Best Budget GPUs in 2024 - IGN (2024)

The best budget GPUs can help you amp up your gaming PC without breaking the bank. With a bit of savvy shopping, you can snag some fantastic budget GPUs that deliver impressive performance without the hefty price tag. Trust me, the best graphics cards don't always mean draining your wallet.

TL;DR - These are the Best Budget GPUs

• ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4060 Ti OC Edition (Overall Best Pick)
• Acer Predator BiFrost Intel Arc A770
• Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7600 OC
• MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Gaming X
• XFX Speedster MERC310 AMD Radeon RX 7900XT
• Acer Predator BiFrost Intel Arc A750
• MSI Gaming GeForce GTX 1660 Super

As AAA games continue to push boundaries, especially with the stunning capabilities of Unreal Engine 5, now's a great time to consider a graphics card upgrade.

Sure, GPUs can be pricey these days, but don't worry—there's a treasure trove of budget-friendly options out there. Whether you're a casual gamer or aiming for more affordable high-end choices, there's something for everyone.

The Best Budget GPUs:

1. ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4060 Ti OC Edition

The Best Budget Graphics Card

Pros:

• Dual-BIOS switch
• Impressive 1440p Performance

Cons:

• Limited 4K potential

The ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4060 Ti OC Edition is a little more expensive than the other cards on this list, but for good reason. Not only is it capable of running most modern games at 1440p, but it’s also a great choice for those starting out in esports on a budget.

With its built-in dual-BIOS support, the ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4060 Ti OC Edition can quickly and easily switch between quiet mode, or for those that need to push the card further, performance mode.

2. Acer Predator BiFrost Intel Arc A770

Best Budget Intel GPU

Pros:

• 16GB VRAM
• Solid ray tracing performance

Cons:

• Some compatibility issues

Intel is a relative newcomer to discrete GPUs, and while it offers incredible value and impressive performance vs AMD and Nvidia GPUs, its graphics cards aren’t perfect yet.

Intel Arc graphics cards were first released in 2022, providing much-needed competition to Nvidia. But being a newcomer to producing graphics cards, there have been some concerns around compatibility. But, if you’re looking for a capable GPU on a budget, the Intel Arc A770 offers some of the best value for money on the market today.

As the Intel Arc range progresses, hopefully, we can expect to see future driver updates patch up any compatibility issues, which would make them a serious contender.

3. Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7600 OC

Best Budget AMD GPU

Pros:

• Solid 1080p performance
• Competitively priced

Cons:

• Underwhelming ray tracing performance

Much like the Intel Arc A770, the Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7600 OC offers a more affordable option over overpriced Nvidia graphics cards. In benchmarks, the AMD Radeon RX 7600 performs similarly to the Intel Arc A770. However, thanks to AMD’s longstanding history with graphics cards, it performs well without the same compatibility ‘teething problems’ you get from Intel's first generation of discrete GPUs.

Thanks to its mid-range specs, the Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7600 OC shines brightest in 1080p gaming. If you’re considering investing in an AMD Radeon RX 7600 take a look at IGN’s hands-on review first.

4. MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Gaming X

Cheapest Budget GPU

Pros:

• Impressive dual fan cooling
• Great value

Cons:

• Only 6GB VRAM

The MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 3050 8GB offers the best price possible, without ditching ray tracing and other features that help make your game look more immersive. While there are older cards on the market, the GeForce RTX 3050 offers the best value for money.

Although the GeForce RTX 3050 is a budget card, it’s perfect for casual gamers looking to keep their costs down, and not go overkill for simple casual or indie gaming.

5. XFX Speedster MERC310 Radeon RX 7900XT

Best High-Performance Budget GPU

Pros:

• Great 4K performance
• Plenty of VRAM

Cons:

• A little pricey for a budget card

The XFX Speedster MERC310 AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT might be the most expensive GPU on the list, but it offers incredible value compared to its Nvidia counterpart. This makes it one of the top choices for anyone looking for a high-end graphics card on a budget.

It’s a large graphics card with effective triple fan cooling, impressive base clock speeds, and a whopping 20GB of GDDR6 VRAM. As you can see from our RX 7900 XT review, in benchmarks, it sits around the same level of performance you would see from the RTX 4080 Founders Edition, but at a much more reasonable price.

6. Acer Predator BiFrost Intel Arc A750

Best Budget Intel GPU

Pros:

• Solid 1080p performance
• Affordable

Cons:

• Shaky performance now and then

At around $200, you can bag the Acer Predator BiFrost Intel Arc A750, offering solid 1080p, and even 1440p, performance. While Intel’s XeSS Super Sampling technology is no match for Nvidia’s DLSS technology, it’s still a decent GPU with ray-tracing.

Boasting a hybrid cooling and vapor chamber, this GPU remains cool and dissipates heat evenly. However, performance is a little uneven, with some games running like a dream, and others, well, not as good! Still, if you’re building a budget gaming PC, this budget graphics card will make a great addition to your set up.

7. Acer Predator BiFrost Intel Arc A750

Best Non-Ray-Tracing GPU

Pros:

• A little over $200
• Great 1080p performance

Cons:

• Limited ports

Most gamers building a gaming PC on a budget will be happy with great 1080p performance, and that’s exactly what the MSI Gaming GeForce GTX 1660 Super offers. At an affordable price, this GPU can deliver solid FPS on some Ultra settings. Of course, you do have to sacrifice some features here - it has no RT cores, but if you’re sticking to a budget, this might not be a priority for you anyway.

The MSI Gaming GeForce GTX 1660 Super does have limited connectivity options, but if you’re only looking to connect one monitor, you’ll be golden. If you’re searching for a graphics card on a budget, you’ll be hard pushed to find one that’s just as good as this for close to $200.

Upcoming Budget GPUs

While there aren’t any specific budget GPUs coming to the market, you will find as newer GPUs get released, older models will come down in price. If you don’t care about have the latest graphics card in your PC, you can easily get a decent card for less.

How to Pick the Best Budget GPU

Choosing the best budget GPU doesn't have to be overwhelming—it's all about knowing what to look for and finding the right balance between performance and cost. But before deciding which GPU you want to purchase, you’ll first need to think about what you’re using your GPU for.

Next, look at the performance benchmarks and reviews. Websites like PassMark Software offer video card benchmarks, providing valuable insights from real-life GPU testing.

Pay attention to factors like frame rates, resolution capabilities, and compatibility with your existing hardware. A GPU that performs well across these areas is likely a solid choice. If you have a particular game in mind that you want to play, look at the system requirements on your chosen gaming platform, this will give you a good idea of what to look for.

As previously mentioned, it’s worth keeping an eye out for sales, discounts, and bundle deals. Prices can fluctuate, so it's worth waiting for a good deal if you're not in a rush. And, if a new GPU has been released, check out some older models as the prices will likely come down. Combining a quality GPU with a good deal can maximize your bang for buck.

FAQs on Budget GPU

How Much Should I Budget for a GPU?

Less demanding games require less processing power, therefore, you can afford to get a GPU on a budget. For 1080p gaming, you can quite easily get a decent graphics card for anywhere between $200 to $400. However, for 1440p or 4K gaming, prices can extend well beyond $500.

Is the 3070 a Budget GPU?

You can get hold of an Nvidia 3060, 3060 Ti, and 3070 for under $500.

What Is the Best Budget GPU for Content Creation?

If you’re on a tight budget but want a decent GPU for content creation, the RTX 3050 is a solid choice. You can nab one of these for under $200.

Kegan is an avid gamer who has been playing games since his Atari days. From a young age Kegan was tinkering with PCs and now has a passion for building custom gaming computers.