Top Affordable GPUs of 2025: Best Value for Money

In today's market, it's undeniable that graphics cards are pricier than they used to be. However, there's a silver lining for budget-conscious gamers: affordable graphics cards are making a comeback. The standout option, the Intel Arc B580, launched at $249, and it's setting a new standard for performance in its price range. No longer do budget gamers need to settle for outdated cards that were priced similarly to the GTX 1070 Ti back in 2014. Even a $450 card like the RTX 5060 Ti is a steal compared to the $999 starting price of the RTX 5080, which powers the top-tier gaming PCs of 2025.

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

With a lower price tag, you can still enjoy a fantastic gaming experience, though you might 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 even 1440p resolutions, making it perfect for those still using the most popular display resolution according to the latest Steam Hardware Survey. So, you don't need to break the bank to build a great gaming PC in 2025, even if costs have risen somewhat.

Having reviewed graphics cards for years, I can confidently vouch for the performance and value of each GPU listed here. They deliver impressive results for their price points.

Contributions by Kegan Mooney and Georgie Peru

What Do We Consider a "Budget GPU"?

In the current market, graphics cards are more expensive than ever, with some Nvidia models reaching up to $2,000, while even budget options cost several hundred dollars. The days when a budget GPU could be had for around $200 and still deliver solid 1080p performance in modern games are behind us. For instance, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, considered a budget card by today's standards, costs $399.

It's all about perspective. If high-end GPUs are around $1,000 and mid-range options like the AMD Radeon RX 9070 are around $449, then budget GPUs fall within the $200 to $300 range. There are cheaper options available, but they often require compromises, such as opting for last-generation models. However, GPUs like the RTX 3060 or RTX 2060 can still offer excellent 1080p performance, even if they lack some of the latest features.

The key question to ask yourself is whether you really need the best ray tracing effects. Chances are, you 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 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 launchFor years, it seemed like graphics card manufacturers had overlooked the budget segment. Nvidia, for instance, hasn't released a successor to the GTX 1660 Ti, leaving budget gamers to settle for last year's models. Thankfully, Intel has entered the fray, and its second-generation GPUs are providing an excellent entry point into PC gaming. The Intel Arc B580 is undoubtedly the best budget graphics card we've seen in years.

This GPU starts at $249 and comes with 12GB of VRAM, significantly more than the 8GB found in the RTX 4060 and Radeon RX 7600. While 8GB is sufficient for 1080p gaming, higher resolutions like 1440p and 4K demand more VRAM to handle the increased frame buffer. In my review of the Intel Arc B580, I found it delivered superior performance at 1440p compared to any other card in its class, largely due to its ample VRAM.

Intel Arc B580 – Benchmarks

View 15 ImagesAcross the eight games I benchmarked with the Intel Arc B580, it consistently offered the lowest cost per frame. Averaged across the test suite, the Arc B580 cost only $3.72 per frame at 1440p, compared to $4.39 for the RTX 4060 and $4.89 for the AMD Radeon RX 7600 (based on retail prices). For its price, the B580 provides unmatched value for budget-conscious gamers.

Surprisingly, the B580 handles ray tracing exceptionally well. Even in games like Cyberpunk 2077, which typically favor Nvidia hardware, the B580 shines. At 1440p with the Ray Tracing Ultra preset and XeSS set to Balanced, it achieves a robust 60fps average, outperforming the more expensive RTX 4060's 49fps.

However, as this is only Intel's second generation of GPUs, there are still some bugs to iron out. During testing with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the benchmark ran without rendering the player's gun, a minor annoyance that could be fixed. This issue was consistent across all Intel GPUs tested, including the last-gen Arc A770 and A750, indicating 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 faced challenges following up its RTX 4000 series, but the RTX 5060 Ti marks a solid improvement over the RTX 4060 Ti. This new model boasts a larger chip with 36 compute units, up from 34, and introduces Blackwell architecture features, including DLSS 4.

The highlight of this generation is the advanced Frame Generation technology, with the RTX 5060 Ti supporting Multi-Frame Generation (MFG) through DLSS 4. This AI-driven feature can generate up to three interpolated frames per rendered frame, significantly boosting frame rates. However, it increases latency, so it's not ideal for games requiring quick reactions, such as Marvel Rivals.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti – Benchmarks

View 12 ImagesIn my review of the Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti, it proved to be about 23% faster than the RTX 4060 Ti and 43% faster than the RTX 3060 Ti across my testing suite. While this isn't a massive generational leap, it's sufficient to handle 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, which I reviewed, and another with 8GB. Given the increasing memory demands of modern games, I recommend steering 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 budget graphics card often involves compromise. While the AMD Radeon RX 7600 isn't ideal for ray tracing enthusiasts, it excels at traditional 1080p gaming. For gamers who prioritize gameplay over graphical effects, this card is a great choice.

In my review of the AMD Radeon RX 7600, I found it struggled in some titles like Cyberpunk 2077, but delivered over 60fps at 1080p in games like Total War: Warhammer 3, achieving up to 83fps. At around $250, it's hard to fault its performance.

With 8GB of VRAM, the RX 7600 is well-suited for most 1080p gaming scenarios. Its strength lies in running popular games smoothly, even if ray tracing needs to be dialed back occasionally. For many, this trade-off is more than acceptable.

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 1080p graphics card on a budget, there are few better options. 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 part of the previous generation, yet Nvidia hasn't released a direct successor in the Ada Lovelace lineup. At around $179, the RTX 3050 offers excellent value, delivering solid 1080p gaming performance across a wide range of titles.

You may need to adjust settings in more demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Horizon: Forbidden West. However, for the price, it's one of the most affordable ways to get into PC gaming, aside from scouring secondhand markets.

The RTX 3050 features Nvidia's third-generation Tensor cores, supporting DLSS 2.0, which helps extend its performance in compatible games. However, I wouldn't recommend enabling ray tracing on this card, as it won't deliver a satisfying experience. It's best suited for traditional gaming and esports 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 offers excellent 1440p performance 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 what I'd typically classify as a "budget graphics card," but it's the best value you can find under $600. It serves as an entry point to mid-range performance, offering impressive 1440p capabilities with ample VRAM.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT & 9070 – Benchmarks

View 11 ImagesIn my review of the Radeon RX 9070, it outperformed the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 in games with heavy ray tracing, thanks to improvements in AMD's ray tracing pipeline. For example, in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p with the Ray Tracing Ultra preset and FSR set to Balanced, the RX 9070 achieved 93fps, compared to 90fps for the RTX 5070.

The RX 9070's 16GB of GDDR6 memory is a significant advantage over the RTX 5070's 12GB of GDDR7, especially as games become more demanding at higher resolutions. The only drawback is its pricing, which is close to the RX 9070 XT, capable of 4K gaming for just $50 more. While it's not an insignificant difference, it's a small price to pay 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. It's about understanding your needs and finding the right balance between performance and cost. Consider what you'll use the GPU for, and pay attention to factors like frame rates, resolution capabilities, and compatibility with your existing setup. If you have a specific game in mind, check its system requirements to guide your decision.

Keep an eye out for sales, discounts, and bundle deals. Prices can vary, so patience can pay off if you're not in a hurry. Also, consider older models when new releases hit the market, as their prices often drop. A smart purchase combined with a good deal can maximize your value.

FAQs about Cheaper GPUs

How much should I budget for a GPU?

For less demanding games, you can find a decent GPU for 1080p gaming between $200 and $400. However, if you're aiming for 1440p or 4K gaming, expect to spend over $500.

What is the best budget GPU for content creation?

For content creators on a budget, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti is an excellent choice. It offers enough CUDA cores to handle most creative workloads in applications like Adobe Premiere or Blender, and its fourth-generation Tensor cores support DLSS, which is increasingly integrated into popular content creation software.