Best Single Slot GPU for Compact PC Builds in 2025

Single slot GPUs offer powerful graphics performance while saving space in your computer. These slim cards fit in just one PCIe slot, making them perfect for small cases or systems with limited room. Unlike bulky multi-slot cards, these compact options don’t block adjacent slots, giving you more flexibility for other components.

When shopping for a single slot GPU, pay attention to power requirements and cooling capability. Since these cards have less room for cooling hardware, some may run hotter than wider models. The best single slot GPUs balance performance with effective heat management, often using innovative cooling solutions to keep temperatures in check.

We spent weeks testing numerous single slot graphics cards to find the best options for different needs and budgets. Our top pick, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti single slot variant, impressed us with its excellent performance-to-size ratio and surprisingly efficient cooling system.

Best Single Slot GPUs

We’ve gathered the top single slot GPUs available on the market today. These compact graphics cards deliver solid performance while fitting into tight spaces where larger cards simply won’t work. Our selections balance power efficiency, cooling capabilities, and performance to help you find the perfect single slot GPU for your specific needs.

Sparkle Intel Arc A310 ECO

The Sparkle Intel Arc A310 ECO is a fantastic budget-friendly single-slot GPU for users needing a compact graphics solution without excessive power requirements.

Pros

• Extremely compact single-slot design fits in tiny cases
• Low 50W power draw doesn’t need extra power connectors
• Includes both standard and low-profile brackets

Cons

• Entry-level performance limits gaming capabilities
• Intel drivers still less mature than NVIDIA/AMD
• Limited to 4GB VRAM

We recently installed this Sparkle Arc A310 in a small form factor PC and were impressed by how easily it fit. The single-slot design is a breath of fresh air in today’s world of massive multi-slot cards. Its slim profile didn’t block any neighboring PCIe slots, making it perfect for crowded motherboards.

The card runs remarkably cool and quiet during operation. We barely noticed the single fan while working, even under moderate loads. This makes the A310 ECO ideal for HTPCs or office computers where noise levels matter. The blue PCB adds a nice touch of style to what’s otherwise a very utilitarian design.

Connection options proved adequate with one HDMI and two mini-DisplayPort outputs. We connected dual 1080p monitors without any issues. The 4GB of GDDR6 memory handles basic tasks smoothly, though don’t expect to run modern games at high settings. For media playback, light gaming, and productivity work, this card delivers solid performance.

Installation was straightforward, and we appreciated the included short bracket for low-profile cases. The 50W power draw means it doesn’t need additional power connectors – it runs entirely off the PCIe slot power. This makes it perfect for upgrading office PCs or systems with limited power supplies.

While not a powerhouse, we found the Arc A310 ECO handles multimedia tasks well. Intel’s AV1 encoding support is a nice bonus for content creators on a tight budget. For basic computing needs in space-constrained builds, this single-slot GPU offers tremendous value.

Yeston RTX 3050 Single Slot GPU

The Yeston RTX 3050 6GB is a perfect solution for small form factor PC builds thanks to its rare single-slot design that delivers solid 1080p gaming performance.

Pros

• Compact single-slot design fits in small cases
• No external power connector needed
• Capable 1080p gaming performance

Cons

• Limited 6GB VRAM compared to standard 8GB models
• Runs hotter than dual-slot alternatives
• Lower clock speeds than full-sized variants

We recently installed this Yeston RTX 3050 in a compact SFF system, and it’s truly impressive how much power fits in such a tiny package. The single-slot design is increasingly rare in modern GPUs, making this card a standout option for space-constrained builds like Dell Optiplex conversions or mini-ITX systems.

The card performed well in our 1080p gaming tests. We managed consistent 60+ fps in popular titles with medium to high settings. The 6GB of GDDR6 memory is enough for most current games, though it’s slightly less than the standard 8GB found on other RTX 3050 variants.

One of the biggest advantages is the lack of external power requirements. This GPU draws all needed power directly from the PCIe slot, making it perfect for systems with limited power supply options. The card stayed reasonably cool during our testing, though it does run warmer than dual-slot cards with bigger heatsinks.

The display connectivity is quite good with HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4a outputs. We were able to drive our 1440p monitor without issues, though this card is best suited for 1080p gaming. For creative workloads, we found it handled light video editing and 3D tasks adequately.

Build quality feels solid despite the compact size. The blue color scheme might not match every build, but it adds a unique visual touch if your case has a window. For SFF enthusiasts or those upgrading older systems with limited space, this Yeston card fills an important niche that few other modern GPUs can match.

PNY Quadro P4000

The PNY Quadro P4000 delivers professional-grade graphics performance in a compact single-slot design that’s perfect for workstation users needing powerful 3D capabilities without taking up much space.

Pros

• Powerful Pascal architecture in a space-saving single slot design
• Large 8GB GDDR5 memory handles complex workloads
• Supports up to four 5K displays simultaneously

Cons

• Higher price point than consumer gaming cards
• 105W power draw may require good cooling
• Older model compared to newer RTX workstation cards

We recently got our hands on this compact powerhouse and were impressed by how much performance PNY packed into such a slim profile. The P4000 fits easily into workstations where space is at a premium, yet it doesn’t compromise on capabilities. Its single-slot design is a major selling point for professionals with limited expansion options.

During our testing with 3D modeling software, the 1792 CUDA cores made quick work of complex scenes. The 8GB of GDDR5 memory provided enough headroom for detailed projects without hitting performance bottlenecks. We particularly appreciated the smooth viewport performance when rotating and manipulating large assemblies.

The display support is another standout feature. We connected multiple high-resolution monitors to take advantage of the four DisplayPort outputs, and the P4000 handled the workload without breaking a sweat. This makes it ideal for professionals who need to see their work across multiple screens.

Heat management impressed us too. Despite fitting into a single slot, the card stayed reasonably cool under sustained workloads. The efficient Pascal architecture helps keep power consumption at 105W, which is manageable for most workstation power supplies.

For professionals running CAD, 3D visualization, or similar applications, this card hits a sweet spot of performance and form factor. While gaming cards might offer raw performance for less money, they lack the specialized drivers and optimizations that make the Quadro series shine in professional applications.

MSI GT 1030 4GB Single Slot

This budget-friendly single slot GPU offers excellent value for basic computing tasks and light gaming without requiring a power supply upgrade.

Pros

• Low-profile design fits in compact systems
• No external power connector needed
• Silent operation for peaceful work environments

Cons

• Limited gaming performance for newer titles
• Only basic display outputs (1 HDMI, 1 DisplayPort)
• DDR4 memory is slower than GDDR5/6 alternatives

We recently installed this MSI GT 1030 in a slim office PC that needed a graphics upgrade. The low-profile, single-slot design was perfect for the tight space, and we didn’t need to worry about power supply requirements. Installation took less than five minutes, and Windows recognized the card immediately.

For everyday tasks like spreadsheets, web browsing, and watching videos, this card performs wonderfully. We connected it to a 34-inch ultrawide monitor, and everything looked crisp with smooth scrolling. The 4GB DDR4 memory makes a noticeable difference compared to older 1GB or 2GB cards, especially when running multiple applications.

The card runs cool and completely silent, which we really appreciated in our quiet office environment. For casual gaming, it handles older titles at 1080p and even some newer games at 720p with acceptable framerates. We tested Minecraft and some basic Steam games with no issues at all.

Don’t expect to play the latest AAA games at high settings – that’s not what this card is designed for. However, if you’re upgrading from integrated graphics or an older card like a GT 710, you’ll see a significant performance boost. We found it ideal for home theater PCs, basic CAD work, and general productivity.

The price point makes this an excellent value option for those who need a simple graphics upgrade without breaking the bank. We particularly appreciated that it doesn’t require any additional power connections – it draws everything it needs directly from the PCIe slot.

AMD Radeon Pro WX 7100

The AMD Radeon Pro WX 7100 delivers professional-grade graphics performance in a space-saving single-slot design, making it perfect for workstation users who need power without sacrificing space.

Pros

• Powerful single-slot workstation performance
• 8GB GDDR5 memory handles complex projects
• Excellent for CAD and video editing workflows

Cons

• Can run hot under heavy loads
• Not designed for gaming
• Driver compatibility issues with some systems

We recently tested the AMD Radeon Pro WX 7100 in our workstation setup, and it’s impressive how much power AMD packed into this single-slot design.

The card slides easily into tighter workstation builds where space is at a premium. This makes it ideal for professionals who need serious graphics power without bulky hardware.

The viewport performance in CAD applications blew us away. Working with complex 3D models felt smooth and responsive, with none of the lag we’ve experienced with consumer-grade cards.

For creative professionals working in design software, this responsiveness makes a huge difference in daily workflow efficiency.

Video editing tasks showed equally strong results. A colleague’s Adobe Premiere project that previously took real-time to render (a 70-minute video taking 70 minutes to export) saw dramatic improvements with this card. The 8GB of GDDR5 memory provides plenty of headroom for complex projects.

Heat management is something to watch with this card. During extended rendering sessions, we noticed it runs hotter than some dual-slot alternatives.

Proper case airflow is definitely recommended to keep temperatures in check. This is the trade-off for getting so much performance in a compact form factor.

Driver installation was straightforward on Windows systems, though we’ve heard from Linux users that compatibility can be hit-or-miss depending on distribution.

AMD’s software support has improved significantly over the years, addressing many of the early issues users reported.

For professionals working in VR content creation, this card delivers excellent performance for its class. We tested several immersive visualizations, and the WX 7100 handled them without breaking a sweat. The DisplayPort outputs provide flexible connectivity options for multiple monitor setups.

Buying Guide

Choosing the best single slot GPU can be tricky. We’ve put together this guide to help you find the right one for your needs.

Performance Requirements

Think about what you’ll use the GPU for. Gaming? Video editing? 3D modeling? Each task needs different levels of power.

For casual gaming, a mid-range card will work fine. Heavy gaming or professional work will need something stronger.

Physical Dimensions

Single slot GPUs are slim, but lengths vary. Measure your case space before buying.

The card should fit without touching other parts. Leave room for proper airflow too.

Power Requirements

Check your power supply unit (PSU) before buying. GPUs need different amounts of power.

Cooling System

Single slot cards have less cooling space. Look for copper heat pipes and quality fans.

Some cards run hotter than others. Check reviews for temperature performance.

Budget Considerations

Set a budget before shopping.

GPUs range from $100 to $1000+.

Sometimes spending a bit more gives much better performance. But there’s usually a sweet spot with good value.