Best Budget Graphics Cards in 2025: GPUs Worth the Money

In recent years, the graphics card market has seen a significant price hike, making high-end GPUs increasingly unaffordable for many gamers. However, there's good news for budget-conscious gamers: affordable graphics cards are making a strong comeback. Leading the charge is the Intel Arc B580, which has just hit the market at a competitive price of $249. This card has set a new standard for performance in the sub-$300 category, offering gamers a powerful alternative to settling for older, overpriced models like the GTX 1070 Ti, which launched at a similar price back in 2014. Even mid-range options like the RTX 5060 Ti, priced at $450, are a far cry from the $999 starting price of the top-tier RTX 5080, making them viable budget options 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

These budget GPUs deliver an impressive gaming experience, especially at 1080p and 1440p resolutions. For instance, the RTX 5060 Ti excels at these resolutions, making it an excellent choice for gamers using the most popular display resolution, as indicated by the latest Steam Hardware Survey. So, you don't need to spend a fortune to build a great gaming PC in 2025, despite the slight increase in prices over the years.

With years of experience reviewing graphics cards, I can confidently vouch for the performance and value of the GPUs listed here. They strike a perfect balance between cost and capability, catering to budget-conscious gamers without compromising on gaming quality.

Contributions by Kegan Mooney and Georgie Peru

What Do We Consider a "Budget GPU"?

In today's market, graphics cards have reached unprecedented price levels, with some Nvidia models soaring up to $2,000. Even the more affordable options often cost several hundred dollars. Previously, a budget graphics card might have cost around $200 and provided a solid 1080p gaming experience, but times have changed. For example, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, considered a budget GPU today, costs $399.

Perspective plays a crucial role here. With high-end cards around $1,000 and mid-range options like the AMD Radeon RX 9070 at $449, a budget GPU typically falls within the $200 to $300 range. While you can find ultra-cheap cards below this, you'll likely be looking at last-generation models. However, cards like the RTX 3060 or RTX 2060 still offer excellent 1080p performance, even if they lack some modern features.

It's worth considering whether you truly need advanced features like ray tracing. Often, you can enjoy a great gaming experience without them.

Intel Arc B580 – Photos

View 5 Images1. 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. Priced at just $249, it's a game-changer for budget gamers. 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 years, it seemed that graphics card manufacturers had neglected the budget segment. Nvidia, for example, hasn't released a follow-up to the GTX 1660 Ti, leaving budget gamers to settle for last year's models. Thankfully, Intel has stepped up with its second-generation graphics cards, and the Intel Arc B580 is a standout. It offers 12GB of VRAM, significantly more than the 8GB found in the RTX 4060 and Radeon RX 7600, making it ideal for higher resolutions where frame buffer capacity is crucial.

In my review, the Intel Arc B580 outperformed its competitors at 1440p, delivering superior value. Across eight benchmarked games, it boasted the lowest cost per frame, averaging $3.72 per frame at 1440p, compared to $4.39 for the RTX 4060 and $4.89 for the Radeon RX 7600. Moreover, it handles ray tracing remarkably well, even outperforming the more expensive RTX 4060 in games like Cyberpunk 2077.

However, as this is only Intel's second generation of graphics cards, there are still some bugs to iron out. For instance, during testing with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the benchmark ran without rendering the player's gun, a persistent issue across all Intel GPUs tested, including the last-gen Arc A770 and A750.

Intel Arc B580 – Benchmarks

View 15 Images

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti – Photos

View 5 Images2. 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 resolutions

Nvidia's RTX 5060 Ti marks a significant improvement over its predecessor, the RTX 4060 Ti, thanks to a larger chip and the introduction of DLSS 4. The new feature, Multi-Frame Generation (MFG), can generate up to three interpolated frames per rendered frame, boosting frame rates at the cost of some latency, making it less ideal for games requiring fast reaction times.

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 testing suite. It's capable of handling most games at 1080p and 1440p with max settings. However, be aware 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, opting for the 16GB version is advisable.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti – Benchmarks

View 12 Images

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

View 5 Images3. 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 performance

Choosing a budget graphics card often involves compromises. The AMD Radeon RX 7600, while not ideal for ray tracing, excels at traditional 1080p gaming. In my review, it achieved over 60fps in many games at 1080p, including up to 83fps in Total War: Warhammer 3. Priced at around $250, it offers great value for casual gamers who prioritize smooth gameplay over advanced graphical features.

With 8GB of VRAM, the RX 7600 is more than sufficient for most 1080p gaming scenarios, making it a reliable choice for running popular games without hassle. Even if you need to dial down ray tracing settings occasionally, the overall gaming experience remains robust and enjoyable.

4. MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Gaming X

Best Budget GPU Under $200

### MSIGeForce 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 is an aging card from Nvidia's 3000-series, yet it remains a solid choice for budget-conscious gamers. With no new affordable cards from Nvidia in sight, the RTX 3050 delivers reliable 1080p performance across a wide range of games. You might need to adjust quality settings for more demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Horizon: Forbidden West, but at $179, it's one of the most affordable entry points into PC gaming.

The RTX 3050 also supports DLSS 2.0, enhancing its value by improving performance in compatible games. However, it's not suited for ray tracing, so it's best used for traditional gaming and esports titles.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 – Photos

View 4 Images5. AMD Radeon RX 9070

Best Mid-Range GPU

### AMD Radeon RX 9070

0

While priced close to the RX 9070 XT, the Radeon RX 9070 offers excellent value for under $600, making it a top choice 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

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 may not fit the traditional definition of a "budget graphics card," but it's the best value under $600, especially for 1440p gaming. It outperforms the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 at the same price point, even in ray tracing-heavy games like Cyberpunk 2077. With 16GB of GDDR6, it's well-equipped to handle future gaming demands 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. However, if you're focused on 1440p, the RX 9070 is a solid investment.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT & 9070 – Benchmarks

View 11 Images

How to Pick the Best GPU on a Budget

Choosing the right budget GPU involves understanding your needs and finding a balance between performance and cost. Consider what you'll use the GPU for, looking at factors like frame rates, resolution capabilities, and compatibility with your existing hardware. Checking the system requirements for specific games can guide your decision.

Keep an eye on sales and discounts, as prices can fluctuate. If a new GPU model is released, older models often see price drops, offering great value. Combining a quality GPU with a good deal can maximize your investment.

FAQs about Cheaper GPUs

How much should I budget for a GPU?

For less demanding games and 1080p gaming, you can find a decent graphics card between $200 and $400. For 1440p or 4K gaming, expect to spend over $500.

What is the best budget GPU for content creation?

For content creators on a budget, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti is an excellent choice. With ample CUDA cores and 4th-generation Tensor cores, it's well-suited for tasks in Adobe Premiere or Blender, and it supports DLSS, which is increasingly used in content creation applications.