Best Low-Profile Graphics Card for 2023 [Our Reviews and Comparisons]

From the outside, a computer looks like a single, endlessly versatile machine; a single laptop computer can be capable of storing, searching, playing, and so much more. If one were to open it up, though, the same computer would be revealed to be a bewildering assemblage of components, each with a different shape, connection, and purpose; one chip stores memory, one processes tasks and commands, one connects with outside hardware, and so on.

All of these components together are colloquially referred to as the computer’s chipset. Most computers these days come with a chipset selected to be roughly evenly matched to one another in terms of speed and maximum load capability. Some computers are designed for a specific task, requiring them to have specialized chipsets that make them particularly good at, for instance, web browsing or memory retention.

These specialty computers can cost enormous amounts of money, enough to be off-putting to many buyers. These buyers tend to find themselves either making do with a less impressive machine, often at the expense of at least some of the functions they were after or using scaled down versions of whatever program it was they wanted to run to avoid overloading their computer.

For those with a modicum of technical expertise or a reliable electronics workshop nearby, there exists a third option. One can buy the needed components separately and install them into a lower-level computer, upgrading it without the added expense or the need to sacrifice performance satisfaction.

Low-Profile Graphics Card Comparison

PRODUCTFEATURESLATEST PRICE

1. MSI Gaming GT 710 2GD3 LP	Dual monitor outputs 954 MHz core DirectX supported 64-bit memory bus	Check Price
2. MSI GT 1030 2G LP OC	Two gigabytes of RAM Two full-size USB ports 1518 MHz clock speed 64-bit memory bus	Check Price
3. MSI GTX 1050 TI 4GT LP	1392 MHz clock speed 7008 MHz memory HDMI, USB, and display ports 4096 MB GDDR5	Check Price
4. MSI GTX 1650 4GT LP OC	300 lbs weight capacity 90-170 degrees recline Waterproof carbon style PU leather	Check Price
5. MSI MD1G/D3	1695 MHz clock speed 4GB GDDR5 video memory 128-bit memory bus HDMI and DVI ports	Check Price
6. EVGA 02G-P4-6333-KR	DDR3 SDRAM video memory 64-bit memory bus Three port options Single cooling array	Check Price
7. EVGA 06G-P4-1163-KR	6008 MHz clock speed 64-bit memory bus 2048 GB DDR5 video memory Two ports available	Check Price
8. EVGA 01G-P3-1312-LR	6144MB GDDR5 video memory 1830 MHz clock speed Three ports available Single cooling array	Check Price
9. EVGA 01G-P3-1302-LR	520 MHz memory 1230 MHz clock speed Three ports available Compatible with 32- and 64-bit systems	Check Price
10. EVGA 02G-P3-2617-KR	1200 MHz clock speed 1000-bit memory bus 1 GB DDR3 SSDRAM Three ports available	Check Price
11. ZOTAC ZT-T16520H-10L	2 GB RAM Thee ports available 64-bit memory bus 8 GB video memory	Check Price
12. ZOTAC ZT-71302-20L	128-bit memory bus 1590 MHz clock speed 4 GB GDDR6 video memory Dual cooling array	Check Price
13. ZOTAC ZT-P10300A-10L	Heat sink cooling array Three distinct ports 64-bit memory bus 1600 MHz clock speed	Check Price
14. ZOTAC ZT-71115-20L	64-bit memory bus 6000 MHz clock speed 2 GB GDDR5 video memory Single fan cooling array	Check Price
15. ZOTAC ZT-T16600K-10M	64-bit memory bus 1600 MHz clock speed 4 GB DDR3 RAM clock speed Three ports available	Check Price

This technique has taken particular hold among users of gaming computers; many dedicated gamers find themselves buying so many components for their computers that it sometimes becomes cheaper to simply build the entire computer from scratch. This may be an extreme example, but it is by no means uncommon for a gaming computer to have a number of aftermarket modifications.

Competitive gaming computers especially are often built with easily accessible interiors and modular chip connections to make upgrading them a quick and easy process.

Possibly the most commonly upgraded piece of a chipset is the graphics card, a smaller, dedicated processor with the sole purpose of running the screen while any video media is playing. With millions of particles to track and display, a highly detailed and active screen can be enough to ‘lag’ the computer, displaying events after they happen, if not actually freezing the entire main processor.

With that said, it should be clear why a good graphics card is crucial for the successful gamer. There’s no real hope to play anything if you can’t see what the game is doing around you. Having a good graphics card isn’t necessarily a pure bonus to your computer because you are effectively adding in a second processor alongside your CPU. The addition of a dedicated graphics card can significantly boost power consumption and heat emissions from your computer.

Laptop gamers will naturally be the ones feeling this the most – after all, their hands are sitting almost directly atop their computers’ chipsets. Desktop gamers might start to notice the effects too once their graphics card heats up and slows down the rest of their machine. Although there are some gamers who simply make the tradeoff or invest in a better cooling unit for their computer, there exists another solution, known as the low-profile graphics card.

The low-profile graphics card strikes a balance between the integrated graphics processing provided by the computer’s original CPU and the more power-hungry performance of a full-size graphics card. They are far more efficient than their larger counterparts, drawing less power and producing less heat, and tend to be narrower or flatter than a full graphics card to enable them to fit inside laptops and smaller computer towers.

This more convenient size of graphics card does mean certain compromises on performance speed and quality. The smaller cards do lag noticeably behind larger ones when tested side by side. If using a low-profile graphics card with an external panel, it is likely to have fewer ports than an otherwise comparable full-size graphics card.

Even with these shortcomings, the low-profile graphics card is a common choice for those that for any reason cannot use a full-size graphics card. These people face more challenges than just the limitations posed by a lower class of graphics card. In addition to the many and various challenges of accessing the internal components of the computer and installing the card, and the inferior performance that it brings with it, just finding the right card can be a chore all of its own.

It is a perennial fact of the electronics market that nearly any component that is available from one source is available from another, and manufacturers routinely compete with one another in an attempt to become the preferred supplier of whatever component that might be – in this case, low-profile graphics cards. The variety on the shelves can be confusing and even frustrating, especially for the buyer intent on bringing home only the best graphics card possible for his or her computer.

We’ve cut through the tangle, though, and are here to help you with our list of the top low-profile graphics cards you can get for your computer, as well as our personal selection. With these cards, you can boost your gaming or video experience without needing to go all in on an expensive model. Just pick one that suits you and your computer, and you can get back to the important things in life.

Here are our picks for from three of the most popular and highest rated manufacturers on the market. A quick tip: instead of judging anyone of them in a vacuum, compare them against each other to find which have great specifications for the lowest price.

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Low-Profile Graphics Card Buying Guide

MSI Cards – This brand tends to focus on overcoming the limitations of the low-profile card and put their products on par with high performance hardware.

1. MSI Gaming GT 710 2GD3 LP

Product Highlights

Unlike many low-profile graphics cards, this one includes two external ports for double monitor support.

Features

• Dual monitor outputs
• 954 MHz core
• DirectX supported
• 64-bit memory bus

What We Like About MSI Gaming GT 710 2GD3 LP

This card includes a heat sink that makes it cool itself more effectively, minimizing the temperature impediment faced by other components.

What We Don’t Like About MSI Gaming GT 710 2GD3 LP

With two ports, this card becomes both larger and more awkward to install than other components.

2. MSI GT 1030 2G LP OC

Product Highlights

This card contains two full-size USB ports to allow you to run a wider range of hardware on its improved graphics.

Features

• Two gigabytes of RAM
• Two full-size USB ports
• 1518 MHz clock speed
• 64-bit memory bus

What We Like About MSI GT 1030 2G LP OC

Using USB connectors makes this card take up less space than a monitor connector and able to connect to many more devices.

What We Don’t Like About MSI GT 1030 2G LP OC

Many people buying a graphics card are specifically looking to connect a monitor to it, making this design somewhat counterproductive.

3. MSI GTX 1050 TI 4GT LP

Product Highlights

This card packs a lot more features than one might expect from a low-profile graphics card, including a dual-fan array and a selection of ports.

Features

• 1392 MHz clock speed
• 7008 MHz memory
• HDMI, USB, and display ports
• 4096 MB GDDR5

What We Like About MSI GTX 1050 TI 4GT LP

This card can handle three different kinds of input and has a double cooling array to keep it operational under load.

What We Don’t Like About MSI GTX 1050 TI 4GT LP

The added functions make this component a heavier draw on your computer’s power supply, and the fan has been reported to fail before the rest does.

4. MSI GTX 1650 4GT LP OC

Product Highlights

This card packs enough memory and processing power to compete with full-size cards leaving other low-profile ones behind.

Features

• 1695 MHz clock speed
• 4GB GDDR5 video memory
• 128-bit memory bus
• HDMI and DVI ports

What We Like About MSI GTX 1650 4GT LP OC

This card handles with ease programs that would challenge or even overload other low-profile cards.

What We Don’t Like About MSI GTX 1650 4GT LP OC

There is no display port on this card. Online shoppers should be particularly careful not to trust the standard marketing images, as multiple buyers have reported them misleading.

5. MSI MD1G/D3

Product Highlights

Unlike many other low-profile cards, which only contain some kind of video output, this card also supports an improved audio experience.

Features

• DDR3 SDRAM video memory
• 64-bit memory bus
• Three port options
• Single cooling array

What We Like About MSI MD1G/D3

You can rely on this card for nearly anything that you might want to play on it. Along with three separate video outputs, it also has an audio in/out processor that routes through your computer’s existing headphone jack.

What We Don’t Like About MSI MD1G/D3

The multiple ports cannot be used in tandem and attempting to do so can cause random restarts without warning.

EVGA Cards – This brand is licensed to sell cards with the latest drivers for the industry leader NVIDIA’s graphics processor pre-installed, making it a favorite for those that only take the best.

6. EVGA 02G-P4-6333-KR

Product Highlights

This card runs cool and quiet, with an enclosed housing that protects it from damage during installation or transit.

Features

• 6008 MHz clock speed
• 64-bit memory bus
• 2048 GB DDR5 video memory
• Two ports available

What We Like About EVGA 02G-P4-6333-KR

Along with the cooling array, the entire housing to this card is ventilated for improved heat dispersal.

What We Don’t Like About EVGA 02G-P4-6333-KR

Although the card itself is fairly narrow, the bracket is wider than some other cards and is of an awkward shape for some machines.

7. EVGA 06G-P4-1163-KR

Product Highlights

This card has won the prestigious Amazon’s Choice award for being the best overall product in its class.

Features

• 6144MB GDDR5 video memory
• 1830 MHz clock speed
• Three ports available
• Single cooling array

What We Like About EVGA 06G-P4-1163-KR

This card combines several different mechanisms to keep its speed up, including an impressive clock boost and an overclocking capability for heavier workloads.

What We Don’t Like About EVGA 06G-P4-1163-KR

Installing this can be a trick: it’s bulkier both inside the computer and along with the bracket than most computers are built to hold.

8. EVGA 01G-P3-1312-LR

Product Highlights

This is a more minimalist card but still manages to pack all the necessary components for an exceptional gaming experience.

Features

• 520 MHz memory
• 1230 MHz clock speed
• Three ports available
• Compatible with 32- and 64-bit systems

What We Like About EVGA 01G-P3-1312-LR

This card is easier to install than others from the same manufacturer, thanks to its open design and narrower measurements.

What We Don’t Like About EVGA 01G-P3-1312-LR

By leaving out the protective casing, this card becomes more exposed to damage and external heat from the rest of the computer.

9. EVGA 01G-P3-1302-LR

Product Highlights

This card is optimized for less common graphics processors and accelerators as well as the NVIDIA GeForce that comes with all EVGA cards.

Features

• 1200 MHz clock speed
• 1000-bit memory bus
• 1 GB DDR3 SSDRAM
• Three ports available

What We Like About EVGA 01G-P3-1302-LR

This card’s added processors allow it to support unusual forms of video and audio playback and editing from multiple different media and file formats.

What We Don’t Like About EVGA 01G-P3-1302-LR

This card’s main processing functions are overall worse than the bulk of other cards on the market, being either slower or from less recent generations.

10. EVGA 02G-P3-2617-KR

Product Highlights

This card has two display ports side by side, making it a go-to component for dual-screen setups.

Features

• 2 GB RAM
• Thee ports available
• 64-bit memory bus
• 8 GB video memory

What We Like About EVGA 02G-P3-2617-KR

This card has an advanced cooling array that combines both a fan and a heat-sink and two ports preinstalled to make it more than equal to handling two screens at a high frame rate.

What We Don’t Like About EVGA 02G-P3-2617-KR

Even for an advanced graphics card, this component is expensive, costing nearly double that of the nearest competitor.

ZOTAC Cards – ZOTAC produces a newer theme of card intent on providing the latest software boosters despite the low-profile design of its products.

11. ZOTAC ZT-T16520H-10L

Product Highlights

This card showcases NVIDIA Turing architecture and a hefty RAM allotment that make it as zippy as any ordinary card.

Features

• 128-bit memory bus
• 1590 MHz clock speed
• 4 GB GDDR6 video memory
• Dual cooling array

What We Like About ZOTAC ZT-T16520H-10L

This card routinely exceeds the benchmarks of comparable cards by 25 percent or more.

What We Don’t Like About ZOTAC ZT-T16520H-10L

Early versions of this card’s drivers are buggy and can be difficult to get installed properly.

12. ZOTAC ZT-71302-20L

Product Highlights

This card makes a point of having a full input driver package to process any kind of feed as smoothly as possible.

Features

• Heat sink cooling array
• Three distinct ports
• 64-bit memory bus
• 1600 MHz clock speed

What We Like About ZOTAC ZT-71302-20L

This card’s fanless design makes it infinitely quieter than the majority of cards with an active cooling array.

What We Don’t Like About ZOTAC ZT-71302-20L

Fanless cooling is not as efficient as other cooling designs and makes it harder to judge if and when you are overtaxing the card.

13. ZOTAC ZT-P10300A-10L

Product Highlights

Use this sleek graphics card to handle demanding video editing without the bulk of a full-size graphics card.

Features

• 64-bit memory bus
• 6000 MHz clock speed
• 2 GB GDDR5 video memory
• Single fan cooling array

What We Like About ZOTAC ZT-P10300A-10L

This card clocks much higher than other models, making it capable of faster and more demanding processing than other models.

What We Don’t Like About ZOTAC ZT-P10300A-10L

This card has only two ports, instead of the three or more than most cards support.

14. ZOTAC ZT-71115-20L

Product Highlights

This card has a next-generation passive heating array and advanced audio and video processing for things like Blue-Ray video and surrounds sound.

Features

• 64-bit memory bus
• 1600 MHz clock speed
• 4 GB DDR3 RAM clock speed
• Three ports available

What We Like About ZOTAC ZT-71115-20L

This card is a fanless model that reduces both waste and error by employing an innovative design on its oversized heat sink

What We Don’t Like About ZOTAC ZT-71115-20L

The drivers on this card have multiple bugs for Windows 10 and beyond and may need to be reinstalled.

15. ZOTAC ZT-T16600K-10M

Product Highlights

This card uses a powerful dual cooling array and automatic settings detection to get and stay ready to work.

Features

• 192-bit memory bus
• 1785 MHz
• 6 GB DDR5 video memory
• Dual fan cooling array

What We Like About ZOTAC ZT-T16600K-10M

This card takes all the guesswork out of one of the most confusing steps of a graphics card update, the driver installation. Simply install it and press the test button and it will automatically detect the appropriate drivers for your system.

What We Don’t Like About ZOTAC ZT-T16600K-10M

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Final Verdict

EVGA 06G-P4-1163-KR

There are a lot of great low-profile graphics cards here, but this one is the overall winner for being the most powerful processor around and packing the most refined audio and video playback of them all.

Like all EVGA cards, it comes with the latest NVIDIA software already installed; this is a huge plus, as NVIDIA is widely considered to be an industry leader in the world of high-performance graphics processing, and having it ready to go can save a lot of hassle after buying.

Frequently Asked Questions
These cards all look basically the same. How do I know which one is better or worse than the next?

First and foremost, take a look at what kind of programs you plan to run on the card. If you determine that some of these cards don’t have the minimum required specifications for your program, they can be immediately excluded to help you narrow down the list.

Similarly, consider your budget for a graphics card against the prices of the models presented here. If you really do find all the cards equally matched against one another, then buying the cheapest one will give you the same results at the lowest possible cost.

When getting down to the particulars of the card, the most common way to judge at a glance is to check the maximum frames per second, or FPS, of which that card is capable. Better cards will be able to run more frames per second, allowing them to display fast-moving games and videos without the feed skipping around.

If you want to get even more advanced, look for triangles per second or the pixel fill rate. Triangles are the most basic plane that computers use to display a solid object, and the pixel fill rate refers to how fast the computer can color in the spaces between those triangles; both should have a high count on a good card.

To a certain extent, you can also simply look at the card. Even among the low-profile cards, the better cards have usually been stylized to be more visually attractive than a substandard component.

How do I install a graphics card?

Once you’ve made your choice and gotten hold of the card – either in person or via your choice of online shopping platform – get ready to install it by fully disconnecting and powering down the computer for which it is intended. Trying to alter a computer while it is still powered up is dangerous to both yourself and the computer.

Remove the computer cover to expose the interior wiring and find the expansion slots of your computer. These should look like long, narrow sockets, often in white or yellow, positioned near openings in the computer.

Align the card so that the matching plug on the card fits firmly into the expansion port. If there is an external connector, it should be visible through the opening in the computer’s side. On many computers, there will be a latch that springs into place when the card is fully connected; make sure this is set to the open position before installing.

Attach the card’s power lead to its socket and reassemble your computer, beginning from any screws from the expansion port and ending with the cover. If you need to reconnect a monitor, be sure it is being connected to the graphics card port and not the standard one.

As a final step, download the appropriate drivers for your choice of card. Be sure you have found the exact driver needed, and that you are downloading only from a verified software provider; anything else could harm your computer and leave your new graphics card inoperable.

Read Related Topic: High-End Graphics Cards