Top Affordable GPUs for 2025: Best Value Graphics Cards

It's clear to see that graphics cards have become significantly more expensive over time. Fortunately, budget graphics cards are making a strong comeback. My top recommendation, the Intel Arc B580, launched at $249 and outperforms all other GPUs under $300. This means budget gamers no longer have to settle for outdated cards priced similarly to the GTX 1070 Ti from 2014. Even a $450 card like the RTX 5060 Ti is much more affordable compared to the $999 starting price of the RTX 5080, which powers top-tier gaming PCs today. At this price, the RTX 5060 Ti can still be considered a budget option.

TL;DR - These Are the Best Budget GPUs:

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### 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

Despite their lower price points, these GPUs can deliver an outstanding gaming experience, especially if you adjust your expectations. For example, while the RTX 5060 Ti isn't ideal for 4K gaming, it excels at 1080p and 1440p, making it an excellent choice for gamers using the most popular display resolutions, as per the latest Steam Hardware Survey. In 2025, you don't need to spend thousands to build a great gaming PC, even though prices are higher than before.

As a seasoned graphics card reviewer, I've personally tested every GPU listed here and can confidently vouch for 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 have reached unprecedented price levels, with some Nvidia models costing up to $2,000, while even more affordable options remain priced in the hundreds. Previously, a budget GPU would be around $200 and offer a robust 1080p gaming experience for modern games, but this is no longer the case. Today, even a card like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, considered a budget option, starts at $399.

It's all about perspective. If a high-end GPU costs around $1,000, and a mid-range option like the AMD Radeon RX 9070 is priced at $449, then a budget GPU typically falls in the $200 to $300 range. While you can find ultra-cheap GPUs below this, you'll likely have to opt for last-generation models. However, these can still provide excellent performance at 1080p, even if you miss out on newer features. Ask yourself if you truly need the latest ray tracing effects; chances are, you can do without them.

Intel Arc B580 – Photos

View 5 Images1. Intel Arc B580

The Best Budget Graphics Card

### Intel Arc B580

The Intel Arc B580 stands out as the best budget graphics card we've seen in years. Period. 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 felt like manufacturers had forgotten about budget GPUs. Nvidia, for instance, hasn't released a follow-up to the GTX 1660 Ti, instead suggesting budget users stick with last-generation GPUs. Thankfully, Intel has entered the fray, and their second-generation graphics cards offer an excellent entry point into PC gaming. The Intel Arc B580 is, without a doubt, the best budget graphics card we've had in years.

Starting at $249, the Arc B580 comes equipped with 12GB of VRAM—significantly more than the 8GB found in the RTX 4060 and Radeon RX 7600. While 8GB is sufficient for 1080p, higher resolutions demand more VRAM, and the Arc B580 delivers impressive performance at 1440p, thanks to its generous frame buffer.

Intel Arc B580 – Benchmarks

View 15 Images

Across eight benchmarked games, the Intel Arc B580 offered the lowest cost per frame in the lineup. Averaged out, 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. At its price point, the B580 provides the best value for budget-conscious gamers.

Surprisingly, the B580 handles ray tracing remarkably well. Even in Nvidia-favored games like Cyberpunk 2077, 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, which manages only 49fps.

However, as this is only Intel's second generation of GPUs, some bugs remain. For example, in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the benchmark ran without rendering the gun in the player's hand. While annoying, such issues are fixable. This bug was also present in other Intel GPUs I tested, including the last-gen Arc A770 and A750, indicating it's not specific to the B580.

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 solid improvement over the RTX 4060 Ti, primarily due to its larger chip size—now with 36 compute units instead of 34. The Blackwell architecture introduces features like DLSS 4, enhancing performance.

The key 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 feature can generate up to three interpolated frames per rendered frame, significantly boosting frame rates. However, it increases latency, making it less suitable for games requiring quick reactions, such as Marvel Rivals.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti – Benchmarks

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In my review, the RTX 5060 Ti was about 23% faster than the RTX 4060 Ti and 43% faster than the RTX 3060 Ti across my testing suite. This improvement allows it to handle most games at 1080p or 1440p with settings cranked to max.

It's worth noting there are two versions of the RTX 4060 Ti: one with 16GB of VRAM and one with 8GB. I reviewed the 16GB model, but given the increasing memory demands of modern games, I recommend steering clear of the 8GB version.

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 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 more affordable GPU often involves compromise. While the AMD Radeon RX 7600 isn't ideal for ray tracing enthusiasts, it excels at traditional 1080p gaming. If you're more interested in playing games like Phasmophobia with friends than in fancy ray tracing, this card is perfect.

In my review, the RX 7600 struggled in some games, such as Cyberpunk 2077, but delivered over 60fps at 1080p in others, like Total War: Warhammer 3, where it reached 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, and while you might need to dial back ray tracing occasionally, it's a compromise I can live with.

MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Gaming X

Best Budget GPU Under $200

### MSIGeForce RTX 3050 Gaming X

Though it's a last-generation GPU, the RTX 3050 remains one of the best options for budget-conscious gamers seeking 1080p performance. 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 may be from the last generation, but with Nvidia's slow pace in releasing new budget options, it remains a great value. It delivers solid 1080p gaming performance in most titles, though you might need to adjust settings for demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Horizon: Forbidden West.

Currently priced at $179 on Amazon, it's an affordable entry point into PC gaming, especially compared to buying used cards from secondary markets. Thanks to its third-generation Tensor cores, the RTX 3050 supports DLSS 2.0, which can boost performance in supported games. However, I wouldn't recommend enabling ray tracing on this card, as it won't provide a satisfying experience.

This GPU excels in traditional gaming workloads and is perfect for esports or indie games.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 – Photos

View 4 Images5. AMD Radeon RX 9070

Best Mid-Range GPU

### AMD Radeon RX 9070

Although priced near the RX 9070 XT, the Radeon RX 9070 offers excellent value 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

While not a traditional budget GPU, the AMD Radeon RX 9070 offers the best value under $600. It's the entry point to the mid-range, delivering superb 1440p performance with ample VRAM.

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, even in ray tracing-heavy games, thanks to AMD's improved ray tracing pipeline. In Cyberpunk 2077, it achieved 93fps at 1440p with the ray tracing ultra preset and FSR set to balanced, compared to the RTX 5070's 90fps.

The RX 9070's 16GB of GDDR6 gives it an edge over the RTX 5070's 12GB, especially as games become more memory-intensive at higher resolutions. Its only drawback is its proximity in price to the 9070 XT, which can handle 4K gaming for just $50 more—a small price to pay if you have a 4K display.

How to Pick the Best GPU on a Budget

Selecting the best budget GPU doesn't have to be daunting. It's about understanding your needs and balancing performance with cost. Consider what you'll use the GPU for—frame rates, resolution capabilities, and compatibility with your existing hardware are key factors. If you have a specific game in mind, check its system requirements to guide your choice.

Keep an eye out for sales, discounts, and bundle deals. GPU prices can fluctuate, so patience might pay off. If a new GPU is released, older models often see price drops, offering better value. Combining a quality GPU with a good deal maximizes your investment.

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 creators on a budget, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti is a great choice. It has enough CUDA cores to handle most creative workloads in Adobe Premiere or Blender, and its 4th-generation Tensor cores support DLSS, which is increasingly used in popular content creation apps.