Top Affordable GPUs for 2025: Best Value Graphics Cards

It's no secret that graphics cards have become significantly more expensive over the years. However, there's good news for budget-conscious gamers: budget graphics cards are making a strong comeback. Leading the charge is the Intel Arc B580, which launched at a competitive $249 and has set a new standard for performance in its price range. This means budget gamers no longer have to settle for outdated options like the GTX 1070 Ti, which debuted at a similar price back in 2014. Even a card like the RTX 5060 Ti, priced at $450, offers a more affordable alternative to the high-end RTX 5080, which starts at a hefty $999. In today's market, the RTX 5060 Ti can still be considered a budget-friendly choice.

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 a more modest price tag, you can still achieve an excellent gaming experience, as long as you set realistic expectations. The RTX 5060 Ti, for example, may not be suited for 4K gaming, but it excels at 1080p and even 1440p, making it the perfect choice for those using the most popular display resolutions, according to the latest Steam Hardware Survey. This means you don't need to break the bank to build a great gaming PC in 2025, despite the overall increase in costs.

Having reviewed graphics cards for years, I can confidently recommend the performance of each GPU on this list, especially 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 up to $2,000, while even the more affordable options still cost hundreds of dollars. Gone are the days when a budget graphics card could be found for around $200 and deliver a solid 1080p gaming experience in the latest titles. Nowadays, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, priced at $399, could be seen as a budget option by current standards.

It's all about perspective. With high-end cards hovering around $1,000 and mid-range options like the AMD Radeon RX 9070 at $449, a budget graphics card typically falls within the $200 to $300 range. While there are cheaper cards available, opting for these often means settling for last-generation GPUs. However, models like the RTX 3060 or RTX 2060 still offer excellent 1080p performance, even if they lack some of the latest features.

Consider whether you truly need advanced features like ray tracing. For many, these can be sacrificed for a more affordable setup.

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. Full stop. 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 launch

For years, it seemed like graphics card manufacturers had forgotten about the budget segment. Nvidia, for instance, hasn't released a successor to the GTX 1660 Ti, leaving budget buyers to make do with last year's models. Fortunately, Intel has stepped up with its second-generation graphics cards, offering an excellent entry point into PC gaming. The Intel Arc B580 stands out as the best budget graphics card in recent years.

Priced at $249, the Intel Arc B580 comes equipped with 12GB of VRAM, surpassing the 8GB found in comparable GPUs like the RTX 4060 and Radeon RX 7600. While 8GB is sufficient for 1080p, higher resolutions like 1440p and 4K require more VRAM. My review of the Intel Arc B580 revealed superior performance at 1440p, largely due to its generous frame buffer.

Intel Arc B580 – Benchmarks

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Across eight benchmarked games, the Intel Arc B580 delivered the lowest cost per frame. On average, 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. This makes the B580 an unbeatable value for budget-conscious gamers.

Surprisingly, the B580 also handles ray tracing exceptionally well. In games like Cyberpunk 2077, which traditionally favor Nvidia's hardware, the B580 outperforms the more expensive RTX 4060, achieving a solid 60fps at 1440p with the Ray Tracing Ultra preset and XeSS set to Balanced.

However, as it's only the second generation of Intel's graphics cards, there are still some bugs to iron out. During testing with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, I encountered an issue where the benchmark ran without rendering the player's gun. This bug was consistent across all Intel GPUs I tested, including the last-gen Arc A770 and A750, indicating it's not isolated 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 resolutions

Nvidia has faced challenges in improving upon its RTX 4000 series, but the RTX 5060 Ti marks a notable upgrade over the RTX 4060 Ti. This improvement is largely due to a larger chip with 36 compute units, up from 34, and the introduction of Blackwell's features, including 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-driven technology can generate up to three interpolated frames per rendered frame, significantly boosting frame rates. However, this comes at the cost of increased latency, so it's not recommended 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 showed a 23% performance increase over the RTX 4060 Ti and a 43% boost over the RTX 3060 Ti across my test suite. While not a dramatic generational leap, it's capable of running most games at 1080p or 1440p with maximum settings.

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

Choosing a more affordable graphics card often involves compromises. The AMD Radeon RX 7600, for instance, isn't ideal for ray tracing enthusiasts but excels at 1080p gaming. For games like Phasmophobia, where ray tracing isn't a priority, the RX 7600 performs admirably.

In my review, I found that while the RX 7600 struggled with some titles like Cyberpunk 2077, it easily surpassed 60fps at 1080p in others, such as Total War: Warhammer 3, reaching up to 83fps. At around $250, it's a solid choice for budget gamers focused on traditional gaming experiences.

With 8GB of VRAM, the RX 7600 is more than sufficient for most 1080p gaming needs. Its strength lies in running popular games smoothly, even if you need to occasionally lower ray tracing settings.

4. MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Gaming X

Best Budget GPU Under $200

### MSIGeForce 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 AmazonProduct SpecificationsBase Clock1507MHzVRAM6GB GDDR6Outputx2 HDMI 2.1, x1 DisplayPort 1.4aShading cores2304Compute units18PROSImpressive dual fan coolingGreat valueCONSOnly 6GB VRAM

The RTX 3050, part of Nvidia's last-generation 3000-series, remains a strong contender for budget gamers. With no direct successor from Nvidia yet, the RTX 3050 offers excellent value, delivering solid 1080p performance in nearly all games.

You may need to adjust quality settings for more demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Horizon: Forbidden West. However, at a current price of $179 on Amazon, it's the most affordable entry into PC gaming, aside from second-hand options.

Despite being last-gen, the RTX 3050 benefits from Nvidia's third-generation Tensor cores, providing access to DLSS 2.0, which enhances its performance in supported games. However, it's not recommended for ray tracing due to its limited capabilities.

This GPU is best suited for traditional gaming workloads, particularly esports and indie games.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 – Photos

View 4 Images5. AMD Radeon RX 9070

Best Mid-Range GPU

### AMD Radeon RX 9070

0While its priced uncomfortably 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 GPU

While the AMD Radeon RX 9070 isn't typically classified as a budget graphics card, it offers the best value under $600, particularly once stock stabilizes. Positioned as an entry-level mid-range option, it provides outstanding 1440p performance with more VRAM than you'd usually find at this price point.

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-heavy games like Cyberpunk 2077, thanks to enhancements in AMD's ray tracing pipeline. At 1440p with the ray tracing ultra preset and FSR set to balanced, the RX 9070 achieved 93fps, compared to the RTX 5070's 90fps.

The RX 9070's 16GB of GDDR6 provides a significant advantage over the RTX 5070's 12GB of GDDR7, especially as games become more memory-intensive at higher resolutions. The only drawback is its pricing, which is close to the RX 9070 XT, capable of handling 4K gaming for just $50 more. While a notable difference, it's a worthwhile investment for those with 4K displays.

How to Pick the Best GPU on a Budget

Selecting the best budget GPU involves understanding your needs and balancing performance with cost. Start by considering the primary use of your GPU. Pay attention to frame rates, resolution capabilities, and compatibility with your current hardware. If you have a specific game in mind, check its system requirements on your gaming platform to guide your choice.

Keep an eye out for sales, discounts, and bundle deals, as prices can fluctuate. If you're not in a rush, waiting for a good deal can maximize your value. Also, consider older models when new GPUs are released, as their prices often drop.

FAQs about Cheaper GPUs

How much should I budget for a GPU?

For less demanding games, you can find a decent graphics card 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 creation on a budget, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti is a strong choice. With sufficient CUDA cores for handling creative workloads in Adobe Premiere or Blender, and fourth-generation Tensor cores for DLSS, it offers excellent performance for content creators without breaking the bank.