Graphics cards have indeed become more expensive, but the good news is that budget options are making a strong comeback. My top pick, the Intel Arc B580, launched at $249 and outperforms everything else under $300. This means budget gamers no longer have to settle for outdated cards that were priced similarly to the GTX 1070 Ti back in 2014. Even at $450, the RTX 5060 Ti remains a budget-friendly choice compared to the $999 RTX 5080, which powers top-tier gaming PCs.
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 NeweggWith a more affordable price tag, you can still enjoy an excellent gaming experience if you adjust your expectations slightly. For example, while the RTX 5060 Ti may not be ideal for 4K gaming, it excels at 1080p and even 1440p, making it a great choice for users of the most popular display resolution, according to the latest Steam Hardware Survey. Therefore, you don't need to spend thousands of dollars to build a great gaming PC in 2025, even though prices have risen.
I've been reviewing graphics cards for years and have personally tested each GPU listed here, ensuring their performance is reliable and excellent for the price.
Contributions by Kegan Mooney and Georgie Peru
What Do We Consider a "Budget GPU"?
Graphics cards are now more expensive than ever, with some Nvidia models reaching up to $2,000, while even budget options cost several hundred dollars. In the past, a budget GPU around $200 could deliver solid 1080p performance in the latest games, but that's no longer the case. Today, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, considered a budget GPU, costs $399.
It's all about perspective. If high-end cards are around $1,000 and mid-range cards like the AMD Radeon RX 9070 cost about $449, a budget GPU typically falls between $200 and $300. While you can find cheaper last-generation GPUs, you'll need to make some compromises. However, cards like the RTX 3060 or RTX 2060 still offer excellent 1080p performance, even if they lack some modern features.
Ask yourself if you really need the latest 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 is the best budget graphics card we've seen in years. Full stop.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 problems at launchFor years, it felt like graphics card manufacturers overlooked budget options. Nvidia, for instance, hasn't released a successor to the GTX 1660 Ti, leaving budget buyers to settle for last-year's GPUs. Fortunately, Intel has entered the market, and its second-generation graphics cards provide an excellent entry point for PC gaming. The Intel Arc B580 stands out as the best budget graphics card we've seen in years.
Priced at $249 and equipped with 12GB of VRAM, it offers significantly more memory than the comparable RTX 4060 and Radeon RX 7600, both with 8GB. While extra VRAM is beneficial at 1080p, it's crucial at higher resolutions like 1440p or 4K. In my review of the Intel Arc B580, I found its performance at 1440p to be superior to any other card in its class, largely due to its ample frame buffer.
Intel Arc B580 – Benchmarks
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In fact, across the eight games I benchmarked with the Intel Arc B580, it offered the lowest cost per frame. Averaged across the test suite, the Arc B580 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 (based on retail prices). For its price, the B580 provides unmatched value for budget-conscious gamers.
Surprisingly, the B580 also handles ray tracing well. Even in games like Cyberpunk 2077, which traditionally favor Nvidia hardware, the Intel B580 performs admirably. At 1440p with the Ray Tracing Ultra preset and XeSS set to Balanced, you can expect an average of 60fps, outperforming the more expensive RTX 4060, which achieves 49fps.
However, as this is only Intel's second generation of graphics cards, there are still some bugs to address. When testing Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, I noticed the benchmark ran without rendering the gun in the player's hand. While annoying, this issue is fixable and was present across all Intel GPUs I 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 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 significant improvement over the RTX 4060 Ti. This is largely due to its larger chip, now boasting 36 compute units compared to 34, along with new features like 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 per rendered frame, dramatically boosting frame rates. However, it increases latency, so it's not recommended for games requiring quick reactions, like Marvel Rivals.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti – Benchmarks
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In my review of the Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti, I found it to be about 23% faster than the RTX 4060 Ti across my testing suite, and 43% faster than the RTX 3060 Ti. This isn't a massive generational leap, but it can handle nearly any game 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 another with 8GB. Given the increasing memory demands of modern games, I recommend steering clear of the lower-memory 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. While the AMD Radeon RX 7600 isn't ideal for ray tracing, it excels at traditional 1080p gaming. For those who prioritize gameplay over fancy graphics, this card is perfect for games like Phasmophobia.
In my review of the AMD Radeon RX 7600, I found it struggled in some games, such as Cyberpunk 2077, but delivered over 60fps at 1080p in others like Total War: Warhammer 3, reaching up to 83fps. At around $250, it's a solid choice for budget gamers.
With 8GB of VRAM, the RX 7600 is more than sufficient for most 1080p gaming needs. It shines in running popular games smoothly, even if you need to dial back ray tracing occasionally. That's a trade-off I'm willing to make.
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 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 3000-series, but with Nvidia yet to release a new budget option in the Ada Lovelace generation, it remains a great value. It delivers solid 1080p performance in nearly any game.
You may need to adjust quality settings for demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Horizon: Forbidden West. At the time of writing, the EVGA RTX 3050 is available for $179 on Amazon, making it the most affordable entry point into PC gaming, aside from used cards.
Thanks to Nvidia's third-generation Tensor cores, the RTX 3050 supports DLSS 2.0, enhancing its value and performance in supported 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 workloads, 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 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 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 typically considered a budget GPU, but it offers the best value under $600 once stock stabilizes. It's the entry point to the mid-range, delivering excellent 1440p performance with ample VRAM.
AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT & 9070 – Benchmarks
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In my review of the Radeon RX 9070, it outperformed the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 at the same price point, even in games with heavy ray tracing like Cyberpunk 2077. At 1440p with the ray tracing ultra preset and FSR set to balanced, the Radeon RX 9070 achieved 93fps, compared to 90fps for the RTX 5070.
The AMD Radeon RX 9070 comes with 16GB of GDDR6, which, while not as fast as 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 drawback 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 overwhelming. It's about finding the right balance between performance and cost. Consider what you'll use the GPU for and focus on factors like frame rates, resolution capabilities, and compatibility with your existing hardware. Check the system requirements for specific games to guide your choice.
Keep an eye out for sales, discounts, and bundle deals, as prices can fluctuate. If a new GPU is released, older models often become more affordable. Combining a quality GPU with a good deal maximizes your value.
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 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 on a budget, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti is a strong choice. It has enough CUDA cores for most creative workloads in Adobe Premiere or Blender and supports DLSS with its 4th-generation Tensor cores, which is increasingly used in popular content creation apps.
