Best Graphics card for Intel i3 6100 in 2023
The i3 6100 CPU debuted in 2015 and is still a common option for entry-level to mid-range builds despite its age. However, choosing the best graphics card for the Intel i3 6100 is essential to guaranteeing a fluid gaming experience. In this blog post, we’ll look at some of the top GPUs you might want to take into account for your i3 6100 build. To help you choose the GPU that would be the best fit for your needs, we’ll examine their features, performance, and overall value for the money. So let’s get started!
Best Graphics card for i3 6100
| Graphics card | Gigabyte Radeon RX 6500 XT Eagle 4 GB | Zotac GeForce GTX 1660 Twin Fan 6 GB | ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1650 Compact OC 4GB GDDR6 | Sapphire Radeon RX 6400 low profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image |  |  |  |  |
| Title | Best Gaming Option | Most Powerful option | Best All-Rounder | Best cheap and compact gaming option |
| Avg FPS 1080p HD Graphics (10 Games) | 49 FPS | 61 FPS | 38 FPS | 39 FPS |
| Memory | 4GB GDDR6 | 6GB GDDR5 | 4GB GDDR6 | 4GB GDDR6 |
| TDP | 107 Watts | 120 Watts | 75 Watts | 55 Watts |
| Check Price | View at Amazon | View at Amazon | View at Amazon | View at Amazon |
1- Gigabyte Radeon RX 6500 XT Eagle 4 GB
Best Gaming Option
Specification
Stream Processors: 1024 Cores | Memory: 4 GB GDDR6 | Boost Clock: 2815 MHz | TDP: 107 Watts | Recommended PSU: 400 Watt | Power Connectors:1x 8-pin | Outputs: 1x HDMI 2.0 and 3x DisplayPort 1.4a
The Gigabyte Radeon RX 6500 XT Eagle 4G Graphics Card is a great choice for gamers on a budget who want to pair their i3 6100 CPU. Although it may not outperform its main competitor, the Nvidia GTX 1650 Super, it still delivers excellent performance for 1080p AAA 60 FPS gaming and high refresh rate multiplayer games.
The GPU boasts 1024 cores and 4GB of GDDR6 memory, requiring a single 6-pin connector. It excels in games that are optimized for AMD hardware, such as Far Cry, Assassin’s Creed, and Rainbow Six Siege, where it outperforms the GTX 1650 Super. However, it falls behind in some games like RDR2 and Control. Overall, it delivers FPS performance that is comparable to the GTX 1650 Super, making it a solid option for 1080p gaming.
One of the key advantages of the RX 6500 XT is its price point. Its available price is lower than the GTX 1650 Super, making it a more affordable option for gamers on a tight budget. Its power efficiency is highly impressive, consuming a mere 90 watts of power during average gameplay, making it a great choice for older pre-built i3 6100 systems that come with 350-400 watt power supplies.
During the 3DMark Port Royal Stress Test, the RX 6500 XT reaches a maximum temperature of 71 degrees Celsius but remains below that while gaming. The GPU requires a 1×6-pin connector, which is typically easy to find in most pre-built systems.
In summary, if you are looking for a cost-effective GPU to pair with your i3 6100 CPU, the Gigabyte Radeon RX 6500 XT Eagle 4G Graphics Card is the best Gaming option.
Pros – 1080p Gaming Performance is very close to Nvidia GTX 1650 Super
Superb Power Efficiency
Available at Reasonable price
Average GPU Temps
Superb Performance with i3 6100
Cons – No Ray Tracing performance
Not a good option for Professionals
2- Zotac GeForce GTX 1660 Twin Fan 6 GB
Most Powerful option
Specification
Stream Processors: 1408 Cores | Memory: 6 GB GDDR5 | Boost Clock: 1785 MHz | TDP: 120 Watts | Recommended PSU: 450 Watt | Power Connectors:1x 8-pin | Outputs: 1x HDMI 2.0 and 3x DisplayPort 1.4a
If you’re looking for a GPU that’s powerful and suitable for both gaming and productivity, the Zotac GTX 1660 6 GB is an excellent choice to pair with an i3 6100 CPU. It outperforms other GPUs like the GTX 1650 Super and RX 6500 XT at 1080p AAA high graphics gaming and can even run games like Control, God of War, Total War, Hitman 3, and Forza Horizon 5 with ease. However, when it comes to multiplayer or high FPS gaming, this GPU may experience a little bottlenecking at lower graphics settings.
Apart from gaming, the GTX 1660 can also boost productivity performance when it comes to video editing and 3D rendering. It has 1408 Cuda Cores, 4 GB GDDR5 192-bit memory, and a GPU clock speed of 1785 MHz.
In addition to its impressive performance, the Zotac GeForce GTX 1660 6 GB boasts excellent cooling capabilities. During stress testing, the GPU maintains a temperature of lower than 70 watts under load. The fans on the GPU are almost silent, ensuring that the overall noise level of your system remains low. This makes the Zotac GTX 1660 6 GB a great option for those who prioritize a quiet and comfortable working environment. The GPU is power-efficient and consumes 136 watts of power during Furmark stress testing and 120 watts during gaming. It requires a 1-8 pin power connector.
Overall, the Zotac GTX 1660 6 GB is the most powerful GPU to pair with an i3 6100 CPU even if you’re looking for a powerful option for both gaming and productivity. It outperforms other budget-friendly GPUs and can run high-end games with ease.
Pros – Fastest GPU of this Article
High-Ultra Graphics gaming with 60 FPS
Much Faster than GTX 1650 Super
Very Power Efficient
Superb Cooling
No fan noise
Cons – No RTX and DLSS
More than 200$, makes it expensive option for i3 6100 build
3- ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1650 Compact OC 4GB GDDR6
Best All Rounder
Specification
Stream Processors: 896 Cores | Memory: 4 GB GDDR6 | Boost Clock: 1620 MHz | TDP: 75 Watts | Recommended PSU: 350 Watt | Power Connectors: None | Outputs: 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x DVI and 1x DisplayPort 1.4a
The Zotac GTX 1650 is a great option for those looking for a powerful and compact GPU that consumes low power. It is especially suitable for PCs with small PSU and casing. This GPU is capable of running many games at 1080p high graphics settings with 60 FPS. It is also an excellent choice for e-sports players who prefer higher frame rates in games like CS: GO, Rainbow Six Siege, and Fortnite. It can even deliver more than 60 FPS in demanding titles like Forza Horizon 5, GTA 5, Metro Exodus, and Doom Eternal with decent graphics settings.
It has 896 CUDA cores, a boost clock of 1695 MHz, and 4GB of GDDR6 memory with a 128-bit interface. The GTX 1650 is highly efficient in terms of power consumption. Despite being a single fan and compact GPU It requires less than 70 watts of power while playing Forza Horizon 5 and stays relatively cool, with a maximum temperature of 69 degrees C. Its gaming performance is slightly behind the AMD RX 570, but it is a better option when considering availability, power efficiency, and other factors beyond gaming performance.
All things considered, the GTX 1650 is a fantastic choice for those searching for a small, low-power GPU that offers great performance for both gaming and productivity. It is especially appropriate for those on a tight budget or with little room for PC components.
Pros – Great Budget Option
Very Power Efficient
Small form factor GPU
No additional power connectors required
Runs many Latest games with 1080p High graphics
No GPU Bottlenecking
Cons – Slower than AMD RX 570 and RX 6500 XT
Not the Best 150$ gaming option
4- Sapphire Radeon RX 6400 low profile
Best cheap and compact gaming option
Specification
Stream Processors: 768 Cores | Memory: 4 GB GDDR6 | Boost Clock: 2321 MHz | TDP: 55 Watts | Recommended PSU: 350 Watt | Power Connectors: None | Outputs: 1x HDMI 2.1 and 1x DisplayPort 1.4a
The Sapphire Radeon RX 6400 low profile is the best budget graphics card for the i3 6100. It is a more power-efficient, slightly cheaper, and faster 1080p gaming option than the Nvidia GTX 1650 and GTX 1050 Ti. However, it may not be the best option for productivity as it lacks support for AV1 video hardware decode, VP9, H.264, and H.265 video encoding.
The RX 6400 has 768 Stream Processors, a 2321 MHz Boost Clock, and 4 GB of GDDR6 64-bit memory. It consumes only 50 watts of power when under 99% load and less than 40 watts during average gaming, and reaches a temperature of 65 degrees Celsius. The power supply requirements are so minimal that even a 300 Watt PSU can easily power this GPU.
Overall, the XFX Speedster SWFT105 Radeon RX 6400 Gaming is an excellent option for those on a budget who want a powerful and efficient graphics card for their i3 6100 System. Although it is not the best option for productivity, it provides excellent performance for a fair price when it comes to gaming.
Pros – Can run many games at 1080p High Settings
Most Power Efficient GPU
Better Gaming performance than GTX 1650
Compact Design
Low Temps
Best for Small Builds
No bottlenecking
Cons – Not a option for Productivity (3D Rendering, Video Editing etc)
Not Priced well
Buying Guide
When it comes to finding the best GPU for an i5 6100 build, there are a few factors to consider.
Budget
First and foremost, budget is a crucial aspect, as the GPU options in this range are typically between $100 to $200. Going beyond this price range may be too expensive for the build.
PC Case
Another factor to keep in mind is the PC case spacing. If you have a pre-built PC, it may have a smaller case, so opting for a compact GPU is recommended over a larger one like the GTX 1660.
Power Supply Requirement
The power supply unit (PSU) is also important to consider when choosing a GPU. Selecting a GPU with higher PSU requirements than what your system has could cause issues.
Preference
Finally, it’s essential to think about your requirements. If you need a GPU primarily for gaming, then AMD graphics cards are generally the best option in this budget. However, they may not be the ideal choice for work or productivity tasks such as 3D rendering or video editing. In this case, Nvidia GPUs are the better option as they perform well in both gaming and productivity tasks.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a few things to consider before choosing a GPU if you’re creating a PC with an i5 6100 processor and have a budget of between $100 and $200. A modest GPU like the GTX 1650 would be a better choice if your pre-built Computer has a smaller casing. You should also select a GPU based on your power source and if you intend to utilize it for productivity or gaming duties.
For those looking for a GPU primarily for gaming, the Gigabyte Radeon RX 6500 XT Eagle 4 GB is an excellent choice. It offers great 1080p gaming performance and power efficiency at a lower price point than the Nvidia GTX 1650 Super.
Ultimately, the best GPU for your i5 6100 build will depend on your specific needs and budget. You may make an informed selection and select the GPU that will provide the greatest performance for your Computer by keeping these considerations in mind.
