Top Affordable GPUs for 2025: Best Value Picks

In recent years, the cost of graphics cards has soared, but there's good news for budget-conscious gamers: affordable options are making a comeback. My top pick, the Intel Arc B580, launched at just $249 and outperforms any other card in its price range below $300. This means budget gamers no longer have to settle for outdated options that launched at similar prices years ago. Even a $450 card like the RTX 5060 Ti is a steal compared to the $999 RTX 5080, which powers top-of-the-line gaming PCs today, and it's still considered a budget card in the current 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

Even with these lower price tags, you can achieve an excellent gaming experience by setting realistic expectations. For example, while the RTX 5060 Ti isn't suited for 4K gaming, it excels at 1080p and 1440p resolutions, making it the ideal choice for those using the most popular display resolutions, according to the latest Steam Hardware Survey. In 2025, you don't need to spend a fortune to build a great gaming PC, even if prices are slightly higher than before.

As someone who has been reviewing graphics cards for years, I can confidently vouch for the performance of each GPU on this list, particularly considering their price points.

Contributions by Kegan Mooney and Georgie Peru

What Do We Consider a "Budget GPU"?

Today's graphics cards are pricier than ever, with some Nvidia models reaching $2,000, while even the more affordable options cost hundreds. The days when a budget card could be had for $200 and still deliver solid 1080p performance are gone. For instance, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, which could be considered a budget card by today's standards, costs $399.

It's all about perspective. With high-end cards at around $1,000 and mid-range options like the AMD Radeon RX 9070 at $449, budget cards fall between $200 and $300. You can find cheaper, last-generation GPUs, but you'll need to make some compromises. An RTX 3060 or RTX 2060, for example, remains great for 1080p gaming, though you'll miss out on some modern features.

Consider if you really need the best ray tracing effects. Chances are, you can manage 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 issues at launchFor years, it seemed like graphics card manufacturers had forgotten about budget options. Nvidia, for instance, hasn't released a follow-up to the GTX 1660 Ti, instead suggesting budget users settle for last year's models. Fortunately, Intel has entered the arena, and its second-generation graphics cards offer an excellent entry point into PC gaming. The Intel Arc B580 is, by far, the best budget graphics card we've seen in years.

Priced at $249, the B580 comes equipped with 12GB of VRAM, significantly more than the 8GB found in the RTX 4060 and Radeon RX 7600. While extra VRAM is beneficial at 1080p, it's essential for higher resolutions, where the frame buffer can quickly fill up. In my review, the Intel Arc B580 outperformed other comparable cards at 1440p, largely due to its robust frame buffer.

Intel Arc B580 – Benchmarks

View 15 ImagesAcross eight benchmarked games, the Intel Arc B580 offered the lowest cost per frame. Averaging across the test suite, it 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. For its price, the B580 delivers unparalleled value for budget-conscious gamers.

Surprisingly, the B580 handles ray tracing well. Even in games that typically favor Nvidia's hardware, like Cyberpunk 2077, it performs admirably. At 1440p with Ray Tracing Ultra and XeSS set to Balanced, you can expect a smooth 60fps. This is better than the more expensive RTX 4060, which averages 49fps.

However, being only the second generation of Intel's graphics cards, there are still some bugs to iron out. In my testing of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the benchmark ran without rendering the gun in the player's hand. This issue persisted across all Intel GPUs I tested, including the last-gen Arc A770 and A750, so it's not unique 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 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 solid improvement over the RTX 4060 Ti. It achieves this through a larger chip with 36 compute units, up from 34, and introduces new features like DLSS 4.

The highlight of this generation is the next iteration of Frame Generation, with the RTX 5060 Ti supporting Multi-Frame Generation (MFG) via DLSS 4. This AI-driven feature can generate up to three interpolated frames per rendered frame, boosting frame rates significantly. However, this comes at the cost of increased latency, so I wouldn't recommend enabling it in fast-paced games 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 testing suite. While not a dramatic leap, it's sufficient to handle most games at 1080p or 1440p with max settings.

Note that there are two versions of the RTX 4060 Ti: one with 16GB of VRAM and another with 8GB. I reviewed the 16GB model, but given the increasing memory demands of modern games, I'd steer clear of the 8GB variant.

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 involves making compromises. The AMD Radeon RX 7600 isn't ideal for ray tracing, but it excels at traditional 1080p gaming. For many, the allure of ray tracing pales in comparison to playing games like Phasmophobia with friends.

In my review, the RX 7600 struggled in some titles, like Cyberpunk 2077, but delivered over 60fps at 1080p in games like Total War: Warhammer 3, reaching up to 83fps. At around $250, it's hard to complain.

Additionally, the RX 7600 has 8GB of VRAM, sufficient for most 1080p gaming scenarios. It shines in running popular games smoothly, even if you need to dial back ray tracing settings occasionally. That's a compromise I can live with.

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 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, remains a solid choice despite its age. Nvidia hasn't released a new budget card in the Ada Lovelace generation, leaving the RTX 3050 as a strong contender. At $179 on Amazon, it's the most affordable entry point into PC gaming, aside from used cards.

You may need to adjust quality settings in demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Horizon: Forbidden West, but the RTX 3050 delivers solid 1080p performance. With Nvidia's third-generation Tensor cores, it supports DLSS 2.0, enhancing its value. However, I wouldn't recommend enabling ray tracing on this card, as it won't provide a satisfactory experience.

This GPU is perfect for esports and indie games, where traditional gaming performance matters most.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 – Photos

View 4 Images5. AMD Radeon RX 9070

Best Mid-Range GPU

### AMD Radeon RX 9070

0Priced close to the RX 9070 XT, the Radeon RX 9070 is an excellent 1440p graphics card for the price. 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 not typically classified as a budget card, the AMD Radeon RX 9070 offers the best value under $600, especially once stock stabilizes. It's the entry-level mid-range GPU, delivering superior 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 at the same price point, even in ray tracing-heavy games like Cyberpunk 2077. At 1440p with the ray tracing ultra preset and FSR set to balanced, it achieved 93fps, compared to the RTX 5070's 90fps. AMD's improvements in ray tracing technology have significantly narrowed the gap.

The RX 9070's 16GB of GDDR6 VRAM is a notable advantage over the RTX 5070's 12GB, especially 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

Selecting the best budget GPU can be straightforward if you know what to look for. Consider what you'll use the GPU for, focusing on factors like frame rates, resolution capabilities, and hardware compatibility. 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 can lead to significant savings. When new models are released, older ones often drop in price, offering great value. A quality GPU at a good price maximizes your gaming experience.

FAQs about Cheaper GPUs

How much should I budget for a GPU?

For less demanding games at 1080p, you can find a suitable GPU between $200 and $400. For 1440p or 4K gaming, expect to spend well over $500.

What is the best budget GPU for content creation?

For content creation without spending over $1,000, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti is a top choice. It has enough CUDA cores for Adobe Premiere or Blender and supports DLSS with its 4th-generation Tensor cores, increasingly used in content creation applications.