Graphics cards have become significantly more expensive in recent years, but there's good news for budget-conscious gamers: budget graphics cards are making a comeback. My top pick, the Intel Arc B580, launched at $249 and outperforms other cards in its price range, offering a compelling alternative to the pricey options that have dominated the market. For those willing to spend a bit more, the RTX 5060 Ti at $450 is a solid choice, especially when compared to the $999 starting price of the RTX 5080, which powers the best gaming PCs currently available.
Even with these lower price tags, you can still achieve an excellent gaming experience, especially at 1080p and 1440p resolutions. The RTX 5060 Ti, for example, may not be suited for 4K gaming, but it excels at 1080p and is the ideal choice for users sticking with the most popular display resolution, according to the latest Steam Hardware Survey. Thus, building a great gaming PC in 2025 doesn't require spending thousands of dollars, even if prices are higher than they used to be.
As someone who has reviewed numerous graphics cards over the years, I can confidently vouch for the performance and value of the GPUs listed here. My hands-on experience with each model ensures that they deliver on their promises, particularly in terms of cost-effectiveness.
*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 Nvidia models reaching up to $2,000, while even budget options can cost several hundred dollars. Previously, a budget graphics card might have been around $200 and capable of delivering solid 1080p gaming experiences in the latest games. Now, cards like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, which could be considered budget-friendly, cost $399.
The definition of a budget GPU has shifted due to these higher prices. With high-end cards around $1,000 and mid-range options like the AMD Radeon RX 9070 at $449, budget GPUs are now typically priced between $200 and $300. While you can find even cheaper options, they often require compromises, such as opting for last-generation models. However, GPUs like the RTX 3060 or RTX 2060 still offer excellent performance at 1080p, even if they lack some modern features.
When choosing a budget GPU, consider whether you truly need the latest ray tracing effects. You might find that you can enjoy gaming without them.
Intel Arc B580 – Photos
View 5 Images
1. 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. Full stop. 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 like graphics card manufacturers had forgotten about budget-conscious gamers. Nvidia, for instance, hasn't released a follow-up to the GTX 1660 Ti, leaving budget buyers to settle for last year's GPUs. Fortunately, Intel has entered the fray with its second generation of graphics cards, providing an excellent entry point into PC gaming. The Intel Arc B580, starting at $249, is by far the best budget graphics card we've had in years.
This card boasts 12GB of VRAM, significantly more than the 8GB found in comparable models like the RTX 4060 and Radeon RX 7600. While extra VRAM is beneficial at 1080p, it's essential for higher resolutions like 1440p or 4K, where the frame buffer can quickly become saturated. My review of the Intel Arc B580 revealed that it delivers superior performance at 1440p compared to other budget cards, largely due to its ample VRAM.
Intel Arc B580 – Benchmarks
View 15 Images
Across eight benchmarked games, the Intel Arc B580 offered 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 AMD Radeon RX 7600. This makes the B580 the best value for budget-conscious gamers.
Surprisingly, the B580 handles ray tracing well, even in games traditionally favoring Nvidia's hardware, like Cyberpunk 2077. At 1440p with the Ray Tracing Ultra preset and XeSS set to Balanced, it achieves an average of 60fps, outperforming the more expensive RTX 4060, which manages only 49fps.
However, being only the second generation of Intel's graphics cards, there are still some bugs to work out. For instance, during testing with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the benchmark ran without rendering the player's gun, a problem also seen in other Intel GPUs like the Arc A770 and A750. While annoying, such issues are likely to be addressed in future updates.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti – Photos
View 5 Images
2. 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 has struggled to follow up its RTX 4000 series, but the RTX 5060 Ti marks a solid improvement over the RTX 4060 Ti. It achieves higher performance with 36 compute units instead of 34, and introduces new features like DLSS 4. A key selling point is the next iteration of Frame Generation, with Multi-Frame Generation (MFG) through DLSS 4, which uses AI to generate up to three interpolated frames per rendered frame, significantly boosting frame rates. However, this increases latency, so it's not recommended for games requiring quick reaction times, like Marvel Rivals.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti – Benchmarks
View 12 Images
My review of the RTX 5060 Ti showed it to be about 23% faster than the RTX 4060 Ti and 43% faster than the RTX 3060 Ti across my testing suite. While not the most dramatic generational improvement, it can handle most games at 1080p or 1440p with settings maxed out.
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 version is not recommended.
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 Images
3. 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 involves compromises. While the AMD Radeon RX 7600 isn't ideal for ray tracing, it excels at traditional 1080p gaming. For instance, in games like Phasmophobia, you don't need ray tracing to enjoy the experience. My review found that while it struggles in some ray tracing-heavy games like Cyberpunk 2077, it can achieve over 60fps at 1080p in others, such as Total War: Warhammer 3, where it reaches up to 83fps. At around $250, it's a great value for 1080p gaming.
With 8GB of VRAM, it's more than sufficient for most 1080p gaming scenarios. The RX 7600 shines in running popular games smoothly, even if you occasionally need to reduce ray tracing settings.
4. MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Gaming X
Best Budget GPU Under $200
MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Gaming X
1The RTX 3050 might be last-gen, but if you want a 1080p graphics card on the cheap, there aren't many better options. 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, part of the last-generation 3000-series, remains a great value. Nvidia hasn't released a follow-up, leaving the RTX 3050 as one of the most affordable ways to get into PC gaming. At $179 on Amazon, it's perfect for budget-conscious gamers, although you may need to adjust quality settings in more demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Horizon: Forbidden West.
Thanks to Nvidia's third-generation Tensor cores, the RTX 3050 supports DLSS 2.0, which can boost performance in compatible games. However, I wouldn't recommend enabling ray tracing on this card due to its limited capabilities in that area. Instead, it's best suited for traditional gaming workloads, particularly esports or indie games.
AMD Radeon RX 9070 – Photos
View 4 Images
5. AMD Radeon RX 9070
Best Mid-Range GPU
AMD Radeon RX 9070
0While it's priced uncomfortably close to the RX 9070 XT, the Radeon RX 9070 is an excellent 1440p graphics card for the money. 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 the AMD Radeon RX 9070 isn't a typical budget graphics card, it's the best value you can get for under $600. It's the entry point to mid-range performance, offering excellent 1440p capabilities and 16GB of VRAM, which is generous for its class.
AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT & 9070 – Benchmarks
View 11 Images
In my review, the Radeon RX 9070 outperformed the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 at the same price point, even in ray tracing-intensive games like Cyberpunk 2077, where it achieved 93fps at 1440p with the ray tracing ultra preset and FSR set to balanced, compared to the RTX 5070's 90fps. With 16GB of GDDR6, it's better equipped for future games than the RTX 5070, which has only 12GB of GDDR7.
The only drawback is its close proximity in price to the RX 9070 XT, which can handle 4K gaming for just $50 more. This is a minor concern if you have a 4K display.
How to Pick the Best GPU on a Budget
Selecting the best budget GPU involves understanding your needs and balancing performance with cost. Consider what you'll use the GPU for, focusing on frame rates, resolution capabilities, and hardware compatibility. Check system requirements for specific games to guide your choice.
Keep an eye out for sales, discounts, and bundle deals, as prices can fluctuate. If a new GPU model is released, older models often become more affordable, offering better 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 1080p gaming, 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 to handle most creative workloads in Adobe Premiere or Blender and features 4th-generation Tensor cores for DLSS, which is increasingly used in content creation apps.
