Graphics cards have seen a significant price hike over recent years, but there's good news for budget gamers: affordable options are making a strong comeback. My top recommendation, the Intel Arc B580, launched at just $249 and outperforms any other card under $300. This means budget-conscious gamers no longer need to settle for outdated models like the GTX 1070 Ti, which debuted at a similar price back in 2014. Even a $450 card like the RTX 5060 Ti offers a more affordable alternative to the high-end RTX 5080, which starts at $999 and powers top-tier gaming PCs. These budget options still provide an excellent gaming experience, especially at 1080p and 1440p resolutions, making high-performance gaming more accessible without breaking the bank.
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 NeweggEven with a more modest price tag, you can still enjoy a top-notch gaming experience by managing your expectations. For instance, the RTX 5060 Ti may not be ideal for 4K gaming, but it excels at 1080p and 1440p, making it the perfect choice for those using the most popular display resolutions 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 general rise in prices.
Having reviewed graphics cards for years and personally tested every GPU on this list, I can confidently recommend their performance, particularly for their price point.
Contributions by Kegan Mooney and Georgie Peru
What Do We Consider a "Budget GPU"?
Today's graphics cards are pricier than ever, with some Nvidia models reaching up to $2,000, while even the more affordable options cost hundreds of dollars. A budget graphics card used to be around $200 and offer solid 1080p performance, but times have changed. Now, a card like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, considered a budget option, starts at $399.
It's all about perspective. If high-end cards are around $1,000 and mid-range ones like the AMD Radeon RX 9070 are about $449, a budget GPU falls within the $200 to $300 range. You can find even cheaper options, but these often require you to compromise on features, opting for last-generation models. However, an RTX 3060 or RTX 2060 can still deliver excellent 1080p performance, even without the latest bells and whistles.
Ask yourself if you really need the best ray tracing effects; chances are, 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
4The Intel Arc B580 stands out as the best budget graphics card we've seen in years. Period.See it at NeweggProduct SpecificationsBase clock2,670MHz VRAM12GB GDDR6Output3 x DisplayPort 2.1, 1 x HDMI 2.1aShading cores2,560Compute units20PROSExcellent performance at 1440pVery affordableCONSSome driver issues at launchFor years, it felt like budget graphics cards were an afterthought for manufacturers. Nvidia, for example, hasn't released a successor to the GTX 1660 Ti, leaving budget gamers to make do with last year's models. Thankfully, Intel has entered the fray with its second-generation graphics cards, providing a compelling entry point into PC gaming. The Intel Arc B580 is hands down the best budget graphics card we've seen in years.
Priced at $249, it comes equipped with 12GB of VRAM, far surpassing the 8GB found in competitors like the RTX 4060 and Radeon RX 7600. While 8GB is sufficient for 1080p, 12GB becomes essential at higher resolutions like 1440p or 4K. My review of the Intel Arc B580 revealed its superior performance at 1440p, largely due to its robust frame buffer.
Intel Arc B580 – Benchmarks
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In fact, across the eight games I benchmarked with the Intel Arc B580, it consistently offered the lowest cost per frame. Averaged across the test suite, the Arc B580 comes in at just $3.72 per frame at 1440p, compared to $4.39 for the RTX 4060 and $4.89 for the AMD Radeon RX 7600, based on their retail prices. For its price, the B580 provides unparalleled value for budget-conscious gamers.
Surprisingly, the B580 handles ray tracing remarkably well. Even in games that typically favor Nvidia's hardware, like Cyberpunk 2077, the Intel B580 shines. At 1440p with the Ray Tracing Ultra preset and XeSS set to Balanced, you can expect a solid 60fps average, outperforming the more expensive RTX 4060's 49fps.
However, keep in mind that as this is only Intel's second generation of graphics cards, there are still some kinks to work out. During my tests with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, I encountered a bug where the benchmark ran without rendering the gun in the player's hand. While annoying, this is something that can be fixed. This issue was consistent across all Intel GPUs I tested, including the last-gen Arc A770 and A750, so it's not unique to the B580.
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 NeweggProduct SpecificationsShaders 4608Compute units36Base Clock2407MHzVRAM16GB GDDR7 Output3 x DisplayPort 2.1b, 1 x HDMI 2.1bBus StandardPCIe 5.0PROSDLSS 4 compatibleIncredible 1080p performanceCONSStruggles at higher resolutionsNvidia has struggled to follow up its RTX 4000 series, but the RTX 5060 Ti marks a solid improvement over the RTX 4060 Ti. This performance boost comes from a larger chip with 36 compute units instead of 34, and it introduces Blackwell's innovative features, including DLSS 4.
The standout feature of this generation is the next iteration of Frame Generation, with the RTX 5060 Ti supporting Multi-Frame Generation (MFG) through DLSS 4. This AI-driven technology can generate up to three interpolated frames for each rendered frame, significantly boosting frame rates. However, it does increase latency, so it's not ideal for games requiring quick reactions, like Marvel Rivals.
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 testing suite. While not a dramatic leap, it's enough to handle most games at 1080p or 1440p with max settings.
It's worth noting that there are two versions of the RTX 4060 Ti: one with 16GB of VRAM, which I reviewed, and one with 8GB. Given the increasing RAM demands of modern games, it's best to steer clear of the 8GB model.
Best Gaming PC Deals
Legion Tower 5 Gen 8 (AMD) with RX 7600- $1,049.99Legion Tower 7i Gen 8 (Intel) with RTX 4080 Super- $2,699.99Legion Tower 7i Gen 8 (Intel) with RTX 4070 Ti Super- $2,199.99Alienware 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 AmazonProduct SpecificationsBase clock2655MHz VRAM8GB GDDR6Outputx2 HDMI 2.1, x2 DisplayPort 1.4aShading cores2,048Compute units32PROSSolid 1080p performanceCompetitively pricedCONSUnderwhelming ray tracing performanceChoosing a more affordable graphics card often involves compromise. The AMD Radeon RX 7600 may not be ideal for ray tracing, but it excels at traditional 1080p gaming. Who needs fancy ray tracing when you're just looking to enjoy games like Phasmophobia with friends?
In my review of the AMD Radeon RX 7600, I found that while it struggles in some titles like Cyberpunk 2077, it can deliver over 60fps at 1080p in many games. For example, in Total War: Warhammer 3, it achieves up to 83fps at this resolution. At around $250, it's a solid choice for budget gamers.
With 8GB of VRAM, the RX 7600 is more than enough for most 1080p gaming scenarios. It excels at running popular games smoothly, even if you need to dial back the ray tracing settings occasionally. I can live with that.
MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Gaming X
Best Budget GPU Under $200
### MSIGeForce RTX 3050 Gaming X
1The RTX 3050 may be last-gen, but it remains a top choice for budget gamers seeking a 1080p graphics card. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsBase Clock1507MHzVRAM6GB GDDR6Outputx2 HDMI 2.1, x1 DisplayPort 1.4aShading cores2304Compute units18PROSImpressive dual fan coolingGreat valueCONSOnly 6GB VRAMThe RTX 3050 is an older card from the last-generation 3000-series, but Nvidia hasn't released a new budget-friendly option yet. The RTX 3050 remains a fantastic value, delivering solid 1080p performance in almost any game.
You might need to lower quality settings for demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Horizon: Forbidden West, but at $179 on Amazon, it's the most affordable entry into PC gaming right now, aside from used options.
Thanks to Nvidia's third-generation Tensor cores, the RTX 3050 supports DLSS 2.0, enhancing its value and performance in compatible games. However, I wouldn't recommend enabling ray tracing on this card, as it won't provide a satisfactory experience.
This GPU is best suited for traditional gaming, making it ideal for esports or indie games.
AMD Radeon RX 9070 – Photos
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5. AMD Radeon RX 9070
Best Mid-Range GPU
### AMD Radeon RX 9070
0While it's priced close to the RX 9070 XT, the Radeon RX 9070 offers excellent 1440p performance for the money. See it at NeweggProduct SpecificationsShading Units3584Base Clock1330 MHzBoost Clock2520 MHzVideo Memory16GB GDDR6Memory Bandwidth644.6 GB/sMemory Bus256-bitPower Connectors2 x 8-pinPROSExcellent 1440p performance16GB of VRAMCONSNot technically a budget GPUThe AMD Radeon RX 9070 isn't what I'd call a "budget graphics card," but it's the best value under $600 right now, especially once stock stabilizes. It's the entry point to the mid-range, offering excellent 1440p performance with ample VRAM.
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-heavy games, thanks to AMD's improved ray tracing pipeline. For instance, in Cyberpunk 2077, the Radeon RX 9070 achieves 93fps at 1440p with ray tracing ultra preset and FSR set to balanced, compared to the RTX 5070's 90fps.
The Radeon RX 9070 also comes with 16GB of GDDR6, which, although slower than the GDDR7 on the Nvidia card, offers more memory than the RTX 5070's 12GB. This is crucial as games become more memory-intensive at higher resolutions. The only downside is its proximity in price to the RX 9070 XT, which can handle 4K gaming for just $50 more. It's a small price to pay if you have a 4K display.
How to Pick the Best GPU on a Budget
Choosing the best budget GPU doesn't have to be daunting. It's about finding the right balance between performance and cost. Consider what you'll use the GPU for, focusing on frame rates, resolution capabilities, and compatibility with your existing hardware. Check the system requirements of specific games you want to play to guide your decision.
Keep an eye out for sales, discounts, and bundle deals, as prices can fluctuate. If you're not in a rush, waiting for a good deal can maximize your value. Also, consider older models after new releases, as their prices often drop. A quality GPU paired with a smart purchase can stretch your budget further.
FAQs about Cheaper GPUs
How much should I budget for a GPU?
For less demanding games, you can find a decent GPU for 1080p gaming within $200 to $400. For 1440p or 4K gaming, prices can exceed $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 choice. It has enough CUDA cores to handle most creative workloads in Adobe Premiere or Blender and supports DLSS via its 4th-generation Tensor cores, increasingly integrated into popular content creation apps.
