In recent years, the cost of graphics cards has soared, but there's good news for budget-conscious gamers: affordable options are making a comeback. My top choice, the Intel Arc B580, has hit the market at $249 and is outperforming all competitors under $300. This means budget gamers no longer need to settle for outdated cards that were priced similarly to the GTX 1070 Ti back in 2014. Even a $450 graphics card like the RTX 5060 Ti is a steal compared to the $999 RTX 5080, which powers the most premium gaming PCs today, yet still qualifies as a budget option in the current market.
TL;DR - These Are the Best Budget GPUs:
### Intel Arc B580
4See it at Newegg
### PNY Dual Fan OC GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB
5See it at Newegg
### Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7600 OC
2See it at Amazon
### MSIGeForce RTX 3050 Gaming X
1See it at Amazon
### AMD Radeon RX 9070
0See it at Newegg
Even at these lower price points, you can enjoy an outstanding gaming experience by adjusting your expectations. The RTX 5060 Ti, for example, may not be ideal for 4K gaming, but it excels at 1080p and 1440p, making it the perfect choice for gamers still using the most popular display resolution according to the latest Steam Hardware Survey. So, you don't need to spend a fortune to build a great gaming PC in 2025, despite the slight increase in prices over time.
With years of experience reviewing graphics cards, I can confidently endorse the performance of each GPU on this list, especially given their affordable price tags.
Contributions by Kegan Mooney and Georgie Peru
What Do We Consider a "Budget GPU"?
In today's market, graphics cards are pricier than ever, with some Nvidia models reaching up to $2,000, while even the more affordable options still cost hundreds of dollars. Once upon a time, a budget graphics card could be had for around $200 and deliver solid 1080p gaming performance, but those days are largely behind us. For instance, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, now considered a budget option, will set you back $399.
It's all about perspective. If a high-end graphics card costs around $1,000 and a mid-range option like the AMD Radeon RX 9070 is about $449, a budget GPU falls within the $200 to $300 range. There are cheaper options out there, but they often mean settling for last-generation GPUs. Yet, even an RTX 3060 or RTX 2060 can still deliver excellent 1080p performance, despite lacking some modern features.
Consider whether you truly need the latest ray tracing effects. Chances are, you can enjoy gaming just fine without them.
Intel Arc B580 – Photos
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1. Intel Arc B580
The Best Budget Graphics Card
### Intel Arc B580
4The Intel Arc B580 is the best budget graphics card we've seen in years. Full stop.See it at Newegg
Product Specifications:
- Base clock: 2,670MHz
- VRAM: 12GB GDDR6
- Output: 3 x DisplayPort 2.1, 1 x HDMI 2.1a
- Shading cores: 2,560
- Compute units: 20
**Pros:**
- Excellent performance at 1440p
- Very affordable
**Cons:**
- Some driver problems at launch
For years, it felt like budget graphics cards were forgotten by manufacturers. Nvidia, for example, hasn't followed up the GTX 1660 Ti, leaving budget gamers to make do with last year's models. Thankfully, Intel has stepped in, and their second-generation graphics cards offer an excellent entry point into PC gaming. The Intel Arc B580 is by far the best budget graphics card we've seen in years.
Priced at $249, it comes with 12GB of VRAM, significantly more than the 8GB found in the RTX 4060 and Radeon RX 7600. While 8GB is sufficient for 1080p, 12GB is essential for higher resolutions like 1440p or 4K. My review of the Intel Arc B580 showed it outperforming comparable cards at 1440p, largely due to its generous frame buffer.
Intel Arc B580 – Benchmarks
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In my benchmarks across eight games, the Intel Arc B580 offered the lowest cost per frame. On average, it costs just $3.72 per frame at 1440p, compared to $4.39 for the RTX 4060 and $4.89 for the AMD Radeon RX 7600. For gamers watching their wallets, the B580 provides unparalleled value.
What's truly surprising is its prowess with ray tracing. Even in games that traditionally favor Nvidia's hardware, like Cyberpunk 2077, the B580 shines. At 1440p with the Ray Tracing Ultra preset and XeSS set to Balanced, you can expect a smooth 60fps average, outperforming the more expensive RTX 4060's 49fps.
However, as this is only Intel's second generation of graphics cards, there are still some bugs to iron out. During testing of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the benchmark ran without rendering the gun in the player's hand. This issue, though annoying, is fixable and was present across all Intel GPUs tested, including the last-gen Arc A770 and A750.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti – Photos
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2. Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti
Best Budget Graphics Card Under $450
### PNY Dual Fan OC GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB
5See it at Newegg
Product Specifications:
- Shaders: 4608
- Compute units: 36
- Base Clock: 2407MHz
- VRAM: 16GB GDDR7
- Output: 3 x DisplayPort 2.1b, 1 x HDMI 2.1b
- Bus Standard: PCIe 5.0
**Pros:**
- DLSS 4 compatible
- Incredible 1080p performance
**Cons:**
- Struggles at higher resolutions
Nvidia's RTX 5060 Ti marks a solid improvement over the RTX 4060 Ti, largely due to its larger chip with 36 compute units instead of 34. The introduction of Blackwell architecture brings features like DLSS 4, including Multi-Frame Generation (MFG), which uses AI to generate up to three interpolated frames per rendered frame, boosting frame rates but adding latency. I wouldn't recommend using MFG in fast-paced games like Marvel Rivals.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti – Benchmarks
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In my review, the RTX 5060 Ti was about 23% faster than the RTX 4060 Ti and 43% faster than the RTX 3060 Ti across my testing suite. It's capable of handling almost any game at 1080p or 1440p with settings maxed out.
Note that there are two versions of the RTX 4060 Ti: one with 16GB of VRAM and another with 8GB. I recommend avoiding the 8GB model due to the increasing RAM demands of modern games.
Best Gaming PC Deals
- Legion Tower 5 Gen 8 (AMD) with RX 7600- $1,049.99
- Legion Tower 7i Gen 8 (Intel) with RTX 4080 Super- $2,699.99
- Legion Tower 7i Gen 8 (Intel) with RTX 4070 Ti Super- $2,199.99
- Alienware Aurora R16 RTX 5080 (32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) Gaming PC- $2,499.99
Radeon RX 7600
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3. Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7600 OC
Best Budget AMD GPU
### Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7600 OC
2See it at Amazon
Product Specifications:
- Base clock: 2655MHz
- VRAM: 8GB GDDR6
- Output: x2 HDMI 2.1, x2 DisplayPort 1.4a
- Shading cores: 2,048
- Compute units: 32
**Pros:**
- Solid 1080p performance
- Competitively priced
**Cons:**
- Underwhelming ray tracing performance
Choosing a more affordable graphics card involves compromise. The AMD Radeon RX 7600 isn't ideal for ray tracing enthusiasts, but it excels at 1080p gaming. For those who prioritize gameplay over fancy visuals, this card is perfect. In my review, while it struggled in some titles like Cyberpunk 2077, it achieved over 60fps in games like Total War: Warhammer 3 at 1080p. At around $250, it's a fantastic option.
With 8GB of VRAM, it's well-equipped for 1080p gaming and can handle most modern games smoothly, even if ray tracing needs to be dialed back occasionally.
MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Gaming X
Best Budget GPU Under $200
### MSIGeForce RTX 3050 Gaming X
1The RTX 3050 might be last-gen, but if you want a 1080p graphics card on the cheap, there aren't many better options.See it at Amazon
Product Specifications:
- Base Clock: 1507MHz
- VRAM: 6GB GDDR6
- Output: x2 HDMI 2.1, x1 DisplayPort 1.4a
- Shading cores: 2304
- Compute units: 18
**Pros:**
- Impressive dual fan cooling
- Great value
**Cons:**
- Only 6GB VRAM
The RTX 3050, though last-gen, remains a solid choice for budget-conscious gamers looking for 1080p performance. With no new budget-friendly option from Nvidia in sight, the RTX 3050 continues to offer excellent value. It may require some compromise on settings for demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Horizon: Forbidden West, but at $179 on Amazon, it's the most affordable new card available.
Thanks to Nvidia's third-generation Tensor cores, the RTX 3050 supports DLSS 2.0, enhancing its value and performance in compatible games. However, it's not recommended for ray tracing due to its limited capabilities in this area. It's best suited for traditional gaming and esports titles.
AMD Radeon RX 9070 – Photos
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5. AMD Radeon RX 9070
Best Mid-Range GPU
### AMD Radeon RX 9070
0While its priced uncomfortably close to the RX 9070 XT, the Radeon RX 9070 is an excellent 1440p graphics card for the money. See it at Newegg
Product Specifications:
- Shading Units: 3584
- Base Clock: 1330 MHz
- Boost Clock: 2520 MHz
- Video Memory: 16GB GDDR6
- Memory Bandwidth: 644.6 GB/s
- Memory Bus: 256-bit
- Power Connectors: 2 x 8-pin
**Pros:**
- Excellent 1440p performance
- 16GB of VRAM
**Cons:**
- Not technically a budget GPU
Though not strictly a budget option, the AMD Radeon RX 9070 offers the best value for under $600. It's the entry-level choice for mid-range gaming, delivering superb 1440p performance and ample VRAM. Once stock stabilizes, it will be an even better deal.
AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT & 9070 – Benchmarks
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In my review, the Radeon RX 9070 outperformed the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 at the same price point, even in ray tracing-intensive games like Cyberpunk 2077. With the ray tracing ultra preset and FSR set to balanced, it achieved 93fps at 1440p, compared to the RTX 5070's 90fps.
The RX 9070's 16GB of GDDR6 VRAM is a significant advantage over the RTX 5070's 12GB, especially as games become more memory-intensive at higher resolutions. Its only drawback is its proximity in price to the RX 9070 XT, which offers 4K capabilities for just $50 more. It's a small price to pay if you're using a 4K display.
How to Pick the Best GPU on a Budget
Choosing the best budget GPU involves understanding your needs and balancing performance with cost. Consider factors like frame rates, resolution capabilities, and compatibility with your existing setup. If you're targeting a specific game, check its system requirements to guide your decision.
Keep an eye out for sales, discounts, and bundle deals. Prices can fluctuate, so waiting for a good deal can be beneficial if you're not in a rush. Also, consider older models following the release of new GPUs, as their prices often drop, offering more bang for your buck.
FAQs about Cheaper GPUs
How much should I budget for a GPU?
For less demanding games at 1080p, you can find a decent GPU between $200 and $400. For 1440p or 4K gaming, expect to spend over $500.
What is the best budget GPU for content creation?
For content creation on a budget, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti is an excellent choice. It offers enough CUDA cores for creative workloads in Adobe Premiere or Blender, and its 4th-generation Tensor cores support DLSS, which is increasingly used in popular content creation applications.
