Top Budget GPUs of 2025: Best Value for Money

The landscape of graphics cards has shifted dramatically, with prices soaring higher than ever before. However, there's a silver lining for budget-conscious gamers: affordable GPUs are staging a comeback. Leading the charge is the Intel Arc B580, a powerhouse at just $249 that outshines other options under $300. This means budget gamers no longer have to settle for outdated technology like the GTX 1070 Ti, which launched at a similar price back in 2014. Even a $450 card like the RTX 5060 Ti, while not exactly a budget option, is a steal compared to the $999 RTX 5080 that powers top-tier gaming rigs today.

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

These budget-friendly GPUs deliver a stellar gaming experience without breaking the bank, as long as you manage your expectations. For example, the RTX 5060 Ti might not be ideal for 4K gaming, but it excels at 1080p and 1440p, making it the perfect choice for those using the most popular display resolutions according to the latest Steam Hardware Survey. In 2025, you don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy a great gaming PC, despite the slightly higher costs compared to the past.

Having reviewed graphics cards for years, I can confidently vouch for the performance and value of each GPU on this list.

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, while even budget cards fetch hundreds of dollars. Gone are the days when a budget GPU could be had for around $200 and still deliver solid 1080p performance in the latest games. Now, something like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, priced at $399, is considered a budget option.

Perspective is key here. With high-end cards around $1,000 and mid-range ones like the AMD Radeon RX 9070 at $449, budget GPUs typically fall between $200 to $300. There are cheaper options available, but these often require you to settle for last-generation technology. However, even older GPUs like the RTX 3060 or RTX 2060 can still offer fantastic 1080p performance, though they might lack some of the latest features.

The question to ask yourself is whether you truly need the best ray tracing effects. Often, you can get by 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 GPUs were an afterthought for manufacturers. Nvidia, for instance, hasn't released a successor to the GTX 1660 Ti, leaving budget gamers to make do with last year's models. Thankfully, Intel has stepped up with its second-generation graphics cards, providing an excellent entry point into PC gaming. The Intel Arc B580 is a game-changer in the budget segment.

Priced at just $249, it boasts 12GB of VRAM, far exceeding the 8GB found in competitors like the RTX 4060 and Radeon RX 7600. This extra VRAM is crucial at higher resolutions, where the frame buffer can quickly become a bottleneck. My tests showed the Arc B580 delivering superior performance at 1440p, thanks in large part to its ample VRAM.

Intel Arc B580 – Benchmarks

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

Surprisingly, the B580 also handles ray tracing impressively well. In Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p with Ray Tracing Ultra and XeSS set to Balanced, it achieves a solid 60fps average, outperforming the pricier RTX 4060's 49fps.

However, as this is only Intel's second generation of GPUs, some bugs remain. 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 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 resolutionsNvidia's RTX 5060 Ti marks a solid improvement over the RTX 4060 Ti, mainly due to its larger chip with 36 compute units instead of 34. The Blackwell architecture introduces DLSS 4, featuring Multi-Frame Generation (MFG), which can generate up to three interpolated frames from each rendered frame, significantly boosting frame rates. However, this comes at the cost of increased latency, so it's not ideal for games requiring quick reactions 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 testing suite. While not a dramatic generational leap, it's capable of handling almost any game at 1080p or 1440p with settings maxed out.

It's worth noting that 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 games becoming increasingly RAM-intensive, steer clear of the 8GB version.

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 means making compromises. While the AMD Radeon RX 7600 isn't ideal for ray tracing, it excels at traditional 1080p gaming. Who needs fancy ray tracing when you're just looking to enjoy games like Phasmophobia with friends?

In my review, the RX 7600 delivered over 60fps at 1080p in many games. In Total War: Warhammer 3, it achieved up to 83fps at this resolution. At around $250, it's hard to complain. With 8GB of VRAM, it's more than sufficient for most 1080p gaming needs. The RX 7600 shines in running popular games smoothly, even if you need to dial back ray tracing occasionally.

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's 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 VRAMThe RTX 3050 is part of Nvidia's last-generation 3000-series, and with no direct follow-up from Nvidia yet, it remains a fantastic value. At $179 on Amazon, it's the most cost-effective way to get into PC gaming, aside from scouring used markets.

While you might need to adjust settings for demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Horizon: Forbidden West, the RTX 3050's third-generation Tensor cores support DLSS 2.0, enhancing performance in compatible games. However, I wouldn't recommend enabling ray tracing on this card; it's better suited for traditional gaming and esports.

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 1440p gaming. 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, though not strictly a budget GPU, is the best value under $600 once stock stabilizes. It's the entry point to mid-range GPUs, offering excellent 1440p performance and ample VRAM.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT & 9070 – Benchmarks

View 11 ImagesIn my review, the Radeon RX 9070 outperformed the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 at the same price point, even in ray tracing-heavy games like Cyberpunk 2077. At 1440p with ray tracing ultra and FSR set to balanced, it achieved 93fps, compared to the RTX 5070's 90fps.

The RX 9070's 16GB of GDDR6 VRAM is a significant advantage over the RTX 5070's 12GB, especially as games become more memory-intensive at higher resolutions. Its only drawback is its proximity in price to the 9070 XT, which can handle 4K gaming for just $50 more. If you're eyeing 4K, the extra cost might be worth it.

How to Pick the Best GPU on a Budget

Selecting the best budget GPU can be straightforward if you know what to look for. Consider your gaming needs, such as 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. If you're not in a rush, waiting for a good deal can maximize your value. Also, consider older models when new GPUs are released, as their prices often drop.

FAQs about Cheaper GPUs

How much should I budget for a GPU?

For less demanding games at 1080p, a decent GPU can be found between $200 to $400. For 1440p or 4K gaming, expect to spend well 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 offers enough CUDA cores for tasks in Adobe Premiere or Blender and supports DLSS via its 4th-generation Tensor cores, which is increasingly useful in content creation apps.