Best Budget GPUs in 2024

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It doesn't take an expert to see that graphics cards are much more expensive than they've been in the past. Hell, even a 'Budget GPU' like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti will still set you back a solid $450. That's the same price the GTX 1070 Ti launched for back in 2014. Still, a $450 graphics card like the RTX 4060 Ti is way more affordable than the $1,199 (to start) RTX 4080 that's backing up the best gaming PCs on the market right now.

TL;DR – These are the Best Budget GPUs

Even with that lower price tag, though, you can still get an extremely good gaming experience, provided you temper your expectations a bit. While the RTX 4060, for instance, isn't exactly a 4K gaming card, it absolutely shines at 1080p games, and is probably the best graphics card for anyone still using the most popular display resolution (according to the latest Steam Hardware Survey). So, no, you don't need to spend thousands of dollars to get a great gaming PC, even in 2024, even if it is a little bit more expensive than it used to be.

I've been reviewing graphics cards for years now, and because I've gone hands-on with every GPU on this list, I can stand by their performance, especially for the price tag.

Contributions by Kegan Mooney and Georgie Peru

1. ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4060 Ti OC Edition

The Best Budget Graphics Card

If you're setting out to play your PC games at 1080p, or even 1440p, the RTX 4060 Ti is a no-brainer if you're trying to build a solid rig at a decent price. Even at 1440p, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is easily able to max out Cyberpunk 2077, hitting an average of 62 fps. That's not bad considering that even four years after it came out, Cyberpunk is still one of the hardest PC games to run at higher resolutions, especially with all the eye candy enabled.

The GPU does even better in non-ray traced games, too. The graphics card hits an average of 68 fps in Total War: Warhammer 3 at 1440p, and does even better, hitting 102 fps at 1080p. For a budget GPU in 2024, you can't really ask for better performance without risking the price tag creeping up even higher.

Now, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is kind of on the high-end of 'budget', with this Asus TUF variant costing $439 at the time of writing. That amount of cash used to get you a high-end graphics cards, but in the current market, it's definitely on the lower end, without having to rely on the second-hand market.

What makes the Asus TUF model special is that, even though this is a 159W card, it's still rocking a triple-fan setup, which means temperatures are going to be kept in control no matter how hard you push it. However, with the size that a triple-fan cooler brings with it, you might have a bit of trouble getting this graphics card to fit into smaller PC cases. If you have the room for it in your rig, though, this is an excellent entry-level graphics card, especially if you want to start messing with ray tracing features in newer PC games.

2. Acer Predator BiFrost Intel Arc A770

Best Budget Intel GPU

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

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

Best Budget GPU Under $200

If you have a keen eye, you've probably realized the GTX 3050 is an old graphics card at this point, being part of the last-generation 3000 series cards. However, Nvidia hasn't really launched a followup yet, and we're two years into the Ada Lovelace generation, so who knows when we're getting a new cheap card from Team Green? Luckily, though, the RTX 3050 is still a great value, easily delivering solid 1080p gaming performance in almost anything you can throw at it.

Unlike some of the other cards on this list, you will probably have to compromise on quality settings on some games, especially harder-to-run ones like Cyberpunk 2077 or Horizon: Forbidden West. At the time of writing, this EVGA RTX 3050 is only $179 on Amazon, making it the most affordable way to get into PC gaming right now, short of digging through Craigslist for a used card.

Plus, because it is using Nvidia's third-generation Tensor cores, the RTX 3050 still has access to DLSS 2.0, which stretches the value a bit, and makes up for a bit of the lost performance in games that support it. That being said, this isn't a card I'd recommend enabling ray tracing on, even if it has the 'RTX' in its name. It'll run, but it won't be a good experience.

Instead, this GPU is best in traditional gaming workloads, and is perfect for esports or indie games.

5. Acer Predator BiFrost Intel Arc A750

Best Budget Intel GPU

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.

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.

What Is the Best Budget GPU for Content Creation?

If you're serious about content creation, but can't spring $1,000+ for a RTX 4080 or better, your best bet is a GPU like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti. It's got enough CUDA cores to power through most creative workloads via Adobe Premiere or Blender, but also has the 4th-generation Tensor cores to power DLSS, which is increasingly being included in most popular content creation apps.

Jackie Thomas is the Hardware and Buying Guides Editor at IGN and the PC components queen. She's been reviewing graphics cards for years, at websites like TechRadar, Gizmodo, The Shortcut, and, of course, IGN. You can often find her debating the finer points of the latest graphics architectures, even if no one else in the room wants to hear about it. You can follow her @Jackiecobra

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