Top 5 budget-friendly graphics cards in 2025

Finding the Best budget graphics card for Gaming

A budget friendly graphics card may seem improbable while building or upgrading a PC because when it comes to graphics cards expensive logically seems to be the best pick. Furthermore with the prices fluctuating and new models constantly hitting the market, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, so here is our picks for the best budget friendly graphics cards.

But here’s the good news: 2025 offers plenty of solid, budget friendly Graphics cards (GPU) that don’t sacrifice performance. Whether you’re a casual gamer, content creator, or just looking to boost your system’s graphical capabilities, there’s something for you.

So, how do you find the best affordable graphics card for your needs? This guide breaks down five of the best options available, considering factors like price, performance, power efficiency, and availability.

What to Look for in a Budget Graphics Card

Before diving into the top picks, let’s cover the key factors that determine whether a budget GPU is actually a good deal:

• Performance vs. Price – Does the GPU deliver solid FPS (frames per second) for its cost?
• VRAM (Video Memory) – More VRAM allows for better textures and multitasking (ideal for gaming and creative work).
• Power Consumption – Some budget GPUs are more power-efficient, meaning lower electricity bills and less heat.
• Ray Tracing & DLSS/FSR Support – Do you want ray tracing and AI upscaling technologies for better visuals?
• Upgrade Potential – Will this card still be relevant in a few years, or will it be outdated quickly?

Top 5 Budget friendly Graphics Cards of 2025

1. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Super – Best Entry-Level Option

Price: Around $150
VRAM: 4GB GDDR6
Best For: Casual gaming, eSports, 1080p resolution

If you’re looking for a no-frills, solid performer at an affordable price, the GTX 1650 Super remains a strong choice. It handles most games at 1080p on medium to high settings, making it great for competitive gamers who need fast frame rates without spending too much.

Pros:
✔ Low power consumption (no external power connector needed)
✔ Good performance for its price
✔ Reliable driver support from NVIDIA

Cons:
✖ Limited VRAM (struggles with modern AAA games on high settings)
✖ No ray tracing support

2. AMD Radeon RX 6600 – Best Value for 1080p Gaming

Price: Around $230
VRAM: 8GB GDDR6
Best For: AAA gaming at 1080p, light 1440p gaming

If you want more power without overspending, the RX 6600 is an excellent choice. It beats NVIDIA’s GTX 1660 Super while offering higher VRAM and better longevity for modern games.

Pros:
✔ Higher VRAM (8GB) for better texture quality
✔ Supports AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) for upscaling
✔ Better price-to-performance ratio than NVIDIA alternatives

Cons:
✖ Not ideal for high-end 1440p or 4K gaming
✖ Less efficient ray tracing performance compared to NVIDIA

3. Intel Arc A750 – Best for Future-Proofing on a Budget

Price: Around $250
VRAM: 8GB GDDR6
Best For: 1080p & entry-level 1440p gaming

Intel is serious about competing in the GPU market, and the Arc A750 is proof. With solid 1080p performance, competitive pricing, and improving driver support, it’s a strong choice for gamers looking for an alternative to NVIDIA and AMD.

Pros:
✔ Competitive performance for the price
✔ Supports AI-based upscaling (XeSS) for improved visuals
✔ Best-in-class AV1 encoding (great for streamers & video editors)

Cons:
✖ Driver stability still improving
✖ Not as widely supported in older games

4. NVIDIA RTX 3050 (8GB) – Best Budget Option with Ray Tracing

Price: Around $270
VRAM: 8GB GDDR6
Best For: Budget gaming with ray tracing support

For those who want ray tracing without spending over $300, the RTX 3050 is a solid choice. While it’s not the most powerful card on this list, it still delivers good 1080p gaming performance and access to NVIDIA’s DLSS upscaling technology.

Pros:
✔ Ray tracing and DLSS support
✔ Efficient power usage
✔ Strong driver and game optimization support from NVIDIA

Cons:
✖ Ray tracing performance is weaker compared to RTX 3060+ models
✖ More expensive than some AMD alternatives

5. AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT – Best for 1440p on a Budget

Price: Around $320
VRAM: 12GB GDDR6
Best For: Future-proofing for 1440p gaming

If you’re willing to stretch your budget slightly, the RX 6700 XT offers incredible value. With 12GB of VRAM, it easily handles modern AAA games at 1440p while staying within a reasonable price range.

Pros:
✔ High VRAM capacity for future-proofing
✔ Better price-to-performance ratio than NVIDIA alternatives
✔ AMD’s Smart Access Memory (SAM) boosts performance when paired with Ryzen CPUs

Cons:
✖ Higher power consumption
✖ AMD’s ray tracing is weaker than NVIDIA’s

Comparison Table: Best Budget Friendly Graphics cards of 2025

If you are enjoying our take on the budget friendly Graphics Cards, Please also consider reading our article on How to build a PC under $500.

Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Buy?

The best budget friendly graphics cards in 2025 depends on your specific needs:

• If you just need an affordable entry-level GPU, go for the GTX 1650 Super.
• If you want the best value for 1080p gaming, the RX 6600 is unbeatable.
• If you’re looking for something future-proof, the Intel Arc A750 is a great bet.
• If you care about ray tracing on a budget, the RTX 3050 is your best option.
• If you want to game at 1440p without spending too much, the RX 6700 XT is worth it.

With these options, you can build a powerful gaming PC without draining your wallet. Happy gaming!

Would you like any refinements or additions? 😊