The rise in graphics card prices has been a notable trend, but there's good news for budget-conscious gamers: affordable GPUs are making a comeback. My top pick, the Intel Arc B580, has just hit the market at $249 and outperforms any other graphics card under $300. This means budget gamers no longer have to settle for outdated technology like the GTX 1070 Ti, which launched at the same price back in 2014. Even the $450 RTX 5060 Ti offers a significant saving compared to the $999 RTX 5080, and can be considered a budget option in today's 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 with a more affordable price tag, you can still achieve an excellent gaming experience by adjusting your expectations slightly. The RTX 5060 Ti, for example, may not be ideal for 4K gaming, but it excels at 1080p and 1440p resolutions, making it a top choice for gamers using the most popular display resolution according to the latest Steam Hardware Survey. This means you don't need to spend thousands to enjoy a great gaming PC in 2025, despite the overall increase in costs.
Having reviewed graphics cards for years, I can confidently recommend each GPU on this list based on their performance and value. My insights have been supplemented by contributions from Kegan Mooney and Georgie Peru.
What Do We Consider a "Budget GPU"?
In today's market, graphics cards are pricier than ever, with top-tier Nvidia models reaching up to $2,000, and even budget options costing hundreds of dollars. Previously, a budget GPU around $200 could deliver solid 1080p performance in the latest games, but that's no longer the case. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, for instance, is now seen as a budget card at $399.
The definition of a budget GPU depends on perspective. With high-end cards around $1,000 and mid-range options like the AMD Radeon RX 9070 at $449, budget GPUs typically fall within the $200 to $300 range. While there are cheaper options available, these often involve compromises, such as opting for last-generation models like the RTX 3060 or RTX 2060, which still provide excellent 1080p performance but may lack some modern features.
Ultimately, you need to decide whether you truly need advanced features like ray tracing. Often, you can enjoy great gaming 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 launch
For 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 buyers to settle for last year's models. Thankfully, Intel has entered the market, and its second generation of graphics cards offers an excellent entry point for PC gaming. The Intel Arc B580 is undoubtedly the best budget graphics card we've seen in years.
Priced at $249, the Arc B580 comes with 12GB of VRAM, which is significantly more than the 8GB offered by comparable cards like the RTX 4060 and Radeon RX 7600. While 8GB is sufficient for 1080p, higher resolutions like 1440p and 4K benefit greatly from the extra memory. In my review, the Intel Arc B580 delivered superior performance at 1440p compared to any other card in its class, largely thanks to its robust frame buffer.
Intel Arc B580 – Benchmarks
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Across eight benchmarked games, the Intel Arc B580 provided the lowest cost per frame at 1440p. With an average cost of $3.72 per frame, it outperformed the RTX 4060 at $4.39 and the Radeon RX 7600 at $4.89, making it the best value for budget-conscious gamers.
Surprisingly, the B580 handles ray tracing exceptionally well. Even in games that typically favor Nvidia hardware, like Cyberpunk 2077, the B580 excels. At 1440p with the Ray Tracing Ultra preset and XeSS set to Balanced, it delivers a solid 60fps average, outpacing the more expensive RTX 4060 at 49fps.
However, as Intel's second-generation graphics card, the B580 is not without its bugs. During testing with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the benchmark ran without rendering the player's gun, a persistent issue across Intel's GPU lineup, 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 resolutions
Nvidia's RTX 5060 Ti marks a significant improvement over its predecessor, the RTX 4060 Ti, thanks to a larger chip with 36 compute units and new features like DLSS 4. The highlight 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-powered feature can generate up to three interpolated frames per rendered frame, boosting frame rates but increasing latency, which might not be ideal for fast-paced games like Marvel Rivals.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti – Benchmarks
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In my review, the RTX 5060 Ti was 23% faster than the RTX 4060 Ti and 43% faster than the RTX 3060 Ti across my test suite. It's capable of handling most games at 1080p or 1440p with max settings. Note 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, the 8GB model is less advisable.
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 performance
Choosing a budget GPU often involves compromise. The AMD Radeon RX 7600, while not ideal for ray tracing, excels at traditional 1080p gaming. For games like Phasmophobia, where ray tracing isn't crucial, the RX 7600 delivers over 60fps at 1080p. In Total War: Warhammer 3, it achieves up to 83fps, which is impressive for its $250 price point.
With 8GB of VRAM, the RX 7600 is well-suited for 1080p gaming and can handle most modern titles smoothly, even if ray tracing needs to be scaled back occasionally.
MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Gaming X
Best Budget GPU Under $200
### MSIGeForce RTX 3050 Gaming X
1The RTX 3050 may be from the last generation, but it remains a solid choice for budget 1080p gaming. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsBase Clock1507MHzVRAM6GB GDDR6Outputx2 HDMI 2.1, x1 DisplayPort 1.4aShading cores2304Compute units18PROSImpressive dual fan coolingGreat valueCONSOnly 6GB VRAM
As a last-generation GPU, the RTX 3050 remains a great value option for budget-conscious gamers. It delivers solid 1080p performance across a wide range of games, though some titles may require reduced quality settings. Currently available for $179 on Amazon, it's an affordable entry point into PC gaming.
The RTX 3050 benefits from Nvidia's third-generation Tensor cores, supporting DLSS 2.0, which can enhance 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, particularly esports and indie titles.
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 value for 1440p gaming. 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 GPU
Although not strictly a budget GPU, the AMD Radeon RX 9070 is the best value under $600 for 1440p gaming. It provides robust performance and comes with 16GB of VRAM, making it a strong contender in the mid-range market.
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, particularly in games with heavy ray tracing. In Cyberpunk 2077, it achieved 93fps at 1440p with the ray tracing ultra preset and FSR set to balanced, slightly better than the RTX 5070's 90fps. The RX 9070's 16GB of GDDR6 memory is a significant advantage over the RTX 5070's 12GB, especially at higher resolutions. Its only drawback is its proximity in price to the RX 9070 XT, which can handle 4K gaming for just $50 more.
How to Pick the Best GPU on a Budget
Choosing the best budget GPU involves considering your specific needs, such as frame rates, resolution capabilities, and hardware compatibility. Check the system requirements for the games you want to play to guide your decision. Keep an eye out for sales, discounts, and bundle deals, as prices can fluctuate, and older models may become more affordable after new releases. A strategic purchase can maximize your value.
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 on a budget, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti is an excellent choice. It offers sufficient CUDA cores for Adobe Premiere or Blender and includes fourth-generation Tensor cores for DLSS, which is increasingly used in content creation software.
