Top 10 budget video cards in 2025 – choice for those who don’t want to overpay

In 2025, the market continues to develop rapidly, offering flagship graphics adapters for the most demanding gamers as well as affordable options for a wide range of users. If your budget is limited but you are not ready to compromise on performance, read our article. We have compiled the TOP-10 budget video cards that are relevant this year and offer the best balance of price and quality. Find out how to get the most out of your investments and enjoy your favorite games and applications without overpaying.

RX 6600: Stability in 1080p with Future Prospects

RDNA 2 architecture, frequency up to 2491 MHz, 8 GB GDDR6 memory, 128-bit bus width, 224 GB/s bandwidth. In games like Forza Horizon 5, the video card delivers 75–85 FPS at high presets. When using FSR in Balanced mode, the frame rate increases to over 100. The maximum temperature under load does not exceed 73°C.

The built-in 500W power supply ensures stable operation without fluctuations. Ray tracing operates at a basic level — Ray Tracing Ultra reduces FPS to 40 but maintains visual fidelity. The top budget video cards start with this model for reliable versatility in mid-range builds.

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Arc A580: Wide Bus and Decent Graphics without DLSS

8 GB video memory, 512 GB/s bandwidth, GPU at 1700 MHz, Xe core with 24 execution units. In Star Wars Jedi Survivor at medium settings, the card achieves around 68 FPS, activating XeSS in Performance mode.

The device connects to PCIe 4.0 x16 slots without reducing bandwidth. The cooling system on heat pipes copes with intensive loads, maintaining the temperature within 69–71°C. When assembling a budget PC, the Arc A580 complements configurations based on Intel, ensuring driver compatibility.

RTX 3050 6GB: DLSS and Ray Tracing for Modest Budgets

Ampere architecture, 1770 MHz frequency, 6 GB GDDR6 video memory, 192 GB/s bandwidth. DLSS boosts performance by 30–40%, especially in Control, Cyberpunk 2077, and Battlefield 2042. At medium-high settings, the card delivers stable 60–75 FPS at 1080p with DLSS Quality enabled.

The cooling system with two fans ensures even heat distribution. Power consumption remains within 115W. Ray tracing is activated without significant frame rate drops thanks to hardware RT cores. The RTX 3050 deserves a place in the top budget video cards as an entry point into NVIDIA’s advanced graphics.

RX 6500 XT: Balanced Solution in Top Budget Video Cards

Built on Navi 24, GPU frequency of 2815 MHz, 4 GB GDDR6 memory. With a 64-bit bus, the device demonstrates a bandwidth of 143 GB/s. Second-generation FSR is activated in most modern games, increasing frame rates to 80 FPS in Apex Legends and Diablo IV at medium presets.

Thermal package — 107W, cooling is provided by a single fan on an aluminum radiator. In compact builds, the model shows excellent compatibility and temperature stability. The RX 6500 XT consistently ranks among the top budget video cards as a balanced solution for an economical gaming setup.

Arc A380: 6GB Bandwidth Potential

Intel offers a card with 6 GB GDDR6, 96-bit bus, and 2000 MHz frequency. XeSS allows for smooth visuals in projects like Dying Light 2 and Hogwarts Legacy at 1080p resolution and medium settings. On average, FPS reaches 55–60, with upscaling activated — up to 75. Energy efficiency remains at 92W. The device uses a single fan with a temperature profile adapted for high loads.

RX 6400: Maximum Compactness with Real Performance

Navi 24 graphics chip with 768 stream processors, 4 GB GDDR6 video memory, core frequency up to 2321 MHz. At 1080p resolution, the card delivers 60 FPS in FIFA 24, 45 FPS in Red Dead Redemption 2 at minimum settings.

The device comes with a passive cooling system, making it ideal for quiet systems. Power consumption does not exceed 75W. The RX 6400 confidently occupies a niche in the top budget video cards as a representative of low-noise configurations.

GTX 1650 G6: Proven Choice without Compromises

TU117 paired with 4 GB GDDR6 and a frequency of 1590 MHz delivers 50–60 FPS in CS2, Valorant, Palworld. Power consumption — 75W. The cooling system with a single axial fan copes with the load provided there is sufficient case ventilation. The GTX 1650 G6 applies optimal NVIDIA drivers and boasts high compatibility with software.

Arc A310: Solution for Extremely Limited Budgets

GPU frequency — 1150 MHz, 4 GB GDDR6 video memory, 64-bit bus. Performance at 720p reaches 60 FPS in League of Legends and Roblox, and at 1080p — not exceeding 40 in Minecraft RTX.

The passive cooling system works with low heat dissipation — no more than 65W. Arc A310 forms the basis for office solutions and home multimedia centers, while also ranking among the top budget video cards as a minimal yet technologically advanced offering.

GTX 1630: Savings in Practical Format

4 GB GDDR6 video memory, 1740 MHz frequency, Turing architecture. In older generation games like Skyrim and Bioshock Infinite, the card achieves 50+ FPS on high settings. One fan handles cooling without overheating. Compatibility with 300W power supplies provides flexibility for installation in older PCs.

RX 7600: Ultra for Minimum Costs

Navi 33 graphics processor, 8 GB GDDR6, GPU frequency up to 2655 MHz, 128-bit bus, 288 GB/s bandwidth. The card delivers up to 90 FPS in Starfield at high settings with ray tracing and FSR 2.1.

The three-fan cooling system with independent temperature control by zones ensures stability under prolonged load. The RX 7600 completes the top budget video cards as the best offering for those unwilling to compromise on performance.

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Top Budget Video Cards by Features and Tasks

Each model in the list provides target performance within its price range. Devices differ in architecture, video memory parameters, cooling, and support for technologies like ray tracing, FSR, DLSS, allowing for specific selection based on tasks:

  1. For Full HD gaming with FSR/DLSS: RX 6600, RTX 3050, RX 7600. 
  2. For streaming and work: Arc A580, GTX 1650 G6. 
  3. For compact systems: RX 6400, Arc A310. 
  4. For entry-level gaming: Arc A380, RX 6500 XT. 
  5. For office solutions: GTX 1630.

Conclusion

The top budget video cards in 2025 prove that even with a limited budget, it is possible to obtain decent graphics, support for modern technologies, and stable performance. Manufacturers have balanced their products in terms of price and quality, added advanced technologies, and improved drivers. The segment has evolved from compromise to full-fledged, opening up new horizons for building affordable PCs.

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