Hey there! As a dedicated PC hardware analyst, I‘ve covered budget graphics segments closely for years. And few intro-level cards sparked as much early hype yet ongoing debate in recent times as Nvidia‘s GeForce GTX 1650.
Launched back in mid-2019, the 1650 targeted mainstream gamers seeking smooth Full HD performance without breaking $200. And its minimized power draw and compact size perfectly suited small form factor builds too.
Initially, reviews and chatter seemed largely positive…but gradually over the last two years, I‘ve noticed online complaints mounting from disgruntled buyers.
Performance not meeting expectations, limitations in new games, and better competition are just some grievances flung at the 1650…often by first-time builders unfamiliar with the inevitable compromises facing budget GPU shoppers.
After digging into the card‘s background and testing myself, it became clear that context is critical in appropriately setting requirements and anticipating areas that may eventually underdeliver.
Today, let‘s fully demystify the 5 biggest complaints haunting the GTX 1650 in 2023. You‘ll soon understand the core issues through technician‘s eyes – helping reconcile if and where this entry-level graphics card still fits among modern options.
I‘ll also equip you with solutions like the ideal performance tier, refreshes, and competing cards to seek out instead if certain limitations are dealbreakers for your needs.
Let‘s start with a quick recap of what the GTX 1650 is packing under the hood…
GTX 1650 Hardware Breakdown
The GeForce GTX 1650 debuted April 2019 across desktop and mobile variants. Flexing the efficiency of Nvidia‘s new(ish) Turing architecture, it slotted below the GTX 1660/Super cards purposely targeting AAA gaming.
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| GPU Codename | TU117 |
| Manufacturing Process | 12nm FinFET |
| CUDA Cores | 896 |
| Boost Clock | 1665 MHz |
| Memory Capacity | 4GB GDDR5 |
| Memory Bus Width | 128-bit |
| TDP | 75W |
| Launch Price | $149+ |
With a tidy sub-75W power budget, Nvidia intended TU117 to deliver playable 1080p speeds without needing extra power connectors. It clocked nearly 30% quicker than the previous gen GTX 1050 Ti.
And that compelling value – GTX x60-class power under $150 – resonated hugely with first-time PC builders working towards smooth Fortnite, Rocket League, and light AAA gaming.
But how have opinions shifted on the 1650‘s cost-to-performance ratio after 2 years of swelling game demands? Let‘s evaluate the 5 biggest drawbacks and downsides now holding back recommendability in late 2022.
Complaint #1: Underwhelming 1080p Gaming Performance
Gamers choosing the GTX 1650 expect fluid 60+ FPS across popular titles with graphics set to High while gaming at classic 1920 x 1080. I mean, that is the bread and butter resolution of this GPU segment after all!
But many enthusiasts began questioning the 1650‘s capabilities once upgrading to more demanding games or maxing all sliders to Ultra.
Across compute-intensive eye candy hoggers like Cyberpunk 2077, Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla, and Call of Duty: Warzone, keeping above 60 FPS consistently requires dropping quality closer to Medium presets:
Now sure – simply easing off max settings nurtures very playable experiences despite mild visual downgrades.
But contrasted against the GTX 1660 Super or RX 6500 XT which retain 60+ FPS on High settings for under $30 more…and complaints around feeling mislead by marketing seem valid.
Architecturally, the GTX 1650‘s shader deficit compared to TU116 or RDNA 2 chips directly feeds performance downslides as gaming workloads evolve. Remember – you‘re paying the early adopter tax on entry-level hardware!
Complaint #2: 4GB Memory Ceiling Limits Future Proofing
Another shortcoming directly tied to gaming performance is the meager 4 gigabytes of GDDR5 memory. While perfectly fine for esports, simpler titles, and older ports, more complex games inevitably demand extra breathing room.
I test drove dozens of new releases in 2022 and noticed issues clearly stemming from exceeding the 4GB VRAM ceiling:
- Texture pop-in
- Environmental objects randomly disappearing
- Frequent stuttering as assets load back in
The small 128-bit bus width further limits overall memory bandwidth, starving the GPU cores themselves.
It‘s a classic technology compromise – you shrink hardware to minimize cost and power needs, directly sacrificing some speed and longevity insurance.
And with the minimum specs of games releasing in 2023 already asking for 8GB cards, expecting the GTX 1650 to smoothly drive max settings and avoid routine crashes seems unrealistic.
Personally, I suggest 6GB as the current sweet spot for balanced future-proofing through 2025 while staying near this card‘s budget. The extra overhead guarantees keeping AAA gaming achievable for years rather than months down the road!
Complaint #3: Hidden Power Requirements on Some Models
One supposed advantage of the Nvidia TU117 GPU inside the GTX 1650 is the low 75W power draw. And Nvidia‘s own Founders Edition pulls everything needed directly from the PCIe slot as intended.
However I noticed an interesting trend once third parties like ASUS, MSI and Gigabyte entered the scene.
These brands utilized the freed-up thermal headroom for considerable overclocking – easily boosting clocks 15-25% over stock! Now that netted tangibly snappier 1080p gaming…but the core still needs adequate power.
Their solution? Tacking on a direct 6-pin cable from your PSU to supplement card consumption up to 100W.
This auxiliary connector caught many first-time builders off guard, especially SFF enthusiasts with compact cases and limited spare wiring to accommodate. Always be aware of the exact GTX 1650 model before purchase to know if extra power hooks into play.
While the 1650 seems like a card you can blindly toss into any aging Dell pre-built packing a creaky 300W PSU, that ain‘t necessarily so!
Complaint #4: Lacking Ray Tracing Hardware
Now Nvidia‘s Turing architecture headlining the GTX 1650 actually introduced early forms of ray tracing support to consumers. RTX cards handle the intense workload using dedicated cores to shadow rays and accurately model scene lighting.
But perhaps unsurprisingly due to cost constraints, the entry-level 1650 completely omits any RT or tensor processing hardware. So what gives?
See, without dedicated silicon to pick up the performance slack, traditional CUDA cores alone can‘t manage playable frame rates. Enabling ray traced effects tanks FPS tremendously, even at 1080p.
And while adoption remains limited to a subset of titles so far, having RT capabilities undoubtedly future-proofs your system. The eye-catching difference when enabled is undeniable!
Lacking hardware acceleration now also risks game compatibility issues down the road as developers ramp up utilization. I‘d expect more stutters and crashes trying to overwhelm the 1650‘s resources.
Consider RT a nice-to-have still, but know this hardware limitation robs some graphical fidelity and risks aging quicker than two years ago.
Complaint #5: Quickly Dated at Release
Listen, in my 15 years analyzing GPUs, I get it…new architecture and generational leaps meantime in 6-12 month cycles recently. I realize manufacturers need to balance recovering R&D, upgrading fabrication, and scoring sales.
But there‘s no denying the GTX 1650 seemed dated out the gate in mid-2019, despite Turing‘s introduction just 8 months prior.
The previous Pascal-based GTX 1060 already matched its speeds at the same $150 cost. And AMD‘s RX 580 traded blows for over two years by that point. The 1650 felt more like a light refresh than proper next-gen successor.
I also questioned aspects like sticking with PCIe Gen 3 and GDDR5 memory while AMD embraced modern GDDR6 tech on 5500 series competing cards.
If you bought the 1650 at launch expecting to ride performance on high settings for 2+ years until upgrading, I can understand feeling somewhat short-changed watching 60 FPS gamingtweets vanish within 12-18 months.
Suitable Alternatives for The GTX 1650 in 2022
If those drawbacks worry you as a prospective 1650 buyer today, plenty of alternatives better secure 1080p gaming moving forward:
$150 – $180:
- Radeon RX 6500 XT – Faster, newer RDNA 2 architecture
- Used GTX 1060 or RX 580 – Cheaper, similarly fast, 6GB memory
$200 – $250:
- RTX 3050 – DLSS and RT support, better streaming/encoding
- RX 6600 – Faster 1080p gaming, 8GB memory
Integrated Graphics – Newer Intel 12th Gen and Ryzen 6000 iGPUs handle lighter esports/online games fine as a starting point while saving towards a future GPU upgrade.
And if building a system today, I suggest weighing the used market too for previous gen deals. Just be sure to benchmark expected titles against cards like the GTX 1060, which are now very affordable and deliver similar (if not better) 1080p speeds.
Does the GTX 1650 Still Belong in 2022 Budget Gaming Rigs?
Given its pitfalls around future-proofing and max settings longevity, the GTX 1650 only makes sense now for gamers with strict sub-$150 budgets targeting esports, indie titles, and lighter AAA gaming.
Raw performance already trails better balanced previous and current gen options. Without upgrades, you‘ll sacrifice visual settings in demanding games sooner than later chasing 60 FPS.
However, if you primarily want an affordable GPU for media playback, basic creative work, multi-monitor output needs, or retro gaming, the 1650 easily delivers there!
It remains a monumental upgrade over integrated graphics, especially in small form factor designs. Just be realistic around noise-free intensive 3D gaming expectations if money gets tight.
Should I buy a used GTX 1650 in 2022?
I‘d generally avoid buying this specific model used unless found under $100. At just 4GB, it risks aging quickly. But used GTX 1060 6GB models around $120-150 provide better longevity.
Is the GTX 1650 still good in 2022?
The GTX 1650 remains usable for eSports, web browsing, and light 1080p gaming. But for future AAA titles, its 4GB memory ceiling already causes some performance issues. I suggest considering a 6GB card for better future-proofing.
How future proof is the GTX 1650?
With only 4GB VRAM, the GTX 1650 won‘t reliably run newer games beyond 2023-2024 on high settings. Visual cutbacks or upgrades will be needed to maintain 1080p 60FPS. I don‘t consider it very future proof compared to 6GB+ cards in the used market.
Can you stream on Twitch with a GTX 1650?
Streaming casual/retro games using NVENC on the GTX 1650 is definitely possible. But for popular AAA titles, its encoding engine lacks current AV1 decoding support. Visual quality from 2022 games will suffer considerably.
Should I upgrade from a 1050 Ti to a 1650?
Yes, the architectural improvements of Turing provide a nice 15-20% performance uplift over the older 1050 Ti. Just try finding the 1650 under $150 if possible.
I hope this guide better outlined the background behind common GTX 1650 complaints while empowering your buying decisions with additional context! Let me know if you have any other questions. Enjoy the path towards 1080p ascendance!
