Gamers understand that a quality graphics card is essential for an optimal gaming experience. While the Intel i5-7400 may be outdated, it can still function well with a budget graphics card. However, since the i5-7400’s performance is lower than that of the i5-4670K and i7-2600K, it’s not advisable to pair it with a high-end or even mid-range GPU. Therefore, we have curated a list of the top graphics cards for the Intel i5 7400 in 2024.
Quick Guide:
- Before considering any GPU, you must check your PC specs such as processor, spacing, and PSU requirements.
- Check the price of the GPUs, including their release price and current pricing. Sometimes, specific GPU prices may increase due to high demand.
- Note that two Nvidia GPUs are suitable for content creators or gamers, while the AMD GPU is for gamers only.
Best GPU for i5-7400: Our top picks
1. MSI GeForce GTX 1650 Ventus XS OC
Specifications:
Cuda Cores: 896 Cores | Base Clock: 1410 MHz | Boost Clock: 1590 MHz | Memory: 4GB GDDR6 | Outputs: 1x DVI, 1x DisplayPort and 1x HDMI
The MSI GTX 1650 Ventus XS is a budget-friendly 4GB GDDR6 GPU that offers reasonable gaming performance for its price. It can handle many latest games with High graphics settings at 1080p with 60+ FPS, as our blog post on Is the Nvidia GTX 1650 Good for Gaming points out. It has a Base Clock speed of 1410 MHz and 12 Gbps Memory Clock speed.
MSI GTX 1650 Ventus XS: Reasons to Buy and Avoid
Reasons to Buy:
- Reasonable Gaming Performance: According to our blog post on Is the Nvidia GTX 1650 Good for Gaming, the MSI GTX 1650 Ventus XS is a 4GB GDDR6 GPU that can still run many latest games with reasonable graphics settings. It can easily run Battlefield V, Metro Exodus, Apex Legends, Fortnite, and Doom Eternal with High graphics settings at 1080p with 60+ FPS.
- Improved Performance: The MSI GTX 1650 Ventus XS OC provided almost 36% more FPS than Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti.
- Excellent Cooling Performance: This MSI model has excellent cooling performance, which is essential for maintaining optimal performance during long gaming sessions.
- Low Power Consumption: The GPU is a perfect option for gamers looking for a low-power-consuming GPU. In spite of its remarkable power efficiency, it is easy to run on a small power supply even when it comes with a 300 or 350 Watt power supply.
Reasons to Avoid:
- Limited Gaming Performance: This GPU is not powerful enough to run every game at 1080p High graphics.
- Better Alternatives: The cheaper AMD RX 570 provided nearly 7% more Frames in the latest games, making it a better alternative for those looking for a GPU with better gaming performance at a similar price point.
2. XFX Radeon RX 6500 XT Speedster QICK210
Specifications:
Cuda Cores: 896 Cores | Base Clock: 1410 MHz | Boost Clock: 1590 MHz | Memory: 4GB GDDR6 | Outputs: 1x DVI, 1x DisplayPort and 1x HDMI
The XFX RX 6500 XT is a 4GB budget GPU built on a 6nm silicon fabrication node. In this article, we will discuss the reasons to buy and avoid this GPU.
Reasons to Buy
- The RX 6500 XT can easily run almost every latest game with high graphics settings at 1080p, making it an excellent choice for budget gamers. Compared to Nvidia GTX 1650, the RX 6500 XT provides 33% more FPS.
- It is also a good option for gaming at 1080p with similar performance to the RX 580 8GB and GTX 1650 Super.
- The GPU has a decent cooling system and is power-efficient, which means it can run on a small power supply.
- Great 1080p performance
- Better performance than 1060 6GB
- In today’s GPU pricing, it’s selling at a considerable price
- Run great with i5-7400
Reasons to Avoid
- The RX 6500 XT is slower than its predecessor, the RX 5500 XT, making it not the best choice for those who are looking for an upgrade. It is also not a great option for gaming at 1440p or 4K.
- Not good GPU for content creator: The GPU doesn’t perform well on the productive side, lacking support for AV1 Video hardware decode and H.264/H/265 video encoding.
- It may also experience some bottlenecking, which could impact performance in some scenarios.
Overall, the XFX RX 6500 XT is a good budget GPU for gamers looking to play the latest games at 1080p. It has its limitations, but if all you want is to play games, this GPU could be a good choice.
3. Gigabyte GTX 1050 Ti G1 Gaming 4GB
Specifications:
Cuda Cores: 768 Cores | Base Clock: 1336 MHz | Boost Clock: 1480 MHz | Memory: 4GB GDDR5 | Outputs: 1x DVI, 1x DisplayPort and 3x HDMI
In 2016, NVIDIA launched the GTX 1050 Ti as a graphics card to compete in the under-200$ market segment. It quickly became popular and remains a favorite of many budget gamers. The Gigabyte GTX 1050 Ti pairs well with the i5-7400.
Reasons to Buy:
- The GTX 1050 Ti is a good option for E-sport gamers. It can handle games like CS: GO, Overwatch, and Valorant with high frames and graphics settings. You can also play Fortnite and Apex Legends with medium graphics. Other high-end games, such as Horizon Zero Dawn, Red Dead Redemption 2, Shadow of Tomb Raider, and TC Division 2, are playable at medium graphics settings.
- The Gigabyte GTX 1050 Ti outperforms the AMD RX 570 in video editing and rendering, making it an excellent choice for content creators.
- Extremely quiet fans
- GPU remains very cool
- Good Productive performance
- Great compatibility with i5-7400
- 3 HDMI outputs (better for Multi-monitor)
- Very Energy Efficient
Reasons to Avoid:
- Compared to other cards in its competition, like the AMD RX 570 and Nvidia GTX 1650, the Gigabyte GTX 1050 Ti performs poorly in gaming. It may not be the best option for playing newer and more demanding games.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we have covered the best graphics cards to pair with your i5-7400. Depending on your needs and budget, there are options available. If you are a gamer and don’t require video editing or 3D modeling capabilities, then the AMD RX 6500 XT is a great choice. However, if you require both gaming and video editing capabilities, the MSI GeForce GTX 1650 Ventus 4GB is the recommended option. Lastly, for users who don’t play high-end games or edit videos, the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB is a budget-friendly option that is still viable for under 200$.
