Best Budget-Friendly Graphics Cards for Gaming in 2025
If you're a PC gamer on a tight budget, finding the right graphics card (GPU) can be challenging. You want solid performance without breaking the bank. Fortunately, there are plenty of great budget GPUs that deliver excellent 1080p gaming and even some 1440p performance.
In this guide, we’ll cover the best budget-friendly graphics cards for gaming in 2024, their pros and cons, and what to look for when buying one.
What to Look for in a Budget Gaming GPU?
Before diving into the best options, here are key factors to consider:
1. Performance (1080p vs. 1440p Gaming) – Most budget GPUs handle 1080p well, but some can manage 1440p.
2. VRAM (4GB vs. 6GB vs. 8GB) – More VRAM helps with modern games and higher resolutions.
3. Power Efficiency – Lower TDP (Thermal Design Power) means less heat and lower electricity costs.
4. Price-to-Performance Ratio – The best budget GPUs offer the most FPS per dollar.
5. Ray Tracing & DLSS/FSR Support – Some budget cards support these features, improving visuals and performance.
Now, let’s explore the best budget GPUs available in 2025.
AMD Radeon RX 6600 – Best Overall Budget GPU
Price: ~$200
Pros
Excellent 1080p performance (60+ FPS in most games)
8GB GDDR6 VRAM (future-proof)
Great power efficiency (132W TDP)
Supports AMD FSR for better performance
Cons
Limited ray tracing performance
Slightly weaker than Nvidia in some productivity tasks
The RX 6600 is the best budget GPU in 2024, offering near GTX 1080 Ti-level performance at a fraction of the price. It handles 1080p Ultra settings smoothly and even performs well in 1440p for less demanding games.
Best for: Gamers who want high 1080p performance without overspending.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 – Best Budget GPU with Ray Tracing
Price: ~$220
Pros
Supports DLSS and ray tracing
8GB GDDR6 VRAM
Lower power consumption (130W TDP)
Better driver support for creative workloads
Cons
Slightly overpriced compared to AMD alternatives
Ray tracing performance is mediocre
If you want ray tracing on a budget, the RTX 3050 is a solid choice. While its raw performance is weaker than the RX 6600, DLSS helps boost FPS in supported games.
Best for: Gamers who want ray tracing and better software features.
AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT – Best Ultra-Budget GPU
Price: ~$130
Pros
Extremely affordable
Good for 1080p Low-Medium settings
Low power consumption (107W TDP)
Cons
Only 4GB VRAM (limits modern gaming)
No PCIe 4.0 support on older systems (hurts performance)
The RX 6500 XT is the cheapest viable gaming GPU in 2024. It’s perfect for esports titles (Valorant, CS2, Fortnite) but struggles with AAA games due to its 4GB VRAM.
Best for: Casual gamers on a very tight budget.
Intel Arc A750 – Best Budget Alternative
Price: ~$200
Pros
Great 1080p performance
8GB GDDR6 VRAM
Supports ray tracing & XeSS upscaling
Excellent value for money
Cons
Diver issues in older games
Higher power consumption (225W TDP)
Intel’s Arc A750 is a strong competitor to the RX 6600 and RTX 3050. With improved drivers, it now performs well in most modern games.
Best for: Gamers willing to try Intel’s promising GPU lineup.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super – Best Used Budget GPU
Price (Used): ~$120
Pros
Reliable 1080p performance
6GB GDDR6 VRA
Great for esports & older AAA games
Cons
No ray tracing or DLSS
Older architecture (outperformed by newer cards)
If buying used, the GTX 1660 Super remains a fantastic budget option. It’s still capable of 60+ FPS in most games at 1080p.
Best for: Gamers looking for a cheap, reliable used GPU.
AMD Radeon RX 7600 – Best 1080p High Refresh Rate GPU
Price: ~$250
Pros
Excellent 1080p performance (100+ FPS in many games)
8GB GDDR6 VRAM
Supports FSR 3 for smoother gameplay
Cons
Not ideal for 1440p
Slightly more expensive than RX 6600
The RX 7600 is a step up from the RX 6600, offering better performance for high-refresh-rate 1080p gaming.
Best for: Competitive gamers who want high FPS at 1080p.
Which Budget GPU Should You Buy?
Best Choice for Most Gamers
AD RX 6600 (Best performance per dollar)
RTX 3050 (If you want DLSS & ray tracing)
RX 6500 XT (If you’re on a very tight budget)
Buying a budget-friendly graphics card doesn’t mean sacrificing performance. The RX 6600 is the best overall choice, while the RTX 3050 is great for Nvidia features. If you’re on an extreme budget, the RX 6500 XT or a used GTX
1660 Super are solid picks.
For future-proofing, consider 8GB VRAM (RX 6600, RTX 3050, Arc A750). If you play competitive esports, the RX 7600 offers high FPS at 1080p.
What’s your pick? Let us know in the comments!
