Top Affordable GPUs for 2025: Best Value Picks

Graphics cards have become significantly more expensive over time, but there's good news for budget gamers: affordable options are making a comeback. My top recommendation, the Intel Arc B580, has just hit the market at $249 and outperforms any other card under $300. This is a huge step up from settling for older models like the GTX 1070 Ti, which launched at a similar price back in 2014. Meanwhile, the RTX 5060 Ti at $450 is a more affordable choice compared to the $999 RTX 5080, and it's still considered a budget option in today's 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 NeweggEven with a lower price tag, you can still enjoy an excellent gaming experience if you set your expectations realistically. The RTX 5060 Ti, for example, may not be ideal for 4K gaming, but it excels at 1080p and even 1440p, making it a perfect match for the most popular display resolutions according to the latest Steam Hardware Survey. This means you don't need to spend thousands to build a great gaming PC in 2025, despite the slight increase in prices over the years.

I've been reviewing graphics cards for years, and having tested every GPU on this list, I can confidently vouch for their performance, especially considering their price points.

Contributions by Kegan Mooney and Georgie Peru

What Do We Consider a "Budget GPU"?

Graphics cards are pricier than ever, with some Nvidia models reaching $2,000, while even the more affordable options cost hundreds. A budget GPU used to be around $200 and deliver solid 1080p gaming, but that's no longer the case. Today, even the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, considered a budget card, costs $399.

It's all about perspective. If high-end cards are around $1,000 and mid-range cards like the AMD Radeon RX 9070 are about $449, then budget cards fall in the $200 to $300 range. While you can find cheaper last-gen GPUs, they still offer great performance at 1080p, even if you miss out on some modern features.

Ask yourself if you really 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

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 launchFor years, it seemed like graphics card manufacturers had forgotten about the budget segment. Nvidia, for instance, hasn't released a follow-up to the GTX 1660 Ti, suggesting that budget gamers settle for last year's models. Thankfully, Intel has entered the arena with its second generation of graphics cards, providing a fantastic entry point for PC gaming. The Intel Arc B580 is by far the best budget graphics card we've had in years.

Priced at $249 and equipped with 12GB of VRAM, it significantly outpaces the 8GB offerings of the RTX 4060 and Radeon RX 7600. More VRAM is beneficial at 1080p but essential for higher resolutions like 1440p and 4K. In my review of the Intel Arc B580, I found it delivered superior performance at 1440p compared to other cards in its class, largely thanks to its ample frame buffer.

Intel Arc B580 – Benchmarks

View 15 ImagesAcross eight benchmarked games, the Intel Arc B580 offered the lowest cost per frame at 1440p. It averages $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 the best value for budget-conscious gamers.

Surprisingly, the B580 handles ray tracing well. In Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p with the Ray Tracing Ultra preset and XeSS set to Balanced, it achieves a solid 60fps average, outperforming the more expensive RTX 4060, which manages only 49fps.

However, as it's only the second generation of Intel's graphics cards, there are still some bugs to work out. During testing with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the benchmark ran without rendering the gun in the player's hand. This issue was present across all Intel GPUs tested, including the last-gen Arc A770 and A750, so it's not exclusive 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 with a larger chip, now featuring 36 compute units instead of 34, and new Blackwell features like DLSS 4.

The standout 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 technology generates up to three interpolated frames for each rendered frame, boosting frame rates but increasing latency. I wouldn't recommend using it in games requiring quick reactions, like Marvel Rivals.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti – Benchmarks

View 12 ImagesIn my review, the RTX 5060 Ti was about 23% faster than the RTX 4060 Ti across my test suite, and 43% faster than the RTX 3060 Ti. While not the most dramatic generational leap, it can handle any game at 1080p or 1440p with max settings.

Note that 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, I'd 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 more affordable graphics card means making compromises. While the AMD Radeon RX 7600 isn't ideal for ray tracing, it's excellent for traditional 1080p gaming. Who needs fancy ray tracing when you just want to enjoy games like Phasmophobia with friends?

In my review of the AMD Radeon RX 7600, it struggled with some games like Cyberpunk 2077 but delivered over 60fps at 1080p in others, such as Total War: Warhammer 3, achieving up to 83fps. At around $250, it's a great value.

The RX 7600 has 8GB of VRAM, more than enough for 1080p gaming most of the time. It shines at running popular games smoothly, even if you occasionally need to adjust ray tracing settings. That's a trade-off 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 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 is from the last-generation 3000-series, but with Nvidia not yet launching a follow-up, it remains a great value. It delivers solid 1080p performance across a wide range of games.

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 $179 on Amazon, making it the most affordable way to enter PC gaming without resorting to used cards.

The RTX 3050 uses Nvidia's third-generation Tensor cores, enabling DLSS 2.0 support, which enhances performance in compatible games. However, I wouldn't recommend enabling ray tracing on this card; it's better suited for traditional gaming, especially esports and indie titles.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 – Photos

View 4 Images5. AMD Radeon RX 9070

Best Mid-Range GPU

### AMD Radeon RX 9070

0While priced close to the RX 9070 XT, the Radeon RX 9070 is an excellent 1440p graphics card for the money. 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 a budget graphics card by traditional standards, but it's the best value under $600 once stock normalizes. It's the entry point to the mid-range, offering excellent 1440p performance with more VRAM than typical for its class.

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, achieving 93fps at 1440p with the ray tracing ultra preset and FSR set to balanced. This compares favorably to the RTX 5070's 90fps.

With 16GB of GDDR6, the RX 9070 has more memory than the RTX 5070's 12GB of GDDR7, crucial for handling future game demands at higher resolutions. The only drawback is its proximity in price to the RX 9070 XT, which supports 4K gaming for just $50 more. It's a small price to pay if you're aiming for 4K gaming.

How to Pick the Best GPU on a Budget

Choosing the best budget GPU can feel daunting, but it's about balancing performance and cost. Consider what you'll use the GPU for, focusing on frame rates, resolution capabilities, and compatibility with your existing hardware. Check game system requirements on your chosen platform to guide your decision.

Keep an eye out for sales, discounts, and bundle deals. GPU prices fluctuate, so waiting for a good deal can maximize value. Also, consider older models as prices drop after new releases. A quality GPU at a great price can offer the best bang for your buck.

FAQs about Cheaper GPUs

How much should I budget for a GPU?

For less demanding games at 1080p, you can find a decent GPU between $200 and $400. For 1440p or 4K gaming, prices can go well beyond $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 solid choice. It has enough CUDA cores for creative workloads in Adobe Premiere or Blender, and its 4th-generation Tensor cores support DLSS, increasingly used in content creation apps.