Even though gaming consoles are thriving, there is no shortage of games for PCs. In fact, PCs remain one of the best ways to game on a budget. If you’re on the lookout for the best budget-friendly graphics cards that deliver top-notch performance for your gaming rig, you’ve come to the right place.
Whether you’re a fresh-faced newbie or a seasoned veteran seeking an upgrade, we’ve rounded up the 6 best budget graphics cards to unleash your inner gaming beast. From smooth 1080p adventures to silky-smooth 1440p frame-rates, there’s a card under $300 for every ambition. At the end of it, you’ll be able to enjoy smooth gaming without breaking the bank. So let’s get to it.
But first, you might want to check out the following:
- Not sure which PC components to buy? Check out our complete guide on how to choose the right PC parts.
- Enjoy those visuals on one of these budget gaming monitors under $200.
- Get those headshots with ease thanks to one of these budget gaming mice.
1. XFX – AMD Radeon RX 580 – GTS XXX Edition
- Video Memory (VRAM): 8GB GDDR5
- Connectivity: 1 x HDMI 2.0, 3 x DisplayPort 1.4
The XFX AMD Radeon RX 580 shines with its Polaris architecture, offering gamers a fantastic 1080p gaming experience. Its 8GB of GDDR5 memory ensures smooth multitasking and the ability to handle graphically demanding titles like Metro Exodus or Shadow of Tomb Raider. With a core clock speed of 1366 MHz and 2304 stream processors, this card delivers impressive performance.
The sleek black design of the XFX GTS XXX Edition adds a touch of style to your gaming setup. Plus, its lower power consumption and friendly price tag make it ideal for budget builds. If all you need is a good inexpensive graphics card for 1080p gaming, the RX 580 has you covered.
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2. SURALLOW Gaming GTX 1660 Super
- Video Memory (VRAM): 6GB GDDR5
- Connectivity: 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x DVI-D
SURALLOW’s GTX 1660 Super is built on NVIDIA’s Turing architecture, providing a significant boost in performance over its predecessors. Featuring 6GB of GDDR5 memory, it strikes an optimal balance for 1080p gaming. With a core clock speed of 1530 MHz, this card excels in delivering smooth frame rates. As for cooling, the card is equipped with two freeze fans and a high-performance pure copper heat pipe. While the GPU will take care of itself, you might want to invest in one of these AIO coolers to keep your CPU frosty too
While the temps are always under control, customer reviews highlight that the GPU can get loud at times. It’s also worth noting that SURALLOW isn’t a top name when you look at its competition. That being said, most of the other Nvidia GTX 1660 Super cards on the market have an inflated price unless you wish to buy them on second-hand marketplaces. For a first-party product, SURALLOW offers great value for money for your budget graphics card needs.
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3. Intel Arc A750
- Video Memory (VRAM): 8GB GDDR6
- Connectivity: 1 x HDMI 2.1, 3 x DisplayPort 1.4
The new kid on the block, the Arc A750 throws down the gauntlet. Its Xe HPG architecture shines in newer titles, offering solid 1080p and even some playable 1440p experiences. Add to that, the card comes with built-in ray tracing and XeSS upscaling for future-proof performance. Moreover, Intel also allows for super easy overclocking via the company’s Arc Control software.
For those of you who prefer benchmarks, the Arc A750 manages to outshine both the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 and the AMD Radeon RX 6600, as noted by TechRadar. While the GPU still lacks the extensive features that both AMD and Nvidia offer as part of their software package, if you’re just about gaming, the Arc A750 offers stellar performance for current as well as future games.
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4. XFX Speedster SWFT 210 AMD Radeon RX 6600
- Video Memory (VRAM): 8GB GDDR6
- Connectivity: 1 x HDMI 2.1, 3 x DisplayPort 1.4
The XFX Speedster SWFT 210 AMD Radeon RX 6600 is a mid-range beast that delivers blistering frame rates and even supports ray tracing for a taste of next-gen visuals. It’s based on the RDNA 2 architecture and even supports AMD Smart Access Memory technology when you pair it with an AMD Ryzen CPU. As a result, you get a solid gaming PC without spending a fortune.
The RX 6600 also comes with support for AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution or FSR which can boost your in-game FPS to up to 2.4 times. And similar to the Arc A750, this also supports PCIe 4.0. Add to that, XFX’s custom cooling solution ensures efficient heat dissipation, allowing for sustained performance during extended gaming sessions.
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5. PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 7600
- Video Memory (VRAM): 8GB GDDR6
- Connectivity: 1 x HDMI 2.1, 3 x DisplayPort 1.4
The RX 7600 is a game-changer, offering unparalleled 1440p performance at a price that won’t make your bank account weep. FSR 2.0 compatibility gives you an extra boost if frame rates drop. Add to that, future-proof features like ray tracing keep you relevant for years to come.
The GPU also comes with a total of 2048 Stream Processors and also takes the memory bandwidth to 288 GB/s. Couple that with AMD’s added features included in its software suit, the RX 7600 is easily Team Red’s best budget GPU offering. The only downside is that it still comes with 8GB of VRAM, which can prove to be a choking point, especially for 1440p gaming.
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6. ASUS Dual Nvidia RTX 4060
- Video Memory (VRAM): 8GB GDDR6
- Connectivity: 1 x HDMI 2.1a, 3 x DisplayPort 1.4a
If you fancy excellent visuals and lighting, the RTX 4060 with its ray tracing abilities would appeal to you. The GPU comes with Nvidia’s 3rd generation RT Cores that offer twice the ray tracing performance as its predecessors. Add to that, there’s support for the latest DLSS 3.0 thanks to the 4th-gen Tensor Cores.
Similar to AMD’s budget offering, even the RTX 4060 is limited to 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM. However, ASUS has done the hard work here to ensure that you can squeeze the maximum performance out of this card. The ASUS Dual design features dual axial-tech fans for improved cooling, ensuring stable performance. It also boasts a stunning 2535 MHz frequency on boost clock overclocking mode.
And if that’s not all, ASUS also includes a 0db mode for silent gaming. Another bonus is that there’s also a white color that would fit in perfectly for your white colorway builds. While it does push your budget to its extreme ends, the RTX 4060 is an investment in future-proof gaming glory.
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Enjoy Gaming Without Compromises
And well, that was our list of the best budget graphics cards out there under $300 that you can buy right now. Whether it’s high frame rates, advanced graphics technologies, or a sleek design, these options cater to a range of preferences. Consider your gaming habits, budget constraints, and desired resolution to find the best budget graphics card for your needs.
The RX 580 and GTX 1660 Super are timeless classics for 1080p at unbeatable prices. The Arc A750 and RX 6600 offer a glimpse into the future with promising features and solid performance. If 1440p is your dream, the RX 7600 delivers the goods, while the RTX 4060 pushes the boundaries of visual fidelity.
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Last updated on 09 January, 2024
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