Graphics cards have become pricier over time, but affordable options are making a strong return. Our top choice, the Intel Arc B580, launched at $249 and outperforms other GPUs under $300. Instead of paying as much as the GTX 1070 Ti cost in 2014, budget gamers can now find quality options. For example, the $450 RTX 5060 Ti is far more affordable than the $999 RTX 5080 powering top-tier gaming PCs, yet it’s still considered a budget card today.
Even at lower price points, you can enjoy a solid gaming experience with realistic expectations. The RTX 5060 Ti, for instance, may not excel at 4K, but it delivers outstanding performance at 1080p and even 1440p, making it ideal for the most common display resolution, as per the latest Steam Hardware Survey. You don’t need to spend thousands to build a great gaming PC in 2025, despite rising costs.
Having tested every GPU on this list, I can confirm their performance matches their value, based on years of reviewing graphics cards.
Contributions by Kegan Mooney and Georgie Peru
Graphics cards are pricier than ever, with some Nvidia models hitting $2,000, while even affordable ones cost hundreds. In the past, a $200 GPU could deliver solid 1080p gaming, but today’s budget cards, like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti at $399, reflect a new standard.
It’s all about perspective. With high-end GPUs at $1,000 and mid-range options like the AMD Radeon RX 9070 at $449, budget GPUs typically range from $200 to $300. Ultra-cheap options exist, but they often require settling for older-generation GPUs. Still, cards like the RTX 3060 or RTX 2060 perform well at 1080p, even without the latest features.
Consider whether cutting-edge ray tracing is essential. For most, it’s not a dealbreaker.
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Budget GPUs have been overlooked for years, with Nvidia yet to replace the GTX 1660 Ti, leaving budget gamers with older models. Intel’s second-generation Arc B580 changes that, offering an excellent entry point for PC gaming at $249 with 12GB of VRAM—surpassing the 8GB in competitors like the RTX 4060 and Radeon RX 7600. This extra VRAM shines at 1440p and even 4K, where frame buffers fill quickly. My tests confirmed the Arc B580 outperforms other GPUs at 1440p, thanks to its robust frame buffer.
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Across eight benchmarked games, the Intel Arc B580 delivered the best value, costing just $3.72 per frame at 1440p, compared to $4.39 for the RTX 4060 and $4.89 for the Radeon RX 7600 (based on retail prices). Its ray tracing performance is impressive, even in Nvidia-favored games like Cyberpunk 2077, where it achieves 60fps at 1440p with Ray Tracing Ultra and XeSS Balanced, outpacing the pricier RTX 4060’s 49fps.
However, as Intel’s second-generation GPU, it has some driver issues. For example, in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the benchmark failed to render the player’s gun. This issue also affected other Intel GPUs like the Arc A770 and A750, but it’s likely fixable with updates.
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Nvidia’s RTX 5060 Ti improves on the RTX 4060 Ti with a larger chip (36 compute units vs. 34) and introduces DLSS 4 with Multi-Frame Generation (MFG). This AI-driven feature generates up to three interpolated frames per rendered frame, boosting frame rates significantly, though it increases latency, making it less ideal for fast-paced games like Marvel Rivals.
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My tests showed the RTX 5060 Ti is 23% faster than the RTX 4060 Ti and 43% faster than the RTX 3060 Ti, handling most games at 1080p or 1440p with max settings. Note that the 16GB VRAM version is recommended over the 8GB model, as modern games demand more memory.
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Choosing a budget GPU involves trade-offs. The AMD Radeon RX 7600 isn’t ideal for ray tracing but excels at traditional 1080p gaming. For games like Phasmophobia, it delivers smooth performance. My tests showed it achieves up to 83fps in Total War: Warhammer 3 at 1080p, impressive for its $250 price tag. With 8GB of VRAM, it handles most modern games well, though ray tracing may require lower settings.
The RTX 3050, part of Nvidia’s older 3000-series, still offers great value at $179 on Amazon. It delivers solid 1080p performance for most games, though demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 may require adjusted settings. With DLSS 2.0 support, it stretches performance in compatible games, but ray tracing isn’t recommended due to performance limitations. It’s ideal for esports and indie games.
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While not strictly a budget GPU, the AMD Radeon RX 9070 offers excellent value under $600, especially once stock stabilizes. It delivers strong 1440p performance with 16GB of GDDR6, outpacing the Nvidia RTX 5070 in ray-tracing-heavy games like Cyberpunk 2077 (93fps vs. 90fps at 1440p with FSR balanced). Its only drawback is its proximity in price to the RX 9070 XT, which supports 4K gaming for just $50 more.
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Selecting a budget GPU is straightforward if you focus on key factors. Consider your gaming needs, including frame rates, resolution, and hardware compatibility. Check the system requirements for your favorite games to guide your choice.
Look for sales, discounts, or bundle deals, as prices often vary. New GPU releases can lower the cost of older models, offering great value. Pairing a quality GPU with a good deal maximizes performance for your budget.
For less demanding games, a $200–$400 GPU can handle 1080p gaming well. For 1440p or 4K, expect to spend over $500 for smoother performance.
For content creation on a budget, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti is a strong choice. Its CUDA cores handle workloads in Adobe Premiere or Blender, while DLSS 4 support enhances performance in compatible creative apps, all without breaking the $1,000 barrier.
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