Top budget GPUs under $500 in 2025 deliver excellent 1080p and 1440p gaming performance for all gamers.
Affordable graphics cards 2025 offer ray tracing, high VRAM, and smooth frame rates without exceeding your budget.
Choosing the best budget gaming GPU ensures future-proof performance, reliable cooling, and compatibility with modern systems.
The GPU market offers many options for gamers seeking strong performance on a budget. For under $500, it is possible to find graphics cards that handle 1080p and 1440p gaming smoothly. This guide highlights the best budget GPUs, evaluating them based on performance, value, and features. These graphics cards strike a balance between power and affordability, catering to a wide range of gaming needs.
Here is the list of the best budget GPUs under $500:
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is renowned for its exceptional performance and excellent value. RTX 4060 Ti is an attractive option for gamers who want ray tracing without spending upwards of $500.
VRAM: 8GB GDDR6
CUDA Cores: 4,608
Base/Boost Clock: 2.4/2.65 GHz
Ray Tracing: Yes, with DLSS 3.0 support
Ideal for: 1080p and 1440p gaming with ray tracing enabled.
With 12GB of VRAM for 1440p gaming, RX 7700 XT delivers excellent performance, enabling smooth gameplay in demanding games.
VRAM: 12GB GDDR6
Base/Boost Clock: 2.4/2.6 GHz
Memory Bandwidth: 384 GB/s
Ideal for: High-performance 1440p gaming
Also read: AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT vs. Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti
Arc B580 TITAN OC offers gamers great value by delivering substantial performance on a budget.
VRAM: 12GB GDDR6
Shading Units: 2,560
Base/Boost Clock: 2.67/2.74 GHz
Memory Bandwidth: 456 GB/s
Ideal for: Budget-conscious gamers seeking high performance
ASUS’s 16GB of GDDR7 memory ensures longevity and optimal performance for upcoming titles at a competitive price.
VRAM: 16GB GDDR7
CUDA Cores: 4,608
Base/Boost Clock: 2.4/2.65 GHz
Ideal for: Future-proofing with ample VRAM
Also read: VR on a Budget: Best Virtual Reality Headsets Under $500
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT OC offers Reliable 1080p gaming performance, making it a great option for budget-conscious PC gamers.
VRAM: 8GB GDDR6
Base/Boost Clock: 2.6/2.8 GHz
Ideal for: Budget 1080p gaming GPU
Selecting a budget gaming GPU is optimal for gaming, depending on one's requirements and budget. For quality and performance in ray tracing and in 1080p/1440p gaming, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti deserves to be noted. If one is looking for VRAM for future-proofing purposes, consider ASUS Prime RTX 5060 Ti, which features 16GB of GDDR6 memory.
If value is the most important aspect of performance with budget gaming, then the Intel Arc B580 TITAN OC offers fabulous value for performance gaming. Each of these affordable graphics cards 2025 has its own pros and considerations, so keep gaming style/preferences/usage in mind when deciding which to get.
Which GPU is best for 1080p gaming under $500?
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti performs its tasks in a commendable manner, particularly in ray tracing and 1080p settings.
Is the AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT an appropriate option for 1440p gaming?
12GB of VRAM, working in conjunction with high clock speeds, makes the RX 7700 XT an unbelievable and suitable 1440p gaming setup.
What is the best value GPU under $500?
The Intel Arc B580 TITAN OC offers excellent performance within one’s budget.
Does the ASUS Prime RTX 5060 Ti have enough VRAM for future games?
Indeed, 16GB of GDDR7 memory gives a good amount of VRAM for new games.
Which GPU is best for ray tracing under $500?
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti offers ray tracing support and delivers quite capable performance at the given price.