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If you are a pro gamer and want to buy a budget-friendly GPU, there are many options out there that you can easily buy. There is a range of possibilities, not only AMD or Nvidia but also Intel GPUs for greater performance, not only at 1080p but also 1440p with AI-powered up-scaling and more advancements. They even have ray-tracing capabilities.
Many of the video cards on our list won’t tell you the best GPU in terms of graphical fidelity and the highest frame rates, but the higher VRAM found on budget models and better optimization of games compared to a few years ago makes them worthy contenders.
We have spent time reviewing GPUs of every price range in terms of better performance, which is why we have come up with six GPUs in different criteria. These criteria show us different categories of the best GPUs.
In the competition between Team Green and Team Blue, you should choose your ideal GPU for gaming and other tasks. Buying a GPU depends on customer preferences, which is why companies like AMD and Intel are trying to address different areas for various customers. We recommend that you should identify your reason for buying a GPU and then select the GPU. Because if you don’t do that, you will lose a lot of money
How to choose your ideal GPU at low price:
The question is, “How to find a low-priced, ideal GPU for your PC?”
The answer involves many factors, so we will help you narrow down your search options to make finding a good deal easier.
First, you have to focus on GPUs that perform well at 1080p, and sometimes at 1440p, for 60 fps. If you’re looking for above 30 fps, then you might consider 1440p gameplay.
Secondly, ray tracing is going to be hard to achieve. AMD FSR can help, but Nvidia DLSS might not perform well, especially when it comes to ray tracing high-quality scenes.
Often, you will have to choose between ray tracing and quality textures and models, as you can’t afford both at the same time with a budget GPU.
You also need to consider your system’s components. If you have low memory RAM (8GB), an older processor, and a slow SSD (or even an HDD), then you should definitely search for a last-gen GPU. A high-end GPU might fit into your PC, but it won’t give you the right performance if your CPU or RAM is slow.
There are many cards that can boost your performance, but not likely the AMD RX 7000-series or Nvidia RTX 4000-series. For better performance, you should consider the last-gen RX 6000-series or RTX 3000-series.
How we test GPU’s for you ideal option:
When it comes to choosing the right GPU for your PC, it’s not enough to only look at benchmark scores and pick the one with the highest numbers. If you are buying a new GPU that is affordable for you, whether it’s a high-end GPU or a mid-range one, you should consider the price-to-performance ratio.
You’re really looking for how much performance you can squeeze out of every dollar or pound spent on that graphics card, so we apply a simple formula. Using the collected benchmark scores that we have tested, we simply take that number and divide it by the MSRP of that GPU. This gives us the cost per performance of that GPU. These scores are then comparable across the entire range of graphics cards we test, giving us a clear indicator of which cards are a great value and which ones are not, even if the latter are the most powerful graphics cards on the planet.
We compare other cards in our range of GPUs. By looking at cards with a target price range of under $400 / £350 / AU$600 MSRP, we can see which cards offer the best performance per dollar/pound spent. While we don’t strictly choose based on that metric, it can serve as a helpful guide to picking which cards you should look at more closely versus which ones are clearly not worth further consideration.
THE BEST CHEAP GRAPHICS CARD OVERALL
AMD Radeon RX 7600
Key Specifications
- Architecture: RDNA 3
- Compute Units: 28
- Ray Accelerators: 28
- Stream Processors: 1792
- Base Clock: 1650 MHz
- Game Clock: 2190 MHz
- Boost Clock: Up to 2650 MHz
- Memory: 8GB GDDR6
- Memory Interface: 128-bit
- Memory Bandwidth: 288 GB/s
- TDP: 170W
- Connectivity: HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1, USB-C
- PCI Express: 4.0 x8
Performance
The Radeon RX 7600, built on the RDNA 3 architecture, is designed to deliver exceptional 1080p gaming performance. With 28 compute units and 1792 stream processors, it handles modern games with ease, providing smooth frame rates and high-quality visuals. The card’s Game Clock of 2190 MHz and Boost Clock of up to 2650 MHz ensure that it can push performance further when needed, making it suitable for demanding gaming sessions.
Ray Tracing and Visual Fidelity
Equipped with 28 ray accelerators, the RX 7600 brings real-time ray tracing capabilities to the mid-range market. This allows for more realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections in supported games, enhancing the overall visual experience. Additionally, the 8GB GDDR6 memory and 128-bit memory interface provide ample bandwidth for handling high-resolution textures and complex graphical effects.
Efficiency and Cooling
With a thermal design power (TDP) of 170W, the RX 7600 strikes a balance between performance and power efficiency. This makes it a suitable choice for gamers looking to build or upgrade a mid-range gaming PC without requiring a high-wattage power supply. The card’s design also includes advanced cooling solutions to maintain optimal temperatures during intensive gaming sessions, ensuring stable performance and longevity.
Connectivity and Compatibility
The RX 7600 offers modern connectivity options, including HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1, which support higher resolutions and refresh rates, making it ready for the latest monitors and VR headsets. The inclusion of USB-C further enhances its versatility, providing additional options for connecting peripherals and displays. With PCI Express 4.0 x8, the RX 7600 ensures fast data transfer rates, enhancing overall system performance.
Software and Features
AMD’s suite of software, including Radeon Software Adrenalin, provides users with comprehensive tools for optimizing performance, recording gameplay, and fine-tuning graphics settings. Features like Radeon Anti-Lag, Radeon Boost, and FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) enhance the gaming experience by reducing latency, improving frame rates, and delivering sharper images.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
Key Specifications
Architecture: Ada Lovelace
CUDA Cores: 3584
Base Clock: 1.8 GHz
Boost Clock: Up to 2.5 GHz
Memory: 8GB GDDR6
Memory Interface: 128-bit
Memory Bandwidth: 224 GB/s
TDP: 170W
Connectivity: HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4a
PCI Express: 4.0
Performance
Built on the Ada Lovelace architecture, the GeForce RTX 4060 is designed to deliver excellent performance for 1080p and 1440p gaming. With 3584 CUDA cores, it can handle modern games with ease, providing smooth frame rates and high-quality visuals. The card’s Boost Clock of up to 2.5 GHz ensures that it can push performance further when needed, making it suitable for both casual and competitive gaming.
Ray Tracing and DLSS 3.0
The RTX 4060 features Nvidia’s latest ray tracing technology, allowing for more realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections in supported games. This enhances the overall visual fidelity and immersion of the gaming experience. Additionally, the card supports DLSS 3.0 (Deep Learning Super Sampling), which uses AI to boost frame rates while maintaining image quality, making it possible to enjoy high settings without sacrificing performance.
Efficiency and Cooling
With a thermal design power (TDP) of 170W, the RTX 4060 offers a balance between performance and power efficiency. This makes it a suitable choice for gamers looking to build or upgrade a mid-range gaming PC. The card’s advanced cooling solutions ensure optimal temperatures during intensive gaming sessions, ensuring stable performance and longevity.
Connectivity and Compatibility
The RTX 4060 offers modern connectivity options, including HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4a, which support higher resolutions and refresh rates, making it ready for the latest monitors and VR headsets. With PCI Express 4.0, the RTX 4060 ensures fast data transfer rates, enhancing overall system performance.
Software and Features
Nvidia’s suite of software, including GeForce Experience, provides users with comprehensive tools for optimizing performance, recording gameplay, and fine-tuning graphics settings. Features like Nvidia Reflex, Nvidia Broadcast, and Nvidia Ansel enhance the gaming experience by reducing latency, improving streaming quality, and offering powerful in-game photography tools.
THE BEST LAST-GEN CHEAP AMD GRAPHICS CARD
AMD Radeon RX 6600
Key Specifications
Architecture: RDNA 2
Compute Units: 28
Stream Processors: 1792
Ray Accelerators: 28
Base Clock: 1626 MHz
Game Clock: 2044 MHz
Boost Clock: Up to 2491 MHz
Memory: 8GB GDDR6
Memory Interface: 128-bit
Memory Bandwidth: 224 GB/s
TDP: 132W
Connectivity: HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC
PCI Express: 4.0
Performance
The Radeon RX 6600, built on AMD’s RDNA 2 architecture, is tailored for excellent 1080p gaming performance. With 28 compute units and 1792 stream processors, it handles modern games with ease, delivering smooth frame rates and high-quality visuals. The Game Clock of 2044 MHz and Boost Clock of up to 2491 MHz ensure responsive and dynamic performance in various gaming scenarios.
Ray Tracing and Visual Fidelity
The RX 6600 comes equipped with 28 ray accelerators, enabling real-time ray tracing for more realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections in supported games. Paired with 8GB of GDDR6 memory and a 128-bit memory interface, it ensures efficient handling of high-resolution textures and complex graphical effects, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
Efficiency and Cooling
With a thermal design power (TDP) of just 132W, the RX 6600 offers a great balance between performance and power efficiency. This makes it an ideal choice for gamers seeking an energy-efficient upgrade. The card’s advanced cooling solutions ensure optimal temperatures, maintaining stable performance even during intense gaming sessions.
Connectivity and Compatibility
The RX 6600 offers modern connectivity options, including HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 with Display Stream Compression (DSC), supporting high resolutions and refresh rates. With PCI Express 4.0 support, the RX 6600 ensures fast data transfer rates, enhancing overall system performance and future-proofing your setup.
Software and Features
AMD’s Radeon Software provides a comprehensive suite of tools for optimizing performance, recording gameplay, and customizing graphics settings. Features like Radeon Anti-Lag, Radeon Boost, and FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) improve the gaming experience by reducing latency, enhancing frame rates, and delivering sharper images without a significant performance hit.
THE BEST CHEAP INTEL GRAPHICS CARD
Intel Arc A750
Key Specifications
Architecture: Xe-HPG
GPU Cores: 4096
Base Clock: 2050 MHz
Boost Clock: Up to 2450 MHz
Memory: 8GB GDDR6
Memory Interface: 256-bit
Memory Bandwidth: 512 GB/s
TDP: 225W
Connectivity: HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.0, USB-C
PCI Express: 4.0 x16
Performance
The Intel Arc A750, based on the Xe-HPG architecture, is designed to deliver robust performance for both 1080p and 1440p gaming. With 4096 GPU cores, it can handle modern games with high settings, providing smooth and immersive gameplay. The base clock of 2050 MHz and boost clock of up to 2450 MHz ensure that the GPU can deliver high performance across a variety of demanding applications.
Ray Tracing and AI Features
The Arc A750 supports real-time ray tracing, offering realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections in compatible games. Additionally, it includes AI-enhanced capabilities, such as Intel XeSS (Xe Super Sampling), which uses machine learning to upscale lower-resolution images for improved visual quality and performance, similar to Nvidia’s DLSS.
Efficiency and Cooling
With a thermal design power (TDP) of 225W, the Arc A750 balances high performance with efficient power usage. Advanced cooling solutions are employed to keep the GPU running at optimal temperatures, ensuring stable and reliable performance during intensive gaming and creative tasks.
Connectivity and Compatibility
The Arc A750 offers modern connectivity options, including HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.0, and USB-C, supporting high resolutions and refresh rates for the latest monitors and VR headsets. With PCI Express 4.0 x16, the Arc A750 ensures fast data transfer rates, enhancing overall system performance and compatibility with the latest motherboards.
Software and Ecosystem
Intel’s Arc Control software provides a comprehensive suite of tools for optimizing performance, managing driver updates, and customizing settings. Features like Intel’s Adaptive Sync technology ensure smooth and tear-free gaming experiences, while the support for DirectX 12 Ultimate enhances compatibility with the latest games and applications.
THE BEST LAST-GEN CHEAP NVIDIA GRAPHICS CARD
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050
Key Specifications
Architecture: Ampere
CUDA Cores: 2560
Base Clock: 1552 MHz
Boost Clock: Up to 1777 MHz
Memory: 8GB GDDR6
Memory Interface: 128-bit
Memory Bandwidth: 224 GB/s
TDP: 130W
Connectivity: HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4a
PCI Express: 4.0 x8
Performance
Built on Nvidia’s Ampere architecture, the GeForce RTX 3050 is tailored for 1080p gaming, delivering smooth frame rates in modern titles. With 2560 CUDA cores, it handles most games at high settings, providing a great gaming experience. The base clock of 1552 MHz and boost clock of up to 1777 MHz ensure reliable performance for a variety of gaming scenarios.
Ray Tracing and DLSS
The RTX 3050 brings real-time ray tracing to the entry-level market, offering enhanced visual fidelity with realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections in supported games. Additionally, the card supports DLSS, which uses AI to upscale lower-resolution images, improving performance while maintaining image quality. This feature allows gamers to enjoy higher settings and better frame rates without compromising visual quality.
Efficiency and Cooling
With a thermal design power (TDP) of 130W, the RTX 3050 is both powerful and energy-efficient, making it a suitable choice for budget builds. Advanced cooling solutions ensure that the GPU maintains optimal temperatures during intense gaming sessions, providing stable performance and longevity.
Connectivity and Compatibility
The RTX 3050 offers modern connectivity options, including HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4a, which support high resolutions and refresh rates, making it compatible with the latest monitors and VR headsets. With PCI Express 4.0 x8, the RTX 3050 ensures fast data transfer rates, enhancing overall system performance.
Software and Features
Nvidia’s GeForce Experience software provides a comprehensive suite of tools for optimizing performance, recording gameplay, and customizing graphics settings. Features like Nvidia Reflex, Nvidia Broadcast, and Nvidia Ansel enhance the gaming experience by reducing latency, improving streaming quality, and offering powerful in-game photography tools.
THE BEST CHEAP NON-RAY TRACING GRAPHICS CARD
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super
Key Specifications
Architecture: Turing
CUDA Cores: 1408
Base Clock: 1530 MHz
Boost Clock: Up to 1785 MHz
Memory: 6GB GDDR6
Memory Interface: 192-bit
Memory Bandwidth: 336 GB/s
TDP: 125W
Connectivity: HDMI 2.0b, DisplayPort 1.4, DVI-D
PCI Express: 3.0