Top 10 budget video cards for gaming in 2025

In 2025, when component prices continue to fluctuate, assembling a budget gaming PC remains a relevant task. Good news: you don’t have to spend a fortune on a graphics card to enjoy a decent gaming experience. Today’s market offers many affordable solutions capable of providing comfortable FPS in popular games without breaking the bank. In this overview, we will look at the top 10 budget graphics cards that will allow you to enjoy modern games without exceeding reasonable limits.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Super (GDDR6) — well-deserved first place in the budget graphics card ranking

The GTX 1650 Super with 4GB GDDR6 still ranks high in the budget graphics card list thanks to its optimal price/performance ratio. The card does not support ray tracing and DLSS, but handles most games well at medium settings. GeForce drivers ensure stability, and power consumption does not exceed 100W.

Specifications:

1. Base Frequency: 1530 MHz.
2. Boost: 1725 MHz.
3. TDP: 100W.
4. Interface: PCIe 3.0.
5. Video Memory: 4GB GDDR6.

AMD Radeon RX 6400 — silence and discipline

The RX 6400, based on the RDNA 2 architecture, is designed for quiet operation and low power consumption. Suitable for office builds and entry-level gaming configurations. The simple cooler effectively cools the card even without active airflow, making it a favorite among cards with good cooling.

Specifications:

1. Boost Frequency: 2321 MHz.
2. TDP: 53W.
3. Support: Radeon drivers, FSR.
4. Video Memory: 4GB GDDR6.

Intel Arc A380 — newcomer in the budget graphics card ranking

The Intel Arc A380 debuted last year and confidently secured its place in the top budget graphics cards in 2025. The card offers support for DirectX 12 Ultimate, ray tracing, and XeSS technology (DLSS equivalent). Driver compatibility has stabilized, and the price remains one of the lowest among competitors.

Specifications:

1. GPU: ACM-G11.
2. Video Memory: 6GB GDDR6.
3. Support: XeSS, ray tracing.
4. Interface: PCIe 4.0.
5. Price: from $130.

AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT — balance between FHD and cost

The RX 6500 XT on the RDNA 2 architecture confidently maintains its position in the segment of affordable graphics cards in 2025. Performance in Full HD remains sufficient for most modern games. FSR technology boosts FPS without significant quality loss.

Parameters:

1. Video Memory: 4GB GDDR6.
2. Boost Frequency: 2815 MHz.
3. Interface: PCIe 4.0.
4. TDP: 107W.

NVIDIA RTX 3050 6GB — DLSS for the masses

The RTX 3050 with 6GB memory is part of the updated GeForce RTX series, offering ray tracing and DLSS in the price segment up to $200. An optimal solution for those building a budget configuration with future-proofing. DLSS 3.5 allows for increased FPS in demanding games while maintaining visual quality.

Technical data:

1. Graphics Processor: GA107.
2. Video Memory: 6GB GDDR6.
3. Power Consumption: 115W.
4. Support: DLSS, RTX.

AMD Radeon RX 7600 — high level for reasonable money

The RX 7600 offers a powerful set of features for optimal gaming in FHD and QHD. Radeon technologies and FSR 2.2 enhance performance in modern projects. With 8GB of video memory and improved architecture, the card is suitable for work and gaming.

Details:

1. Video Memory: 8GB GDDR6.
2. Boost Frequency: 2655 MHz.
3. TDP: 165W.
4. Interface: PCIe 4.0.

Intel Arc A310 — minimum, but with taste

The Arc A310 operates on the Xe HPG architecture and offers minimal cost with basic support for games and multimedia. Using this card in a budget PC build is justified for limited budgets and entry-level tasks.

Parameters:

1. Video Memory: 4GB GDDR6.
2. Support: ray tracing, XeSS.
3. Power Consumption: 75W.
4. Boost Frequency: 2000 MHz.

NVIDIA GTX 1630 — a compromise newcomer

The GTX 1630 is a junior representative of the Turing architecture without RTX and DLSS support. However, it remains part of the top budget graphics cards, providing stability and minimal heating. GeForce drivers ensure compatibility with most games and applications.

Specifications:

1. Video Memory: 4GB GDDR6.
2. Boost Frequency: 1785 MHz.
3. Power Consumption: 75W.
4. Interface: PCIe 3.0.

AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB — a veteran still at the top of the best budget graphics cards

The RX 580 remains popular thanks to its 8GB video memory and high-quality rendering. Despite its age, the card ensures reliable performance in most projects and rightfully ranks among the top budget graphics cards. FSR support provides an additional FPS boost.

Specifications:

1. Video Memory: 8GB GDDR5.
2. Boost Frequency: 1340 MHz.
3. Power Consumption: 185W.
4. Interface: PCIe 3.0.

Intel Arc A580 — choice for those who want good results at a low cost

The Arc A580 with 8GB GDDR6 made it to the best budget graphics cards of 2025. Performance sits between the RTX 3050 and RX 6600, while the price remains below competitors. Support for DX12 Ultimate, ray tracing, and XeSS makes the card competitive even in the perspective of two years.

Details:

1. GPU: ACM-G10.
2. Boost Frequency: 2400 MHz.
3. Power Consumption: 185W.
4. Interface: PCIe 4.0.

Considerations when choosing a graphics card

Before making a purchase, it is important to assess the intended use: for gaming — optimal performance and FSR/DLSS support, for work — driver stability and video memory size. Key parameters to analyze:

List of factors for analysis:

1. GPU frequency and memory type.
2. Presence of DLSS, FSR support.
3. Ray tracing compatibility.
4. Video memory size (4, 6, or 8GB).
5. Energy efficiency and cooling.
6. Price in relation to performance.

An objective analysis of these parameters allows for assembling a balanced system without unnecessary expenses. A thoughtful choice speeds up loading times, stabilizes FPS, and minimizes thermal load in the long term.

Conclusion

The top budget graphics cards of 2025 have formed a segment where price no longer dictates weakness. NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel have offered solutions that meet real needs — without extravagance, but with technological relevance. Performance, stability, support for modern technologies — all of this is no longer a premium privilege.