Top Affordable GPUs of 2025: Best Value Picks

Graphics cards have become significantly more expensive over the years, but there's good news for budget-conscious gamers: affordable options are making a comeback. The standout choice is the Intel Arc B580, priced at just $249, which has set a new standard for performance in the sub-$300 category. This means that instead of settling for outdated cards like the GTX 1070 Ti, which launched at a similar price back in 2014, budget gamers now have access to powerful, modern options. Even a $450 graphics card like the RTX 5060 Ti is a more affordable alternative to the $999 RTX 5080, which powers the top-tier gaming PCs. In today's market, the RTX 5060 Ti is considered a budget-friendly choice.

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 lower price tag, you can still enjoy an exceptional gaming experience, provided you manage your expectations. The RTX 5060 Ti, for example, may not be ideal for 4K gaming, but it excels at 1080p and 1440p resolutions, making it perfect for the most popular display resolution 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 overall rise in prices.

As someone who has reviewed graphics cards for years, I can confidently recommend each GPU on this list based on their performance relative to their cost.

Contributions by Kegan Mooney and Georgie Peru

What Do We Consider a "Budget GPU"?

In today's market, graphics cards are pricier than ever, with high-end Nvidia models reaching up to $2,000, and even more affordable options costing hundreds. What used to be a budget card at around $200, capable of solid 1080p gaming, is no longer the case. For example, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, considered a budget card by current standards, costs $399.

It's all about perspective. If a high-end graphics card costs around $1,000 and a mid-range card like the AMD Radeon RX 9070 is around $449, then a budget graphics card falls within the $200 to $300 range. You can find ultra-cheap cards below this, but you'll likely need to opt for last-generation GPUs. However, cards like the RTX 3060 or RTX 2060 still offer fantastic 1080p performance, even if they lack some of the latest features.

The key is to consider whether you really need advanced features like ray tracing. Often, you can get by without them.

Intel Arc B580 – Photos

View 5 Images1. 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, 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 problems at launchThe budget graphics card market has been neglected for too long, with manufacturers like Nvidia failing to release a successor to the GTX 1660 Ti, leaving budget gamers to settle for last year's models. Thankfully, Intel has entered the arena with its second generation of graphics cards, offering an excellent entry point into PC gaming. The Intel Arc B580 is undoubtedly the best budget graphics card we've seen in years.

Priced at $249, the Intel Arc B580 comes with 12GB of VRAM, far surpassing the 8GB offered by the RTX 4060 and Radeon RX 7600. While 8GB is sufficient for 1080p, having more is crucial for higher resolutions like 1440p and 4K. In my review, the Intel Arc B580 delivered superior performance at 1440p compared to any other card in its class, largely due to its ample frame buffer.

Intel Arc B580 – Benchmarks

View 15 ImagesAcross the eight games I benchmarked with the Intel Arc B580, it consistently offered the lowest cost per frame. On average, at 1440p, the Arc B580 costs just $3.72 per frame, compared to $4.39 for the RTX 4060 and $4.89 for the AMD Radeon RX 7600. For its price, the B580 provides unmatched value for budget-conscious gamers.

Surprisingly, the B580 also excels in handling ray tracing, even in games that typically favor Nvidia's hardware, like Cyberpunk 2077. At 1440p with the Ray Tracing Ultra preset and XeSS set to Balanced, you can achieve a solid 60fps average, outperforming the more expensive RTX 4060, which only manages 49fps.

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

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 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 last-gen RTX 4060 Ti. This improvement is largely due to its larger chip size, now featuring 36 compute units instead of 34, and the addition of Blackwell's features, including DLSS 4.

The key selling point 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 feature generates up to three interpolated frames for each rendered frame, boosting frame rates but at the cost of increased latency. I wouldn't recommend enabling it in games requiring quick reactions, such as Marvel Rivals.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti – Benchmarks

View 12 ImagesIn my review of the Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti, it proved to be about 23% faster than the RTX 4060 Ti across my entire testing suite, and 43% faster than the RTX 3060 Ti. While not a groundbreaking leap, it can 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: the 16GB model I reviewed and an 8GB variant. Given the increasing RAM demands of modern games, I'd advise steering 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

View 5 Images3. 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 performancePurchasing a budget graphics card often involves compromises. While the AMD Radeon RX 7600 isn't ideal for ray tracing, it excels at traditional 1080p gaming. After all, 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 it capable of delivering over 60fps at 1080p in many games, despite struggling in some titles like Cyberpunk 2077. For example, in Total War: Warhammer 3, it achieved up to 83fps at 1080p. At around $250, it's hard to complain about its performance.

The RX 7600 also features 8GB of VRAM, more than enough for most 1080p gaming needs. Its strength lies in running popular games smoothly, even if you need to dial back on ray tracing occasionally. That's a trade-off I'm willing to make.

4. 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's one of the best options for affordable 1080p gaming. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsBase Clock1507MHzVRAM6GB GDDR6Outputx2 HDMI 2.1, x1 DisplayPort 1.4aShading cores2304Compute units18PROSImpressive dual fan coolingGreat valueCONSOnly 6GB VRAMThe RTX 3050, part of the last-generation 3000-series, remains a solid choice given Nvidia's delay in releasing a new budget-friendly model. We're now three years into the Ada Lovelace generation, and the RTX 3050 continues to offer excellent value, delivering robust 1080p performance across a wide range of games.

However, you might 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 just $179 on Amazon, making it the most cost-effective entry into PC gaming, barring used options.

With Nvidia's third-generation Tensor cores, the RTX 3050 supports DLSS 2.0, enhancing its value and helping to offset performance losses in compatible games. That said, I wouldn't recommend enabling ray tracing on this card; it's better suited for traditional gaming and esports or indie titles.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 – Photos

View 4 Images5. 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 a 1440p graphics card. 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 GPUWhile the AMD Radeon RX 9070 isn't typically considered a "budget graphics card," it's the best value under $600 once stock normalizes. It's the entry point to the mid-range, delivering exceptional 1440p performance with more VRAM than you'd expect at this price point.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT & 9070 – Benchmarks

View 11 ImagesIn 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 RX 9070 achieved 93fps, compared to the RTX 5070's 90fps. AMD's improvements in ray tracing have closed the gap in games traditionally favoring Nvidia.

The RX 9070 also features 16GB of GDDR6, more than the 12GB on the RTX 5070, which is crucial as games demand more memory 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 own 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 be using your GPU for and focus on factors like frame rates, resolution capabilities, and compatibility with your existing hardware. If you have a specific game in mind, check its system requirements for guidance.

Keep an eye out for sales, discounts, and bundle deals. Prices can fluctuate, so waiting for a good deal can be worthwhile if you're not in a hurry. Older models can become more affordable after new releases, offering great value. Combining a quality GPU with a smart purchase can maximize your investment.

FAQs about Cheaper GPUs

How much should I budget for a GPU?

For less demanding games at 1080p, you can find a decent graphics card 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 apps like Adobe Premiere or Blender, and its 4th-generation Tensor cores support DLSS, which is increasingly integrated into popular content creation software.