if you ever need more you have to upgrade your GPU.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are mini graphics cards?
Mini graphics cards are considerably shorter in length than a conventional, full-size GPU.
The reduction in size benefits users building SFF systems.
Is a mini graphics card worse?
Are ITX cards worth it?
Instead, you will be better off with a full-size card.
What graphics card can fit in a Mini ITX case?
We hope you found a mini itx graphics card on this list.
