Is the GTX 1650 Bad in 2023? A Realistic Look at NVIDIA’s Entry-Level Card
The short answer is: it depends. The GTX 1650 isn’t a powerhouse in 2023, and it certainly won’t be setting any benchmark records. However, declaring it outright “bad” would be a disservice to its potential. Its suitability hinges entirely on your expectations, budget, and intended use case. If you’re aiming for high-fidelity, ray-traced gaming at 4K resolution, then yes, the GTX 1650 is absolutely a poor choice. But for budget-conscious gamers playing older titles, or for those primarily using a PC for non-gaming tasks with occasional light gaming, the GTX 1650 can still hold its own.
To truly understand where the GTX 1650 stands in today’s market, we need to delve deeper into its capabilities, its limitations, and how it compares to alternatives. It’s about setting realistic expectations and recognizing that, in the world of PC hardware, “bad” is a relative term.
Understanding the GTX 1650: A Quick Recap
Released in April 2019, the GTX 1650 was initially designed as an entry-level graphics card, targeting gamers on a tight budget who wanted to experience 1080p gaming at reasonable settings. It’s based on NVIDIA’s Turing architecture, lacking the ray-tracing capabilities of its more expensive RTX counterparts. Key specifications include:
- CUDA Cores: 896
- Base Clock: 1485 MHz
- Boost Clock: 1665 MHz
- Memory: 4GB GDDR5 (or GDDR6 in some variants)
- Memory Bus: 128-bit
- TDP (Thermal Design Power): 75W
These specifications place it firmly in the low-end to mid-range category, even when it was new. The 4GB of VRAM, in particular, is a limiting factor in many modern games.
The 2023 Reality: Where Does the 1650 Stand?
Four years later, the landscape has changed significantly. Games have become more demanding, and newer GPUs offer drastically improved performance at competitive price points. This is where the GTX 1650 starts to show its age.
Gaming Performance: Managing Expectations
The GTX 1650 can still handle many games at 1080p resolution, but you’ll likely need to adjust your settings. Expect to play most modern titles on medium settings, and some more demanding games on low. Achieving a consistent 60 FPS might require further tweaking, particularly in graphically intensive scenes. Games that rely heavily on texture detail or have poor optimization will be particularly challenging.
Older titles, indie games, and eSports titles like Valorant, CS:GO, and Rocket League will run much better, often achieving high frame rates even at higher settings. The GTX 1650 remains a viable option for these less demanding games.
Beyond Gaming: Other Use Cases
The GTX 1650 isn’t solely limited to gaming. It can also be a decent option for:
- General Productivity: Tasks like web browsing, document editing, and video playback are easily handled.
- Light Photo and Video Editing: While not ideal for professional work, the GTX 1650 can handle basic photo and video editing tasks.
- Streaming: Streaming less demanding games is possible, but don’t expect to stream AAA titles at high quality.
Many laptops that include dedicated graphics have a powerful CPU. This can improve performance in certain tasks.
Competition and Alternatives
The biggest challenge for the GTX 1650 is the emergence of more powerful and similarly priced alternatives. Used AMD Radeon RX 580 or RX 570 cards often provide significantly better performance for the same price or even less. Newer entry-level cards like the AMD Radeon RX 6400 or even the Intel Arc A380 (when properly optimized) can also offer a performance boost.
Upgrading to a GTX 1660 Super or an RTX 3050 (if your budget allows) would provide a substantial improvement in gaming performance and future-proofing.
Is it Worth Buying a GTX 1650 in 2023?
Purchasing a GTX 1650 in 2023 is a decision that requires careful consideration. If you can find one at a very low price and your needs are modest, it can be a viable option. However, exploring the used market or considering slightly more expensive alternatives is often a better investment in the long run. In general, it’s not advisable to buy a new GTX 1650 unless you have absolutely no other options.
Consider these factors before buying:
- Your Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a graphics card?
- Intended Use: What will you primarily use the PC for (gaming, productivity, etc.)?
- Game Preferences: What types of games do you want to play?
- Resolution and Settings: Are you aiming for 1080p gaming at high settings, or are you willing to compromise?
- Future-Proofing: How long do you want the graphics card to last before needing an upgrade?
The GTX 1650 is still popular among gamers, but there are better performing options. Learn more about games and technology through organizations like the Games Learning Society and their website GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions related to the GTX 1650 in 2023:
1. Can the GTX 1650 run modern games?
Yes, the GTX 1650 can run most modern games, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve playable frame rates.
2. Is the GTX 1650 good for 1080p gaming?
It’s adequate for 1080p gaming, but don’t expect to max out the settings in newer titles. Older games and eSports titles will run much better.
3. How much VRAM does the GTX 1650 have?
The GTX 1650 typically has 4GB of GDDR5 or GDDR6 VRAM. This is a limiting factor in some modern games that require more VRAM for higher texture settings.
4. Is the GTX 1650 future-proof?
No, the GTX 1650 is not future-proof. As games become more demanding, it will struggle to maintain playable frame rates.
5. What are some alternatives to the GTX 1650?
Better alternatives in similar price range include the AMD Radeon RX 570, RX 580, RX 6400, and the Intel Arc A380. A used GTX 1660 Super is also a good upgrade.
6. Can the GTX 1650 run GTA 5?
Yes, the GTX 1650 can run GTA 5 at high settings with a frame rate around 50 FPS. Turning off AA and AF will help you achieve smoother gameplay.
7. Is the GTX 1650 better than integrated graphics?
Yes, the GTX 1650 is significantly better than most integrated graphics solutions, providing a much better gaming experience.
8. Can the GTX 1650 run Cyberpunk 2077?
Yes, the GTX 1650 can run Cyberpunk 2077 but at lowest settings with optimizations you can get around 30FPS.
9. Can the GTX 1650 run 144Hz?
The GTX 1650 can output at 144Hz, but whether it can maintain high frame rates in games depends on the specific game and graphics settings.
10. Is the GTX 1650 good for streaming?
It can be used for streaming less demanding games, but it’s not powerful enough to stream AAA titles at high quality.
11. Is the GTX 1650 good for video editing?
The GTX 1650 can handle light video editing tasks, but it’s not ideal for professional-level editing.
12. What is the TDP of the GTX 1650?
The TDP (Thermal Design Power) of the GTX 1650 is typically 75W, making it relatively power-efficient.
13. Is the GTX 1650 Super better than the GTX 1650?
Yes, the GTX 1650 Super is a significantly better card than the GTX 1650, offering a noticeable performance boost.
14. Can the GTX 1650 run Elden Ring?
Yes, the GTX 1650 can run Elden Ring at medium settings, but may struggle to maintain a consistent 40fps at 1080p maximum settings.
15. Can I upgrade from a GTX 1650 to an RTX 3060?
Yes, upgrading from a GTX 1650 to an RTX 3060 would be a significant upgrade, offering a substantial improvement in gaming performance and support for ray tracing and DLSS. Make sure your CPU doesn’t bottleneck the 3060.
Final Verdict
The GTX 1650 is not a terrible card in 2023, but it’s important to have realistic expectations. It can still handle many games at 1080p with lowered settings, and it’s suitable for general productivity and light content creation. However, there are better alternatives available, especially in the used market. If you’re on a very tight budget and can find a GTX 1650 at a low price, it can be a decent option. Otherwise, consider exploring alternatives that offer better performance and future-proofing.