The summary of ‘Top 3 BEST Graphics Cards under $150’

This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.

00:00:0000:21:05

In the video, Jack and Matt from the Toaster Bros review three budget-friendly GPUs under $150, aiming to identify the best performance-value option for a gaming PC featuring an Intel i3-10100 CPU. The tested GPUs are the Sapphire RX 580 (8GB), EVGA GeForce GTX 970, and R9 390, procured from eBay.

The GTX 970, though older with 3.5GB of VRAM, offers decent performance in games like "Rainbow Six Siege" and "Shadow of the Tomb Raider," but struggles to maintain a stable 60 FPS in more demanding titles. The R9 390, with its 8GB of VRAM, generally outperforms the GTX 970 but has issues with overheating and potential longevity concerns.

The RX 580 emerges as the standout choice, outperforming both the GTX 970 and R9 390 in benchmarks. It delivers high frame rates across various games, including "Call of Duty: Warzone" and "Rainbow Six Siege," making it a superior option for gamers on a budget. Despite being slightly more expensive, the RX 580's consistent performance and value make it a recommended investment for budget builds. The video concludes by encouraging viewers to check out merchandise and subscribe for more content.

00:00:00

In this part of the video, Jack and Matt from the Toaster Bros introduce the top three GPUs available for under $150. These GPUs have been featured in many budget builds on YouTube. The video is divided with a sponsorship segment by Vit Ramen, highlighting its nutritious ramen products and their support for employees.

They then discuss the three GPUs:
1. **Sapphire RX 580 (8GB)** – Acquired for around $120 on eBay, known for good performance and value.
2. **EVGA GeForce GTX 970** – Typically priced between $90 and $110, despite being older with 3.5GB of VRAM.
3. **R9 390** – Costs around $100 to $130, similar in price and expected performance to the RX 580.

These GPUs will be tested in an i3-10100 gaming PC for benchmarks.

00:03:00

In this part of the video, the presenter discusses the specifications of the PC being used for testing various graphics cards and outlines the upcoming benchmark tests. The PC features a B460 motherboard, Intel i3-10100 CPU, 512GB NVMe drive, and 16GB of DDR4 RAM. The first graphics card tested is the GTX 970, with benchmarks run on games like Rainbow Six Siege, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and Call of Duty Modern Warfare Warzone. Initial results from Rainbow Six Siege show an average FPS of 154, a minimum of 114, and a maximum of 203 on very high settings. Subsequently, Shadow of the Tomb Raider is tested on high settings at 1920×1080 resolution, with performance dipping below 60 FPS, indicating its higher demand on the system.

00:06:00

In this segment, the benchmark for one graphics card (GPU) is completed, yielding an average of 55 FPS, which is below the desired 60 FPS. The focus then shifts to testing another game, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare’s Warzone, using a consistent mix of normal and high graphics settings. The testing is done in the battle royale practice mode for consistency. Upon dropping into the game, the older GPU under test manages around 70-80 FPS before settling around 60+ FPS. Despite being an older card, it still performs relatively well on high settings at 1080p, maintaining an average of roughly 66-68 FPS. The expectation is that other GPUs might perform better, but the current results are considered impressive for a budget GPU.

00:09:00

In this segment, the speaker tests the R9 390 graphics card, comparing it to the GTX 970. They run benchmarks in “Rainbow Six Siege” with very high settings, noting the R9 390 has 8GB of VRAM compared to the 970’s 3.5GB. However, MSI Afterburner is not detecting GPU usage on the R9 390. The benchmark results show an average FPS of 151, a minimum of 107, and a maximum of 231, with the max FPS being higher but the average slightly lower than the 970.

Next, they test “Shadow of the Tomb Raider” using high settings. The R9 390 achieves an average FPS of 64, which is a 9 FPS improvement over the 970. The speaker attributes this likely to the increased VRAM. They also express concern that the R9 390 may be showing signs of failing.

00:12:00

In this part of the video, the presenter benchmarks several graphics cards using different games to assess their performance. They start by testing Warzone on a high-medium settings mix, noting that while the benchmarking process isn’t highly consistent, it provides a rough performance estimate. The R9 390 card shows a good average of 75-80 fps, with occasional dips and peaks. The presenter warns that the R9 390 runs hot, which could affect its lifespan. Next, they benchmark the RX 580 in Rainbow Six Siege, stating that it is expected to perform better than the previously tested cards. Initial results show that the RX 580 achieves fps rates between 190 and 200+.

00:15:00

In this part of the video, the RX 580 outperforms other GPUs significantly, achieving an average FPS of 214, a minimum of 165, and a maximum of 284 in initial testing, compared to the 970’s average of 154. The RX 580 is evaluated further in “Shadow of the Tomb Raider” on high preset settings, resulting in an average of 72 FPS, an improvement but less dramatic than in other games. Finally, in “Call of Duty: Warzone” on the same settings, the RX 580 reaches almost 100 FPS, showcasing its ability to handle high settings smoothly at 1080p, indicating it’s a strong choice for gaming.

00:18:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the performance of the RX 580 graphics card, noting its stable frame rate between 80 to 100 FPS and overall impressive results. They explain that the RX 580, especially the 8GB model, offers significant value despite being slightly more expensive than the compared cards, such as the 970 and 390. The RX 580 was purchased for $120 and proved to be a worthwhile investment. For budget builds, the 970 under $100 remains a good option, while the 390 is less preferred due to its tendency to overheat and potential longevity issues. The speaker also mentions upcoming and current merchandise, encouraging viewers to check the descriptions for shopping links and to subscribe to their channels and Twitch.

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