The landscape of graphics cards has shifted dramatically in recent years, with prices soaring to new heights. Fortunately, budget graphics cards are making a strong comeback, offering gamers more affordable options without compromising on performance. At the forefront of this resurgence is the Intel Arc B580, priced at just $249, which has set a new standard for budget GPUs under $300. This card outperforms its competitors, providing an excellent alternative to pricier options like the GTX 1070 Ti, which launched at a similar price back in 2014. For those looking to spend a bit more, the RTX 5060 Ti at $450 offers a compelling budget option compared to the $999 RTX 5080, which is considered a high-end choice for the best gaming PCs.
TL;DR - These Are the Best Budget GPUs:
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### 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 with a lower price tag, these budget GPUs can deliver an exceptional gaming experience, provided you adjust your expectations accordingly. For example, while the RTX 5060 Ti may not be ideal for 4K gaming, it excels at 1080p and 1440p resolutions, making it an excellent choice for the most popular display resolution, as per the latest Steam Hardware Survey. Thus, building a great gaming PC in 2025 doesn't require a hefty investment, despite the overall increase in GPU prices.
Having reviewed graphics cards for years, I can confidently vouch for the performance and value offered by each GPU on this list, especially considering their price points.
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 top-tier Nvidia GPUs reaching up to $2,000, while even the more affordable options cost several hundred dollars. The traditional definition of a budget GPU, which used to hover around $200 for solid 1080p gaming, has shifted. Today, a card like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, priced at $399, could be considered a budget option.
It's all about perspective. With high-end cards costing around $1,000 and mid-range options like the AMD Radeon RX 9070 priced at $449, a budget GPU typically falls between $200 and $300. While you can find even cheaper last-generation GPUs, they may require compromises on features. Nevertheless, an RTX 3060 or RTX 2060 can still offer fantastic performance at 1080p, even if they lack the latest advancements.
Ultimately, consider whether you truly need the best ray tracing effects, as you might find that you can do without them.
Intel Arc B580 – Photos
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1. 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 launchFor years, it seemed like manufacturers had forgotten about budget GPUs. Nvidia, for example, hasn't released a successor to the GTX 1660 Ti, leaving budget-conscious gamers to rely on last year's models. Thankfully, Intel has stepped up, and their second-generation graphics cards, like the Intel Arc B580, offer a fantastic entry point into PC gaming. Priced at $249 and featuring 12GB of VRAM—significantly more than the 8GB found in comparable RTX 4060 and Radeon RX 7600 cards—the B580 delivers superior performance at 1440p, thanks to its robust frame buffer.
Intel Arc B580 – Benchmarks
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Across eight benchmarked games, the Intel Arc B580 showcased the lowest cost per frame at 1440p, averaging just $3.72 per frame, compared to $4.39 for the RTX 4060 and $4.89 for the Radeon RX 7600. This makes the B580 the best value for budget-conscious gamers. Surprisingly, it also handles ray tracing well, outperforming the more expensive RTX 4060 in games like Cyberpunk 2077, achieving a smooth 60fps average at 1440p with the Ray Tracing Ultra preset and XeSS set to Balanced.
However, as a second-generation product, the B580 still faces some bugs, such as rendering issues in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. These are expected to be resolved in future updates, but it's worth noting that similar issues were observed across other Intel GPUs, including 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
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 resolutionsNvidia's RTX 5060 Ti marks a significant improvement over the RTX 4060 Ti, largely due to its increased size and the introduction of Blackwell's features, including DLSS 4. The standout feature of this generation is the Multi-Frame Generation (MFG) through DLSS 4, which can generate up to three interpolated frames per rendered frame, boosting frame rates at the cost of some latency. This technology is not ideal for games requiring quick reaction times, such as Marvel Rivals.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti – Benchmarks
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In my review, the RTX 5060 Ti was found to be 23% faster than the RTX 4060 Ti and 43% faster than the RTX 3060 Ti across a comprehensive testing suite. This performance uplift allows it to handle virtually any game at 1080p or 1440p with maximum settings. It's worth noting that there are two versions of the RTX 4060 Ti—one with 16GB of VRAM and another with 8GB. Given the increasing memory demands of modern games, the 16GB version is the better choice.
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 performanceChoosing a budget graphics card often involves compromise, and the AMD Radeon RX 7600 is no exception. While it's not ideal for ray tracing, it excels at traditional 1080p gaming. In games like Total War: Warhammer 3, the RX 7600 can deliver up to 83fps at 1080p, making it a strong contender at its $250 price point. Its 8GB of VRAM is sufficient for most 1080p gaming scenarios, ensuring smooth performance in popular titles.
MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Gaming X
Best Budget GPU Under $200
### MSIGeForce RTX 3050 Gaming X
1
The RTX 3050 might be from the last generation, but it remains one of the best options for budget-conscious gamers seeking solid 1080p performance. 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 VRAMThe RTX 3050, part of Nvidia's last-generation 3000-series, remains a great value, delivering solid 1080p performance in most games. While you may need to adjust settings in more demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Horizon: Forbidden West, the RTX 3050 is currently available for just $179 on Amazon, making it an affordable entry point into PC gaming. It supports DLSS 2.0, enhancing performance in compatible games, though ray tracing is not recommended due to its limited capabilities. This GPU is perfect for esports and indie games.
AMD Radeon RX 9070 – Photos
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5. AMD Radeon RX 9070
Best Mid-Range GPU
### AMD Radeon RX 9070
0
While not technically a budget GPU, the AMD Radeon RX 9070 offers excellent value for under $600, especially once stock stabilizes. 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 GPUThe AMD Radeon RX 9070, while priced close to the RX 9070 XT, is an outstanding 1440p graphics card for the money. It outperforms the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 in some games with heavy ray tracing, thanks to AMD's improved ray tracing pipeline. In Cyberpunk 2077, it achieves 93fps at 1440p with the ray tracing ultra preset and FSR set to balanced, compared to the RTX 5070's 90fps. With 16GB of GDDR6, it's well-equipped for future games, though its proximity in price to the 9070 XT, which handles 4K gaming, might be a consideration.
AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT & 9070 – Benchmarks
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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 hardware. Check system requirements for specific games and keep an eye out for sales, discounts, and bundle deals to maximize value. Older models can also offer great value once newer GPUs are released.
FAQs about Cheaper GPUs
How much should I budget for a GPU?
For less demanding games at 1080p, a decent graphics card can be found between $200 and $400. For 1440p or 4K gaming, prices can exceed $500.
What is the best budget GPU for content creation?
For content creation without spending over $1,000, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti is a strong choice. It features enough CUDA cores for most creative workloads in Adobe Premiere or Blender and includes 4th-generation Tensor cores for DLSS, which is increasingly used in popular content creation applications.
