Top Affordable GPUs for 2025: Best Value Picks

It's no secret that graphics cards have seen a significant price hike over the years, but there's good news for budget-conscious gamers: affordable options are making a comeback. The Intel Arc B580, priced at just $249, has emerged as a standout choice for those looking to spend less than $300. This card not only competes well within its price range but also outperforms many other options, making it an excellent pick for those who don't want to settle for outdated technology like the GTX 1070 Ti, which launched at a similar price back in 2014. Meanwhile, the RTX 5060 Ti, at $450, remains a solid choice for a budget GPU, especially when compared to high-end options like the RTX 5080, which starts at a staggering $999.

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 at these lower price points, you can still enjoy a fantastic gaming experience, though it's important to manage your expectations. For instance, while the RTX 5060 Ti may not be ideal for 4K gaming, it excels at 1080p and 1440p resolutions, making it a top choice for gamers using the most popular display resolutions according to the latest Steam Hardware Survey. So, you don't need to break the bank to build a great gaming PC in 2025, even if prices are a bit higher than in the past.

With years of experience reviewing graphics cards, I can confidently recommend each GPU on this list for their impressive performance at their respective price points.

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 some high-end Nvidia models reaching up to $2,000. Even budget options now cost hundreds of dollars, a far cry from when a $200 GPU could deliver solid 1080p performance. For example, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, considered a budget card today, starts at $399.

The term "budget GPU" is relative. If high-end cards are around $1,000 and mid-range options like the AMD Radeon RX 9070 are around $449, a budget GPU typically falls between $200 and $300. While there are cheaper, last-generation options available, they might require some compromises. An RTX 3060 or RTX 2060, for instance, can still deliver excellent 1080p performance, even if you miss out on some newer features.

Consider whether you truly need advanced features like the best ray tracing effects. Often, you can enjoy gaming without them.

Intel Arc B580 – Photos

View 5 Images1. 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 problems 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, pushing budget buyers towards last year's models. Fortunately, Intel's second-generation graphics cards offer a compelling entry point for PC gaming. The Intel Arc B580 is the best budget graphics card we've seen in years.

Priced at $249, the B580 comes with 12GB of VRAM, significantly more than the 8GB found in the RTX 4060 and Radeon RX 7600. While 8GB is sufficient for 1080p gaming, having more VRAM is crucial at higher resolutions like 1440p or 4K. In my review of the Intel Arc B580, I found it delivered superior performance at 1440p, largely thanks to its ample frame buffer.

Intel Arc B580 – Benchmarks

View 15 ImagesAcross eight games tested, the Intel Arc B580 provided the lowest cost per frame, averaging just $3.72 per frame at 1440p, compared to $4.39 for the RTX 4060 and $4.89 for the AMD Radeon RX 7600. This makes the B580 an incredible value for budget-conscious gamers.

What's surprising is how well the B580 handles ray tracing. Even in games like Cyberpunk 2077, which traditionally favor Nvidia, the B580 performs admirably. At 1440p with Ray Tracing Ultra and XeSS set to Balanced, it achieves a solid 60fps average, outperforming the more expensive RTX 4060's 49fps.

However, being a second-generation product, the B580 still has some bugs to iron out. 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.

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 faced challenges in following up its RTX 4000 series, but the RTX 5060 Ti marks a significant improvement over the RTX 4060 Ti. With 36 compute units instead of 34, and the new Blackwell architecture, it introduces features like DLSS 4.

The highlight of this generation is the enhanced Frame Generation, with the RTX 5060 Ti supporting Multi-Frame Generation (MFG) through DLSS 4. This AI-driven feature can generate up to three interpolated frames per rendered frame, boosting frame rates at the cost of some latency. It's not ideal for games requiring quick reactions, like Marvel Rivals.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti – Benchmarks

View 12 ImagesIn 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 can handle any game at 1080p or 1440p with max settings, though it's worth noting there are two versions of the RTX 4060 Ti: one with 16GB of VRAM and one with 8GB. Given the increasing memory demands of modern games, 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

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 performanceChoosing a budget graphics card often involves trade-offs. While the AMD Radeon RX 7600 isn't ideal for ray tracing, it's a solid choice for traditional 1080p gaming. If you're more interested in playing games like Phasmophobia with friends than in fancy ray tracing, the RX 7600 is a great fit.

In my review, the RX 7600 hit over 60fps at 1080p in many games, like Total War: Warhammer 3, where it achieved up to 83fps. At around $250, it's a strong contender, despite struggling with some titles like Cyberpunk 2077. The 8GB of VRAM is ample for most 1080p gaming, making it a reliable choice for running modern games smoothly, even if you occasionally need to dial back ray tracing settings.

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 remains one of the best options 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 VRAMThe RTX 3050, part of Nvidia's last-generation 3000-series, is still a great value for budget gaming. With no new budget-friendly card from Nvidia on the horizon, the RTX 3050 offers solid 1080p performance at a low price. At the time of writing, the EVGA RTX 3050 is available for just $179 on Amazon, making it an affordable entry into PC gaming.

While you may need to adjust settings for demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Horizon: Forbidden West, the RTX 3050 excels in traditional gaming, especially for esports and indie titles. It also supports DLSS 2.0, which helps boost performance in compatible games. However, I wouldn't recommend enabling ray tracing on this card, as it won't provide a satisfactory experience.

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 GPUThe AMD Radeon RX 9070 isn't what I'd call a budget GPU, but it's the best value under $600 right now. As stock normalizes, it will become an even better deal. This card serves as an entry point to mid-range gaming, delivering excellent 1440p performance with ample VRAM.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT & 9070 – Benchmarks

View 11 ImagesIn my review, the Radeon RX 9070 outperformed the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 in several games, including those with heavy ray tracing effects like Cyberpunk 2077. At 1440p with Ray Tracing Ultra and FSR set to Balanced, the RX 9070 achieved 93fps, compared to the RTX 5070's 90fps. The RX 9070 also comes with 16GB of GDDR6, which is advantageous for future-proofing against increasingly memory-intensive games. The 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 understanding your needs and balancing performance with cost. Start by considering what you'll use the GPU for. Look at 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, as prices can vary. If you're not in a rush, waiting for a good deal can be beneficial. Also, consider older models after new releases, as their prices often drop. 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 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?

If you're into content creation but can't afford a high-end GPU like the RTX 5080, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti is a great choice. It has enough CUDA cores for most creative tasks in Adobe Premiere or Blender, and its 4th-generation Tensor cores support DLSS, which is increasingly used in content creation apps.