In recent years, the price of graphics cards has soared, making it challenging for budget-conscious gamers to find affordable options. However, the landscape is changing, with budget graphics cards making a strong comeback. A standout in this category is the Intel Arc B580, which launched at a competitive $249 and outperforms all other cards under $300. This is a significant improvement over the prices we saw with the GTX 1070 Ti back in 2014. Even cards like the RTX 5060 Ti, priced at $450, are considered budget-friendly compared to the high-end RTX 5080, which starts at $999. These budget options still deliver a robust gaming experience, especially at popular resolutions like 1080p and 1440p.
TL;DR - These Are the Best Budget GPUs:
Intel Arc B580
4 See it at Newegg!
PNY Dual Fan OC GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB
5 See it at Newegg!
Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7600 OC
2 See it at Amazon!
MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Gaming X
1 See it at Amazon!
0 See it at Newegg!
Even with their lower price tags, these GPUs can provide an excellent gaming experience, provided you set realistic expectations. For example, while the RTX 5060 Ti isn't designed for 4K gaming, it excels at 1080p and 1440p, making it an ideal choice for those using the most popular resolutions according to the latest Steam Hardware Survey. This means you don't need to spend thousands of dollars to build a great gaming PC in 2025, despite the overall increase in prices.
Having reviewed graphics cards for years, I can confidently recommend each GPU on this list based on my hands-on experience and their performance relative to their price.
Contributions by Kegan Mooney and Georgie Peru
What Do We Consider a "Budget GPU"?
In today's market, graphics cards are more expensive than ever, with some Nvidia models reaching up to $2,000, while even budget options still cost hundreds of dollars. Historically, a budget graphics card was around $200 and could handle 1080p gaming in the latest titles. Now, a card like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, considered a budget option, costs $399. The definition of a budget GPU has shifted; with high-end cards around $1,000 and mid-range cards like the AMD Radeon RX 9070 at $449, a true budget GPU now falls in the $200 to $300 range. While ultra-cheap cards below this price exist, they often require compromises, such as using last-generation models like the RTX 3060 or RTX 2060, which still perform well at 1080p despite lacking modern features. The key question to ask is whether you truly need the best ray tracing effects, as you might find you can live without them.
Intel Arc B580 – Photos
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Intel Arc B580
The Best Budget Graphics Card
Intel Arc B580
4 The Intel Arc B580 stands out as the best budget graphics card we've seen in years. Period. 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 a long time, it felt like graphics card manufacturers had neglected the budget segment. Nvidia, for instance, hasn't released a follow-up to the GTX 1660 Ti, leaving budget gamers to settle for last year's models. Fortunately, Intel's second generation of graphics cards, including the Arc B580, has provided an excellent entry point into PC gaming. Priced at just $249, it comes with 12GB of VRAM, far exceeding the 8GB found in comparable cards like the RTX 4060 and Radeon RX 7600. This extra VRAM is crucial at higher resolutions like 1440p or 4K. My benchmarks of the Intel Arc B580 showed it delivering superior performance at 1440p, largely thanks to its generous frame buffer.
Intel Arc B580 – Benchmarks
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Across the eight games I tested with the Intel Arc B580, it consistently offered the lowest cost per frame. Averaged out across the test suite, the Arc B580 costs only $3.72 per frame at 1440p, compared to $4.39 for the RTX 4060 and $4.89 for the AMD Radeon RX 7600. This makes the B580 the best value for budget-conscious gamers. Surprisingly, the B580 also handles ray tracing well, outperforming even more expensive cards like the RTX 4060 in games like Cyberpunk 2077. At 1440p with the Ray Tracing Ultra preset and XeSS set to Balanced, it achieves a solid 60fps average, compared to 49fps on the RTX 4060.
However, as Intel's second-generation graphics card, there are still some bugs to iron out. For example, when testing Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the benchmark ran without rendering the gun in the player's hand. This issue, while annoying, is fixable and was also present in last-gen Intel GPUs like the 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
5 See 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 has faced challenges following up its RTX 4000 series, but the RTX 5060 Ti marks a solid improvement over the RTX 4060 Ti. The larger chip, now with 36 compute units instead of 34, along with Blackwell's features like DLSS 4, contributes to this performance boost. A key selling point is the next iteration of Frame Generation, with the RTX 5060 Ti supporting Multi-Frame Generation (MFG) through DLSS 4. This AI-driven feature can generate up to three interpolated frames, significantly increasing frame rates, though it may increase latency, making it less suitable for games requiring quick reaction times.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti – Benchmarks
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My review of the Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti showed it to be about 23% faster than the RTX 4060 Ti and 43% faster than the RTX 3060 Ti across my test suite. While not the most dramatic generational uplift, it can handle most games at 1080p or 1440p with maximum settings. Note that there are two versions of the RTX 4060 Ti: one with 16GB of VRAM, which I tested, and one with 8GB. Given the increasing memory demands of modern games, the 8GB model is less recommended.
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
2 See 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
Purchasing a budget graphics card often involves compromise. While the AMD Radeon RX 7600 isn't ideal for ray tracing, it excels at traditional 1080p gaming. For games like Phasmophobia, where fancy ray tracing isn't necessary, the RX 7600 performs admirably. My review found it capable of over 60fps in many games at 1080p, with Total War: Warhammer 3 reaching up to 83fps. At around $250, it offers good value, especially considering its 8GB of VRAM, which is sufficient for most 1080p gaming scenarios.
MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Gaming X
Best Budget GPU Under $200
MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Gaming X
1 The RTX 3050 may be last-gen, but it remains one of the best options for budget 1080p gaming. 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, part of Nvidia's last-generation 3000-series, is still a great value. Nvidia has yet to release a follow-up, making the RTX 3050 a solid choice for budget-conscious gamers. It delivers reliable 1080p performance in most games, though you might need to adjust settings for demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Horizon: Forbidden West. Currently priced at $179 on Amazon, it's an affordable entry into PC gaming. The RTX 3050 also benefits from Nvidia's third-generation Tensor cores, enabling DLSS 2.0 support, which can enhance performance in compatible games. However, it's not recommended for ray tracing due to its limitations.
AMD Radeon RX 9070 – Photos
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5. AMD Radeon RX 9070
Best Mid-Range GPU
0 While priced close to the RX 9070 XT, the Radeon RX 9070 offers excellent value for 1440p gaming. 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
While the AMD Radeon RX 9070 isn't typically categorized as a budget GPU, it offers the best value under $600, especially once stock stabilizes. It serves as an entry point to the mid-range, delivering excellent 1440p performance with ample VRAM. My review showed it outperforming the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 at the same price point, even in ray tracing-intensive games like Cyberpunk 2077, thanks to AMD's improved ray tracing pipeline. At 1440p, it achieves 93fps with the ray tracing ultra preset and FSR set to balanced, compared to 90fps on the RTX 5070. The RX 9070's 16GB of GDDR6 memory is a significant advantage over the RTX 5070's 12GB, especially for future-proofing at higher resolutions. The only drawback is its proximity in price to the RX 9070 XT, which can handle 4K gaming for just $50 more.
AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT & 9070 – Benchmarks
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How to Pick the Best GPU on a Budget
Choosing the best budget GPU involves understanding your needs and balancing performance with cost. Consider the purpose of your GPU—whether it's for gaming, content creation, or other tasks. Look at factors like frame rates, resolution capabilities, and compatibility with your existing hardware. If you have specific games in mind, check their system requirements to guide your choice. Keep an eye out for sales, discounts, and bundle deals, as prices can fluctuate. Older models can also become more affordable after new releases, offering great value. By combining a quality GPU with a good deal, you can maximize your investment.
FAQs about Cheaper GPUs
How much should I budget for a GPU?
For less demanding games, you can find a decent graphics card for 1080p gaming between $200 and $400. For 1440p or 4K gaming, you might need to budget well over $500.
What is the best budget GPU for content creation?
For content creation on a budget, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti is a strong contender. It has enough CUDA cores to handle most creative workloads in apps like Adobe Premiere or Blender and includes 4th-generation Tensor cores for DLSS support, which is increasingly used in content creation applications.
