Best GPUs under $300 in 2024 – Top graphics card under 300 dollars
In this article we will discuss the best GPUs under $300. The GPU is an essential pillar for gaming, graphic design, and general content creation, but it shouldn’t cost the world.
With new GPUs hitting the market seemingly every other month, it is important to pick the right one, but also not break the bank completely. We have searched across Nvidia, AMD, and Intel to find the most appropriate choices which cater to a range of needs; such as mid-range, value, and overall. So what are the best graphics cards under $300? Let’s dive right in.
Products at a Glance
How we picked the best GPUs under $300
We reviewed the best GPUs under $300 on the market and classified them according to their performance in measured benchmarks. Once we have determined their abilities, we contrasted those numbers with the price and availability of the graphics card to see where best they can be added to the list.
These suggestions are handpicked from our in-house experts who are well-versed in understanding and reviewing GPUs. They truly know the hardware ins and outs that affect your gaming PC. We have also listed a useful pros and cons list to paint a more accurate picture of the GPU.
Interested in more GPU buying guides? We also have the best graphics cards in 2024 and the best budget graphics cards available now. Be sure to check them out.
Product Reviews
- Impressive specs and performance
- Excellent value for money overall
- Reliable and extensively reviewed product
- Only slightly under $300
- Does not perform too well at 1440p
- Some AIBs are overpriced
Our recommendation as the best overall graphics card available for under $300 is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060. Built with Ada Lovelace Architecture, the RTX 4060 is designed to give the best performance and gameplay experience to its users. With dedicated ray tracing cores, DLSS 3, and a reflex low-latency platform proving smooth gameplay, the choice becomes obvious. The RTX 4060 is also equipped with 4th gen 242 AI tops tensor cores and 8 GB and GDDR6 of VRAM. This model boasts the maximum high-end graphics you will get for any GPU under $300.
Based on performance metrics, the model demonstrated high benchmark scores on games like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, and Forza Horizon 5 – creating an immersive experience with AI-accelerated gaming. The only downside to this impressive model is that its price is currently around $299 – the most expensive option in this guide and just shy of the $300 limit. For full coverage of this product, be sure to check out our RTX 4060 review.
- Solid specifications and performance metrics
- Impressive performance in the top 10 eSports titles and smooth gaming capabilities in the newest AAA games
- Mainstream RDNA 3
- Other GPUs have slight increases in performance and gameplay capabilities
Our second option is the AMD Radeon RX 7600. Originally designed for next-generation gaming and streaming at 1080p, the model delivers impressive performance in the top 10 eSports titles and smooth gaming capabilities in the newest AAA games. For example, the Radeon RX 7600 will help you reach 178 FPS in Apex Legends and 215 FPS in Overwatch 2.
In terms of specs, this AMD GPU has 8 GB of memory, 32 compute units, and ray accelerators, with a boost frequency of up to 2655 MHz. The only downside here is that the specs and performance are not quite up to par with the Nvidia RTX 4060, though, as we know, this option is more expensive. Which will you pick?
- Good value for money
- Solid performance level in relation to price
- 1080p capabilities
- Driver issues have been noted
- Will likely require upgrading in near future
- Potential driver pitfalls
If you’re like us and love a good deal then the Intel Arc A750 is one to look out for. Priced at around $249 MSRP, the Intel Arc A750 is a solid option for consumers on a budget and looking for the best value for money. Unfortunately, with lower costs comes lower performance specs, but this does not make the Intel Arc A750 completely worthless. The Intel Arc A750 has a graphics clock speed of 2050 MHz and total board power (TBP) of 225 W, a max HDMI resolution of 4096×2160 at 60 Hz, supported by an 8 GB memory overall. The model also supports the following features: ray tracing, adaptive sync, one API, and DirectX to name a few. Be sure to check out our Intel Arc A750 Review.
However, the model has been noted to have issues regarding the driver. Particularly when compared to faster and newer models like the AMD Radeon RX 7600 and Nvidia RTX 4060.
- Solid option for consumers on a budget
- Despite an older gen GPU, still has impressive architecture, ray tracing, and DLSS
- Older models require more updates
- Performance not as strong as newer generations
Our final option is the Nvidia RTX 3050. Priced moderately at around $249, the Nvidia RTX 3050 is an older generation model compared to the previous three options, but still packs a punch when it comes to performance – certainly enough to make it onto this guide. A staple of the Nvidia Ampere Architecture, the RTX 3050 (8 GB) has ray tracing, DLSS, 2560 CUDA cores, a 1.78 GHz boost clock, and GDDR6 memory support. All this and it still provides enough bang for your buck.
In terms of cons, while the Nvidia RTX 3050 is still a good option for a GPU, it is considerably older and the performance is noticeably worse than some of the GPUs mentioned above. It won’t perform as well with modern games and users may upgrade sooner by choosing this model. It is important to bear this in mind when picking an older gen model. For our full review of this product, visit our Nvidia RTX 3050 review.
Considerations when choosing the best GPUs under $300
Price
It goes without saying here that our main consideration when selecting these graphics cards was the budget and cost. All the GPUs had to be below the $300 limit, meaning each recommendation should be suited to anyone shopping for a graphics card under $300. The best way to make sure you get best price/deal for your purchase is to:
- Purchase cards during sale periods. The best sale periods are during Black Friday and during Spring Sales, though many websites like Amazon will put on other sale periods throughout the year.
- Make sure to strike while the price is low. In order to check the price history of a product, we recommend using an application called Camelcamelcamel. This should help you see when a price is dropping and identify patterns of sales.
VRAM
These graphics cards offer the best price for casual to intermediate gamers. However, it’s important to discern between a good and a bad unit. One of the main features one must look out for in a GPU is its VRAM capacity; the greater this is, the better and easier it’ll be for the unit to perform.
- Nvidia RTX 4060 – 8GB
- PowerColor AMD Radeon RX 7600 – 16GB
- Intel Arc A750 – 8GB
- Nvidia RTX 3050 – 8GB
Manufacturer
Furthermore, there is a dichotomy you’ll have to solve: AMD, Intel, or Nvidia. These are the kings of the GPU market. Generally speaking, Nvidia has offered more power and AMD wins the crown when it comes to pricing and performance-per-watt. Each brand has its own strengths and weaknesses. This list will have a curation of the best AMD and Nvidia GPUs for you, whether you are a gamer looking for the best 4K experience or a content creator looking for the best performance your budget can buy.
New-gen vs old-gen
It’s certainly not easy finding the best graphics cards under $300 that suit your needs. Even as the chip shortage dwindles and crypto price gouging has waned, the GPU market still remains in a spiral of confusion as consumers grow more accustomed to this new climate. Newer products, like the RTX 4090 and the upcoming 4080 will ensure competition in the space, which will come in the form of AMD’s RDNA 3 architecture. While Intel has delivered with a new ARC GPU line, pundits aren’t too impressed by the results, even when stacked alongside one of the firm’s own (rather renowned) CPUs.
What is the best graphics card for under $300?
Currently priced around $299, the Nvidia RTX 4060 is the best graphics card available for under $300. Boasting impressive specs, performance, and value, the Nvidia model is leading the pack when it comes to GPUs under $300. Other notable mentions include the AMD Radeon RX 7600 and Intel Arc A750.
What will the RTX 4060 cost?
Launched in 2023, the Nvidia RTX 4060 can currently be found on the market for under $300. The model is a very popular GPU for its impressive specs and value for money. While pricing can vary, we recommended retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, and Newegg when purchasing a GPU for safety and security purposes.
Our Verdict
So, what are the best GPUs under $300? Graphic solutions in the $300 range are vast enough to keep you thinking for days. Although every option in this list will make the user happy by keeping money in their pocket, the best performance is found in the Nvidia RTX 4060. With solid RT cores and high frame rates – what is not to love? While slightly more expensive, the Nvidia GPU has become a staple for those looking to achieve a premium performance, and immersive gaming experience, as well as get the best bang for your buck. This model is certainly a super choice.