Top Affordable GPUs of 2025: Budget-Friendly Picks

It's clear to anyone keeping an eye on the market that graphics cards have become significantly more expensive than they used to be. However, there's good news for budget-conscious gamers: affordable GPUs are making a comeback. My top pick, the Intel Arc B580, has launched at just $249 and outperforms any other card in its price range, making it a fantastic option for those looking to avoid the steep prices of cards like the GTX 1070 Ti, which debuted at around the same cost back in 2014. Even a $450 card like the RTX 5060 Ti is much more affordable than the RTX 5080, which starts at $999 and is powering the high-end gaming PCs of today. In the current market, the RTX 5060 Ti could still be considered a budget card.

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 more modest budget, you can still enjoy a great gaming experience, as long as you set your expectations realistically. For example, the RTX 5060 Ti may not be ideal for 4K gaming, but it excels at 1080p and even handles 1440p well, making it a top choice for those using the most popular display resolution according to the latest Steam Hardware Survey. So, while building a gaming PC might be pricier than it once was, you don't need to spend thousands to get a solid setup in 2025.

I've spent years reviewing graphics cards and have personally tested every GPU on this list, so I can confidently recommend them based on their performance and value.

Contributions by Kegan Mooney and Georgie Peru

What Do We Consider a "Budget GPU"?

In today's market, even the most affordable graphics cards can cost hundreds of dollars, with some Nvidia cards reaching up to $2,000. Previously, a budget GPU could be found for around $200 and would deliver solid 1080p performance in the latest games, but those days are largely behind us. For instance, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, considered a budget option now, costs $399.

It's all about perspective. If a high-end card costs around $1,000 and a mid-range card like the AMD Radeon RX 9070 is about $449, a budget GPU typically falls between $200 and $300. While you can find cheaper, last-generation cards, they often require compromises. However, cards like the RTX 3060 or RTX 2060 still offer excellent 1080p performance, even if you miss out on some newer features.

The key question is whether you really need the latest 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 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 issues at launchFor 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, instead suggesting budget buyers settle for last year's models. Thankfully, Intel has entered the market with its second generation of GPUs, offering a strong entry point for PC gaming. The Intel Arc B580 is by far the best budget option we've seen in a long time.

Priced at $249, it comes with 12GB of VRAM, which is significantly more than the 8GB offered by the RTX 4060 and Radeon RX 7600. While extra VRAM is a nice-to-have at 1080p, it's essential at higher resolutions like 1440p or 4K, where the frame buffer can fill up quickly. My review of the Intel Arc B580 showed it outperforming other cards in its class at 1440p, largely thanks to its robust frame buffer.

Intel Arc B580 – Benchmarks

View 15 ImagesAcross eight games I benchmarked, the Intel Arc B580 delivered the lowest cost per frame at 1440p. On average, it costs just $3.72 per frame, compared to $4.39 for the RTX 4060 and $4.89 for the AMD Radeon RX 7600, making it an unbeatable value for budget-conscious gamers.

Surprisingly, the B580 also handles ray tracing well, even outperforming Nvidia's hardware in some cases. In Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p with the Ray Tracing Ultra preset and XeSS set to Balanced, the B580 achieves a solid 60fps average, compared to 49fps on the more expensive RTX 4060.

However, being only the second generation of Intel's GPUs, there are still some kinks to work out. During my testing of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the benchmark ran without rendering the gun in the player's hand. This issue, though annoying, is fixable and was present across all Intel GPUs I tested, including the last-gen 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, largely due to its larger chip size and new features like 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 feature generates up to three interpolated frames for each rendered frame, boosting frame rates but at the cost of increased latency, so it's not ideal for games requiring fast reaction times, like Marvel Rivals.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti – Benchmarks

View 12 ImagesMy 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 across my test suite, making it capable of handling most games at 1080p or 1440p with max settings.

It's worth noting there are two versions of the RTX 4060 Ti: one with 16GB of VRAM and another with 8GB. I tested the 16GB model, but with the increasing memory demands of modern games, it's best to avoid the lower-memory 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 performanceChoosing a budget graphics card often involves compromises. While the AMD Radeon RX 7600 isn't ideal for ray tracing enthusiasts, it excels at traditional 1080p gaming. For those who prioritize gameplay over fancy visuals, the RX 7600 is a great choice.

In my review, I found the RX 7600 capable of over 60fps at 1080p in many games, like Total War: Warhammer 3, where it hits up to 83fps. While it may not match the performance of more expensive cards, at around $250, it offers excellent value.

The RX 7600 comes with 8GB of VRAM, sufficient for most 1080p gaming needs. It's perfect for 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 may be last-gen, but it remains one of the best options for budget 1080p gaming. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsBase Clock1507MHzVRAM6GB GDDR6Outputx2 HDMI 2.1, x1 DisplayPort 1.4aShading cores2304Compute units18PROSImpressive dual fan coolingGreat valueCONSOnly 6GB VRAMThe RTX 3050, part of Nvidia's last-generation 3000-series, is still a great value. With Nvidia yet to release a new budget card in the Ada Lovelace generation, the RTX 3050 remains a solid choice for 1080p gaming.

You may need to adjust quality settings in more demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Horizon: Forbidden West, but at $179 on Amazon, it's the most affordable way to get into PC gaming without resorting to used cards.

The RTX 3050 also benefits from Nvidia's third-generation Tensor cores, enabling DLSS 2.0, which enhances performance in supported games. However, I wouldn't recommend enabling ray tracing on this card, as it won't provide a satisfying experience.

This GPU is best suited for traditional gaming and esports or indie titles.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 – Photos

View 4 Images5. AMD Radeon RX 9070

Best Mid-Range GPU

### AMD Radeon RX 9070

0While it's 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 a traditional budget card, but it's the best value under $600 once stock stabilizes. It's the entry point to mid-range GPUs, offering strong 1440p performance with ample VRAM.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT & 9070 – Benchmarks

View 11 ImagesIn my review, the Radeon RX 9070 outperformed the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 in several games, including those with heavy ray tracing, thanks to AMD's improved ray tracing pipeline. For example, in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p with the ray tracing ultra preset and FSR set to balanced, it achieves 93fps, compared to 90fps on the RTX 5070.

The RX 9070's 16GB of GDDR6 is a significant advantage over the RTX 5070's 12GB of GDDR7, especially as game memory demands increase at higher resolutions. Its only drawback is its proximity in price to the RX 9070 XT, which handles 4K gaming for just $50 more, a small premium for those with 4K displays.

How to Pick the Best GPU on a Budget

Choosing the best budget GPU involves understanding your needs and balancing performance with cost. Consider what you'll use the GPU for, focusing on 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 purchase.

Keep an eye out for sales and bundle deals, as GPU prices can fluctuate. Waiting for a good deal can save you money, and older models often become more affordable after new releases. Combining a quality GPU with a great deal maximizes your value.

FAQs about Cheaper GPUs

How much should I budget for a GPU?

For less demanding games and 1080p gaming, a budget of $200 to $400 can get you a decent GPU. 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 tasks in Adobe Premiere or Blender, and its 4th-generation Tensor cores support DLSS, which is increasingly used in content creation software.