Best GPU Under $300 in 2025: Complete Budget Graphics Card Guide
The $300 price point is the sweet spot for budget gaming GPUs in 2025. You get excellent 1080p performance, solid 1440p capability, and access to modern features like hardware ray tracing and AI upscaling. The challenge? Navigating the confusing mix of current-gen cards, last-gen deals, and used market bargains.
This comprehensive guide covers every GPU worth considering under $300: theRX 7700 XT, RTX 4060, RX 7600 XT,RX 6700 XT, and even used options like the RTX 3070 and RX 6800 XT. We'll compare real-world benchmarks, VRAM considerations,power requirements, and help you find the perfect GPU for your budget.
Want to see how these GPUs perform in your favorite games? Use our FPS Calculator, or compare specs directly with our GPU Compare tool.
🏆 Quick GPU Recommendations Under $300
By Use Case
- 🥇 Best Overall: RX 7700 XT — $260-290
- 🥈 Best 1080p: RX 7600 XT — $250-270
- 🥉 Best NVIDIA: RTX 4060 — $280-300
- 💰 Best Value: RX 6700 XT — $200-230
Expected Performance
- 📺 1080p Ultra: 80-120+ FPS
- 📺 1440p High: 60-90 FPS
- 📺 1440p Ultra: 45-70 FPS
- 🎯 Target: 1080p 144Hz / 1440p 60Hz
📑 Table of Contents
- 1. Budget GPU Landscape 2025
- 2. RX 7700 XT: Best Overall
- 3. RTX 4060: Best NVIDIA
- 4. RX 7600 XT: Best 1080p
- 5. RX 6700 XT: Best Value
- 6. Head-to-Head Comparison
- 7. Gaming Benchmarks
- 8. Used GPU Buying Guide
- 9. VRAM: How Much Do You Need?
- 10. Power & PSU Requirements
- 11. CPU Pairing Guide
- 12. Buying Recommendations
- 13. FAQ
Budget GPU Landscape in 2025
The sub-$300 GPU market is the most competitive segment in 2025. Here's how the current options stack up:
| GPU | VRAM | Street Price | Target Resolution | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RX 7700 XT | 12GB | $260-290 | 1440p High | Best overall under $300 |
| RTX 4060 | 8GB | $280-300 | 1080p Ultra / 1440p Med | NVIDIA features, efficiency |
| RX 7600 XT | 16GB | $250-270 | 1080p Ultra | 1080p gaming, VRAM headroom |
| RX 6700 XT | 12GB | $200-230 | 1080p Ultra / 1440p Med | Budget value king |
| RTX 4060 Ti | 8GB | $299-379 | 1440p High | On sale only (~$299) |
| Used RTX 3070 | 8GB | $200-260 | 1440p High | Used market value |
| Used RX 6800 XT | 16GB | $230-280 | 1440p Ultra | Best used performance |
💡 The $300 Sweet Spot
At $300, you're getting GPUs that were $400-500 flagship cards just 2-3 years ago. The RX 7700 XT performs similarly to the RTX 3070 Ti, while the RTX 4060 matches the RTX 3060 Ti in rasterization with better features. Budget gaming has never been better.
AMD RX 7700 XT: Best Overall Under $300
🏆 Our Pick: Best Budget GPU for 1440p Gaming
The RX 7700 XT delivers the best performance under $300. With 12GB VRAM and strong 1440p gaming capability at $260-290, it's the sweet spot for budget builders targeting high refresh rate 1080p or smooth 1440p gaming.
| Specification | RX 7700 XT |
|---|---|
| Architecture | RDNA 3 |
| Stream Processors | 3,456 |
| VRAM | 12GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit |
| Boost Clock | 2.54 GHz |
| TDP | 245W |
| Street Price | $260-290 |
| Key Features | FSR 3, AV1 encode, Anti-Lag 2 |
RX 7700 XT Strengths & Weaknesses
✅ Strengths
- • 12GB VRAM — future-proof for 1440p
- • Best rasterization under $300
- • 15-25% faster than RTX 4060
- • FSR 3 Frame Gen support
- • AV1 encoding for streaming
- • $260-290 street price — excellent value
❌ Weaknesses
- • 245W TDP — higher power draw
- • Ray tracing — weaker than NVIDIA
- • No DLSS — FSR is good but DLSS is better
- • Encoder quality — NVENC still superior
- • Runs warm — needs good case airflow
Verdict: If you want the most gaming performance under $300, the RX 7700 XT is the clear winner. Its 12GB VRAM provides headroom for years to come, and raw FPS beats everything else at this price. Only choose alternatives if you specifically need NVIDIA features or have PSU limitations.
NVIDIA RTX 4060: Best NVIDIA Option
🟢 Best for: NVIDIA Ecosystem & Efficiency
The RTX 4060 trades raw performance for DLSS 3 Frame Generation,better ray tracing, superior encoding, andincredible efficiency (115W TDP). If you value features over pure FPS, or have a limited PSU, it's excellent.
| Specification | RTX 4060 |
|---|---|
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace |
| CUDA Cores | 3,072 |
| VRAM | 8GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 128-bit |
| Boost Clock | 2.46 GHz |
| TDP | 115W |
| Street Price | $280-300 |
| Key Features | DLSS 3, Frame Gen, NVENC, Reflex |
RTX 4060 Strengths & Weaknesses
✅ Strengths
- • 115W TDP — incredibly efficient
- • DLSS 3 Frame Gen — massive FPS boost
- • Best ray tracing under $300
- • NVENC encoder — best for streaming
- • NVIDIA Reflex — lowest latency
- • Runs cool — quiet operation
❌ Weaknesses
- • 8GB VRAM — limiting at 1440p ultra
- • 128-bit bus — memory bandwidth constrained
- • 15-25% slower than RX 7700 XT
- • $280-300 — premium for features
- • Weaker without DLSS — relies on upscaling
Verdict: The RTX 4060 is the best NVIDIA GPU under $300 but not the best overall value. Buy it if you need DLSS 3 for specific games, stream regularly (NVENC is superior), prioritize ray tracing, or have a limited PSU. Otherwise, the RX 7700 XT gives more raw performance.
AMD RX 7600 XT: Best for 1080p Gaming
🎮 Best for: 1080p High Refresh & VRAM Headroom
The RX 7600 XT offers 16GB VRAM (!) at $250-270—unmatched at this price. While not as fast as the RX 7700 XT, its VRAM advantage makes it future-proof for 1080p gaming and handles 1440p medium settings well.
| Specification | RX 7600 XT |
|---|---|
| Architecture | RDNA 3 |
| Stream Processors | 2,048 |
| VRAM | 16GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 128-bit |
| TDP | 190W |
| Street Price | $250-270 |
Verdict: The RX 7600 XT is ideal for 1080p 144Hz gaming with incredible VRAM headroom. If you're on a tight budget and primarily play at 1080p, this is excellent. For 1440p, spend the extra $20-30 on the RX 7700 XT.
AMD RX 6700 XT: Best Value Under $250
💰 Best for: Maximum Value on Tight Budget
The last-gen RX 6700 XT offers RX 7700 XT-like performance at $200-230— that's 80-90% of the performance for 70-80% of the price. If every dollar counts, this is the smart buy.
| Specification | RX 6700 XT |
|---|---|
| Architecture | RDNA 2 |
| Stream Processors | 2,560 |
| VRAM | 12GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit |
| TDP | 230W |
| Street Price | $200-230 |
Verdict: The RX 6700 XT is the best value GPU under $250. It handles 1080p ultra at 90-110 FPS and 1440p high at 60-80 FPS. No FSR 3 Frame Gen (only FSR 2), but raw performance is excellent.
Head-to-Head: RX 7700 XT vs RTX 4060
This is the key comparison for budget buyers. Here's how they stack up:
| Feature | RX 7700 XT | RTX 4060 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $260-290 | $280-300 | AMD |
| VRAM | 12GB | 8GB | AMD |
| 1080p Performance | +15-20% | Baseline | AMD |
| 1440p Performance | +20-25% | Baseline | AMD |
| Ray Tracing | Decent | Better (+30%) | NVIDIA |
| Upscaling | FSR 3 | DLSS 3 | NVIDIA |
| Power Draw | 245W | 115W | NVIDIA |
| Encoder Quality | Good | Best (NVENC) | NVIDIA |
| Value (FPS/$) | Excellent | Good | AMD |
✅ Choose RX 7700 XT If:
- • Raw FPS is your priority
- • You play at 1440p or plan to upgrade
- • Future VRAM needs matter (12GB vs 8GB)
- • You want the best value per dollar
- • You don't specifically need DLSS
✅ Choose RTX 4060 If:
- • DLSS 3 Frame Gen games you play
- • Ray tracing is important to you
- • You stream/record (NVENC superior)
- • You have a limited PSU (115W vs 245W)
- • Quiet operation matters
Gaming Benchmarks (1080p & 1440p)
1080p Ultra Performance
| Game | RX 7700 XT | RTX 4060 | RX 7600 XT | RX 6700 XT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 85-100 FPS | 70-85 FPS | 65-80 FPS | 75-90 FPS |
| Hogwarts Legacy | 95-115 FPS | 80-95 FPS | 75-90 FPS | 85-100 FPS |
| Starfield | 80-100 FPS | 65-80 FPS | 60-75 FPS | 70-85 FPS |
| Spider-Man 2 | 100-120 FPS | 85-100 FPS | 80-95 FPS | 90-105 FPS |
| Valorant | 350+ FPS | 300+ FPS | 280+ FPS | 320+ FPS |
| Fortnite | 180-220 FPS | 150-180 FPS | 140-170 FPS | 160-190 FPS |
1440p High Performance
| Game | RX 7700 XT | RTX 4060 | RX 6700 XT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 55-70 FPS | 45-58 FPS | 48-62 FPS |
| Hogwarts Legacy | 70-85 FPS | 55-70 FPS | 60-75 FPS |
| Fortnite | 120-150 FPS | 95-120 FPS | 105-130 FPS |
| Call of Duty: Warzone | 100-125 FPS | 80-100 FPS | 90-110 FPS |
Check performance for your specific games with our FPS Calculator.
Used GPU Buying Guide: Hidden Gems Under $300
The used market offers incredible value. Last-gen flagships often outperform new budget cards at lower prices:
| Used GPU | VRAM | Used Price | Comparable New | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RX 6800 XT | 16GB | $230-280 | RX 7800 XT | Best used value |
| RTX 3070 | 8GB | $200-260 | RTX 4060 Ti | DLSS 2, great 1440p |
| RTX 3070 Ti | 8GB | $230-290 | RTX 4070 | ~RTX 4060 Ti perf |
| RX 6800 | 16GB | $200-250 | RX 7700 XT | Similar perf, more VRAM |
| RTX 3080 | 10GB | $280-350 | RTX 4070 | Higher power, great perf |
✅ Safe to Buy Used
- • GPUs from gamers — normal wear
- • eBay/r/hardwareswap — buyer protection
- • Cards with warranty transfer
- • Test before buying (local sales)
- • Check for artifacts under load
⚠️ Be Careful
- • Ex-mining cards — more wear (but often fine)
- • No-return sellers — risky
- • Prices too good to be true
- • Physical damage signs
- • Missing accessories
💡 Used GPU Recommendation
The used RX 6800 XT at $230-280 is arguably the best GPU value available. It matches the RX 7800 XT in performance with 16GB VRAM. The RTX 3070 at $200-250 is excellent if you want NVIDIA features.
VRAM: How Much Do You Need?
| VRAM | 1080p Gaming | 1440p Gaming | Future-Proofing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6GB | Tight | Insufficient | Poor |
| 8GB | Good | Adequate | Limited |
| 12GB | Excellent | Good | Good |
| 16GB | Overkill | Excellent | Excellent |
Recommendation: At this budget, prioritize 12GB minimum for 1440p longevity (RX 7700 XT, RX 6700 XT, used RX 6800/XT). The RTX 4060's 8GB is adequate for 1080p but may limit 1440p ultra textures in demanding games.
Power Consumption & PSU Requirements
| GPU | TDP | System Draw | Minimum PSU | Recommended PSU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 4060 | 115W | 250-300W | 450W | 500-550W |
| RX 7600 XT | 190W | 320-380W | 500W | 550-600W |
| RX 6700 XT | 230W | 360-420W | 550W | 600-650W |
| RX 7700 XT | 245W | 380-450W | 550W | 600-650W |
Use our PSU Calculator to verify exact power requirements for your build.
CPU Pairing: Avoid Bottlenecks
| GPU | Budget CPU | Recommended CPU | Ideal CPU |
|---|---|---|---|
| RX 7700 XT / RTX 4060 | Ryzen 5 5500 / i5-12400F | Ryzen 5 5600 / i5-12400F | Ryzen 5 7600 |
| RX 7600 XT / RX 6700 XT | Ryzen 5 5500 / i3-12100F | Ryzen 5 5600 / i5-12400F | Ryzen 5 5600 |
💡 Budget CPU Tip
The Ryzen 5 5600 at $100-120 is the sweet spot pairing for these GPUs. It won't bottleneck any budget GPU and pairs perfectly with affordable B450/B550 motherboards.
Buying Recommendations
🏆 Best Overall Under $300
Buy: RX 7700 XT ($260-290)
Best performance, 12GB VRAM, excellent 1440p gaming. The clear winner for pure gaming value.
🎮 Best for 1080p High-Refresh
Buy: RX 7600 XT ($250-270)
Excellent 1080p 144Hz performance with incredible 16GB VRAM for future-proofing.
🟢 Best NVIDIA Option
Buy: RTX 4060 ($280-300)
DLSS 3 Frame Gen, best ray tracing, superior encoding, incredible efficiency (115W).
💰 Best Value Under $250
Buy: RX 6700 XT ($200-230)
80-90% of RX 7700 XT performance at 70-80% of the price. Incredible bang for buck.
🔄 Best Used Option
Buy: Used RX 6800 XT ($230-280)
Matches RX 7800 XT performance with 16GB VRAM. Best performance per dollar available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best GPU under $300 in 2025?
The RX 7700 XT ($260-290) is the best GPU under $300, offering excellent 1440p gaming at 70-100 FPS on high settings with 12GB VRAM. For NVIDIA features, the RTX 4060 ($280-300) offers DLSS 3 and better ray tracing.
Can I game at 1440p with a GPU under $300?
Yes, the RX 7700 XT handles 1440p at high settings with 70-100 FPS in most games. The RTX 4060 manages 1440p at medium-high with 55-80 FPS. For demanding titles at ultra, you may need to lower some settings.
RX 7700 XT vs RTX 4060: Which is better?
RX 7700 XT is 15-25% faster in rasterization with 12GB vs 8GB VRAM.RTX 4060 has better ray tracing, DLSS 3, superior encoding, and uses only 115W vs 245W. Choose AMD for raw performance, NVIDIA for features and efficiency.
Should I buy a used GPU under $300?
Used GPUs offer excellent value. A used RX 6800 XT ($230-280) or RTX 3070 ($200-260) outperforms new budget cards. Buy from eBay or r/hardwareswap with buyer protection, and test thoroughly if buying locally.
Is 8GB VRAM enough in 2025?
8GB is adequate for 1080p but tight for 1440p ultra in demanding games. For future-proofing, 12GB+ is recommended (RX 7700 XT, RX 6700 XT). Some games like Hogwarts Legacy exceed 8GB at high settings.
What PSU do I need for these GPUs?
RTX 4060 works with 450-550W. RX 7600 XT and RX 6700 XT need550-600W. RX 7700 XT needs 600-650W. Always use quality PSU brands like Corsair, EVGA, or Seasonic.
What GPU under $300 is best for 1080p?
The RX 7600 XT ($250-270) offers excellent 1080p performance at 100-140 FPS in most games with an impressive 16GB VRAM. The RX 6700 XT ($200-230) is the value king for 1080p gaming.
Will my CPU bottleneck a budget GPU?
Modern budget GPUs pair well with Ryzen 5 5600 or i5-12400F and above. Older CPUs (Ryzen 3, i3, pre-2019 chips) may bottleneck at 1080p. At 1440p, GPU bottleneck dominates, reducing CPU impact.
Is the RTX 4060 Ti ever under $300?
The RTX 4060 Ti drops to $299-319 during major sales (Black Friday, Prime Day). At that price it's excellent value. Watch for deals, but the RX 7700 XT at $260-290 is typically better value year-round.
RX 7600 XT vs RX 7700 XT: Which should I buy?
The RX 7700 XT is 25-35% faster with 12GB vs 16GB VRAM. If you have a 1440p monitor or want longevity, the RX 7700 XT is worth the $30-50 premium. For 1080p gaming on a tight budget, the RX 7600 XT is sufficient.
Conclusion: Best Budget GPUs in 2025
The sub-$300 GPU market is incredibly competitive in 2025. You're getting performance that cost $400-500 just two years ago. Here are your best options:
🏆 Final Recommendations
- 🥇 Best Overall: RX 7700 XT ($260-290) — Best 1440p gaming under $300
- 🥈 Best Value: RX 6700 XT ($200-230) — 80% performance at 75% price
- 🟢 Best NVIDIA: RTX 4060 ($280-300) — DLSS 3, efficiency, features
- 🎮 Best 1080p: RX 7600 XT ($250-270) — 16GB VRAM, great 1080p
- 🔄 Best Used: RX 6800 XT ($230-280) — Flagship performance
Questions about choosing the right budget GPU? Contact us—we're here to help you find the perfect graphics card!
Happy budget gaming! 🎮
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We're PC gaming enthusiasts dedicated to helping people build their perfect gaming setup at any budget. Our guides are regularly updated with current pricing and component availability.