With more entrants in both AMD’s RX 7000 series and Nvidia’s RTX 4000 series GPU lineups, budget GPUs are now finally hitting their stride withnew next-generation offeringsat price ranges that were, until recently, dominated by their aging predecessors from the RX 6000 and RTX 3000 series lineups. As the older generation of GPUs fade out, newer models have respectively replaced the same budget price points of last generation cards.
This charge is led in part thanks toAMD’s RX 7600and XT GPUs, andNvidia’s RTX 4060 and 4060 Ti GPUs.These modern and more budget-friendly cards benefit from next-generation technology and AI upscaling tools such as Nvidia’s DLSS3/3.5 and Frame Generation, and AMD’s FSR 2 and 3.
Gigabyte Radeon RX 6600 Eagle 8G Graphics Card
XFX Speedster SWFT319 Radeon RX 6800 Core
When it comes to modern manufacturers that offer budget GPU options, there are three major players in the game: NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel. The first two compete at various price points, whereas Intel has been more or less focused on mid-range prices based on its Arc product releases, which are aimed at disrupting the $300-$500 market.
With this in mind, the team at Game Rant can estimate exactly what “budget” signifies. Based on the fact that budget might mean different things for different consumers, the team atGame Rant will be focusing on GPUsthat range from $200 to $500 to cater to any player’s financial needs with regular updates in response to newer budget GPU releases.
What Makes The Best Budget GPU?
Choosing a budget gaming GPU can be a relatively challenging task for users for several reasons. There are many choices available, and they all offer different strengths relative to some of their peers. This is particularly true when it comes to the newly defined budget range, which sees a mix of older and newer generations from AMD and Nvidia featured, thanks to them offering value at different price points.
Luckily, choosing a budget GPU boils down to a few simple factors that ensure players are making the ideal choice:
Performance:Core to every GPU’s viability is its performance during rasterization. For budget GPUs, where ray-tracing is less of a factor compared to the ability to play all titles at a respectable resolution with decent frames per second (FPS), a GPU’s raw performance often determines if it suits the needs of a gamer or a professional.
Memory:As modern games get increasingly memory-intensive thanks to larger textures and more monolithic game engines, it is crucial to make sure the GPU has enough memory to run modern titles without resulting in severe performance drops due to memory limitations. Currently, a minimum of 8GB of VRAM is considered adequate for entry-level gaming GPUs.
Cooling Options:Modern GPUs run hot and require dedicated cooling. Thanks to advances made in GPU tech, they also can boost to higher clocks if their temperature and voltage readings allow it, something often called a ‘boost clock’ feature. Therefore, having effective cooling is more important than just having the largest possible cooler. Smaller, copper-based coolers with good fans will often outperform much larger GPU coolers in many cases, making some of the larger tri-fan GPUs, especially when on a budget, a purely aesthetic decision.
Size:Some GPUs are oversized with larger coolers that might not fit in all cases. It is always a good idea to check for length measurements, the number of slots a GPU requires, as well as those of one’s case in terms of space, to ensure users have a GPU that fits their case without causing issues.
Availability & List Price:When shopping for budget GPUs, last generation cards are not always the optimal cost-effective choice to aim for. Sometimes, as a GPU ages, the price may skyrocket, offering an unbalanced price-to-performance ratio. Due to this, it is not only necessary but also greatly recommended that personal research is done to ensure a player is getting the most performance out of the price listed on a graphics card.
AI Sharpening: Support for an AI sharpening tool makes a GPU more valuable thanks to its ability to handle content across a variety of resolutions, with Nvidia leading the way thanks to its proprietary Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) tech, which can bring up to 200% or 300% gains on certain titles. AI sharpening tools essentially render content at a lower resolution but use multiple techniques backed by deep learning to rebuild the image at a higher ‘native’ resolution, allowing for significant performance gains in tow.
While DLSS is hardware-limited (and proprietary) to Nvidia GPUs, AMD’s alternative, FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) is an open-source take on the same tech which is finding more widespread adoption thanks to support for consoles as well as all current generation GPUs from Intel, AMD, and Nvidia. Likewise, Intel offers its take on the tech known as Xe Super Sampling (XESS) which is the newest of the three implementations of tech that’s supported by it’s entry-level to mid-range Arc GPUs.
PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
Powerful GPU At A Budget
The PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT brings with it outstanding 1080p and 4K gaming support, capitalizing on the powerful RDNA 2 architecture. This powerhouse graphics card supports ray tracing, variable rate shading, and AMD FidelityFX for ultra-realistic lighting and the smoothest gameplay possible. Relying on 2 90 mm cooling fans and enlarged heatsinks, the PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT can keep the card cool during intense gameplay or near silent while idle.
The PowerColor Fighter Radeon RX 6700 XT is anexcellent mid-range GPUthat trades at a sizable discount, offering a Navi 22 chip as part of its arsenal. It is bundled with an impressive 12GB of GDDR6 memory, taking on Nvidia’s RTX 3060/3060 TI and 4060/4060 TI with a minor pricing edge. With rasterization performance that sees it even beat the higher-priced RTX 3060 TI, AMD’s ‘fine wine’ claims by some of its fans might hold ground as the 6700 XT gains ground with every successive driver update.
At the core of the RX 6700 XT is an RDNA 2-based core that is manufactured on a 7nm process. TheXbox Series X, Series S, and PS5are also based on the same architecture, which should make it a beneficiary of developer implementation of select AMD technologies on said consoles being ported to PCs down the line.
At the same time, the Ray Tracing (RT) performance of the RX 6700 XT comes up considerably short, as does its open-source implementation of DLSS, AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution. This does help matters for the 6700 XT but isn’t up there with Nvidia’s solution, which is arguably superior and more mature as the tech goes. However, that could change over time. Currently, at the price point it competes at, the RX 6700 XT is a blend of value, performance, and features that can not be bested easily, making it our best budget GPU pick by far.
Despite the RTX 4060 being around, the RX 6700 XT does hold its own in terms of raw performance, more often than not beating the newer GPU. The extra 4GB of VRAM is also something that weighs heavily in favor of AMD’s GPU, making it hold its position as the best budget GPU that Game Rant can currently recommend. That’s especially true since the RX 7600 seems slower, both on paper and in real-world use.
A further price cut makes the 6700 XT just a better bargain to have over the slower RTX 4060, even as it offers a significant performance edge, making it our pick for the best budget-centric GPU. While the newer RX 7700 XT GPU continues to make waves,it currently costs $100 more than the RX 6700XTwhile clocking in an approximately 20% gain in performance.
MSI GeForce RTX 4060 VENTUS 2X BLACK 8G OC
A No-Frills Performer
The MSI GeForce RTX 4060 VENTUS 2X BLACK 8G OC is an excellent GPU offering as far as RTX 4060 offerings go. It offers an excellent, balanced take on Nvidia’s entry-level Ada Lovelace-based RTX 4000 series, offering low power consumption, a compact design, and a single 8-pin power connector to handle its power needs, making it a silent performer that delivers on its promise.
The MSI GeForce RTX 4060 VENTUS 2X BLACK 8G OC is an excellent, compact RTX 4060-based GPU by the Taiwanese AIB. It delivers better-than-stock performance for an RTX 4060 GPU while costing the same as a Founder’s Edition. It goes for a no-frills design that prioritizes function over aesthetics, which might not appeal to all gamers, especially ones that are fond of using RGB lighting extensively andmay look to the much pricier RTX 4060 options instead.
All in all, despite the negative press and consumer feedback that followed the RTX 4060 and RTX 4060TI since their release, they do happen to be the best-priced RTX 4000 (or 3000) series GPUs, making this an easy recommendation for users looking for an upgrade or a new GPU. However, users looking for a similarly priced alternative to their RTX 3060 or 3060TI GPUs might want to wait for a better upgrade down the line.
XFX Speedster QICK309 Radeon RX 7600XT Black
XFX Speedster QICK309 RX 7600XT Black edition provides a triple fan cooling solution to help the GPU retain higher clock speed for a longer duration. The RX 7600 XT is an excellent alternative to the RTX 4060 and 4060 Ti for a much fairer price. With 16GB of VRAM, it is capable of removing any memory-related bottlenecks and provides noticeable performance uplifts in modern titles.
The recently launched RX 7600 XT filled the wide gap between the RX 7600 and the RX 7700 XT. This was very much needed as the RX 7600 drove criticisms for the very thing AMD promised for its new generation GPUs, i.e., the VRAM size. According to AMD itself, it’s important to have a bigger-sized video memory to bump up the graphical settings in modern titles and the RX 7600 XT does exactly that. Perhaps it is the only GPU from the current generation of AMD and Nvidia lineup that brings 16GB VRAM for less than $400.
This makes it a solidcompetitor to the RTX 4060 Ti, which costs at least $100-$150 more and fails to provide any good value. The RTX 4060 is probably its best match when talking about the price-to-performance ratio, as the latter has editions that cost roughly between $300-$350 while giving out only 8GB of VRAM. The RX 7600 XT successfully does what the non-XT couldn’t do. It not only beats the RX 7600 by up to 8% in gaming but also outperforms the 4060 by up to 6%. It surely gets beaten in Ray Tracing by the RTX 4060, but due to having 16GB VRAM, it is entitled to be on the list.
A higher VRAM size allows it to deliver some significant boost in some titles, but that’s not the only thing it got uplifts in. Compared to the RX 7600, it also boasts a higher boost clock speed, especially the XFX edition, which can reach as high as 2.8GHz. With the triple fan cooling solution, it is able to maintain good thermals all the time, resulting in consistent performance. All in all, the RX 7600 XT is the sweet spot for gaming without any bottlenecking.
Intel Arc A750 Limited Edition 8GB Graphics Card
A Compelling Arc On A Budget GPU Quest
The Intel Arc A750 is a dual-slot GPU that aims to cater to the entry-level/mid-range GPU market audience as it offers excellent performance coupled with a price that makes it compete with AMD and Nvidia’s lower-end offerings.
The discrete GPU market has a new, not-altogether-surprising entry in the form of Intel, which renews focus on the entry-level and mid-range in a bid to both, cater to consumers looking for a budget purchase and shake the dominance of the two major other players (Nvidia and AMD) while taking lessons learned from the endeavor to (hopefully) make more powerful integrated GPU solutionswithin its CPU offerings. The Intel Arc A750 Limited Edition 8GB Graphics Card is no exception as it decimates its competition, AMD’s RX 6600 and Nvidia’s RTX 3050 with ease in raw performance benchmarks and holding its own in ray tracing benchmarks in tandem.
Intel’s lofty goals are still within reach, but Team Blue will have to endeavor to work towards lower power draw, particularly in idle situations for its ARC GPUs if they are going to compete for efficiency versus other mobile and discrete competitors over time. Intel’s ongoing endeavors with its GPU drivers should improve things somewhat, but in their current state, the ARC lineup handles DX12 titles quite well while falling short on more dated titles that use legacy versions of DirectX.
Part of the problem is that Intel is working in a space where its competition has been solid for decades. The competition has both expertise and time on its hands with older titles, allowing it to optimize its hardware far better than what Intel can manage in a shorter timeline with its own discrete ARC GPUs to date.
Game Rant does expect support to improve over time. Because it holds its own distinctly versus its competition (unless the GPU’s power draw is a core reason in one’s purchase philosophy), the A750 is as solid as it comes for an entry-level budget GPU purchase. The Intel Arc A750 is currently aging well and trades at a discount over its previous MSRP, making it an interesting and value-centric GPU pick that remains at the top of the list for a budget-centric Intel GPU.
Tri-Fan Budget AMD Upgrade
Gigabyte Radeon RX 6600 Eagle 8G is the company’s mid-range graphics card from the most popular Radeon RX 6000 series. It is built with the AMD RDNA 2 architecture and provides a 128-bit memory interface with 8 gigabytes of GDDR6 memory. It is installed with Gigabyte’s Windforce 3X cooling solution, which means that it sports three alternate spinning fans for optimal airflow. The GPU supports multiple high-resolution monitors simultaneously with two DisplayPort connectors and two HDMIs.
The Gigabyte Radeon RX 6600 Eagle 8G Graphics Card is an entry-level AMD RX 6600-based GPU that has an overkill cooling system and a profile to match, given the chip it sports. However, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing from both an aesthetic or cooling perspective in the long term. While it isn’t the strongest performer on our list, it does do a decent job for its price andtarget resolution of 1080p, even if it takes a hit on Ray Traced content. This is a mainstay issue for AMD hardware currently, with both Intel and Nvidia’s implementations of the tech being considerably superior to Team Red’s.
The upside of the RX 6600 is that it is a relatively power-efficient GPU that can run on most computers without needing a dedicated PSU purchase due to its limited power draw needs. The RX 6600 Eagle by Gigabyte does feel like an over-engineered version of the GPU by an AIB. As mentioned earlier, this is not necessarily a bad thing, but it could be a limiting factor for some users looking for a lower-profile budget GPU in the same trim. Thankfully, other vendors such asXFX have buyers covered with a smaller form-factor SKUthat performs similarly in the same price bracket.
Thehigher prices on the RX 6600 GPUs, as well as the emergence of a newer RX 7600 offering, mean that the RX 6600 is becoming a less favorable option of late for users who can get much more value for money for $50 more. However, if one’s budget is limited, the RX 6600 might be the only affordable option in the market for its price point while offering respectable performance.
XFX Speedster SWFT319 RX 6800 Core is a reasonable mid-end offering from the RDNA 2 lineup that still holds up in 2024. With its fair pricing and excellent performance at 1440p resolution, the RX 6800 is an even better choice than some of today’s budget GPUs. This particular edition provides up to 2105MHz boost clock, 16GB GDDR6 VRAM, and a triple fan design to run it cooler.
It can be pretty hard to find an RX 6800 these days, but it’s surprising how incredibly the RX 6800 holds up even in 2024, outperforming almostevery budget GPUon the list when it comes to frames per dollar. It surely does have its own limitations when compared to the RX 7000 or RTX 40 series, but overall, those who are looking for a fantastic rasterization performance cannot have any better option than the RX 6800. For the price of the RTX 4060 Ti, the RX 6800 is way ahead of the former and even manages to go head-to-head in ray tracing.
The 16GB VRAM on it makes it possible to play games on ultra settings and has the door open for the upcoming titles. This is one of the primary reasons why the RTX 3070 failed to survive despite being a great GPU in its era. The RX 6800, on the other hand, still enjoys great popularity among gamers who want the best of the best without breaking the bank. While it has a higher power consumption compared to Nvidia GPUs, it at least runs cooler, thanks to the XFX triple fan cooler, which provides an enlarged aluminum heatsink and a backplate too.
FAQ
Q: How Important is DLSS or FSR Support For A New GPU?
Nvidia’s DLSS 3 (or 3.5) and AMD’s FSR 2 and 3 are AI-based sharpening tech that renders content at lower resolutions while upscaling it using machine learning to avoid a loss in quality to mimic a ‘native’ higher resolution render.
While this can lead to a slight loss in quality at times (or higher depending on the preset) it does offer massive increases in frames per second (FPS). This means that as an increasing number of publishers and developers focus on said technology to lower requirements or pack more fidelity under the hood, having a newer GPU that supports the latest standards of the above will inevitably result in a massive performance gain versus an older GPU.
An example would be Nvidia’s Ada Lovelace-based RTX 4000 series which offers massive gains on multiple DLSS3 titles versus its older Ampere-based RTX 3000 GPUs that do exhibit more limited gains while harnessing the same technology.
Q: How long do cheap graphics cards last?
Regardless of the price of the GPU, a newly purchased GPU should last several years. In terms of game support, most games should support GPUs for quite some time.
Q: How do buyers choose the best cheap graphics card?
Finding the best ‘cheap’ GPU is not an exact science given the sheer number of options available. Users should aim to find the most effective GPU options for their target resolution (1080P vs 1440P vs 2160P) and aim to get the latest version possible in their price bracket.
