Top Affordable GPUs of 2025: Best Value for Money

The surge in graphics card prices has been undeniable, yet there's a silver lining for budget-conscious gamers: budget graphics cards are making a strong comeback. My top pick, the Intel Arc B580, has just hit the market at $249 and has outperformed all competitors in the sub-$300 range. This means budget gamers no longer have to settle for outdated options like the GTX 1070 Ti, which launched at a similar price back in 2014. Even a $450 card like the RTX 5060 Ti offers significant value compared to the $999 RTX 5080, which powers the top-tier gaming PCs. 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 NeweggEven with a lower price point, these GPUs can deliver an exceptional gaming experience, provided you adjust your expectations. For example, while the RTX 5060 Ti isn't ideal for 4K gaming, it excels at 1080p and 1440p, making it an excellent choice for gamers sticking to the most popular resolution, according to the latest Steam Hardware Survey. Thus, you don't need to break the bank to build a great gaming PC in 2025, even if prices are slightly higher than before.

With years of experience reviewing graphics cards, I can confidently recommend each GPU on this list for their performance relative to their cost.

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, and even the more affordable options costing hundreds of dollars. Previously, a budget graphics card could be found for around $200 and would deliver a solid 1080p gaming experience in the latest titles, but that's no longer the norm. For instance, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, considered a budget GPU by today's standards, starts at $399.

The definition of a budget GPU has shifted. With high-end cards priced around $1,000 and mid-range options like the AMD Radeon RX 9070 at around $449, a budget GPU now falls within the $200 to $300 range. While there are cheaper options available, they often require you to compromise on performance and features. However, last-gen GPUs like the RTX 3060 or RTX 2060 can still offer impressive 1080p performance, even if they lack the latest features.

The key is to assess whether you truly need advanced features like ray tracing. Often, you can enjoy great 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 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 that graphics card manufacturers had forgotten about the budget segment. Nvidia, for example, hasn't followed up on the GTX 1660 Ti, leaving budget gamers to make do with last year's models. Fortunately, Intel has stepped up, and its second-generation graphics cards offer a fantastic entry point into PC gaming. The Intel Arc B580 stands out as the best budget graphics card in recent years.

Priced at $249, it 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 crucial for higher resolutions like 1440p or 4K. My review of the Intel Arc B580 revealed that it delivers superior performance at 1440p compared to other similar cards, largely thanks to its generous frame buffer.

Intel Arc B580 – Benchmarks

View 15 ImagesIn fact, across eight benchmarked games, the Intel Arc B580 offered the lowest cost per frame. On average, it costs just $3.72 per frame in 1440p games, compared to $4.39 for the RTX 4060 and $4.89 for the AMD Radeon RX 7600 (based on retail price). For its price, the B580 provides unbeatable value for budget-conscious gamers.

Surprisingly, the B580 also handles ray tracing exceptionally well. In games like Cyberpunk 2077, which typically favor Nvidia's hardware, the B580 delivers a smooth 60fps at 1440p with the Ray Tracing Ultra preset and XeSS set to Balanced, outperforming the more expensive RTX 4060's 49fps.

However, as this is only the second generation of Intel's graphics cards, there are still some bugs to iron out. During my testing of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the benchmark ran without rendering the player's gun, a minor but fixable issue also seen in 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 resolutionsNvidia has struggled to follow up its RTX 4000 series, but the RTX 5060 Ti marks a solid improvement over the RTX 4060 Ti. Its performance boost comes from a larger chip with 36 compute units instead of 34, along with new features like DLSS 4.

The standout feature of this generation is 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 does increase latency, so it's not recommended for fast-paced games like Marvel Rivals.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti – Benchmarks

View 12 ImagesMy review of the Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti showed it to be about 23% faster than the RTX 4060 Ti and 43% faster than the RTX 3060 Ti across the entire testing suite. While this isn't the most dramatic generational uplift, it's enough to handle almost any game 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, which I reviewed, and another with 8GB. Given the increasing memory demands of modern games, 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 often involves compromise. The AMD Radeon RX 7600 isn't ideal for ray tracing, but it excels at traditional 1080p gaming. For games like Phasmophobia, where ray tracing isn't crucial, the RX 7600 is a great choice.

In my review, I found that while the RX 7600 struggles with some titles like Cyberpunk 2077, it delivers over 60fps at 1080p in others like Total War: Warhammer 3, reaching up to 83fps. At around $250, it's a compelling option for budget gamers.

With 8GB of VRAM, it's well-suited for 1080p gaming most of the time. The RX 7600 shines in running popular games smoothly, even if you occasionally need to adjust 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're looking for a budget 1080p graphics card, it's one of the best options available. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsBase Clock1507MHzVRAM6GB GDDR6Outputx2 HDMI 2.1, x1 DisplayPort 1.4aShading cores2304Compute units18PROSImpressive dual fan coolingGreat valueCONSOnly 6GB VRAMThe RTX 3050, though part of the last-generation 3000-series, remains a fantastic value. With Nvidia yet to launch a new budget card in the Ada Lovelace generation, the RTX 3050 delivers solid 1080p performance across various games.

However, you may need to adjust quality settings for more demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Horizon: Forbidden West. At $179 on Amazon, it's the most affordable way to get into PC gaming, short of buying used.

The RTX 3050 benefits from Nvidia's third-generation Tensor cores, supporting DLSS 2.0, which enhances its value. However, it's not recommended for ray tracing due to performance limitations. This GPU is best suited for traditional gaming, 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 priced close to the RX 9070 XT, the Radeon RX 9070 offers exceptional value for a 1440p graphics card. 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 what I'd typically call a budget graphics card, but it's the best value under $600, especially once stock levels stabilize. It's the entry point to the mid-range, offering excellent 1440p performance and ample VRAM.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT & 9070 – Benchmarks

View 11 ImagesMy review of the Radeon RX 9070 showed it outperforming the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 at the same price point, even in games with heavy ray tracing 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, AMD has made significant strides in closing the gap.

With 16GB of GDDR6, the RX 9070 is well-equipped for future games, despite being slightly slower than the RTX 5070's GDDR7. The only drawback is its proximity in price to the RX 9070 XT, which can handle 4K gaming for just $50 more, making it a tempting upgrade for those with 4K displays.

How to Pick the Best GPU on a Budget

Choosing the best budget GPU doesn't have to be daunting. Focus on factors like frame rates, resolution capabilities, and compatibility with your existing hardware. If you're targeting a specific game, check its system requirements to guide your purchase.

Keep an eye out for sales, discounts, and bundle deals, as prices can fluctuate. If a new GPU is released, older models often see price drops, offering great value. By combining a quality GPU with a good deal, you can maximize your investment.

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 for $200 to $400. For 1440p or 4K gaming, expect to spend over $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 for most creative workloads in Adobe Premiere or Blender, and its 4th-generation Tensor cores support DLSS, increasingly used in popular content creation apps.