Top Affordable GPUs of 2025: Best Value for Money

In recent years, graphics cards have surged in price, but there's good news for budget-conscious gamers: affordable options are making a strong comeback. Leading the charge is the Intel Arc B580, priced at just $249, which has set a new standard for performance in its category. This card offers a compelling alternative to the GTX 1070 Ti, which launched at a similar price back in 2014. Meanwhile, the RTX 5060 Ti, at $450, remains a more affordable choice compared to high-end models like the RTX 5080, which starts at $999. These budget GPUs demonstrate that you don't need to break the bank to enjoy a solid gaming experience in 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

Even with a lower price tag, these GPUs deliver a robust gaming experience, especially at popular resolutions like 1080p and 1440p. The RTX 5060 Ti, for example, excels at these resolutions, making it an excellent choice for gamers who don't need 4K capabilities. Building a great gaming PC in 2025 doesn't require spending thousands, even if prices have risen from past years.

With years of experience reviewing graphics cards, I can confidently recommend each GPU on this list for their performance and value. They represent the best options for budget-minded gamers looking to maximize their gaming setup without overspending.

Contributions by Kegan Mooney and Georgie Peru

What Do We Consider a "Budget GPU"?

In today's market, graphics cards have reached unprecedented price levels, with some Nvidia models topping $2,000, while even the more affordable options remain in the hundreds. Historically, a budget GPU would cost around $200 and offer a solid 1080p gaming experience, but that's no longer the case. For instance, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, considered a budget card today, starts at $399.

The definition of a budget GPU is relative. With high-end cards around $1,000 and mid-range options like the AMD Radeon RX 9070 at $449, budget GPUs typically fall in the $200 to $300 range. While you can find cheaper, last-generation GPUs, they might lack some modern features. However, cards like the RTX 3060 or RTX 2060 still provide excellent 1080p performance, even if they don't include the latest technologies.

Consider whether you truly need advanced features like ray tracing. Often, you can enjoy a great gaming experience 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 a game-changer, offering unparalleled value for budget gamers. With a starting price of $249, it's the best budget graphics card we've seen in years. 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, budget graphics cards seemed neglected, with Nvidia failing to update the GTX 1660 Ti and instead recommending last-generation GPUs. Thankfully, Intel's second generation of graphics cards, including the Arc B580, has revitalized the budget segment. This card's 12GB of VRAM significantly outpaces the 8GB found in the RTX 4060 and Radeon RX 7600, providing a crucial advantage at higher resolutions.

My review of the Intel Arc B580 revealed its superior performance at 1440p, largely thanks to its ample frame buffer. Across eight benchmarked games, the B580 offered the lowest cost per frame, averaging just $3.72 per frame at 1440p, compared to $4.39 for the RTX 4060 and $4.89 for the RX 7600. Its surprising prowess in ray tracing, even in Nvidia-favored titles like Cyberpunk 2077, makes it a standout choice. However, as a second-generation product, some bugs, like missing gun rendering in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, persist across Intel's GPU lineup.

Intel Arc B580 – Benchmarks

View 15 Images2. Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti

Best Budget Graphics Card Under $450

### PNY Dual Fan OC GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB

5The RTX 5060 Ti marks a solid step up from its predecessor, the RTX 4060 Ti, thanks to a larger chip with 36 compute units and the introduction of DLSS 4. See 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 is a notable improvement, with Multi-Frame Generation (MFG) through DLSS 4 boosting frame rates. However, the increased latency makes it less suitable for fast-paced games like Marvel Rivals.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti – Benchmarks

View 12 ImagesMy tests showed the RTX 5060 Ti to be 23% faster than the RTX 4060 Ti and 43% faster than the RTX 3060 Ti, making it a strong contender for 1080p and 1440p gaming. Be cautious, though, as the 8GB VRAM version may struggle with modern games' increasing memory demands.

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

2The AMD Radeon RX 7600 is a solid choice for budget gamers focused on 1080p gaming, though it falls short in ray tracing performance. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsBase clock2655MHz VRAM8GB GDDR6Outputx2 HDMI 2.1, x2 DisplayPort 1.4aShading cores2,048Compute units32PROSSolid 1080p performanceCompetitively pricedCONSUnderwhelming ray tracing performanceIn my review, the RX 7600 excelled at 1080p gaming, delivering over 60fps in games like Total War: Warhammer 3. Its 8GB of VRAM is sufficient for most 1080p games, making it a reliable option for gamers who prioritize performance over ray tracing.

4. MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Gaming X

Best Budget GPU Under $200

### MSIGeForce RTX 3050 Gaming X

1The RTX 3050 remains a fantastic value for budget 1080p gaming, despite being a last-generation card. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsBase Clock1507MHzVRAM6GB GDDR6Outputx2 HDMI 2.1, x1 DisplayPort 1.4aShading cores2304Compute units18PROSImpressive dual fan coolingGreat valueCONSOnly 6GB VRAMThe RTX 3050 offers solid 1080p performance at a budget-friendly $179. While you may need to adjust settings for demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077, its support for DLSS 2.0 enhances its value. However, it's not ideal for ray tracing due to performance limitations.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 – Photos

View 4 Images5. AMD Radeon RX 9070

Best Mid-Range GPU

### AMD Radeon RX 9070

0The AMD Radeon RX 9070 offers excellent value for its price, making it a top choice 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 GPUThough not strictly a budget GPU, the RX 9070 provides outstanding 1440p performance with 16GB of VRAM, making it a valuable mid-range option. My review highlighted its superior performance over the RTX 5070 in games like Cyberpunk 2077, even with heavy ray tracing. Its only drawback is its proximity in price to the RX 9070 XT, which offers 4K capabilities for just $50 more.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT & 9070 – Benchmarks

View 11 ImagesHow to Pick the Best GPU on a Budget

Choosing the best budget GPU involves understanding your needs and balancing performance with cost. Consider factors like frame rates, resolution capabilities, and hardware compatibility. If you have specific games in mind, check their system requirements. Also, keep an eye out for sales and discounts; waiting for a good deal can significantly enhance your value.

FAQs about Cheaper GPUs

How much should I budget for a GPU?

For 1080p gaming, you can find a decent GPU between $200 and $400. For 1440p or 4K gaming, expect prices to start well above $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 contender. With enough CUDA cores and 4th-generation Tensor cores for DLSS, it's well-suited for applications like Adobe Premiere and Blender.