Top Affordable GPUs of 2025: Best Value for Money

Graphics cards have seen a significant price hike over the years, but there's good news for budget-conscious gamers: affordable options are making a strong comeback. At the forefront is the Intel Arc B580, launching at a competitive $249 and outperforming other GPUs in its price range. This is a refreshing change from the days when budget options were comparably priced to the GTX 1070 Ti from 2014. Even the RTX 5060 Ti, priced at $450, offers a more affordable alternative to the $999 RTX 5080, making it a budget-friendly choice by today's standards.

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 at these more accessible price points, you can still enjoy a top-notch gaming experience, though you may need to adjust your expectations slightly. The RTX 5060 Ti, for example, may not be ideal for 4K gaming, but it excels at 1080p and 1440p resolutions, making it perfect for the majority of users 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 costs are slightly higher than in the past.

As a seasoned graphics card reviewer, I've personally tested every GPU on this list and can confidently vouch for their performance and value.

Contributions by Kegan Mooney and Georgie Peru

What Do We Consider a "Budget GPU"?

In the current market, graphics cards have reached unprecedented high prices, with some Nvidia models topping out at $2,000, while even budget options are priced in the hundreds. Previously, a budget GPU around $200 could offer a solid 1080p gaming experience, but that's no longer the case. Today, even the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, considered a budget option, costs $399.

The definition of a budget GPU is relative. With high-end cards around $1,000 and mid-range options like the AMD Radeon RX 9070 at $449, a budget GPU typically falls between $200 and $300. While you can find cheaper, last-generation GPUs, they require compromises, yet still deliver impressive 1080p performance. Consider whether you truly need advanced features like ray tracing, as many can enjoy gaming without them.

Intel Arc B580 – Photos

View 5 Images1. Intel Arc B580

The Best Budget Graphics Card

### Intel Arc B580

4The Intel Arc B580 stands out as 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 launch

For years, it seemed like budget graphics cards were an afterthought for manufacturers. Nvidia, for example, hasn't released a successor to the GTX 1660 Ti, leaving budget gamers to rely on last year's models. Thankfully, Intel has entered the fray with its second generation of graphics cards, offering an excellent entry point into PC gaming. The Intel Arc B580 is the standout budget GPU we've seen in a long time.

Priced at $249, the B580 comes with 12GB of VRAM, far exceeding the 8GB found in competitors like the RTX 4060 and Radeon RX 7600. This extra VRAM is crucial for higher resolutions like 1440p and 4K. My testing revealed that the B580 significantly outperforms other cards at 1440p, largely due to its ample frame buffer.

Intel Arc B580 – Benchmarks

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In my benchmarks across eight games, the Intel Arc B580 consistently delivered the lowest cost per frame at 1440p. With an average cost of $3.72 per frame, it outperformed the RTX 4060 at $4.39 and the AMD Radeon RX 7600 at $4.89, making it an exceptional value for budget-conscious gamers.

Surprisingly, the B580 also excels in ray tracing, even outperforming Nvidia's hardware in games like Cyberpunk 2077. At 1440p with Ray Tracing Ultra and XeSS set to Balanced, it achieved a smooth 60fps average, surpassing the RTX 4060's 49fps.

However, as Intel's second-generation GPU, it's not without its quirks. During my tests, I encountered a bug in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 where the gun wouldn't render in the player's hand. While frustrating, this is likely fixable and was consistent across other Intel GPUs like the Arc A770 and A750.

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's RTX 5060 Ti represents a solid improvement over its predecessor, the RTX 4060 Ti. The larger chip with 36 compute units, up from 34, and the addition of DLSS 4 with Multi-Frame Generation (MFG) significantly boosts performance. MFG can generate up to three interpolated frames per rendered frame, enhancing frame rates but also increasing latency, so it's not ideal for fast-paced games like Marvel Rivals.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti – Benchmarks

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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. It's capable of running most games at 1080p or 1440p with max settings. However, be aware that there are two versions of the RTX 4060 Ti; I tested the 16GB model, and recommend avoiding the 8GB version due to increasing RAM demands in modern games.

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 budget graphics card often involves compromise. The AMD Radeon RX 7600 may not be ideal for ray tracing, but it excels at 1080p gaming. It's perfect for games like Phasmophobia where fancy ray tracing isn't necessary. In my review, the RX 7600 achieved over 60fps at 1080p in many games, including up to 83fps in Total War: Warhammer 3. At around $250, it's a great value for those focused on traditional gaming.

With 8GB of VRAM, the RX 7600 is well-suited for most 1080p games, and its performance in popular titles without fuss makes it a solid choice, even if ray tracing needs to be dialed back occasionally.

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 it remains 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 VRAM

The RTX 3050, part of Nvidia's last-generation 3000-series, is still a strong contender for budget gamers. With no direct successor yet from Nvidia, it remains a great value at around $179, delivering solid 1080p performance across various games. While you might need to adjust settings for demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Horizon: Forbidden West, the RTX 3050's support for DLSS 2.0 enhances its value, making it suitable for games that support this feature.

However, I wouldn't recommend enabling ray tracing on this GPU, as it won't provide a smooth experience. Instead, it's ideal for traditional gaming and esports, where high frame rates at 1080p are key.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 – Photos

View 4 Images5. AMD Radeon RX 9070

Best Mid-Range GPU

### AMD Radeon RX 9070

0While its price is close to the RX 9070 XT, the Radeon RX 9070 offers exceptional 1440p performance at a competitive 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 GPU

The AMD Radeon RX 9070, while not strictly a budget GPU, is the best value under $600, offering excellent 1440p performance and ample VRAM. My review showed it outperforming the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 in several games, even with heavy ray tracing, thanks to AMD's improved ray tracing pipeline. In Cyberpunk 2077, it achieved 93fps at 1440p with Ray Tracing Ultra and FSR set to Balanced, slightly outperforming the RTX 5070's 90fps.

With 16GB of GDDR6, the RX 9070 is well-equipped for future games, though its proximity in price to the RX 9070 XT, which handles 4K gaming, is a consideration. If you're aiming for 4K, the small price difference might be worth it.

How to Pick the Best GPU on a Budget

Selecting the best budget GPU involves understanding your needs and balancing performance with cost. Consider factors like frame rates, resolution capabilities, and compatibility with your existing hardware. 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, as prices can fluctuate. Waiting for a good deal can maximize your value, especially if you're not in a rush. Older models often drop in price after new releases, offering great savings without sacrificing much performance.

FAQs about Cheaper GPUs

How much should I budget for a GPU?

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

What is the best budget GPU for content creation?

For content creation without breaking the bank, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti is a solid choice. It has enough CUDA cores for Adobe Premiere or Blender and supports DLSS, which is increasingly used in content creation applications.