As the world of 4K gaming rapidly expands, so do the options for graphics cards. It can be tough to keep up with the latest GPU releases, but luckily, we’re here to help. If you’re looking for the best graphics card under $500 that can handle 1440p and 4K gaming, then you’ve come to the right place.
What to expect from a graphics card under 500?
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a graphics card under $500. First, consider what you will be using the card for. If you are a gamer, you will need a card that can handle demanding games. For general use, however, a less powerful card will suffice. Second, take into account the amount of memory the card has. More memory means better performance, but it also means higher prices.
All of these cards can play 4K games, but some of the settings must be reduced. Previously, graphics cards costing over $500 provided the best 4K gaming experience. But this has changed with the recent release of budget options like the GTX 4060 Ti. You can also calculate the bottleneck of your PC while you’re picking GPU to decide which CPU is best for your build using our bottleneck calculator tool.
Best Graphics Card under $500 To Play Games at 1440p or 4K
If you’re looking for a graphics card that can handle the latest games at high settings but don’t want to break the bank, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up the best graphics cards under $500 that offer excellent performance without breaking the bank. If you’re serious about gaming – I’d recommend getting RX 6800 XT which costs $10 extra but provides excellent performance. Check the 3DMark benchmarks below for reference.
Whether you’re looking for an AMD or Nvidia card, plenty of great options are available at this price point. Here are our top 5 picks for the best graphics cards under $500 in 2023.
0. Radeon RX 6800 XT – Extra $10 for Massive Performance Boost
The Radeon RX 6800 XT is a high-performance graphics card from AMD’s RDNA 2 generation, offering excellent gaming performance and 16 GB of GDDR6 VRAM.
It excels in rasterization performance and is ideal for 4K gaming, surpassing 60 FPS in most games. However, it lags behind Nvidia in ray-tracing performance. With a TDP of 300 W, it requires a robust PSU.
The RX 6800 XT provides a compelling option for gamers seeking top-tier graphics capabilities under $500, but potential buyers should consider AMD’s RX 6750 XT for better value or Nvidia’s RTX 4060 Ti for improved ray-tracing capabilities.
Specs and Feature:
- It is based on the RDNA 2 architecture.
- It supports ray tracing and FidelityFX Super Resolution.
- It is capable of delivering 60fps or higher in most modern games at 4K resolution.
- It requires a 750W power supply.
- It is available in both reference and custom designs.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| GPU | Navi 21 |
| Stream Processors | 4608 |
| Compute Units | 72 |
| Base Clock | 2015 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 2250 MHz |
| Memory | 16 GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Interface | 256-bit |
| Memory Speed | 16 Gbps |
| Power Consumption | 300 W |
| Display Connectors | 3x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x HDMI 2.1 |
| PCI Express | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| Dimensions | 267 mm x 133 mm x 55 mm |
| Weight | 1.09 kg |
| Price | $999 |
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1. ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 3070 Ti
The GeForce RTX 3070 Ti is a slightly upgraded variant of the RTX 3070, featuring a minor increase in shading units and faster GDDR6X VRAM. It offers around 5-10% better performance than the original RTX 3070.
With 8 GB of VRAM and a 256-bit memory bus, the RTX 3070 Ti is well-suited for gaming at high refresh rate 1440p resolutions and can handle 4K gaming in less demanding titles when utilizing DLSS.
While it provides solid gaming performance, it competes with the RX 6800 XT in terms of rasterization performance, and its pricing,which launched at $599, makes it a less compelling option compared to other alternatives like the RTX 3080 and Radeon RX 6800 XT.
Specs and Features
- It is based on the Ampere architecture.
- It supports ray tracing and DLSS.
- It is capable of delivering 60fps or higher in most modern games at 1440p resolution and 4K resolution with some settings turned up.
- It requires a 750W power supply.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| GPU | GA104-400 |
| CUDA Cores | 6144 |
| Base Clock | 1770 MHz |
| Boost Clock | Up to 1950 MHz |
| Memory | 8 GB GDDR6X |
| Memory Interface | 256-bit |
| Memory Speed | 19 Gbps |
| Power Consumption | 290 W |
| Display Connectors | 1x HDMI 2.1, 3x DisplayPort 1.4 |
| PCI Express | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| Dimensions | 242 mm x 112 mm x 40 mm |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
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2. GeForce RTX 4060 Ti – Best Overall
The GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is a mid-range graphics card launched by Nvidia in May 2023 with a $399 MSRP. While it offers faster performance than its predecessor, the RTX 3060 Ti, particularly at resolutions up to 1440p, it received mixed reviews due to its underwhelming VRAM configuration and reduced memory bus width.
The card excels in energy efficiency, resulting in lower temperatures and quieter operation. It also benefits from DLSS 3 and improved ray-tracing capabilities compared to its AMD counterparts at a similar price point.
However, for those seeking better ray tracing, the RTX 3070 remains a more suitable option at higher settings and resolutions. It has over 12834 scores in 3D Mark Timespy.
Specs and Features
- It is based on the Ada Lovelace architecture.
- It supports ray tracing and DLSS.
- It is capable of delivering 60fps or higher in most modern games at 1080p and 1440p resolutions.
- It requires a 550W power supply.
- It is available in both 8GB and 16GB versions.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| GPU | AD106 |
| CUDA Cores | 4352 |
| Base Clock | 2310 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 2535 MHz |
| Memory | 8 GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Interface | 128-bit |
| Memory Speed | 2250 MHz (18 Gbps effective) |
| Power Consumption | 160 W |
| Display Connectors | 1x HDMI 2.1, 3x DisplayPort 1.4a |
| PCI Express | PCIe 4.0 x8 |
| Dimensions | 240 mm x 111 mm x 40 mm |
| Weight | 0.7 kg |
| Price | $399 (8GB) |
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3. Gigabyte Radeon RX 6750 XT Gaming OC 12G
Powered by the Navi 22 graphics processor, this powerhouse of a card boasts 2560 cores, 160 texture mapping units (TMUS), and 64 render output units (ROPS), making it an excellent choice for gamers and content creators alike.
In addition to its impressive core specs, the Gigabyte Radeon RX 6750 XT Gaming OC 12G Graphics Card comes equipped with 12GB of GDDR6 memory and a 192-bit bus width, delivering smooth and responsive gameplay even when running the most demanding games and applications.
The WINDFORCE 3X cooling system ensures that the card remains cool even during extended gaming sessions, allowing you to stay focused on your gameplay without worrying about overheating or performance issues.
Specs and Features
- It is based on the RDNA 2 architecture.
- It supports ray tracing and FidelityFX Super Resolution.
- It is capable of delivering 60fps or higher in most modern games at 1440p resolution.
- It requires a 650W power supply.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| GPU | Navi 22 KXT |
| Stream Processors | 2560 |
| Compute Units | 32 |
| Base Clock | 2150 MHz |
| Boost Clock | Up to 2600 MHz |
| Memory | 12 GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Interface | 192-bit |
| Memory Speed | 18 Gbps |
| Power Consumption | 250 W |
| Display Connectors | 1x HDMI 2.1, 3x DisplayPort 1.4a |
| PCI Express | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| Dimensions | 267 mm x 110 mm x 40 mm |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
| Price | $549 |
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4. MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
This graphics card features the latest Ampere architecture and boasts an impressive 4864 cores, 152 TMUs, and 80 ROPs. With 8 GB of GDDR6 memory and a 256-bit bus width, this card is ready to easily handle even the most demanding games and applications.
But it’s not just about performance – the MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 3060 Ti LHR also features Torx Fan 3 technology for improved cooling and longevity, as well as HDMI/DP and Nvlink connectivity options for maximum flexibility. And with its OC Graphics Card (RTX 3060 TI Ventus 2X 8GD6X OC) variant, you can enjoy even more power for the most intensive tasks. So whether you’re a serious gamer or a creative professional, the MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 3060 Ti LHR 8GB GDRR6X is an excellent choice for your next graphics card.
Specs and Features
- The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is based on the Ampere architecture.
- It supports ray tracing and DLSS.
- It is capable of delivering 60fps or higher in most modern games at 1440p resolution and 4K resolution with some settings turned down.
- It requires a 650W power supply.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| GPU | GA104-300 |
| CUDA Cores | 4864 |
| Base Clock | 1410 MHz |
| Boost Clock | Up to 1665 MHz |
| Memory | 8 GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Interface | 256-bit |
| Memory Speed | 14 Gbps |
| Power Consumption | 200 W |
| Display Connectors | 1x HDMI 2.1, 3x DisplayPort 1.4 |
| PCI Express | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| Dimensions | 242 mm x 112 mm x 40 mm |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
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5. ASUS TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 V2 OC Edition
ASUS TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 V2 OC Edition is one of the most popular graphics cards on the market. It offers excellent performance and is very affordable. However, there are some things you should know before you buy it.
First, the ASUS TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 V2 OC Edition is not compatible with all monitors. You’ll need a DisplayPort 1.4a-compliant monitor to get the full 4K experience. Additionally, this card requires two 8-pin PCIe power connectors and has a power draw of up to 320W.
The card’s front panel includes a number of outputs, including DisplayPort 1.4a and HDMI 2.1. HDMI 2.1 supports up to 48 Gb/s bandwidth and a variety of higher resolutions and refresh rates, including 8K at 60 frames per second, 4K at 120 frames per second, and even 10K.
With this graphics card, you can play Fortnite, Apex Legends, Minecraft, PUBG, GTA V, League of Legends, Overwatch, and Rainbow Six Siege.
Specs and Features
- The GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is based on the Ampere architecture.
- It supports ray tracing and DLSS.
- It is capable of delivering 60fps or higher in most modern games at 1440p resolution and 4K resolution with some settings turned down.
- It requires a 650W power supply.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| GPU | GA106 |
| CUDA Cores | 3584 |
| Base Clock | 1320 MHz |
| Boost Clock | Up to 1777 MHz |
| Memory | 12 GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Interface | 192-bit |
| Memory Speed | 15 Gbps |
| Power Consumption | 170 W |
| Display Connectors | 1x HDMI 2.1, 3x DisplayPort 1.4 |
| PCI Express | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| Dimensions | 242 mm x 112 mm x 40 mm |
| Weight | 0.8 kg |
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6. GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3070 Gaming OC 8G
If you have an extra $50, you should definitely get the RTX 3070. The GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3070 is a great graphics card for gamers who want the best performance possible. It has 8GB of GDDR6 memory and a boost clock of 1725MHz. The card also has three DisplayPorts and one HDMI port.
The GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3070 is a great choice for gamers who want the best performance possible. It has 8GB of GDDR6 memory and a boost clock of 1725MHz. The card also has three DisplayPorts and one HDMI port.
The GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3070 is the perfect choice for gamers who want the best performance possible. It has 8GB of GDDR6 memory and a boost clock of 1815 MHz. The card also has three DisplayPorts and one HDMI port, making it a great choice for any gamer.
Specs and Features
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| GPU | GA104 |
| CUDA Cores | 5888 |
| Base Clock | 1500 MHz |
| Boost Clock | Up to 1770 MHz |
| Memory | 8 GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Interface | 256-bit |
| Memory Speed | 14 Gbps |
| Power Consumption | 220 W |
| Display Connectors | 1x HDMI 2.1, 3x DisplayPort 1.4 |
| PCI Express | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| Dimensions | 242 mm x 112 mm x 40 mm |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
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Edit 25/07/2023: We updated the list on 25 July 2023 and Included two new options RTX 3070 Ti, RTX 4060 Ti and Radeon RX 6800 XT, which provides better value for money.
We have compiled a list of the best graphics cards you can buy for under $500. This is an ever-changing list, and we will update it regularly, so keep visiting to check the latest prices. Do share your suggestions in the comments below.