Buying Guide
The Best Budget Graphics Card
Three graphics cards compared, from the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, with the trade-offs of each named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read3 products evaluated
Under $350, a graphics card targets 1080p gaming. These are ordered from the lowest listed price.
We sorted these picks by GPU, VRAM and memory, working from the makers' own data; if a maker skips recommended PSU, the guide says so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 3 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OCA lower price than the ASRock RX 6500 XT and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Getting 256-bit memory bus for the least money.
Check price for ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
ASRock Radeon RX 6500 XT Phantom Gaming D 4GB OC0dB silent cooling at light load.
Best for: Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light load.
Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 6500 XT Phantom Gaming D 4GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB OCThe highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing.
Best for: Buyers who want 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing and can spend more than the ASRock RX 6500 XT costs.
Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A lower price than the ASRock RX 6500 XT and the rest when we checked. | Getting 256-bit memory bus for the least money. | Check price for ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 0dB silent cooling at light load. | Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light load. | Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 6500 XT Phantom Gaming D 4GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing. | Buyers who want 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing and can spend more than the ASRock RX 6500 XT costs. | Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OC
ASRock's Arc A580 Challenger has 8GB on a 256-bit bus and supports XeSS upscaling.
Best for
- Getting 256-bit memory bus for the least money.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
It needs two 8-pin connectors and a 650W power supply. On video memory it ties with the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB at 8GB. An arc A580 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB uses an RX 9060 XT gpu.
You also get a 256-bit memory bus and 0dB silent cooling at light load. Measure for 271mm and 2.4 slots before ordering the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger. Power for the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger comes through 2 x 8-pin, with 650W the maker's minimum PSU. It cost the least of the 3 picks at the time of writing, with the ASRock RX 6500 XT the next step up.
Key specs
- GPU
- Arc A580
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Length
- 271mm
- Thickness
- 2.4-slot
- Recommended PSU
- 650W
- Power connector
- 2 x 8-pin
- Outputs
- 3 x DisplayPort 2.0, 1 x HDMI 2.0b
Pros
- 256-bit memory bus
- 0dB silent cooling at light load
- XeSS upscaling support
- Video memory of 8GB, ahead of the ASRock RX 6500 XT
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
- Recommended power supply of 650W, behind the ASRock RX 6500 XT (400W)
The catch
What it gives up: recommended power supply of 650W, behind the ASRock RX 6500 XT (400W); by contrast, the ASRock RX 6500 XT offers 400W.
Also Consider2 of 3
ASRock Radeon RX 6500 XT Phantom Gaming D 4GB OC
ASRock's RX 6500 XT has only 4GB of memory and states a 400W minimum power supply.
Best for
- Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light load.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 4GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It suits light esports titles rather than recent AAA games. Its 4GB video memory is the smallest in this group; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger leads at 8GB. It also comes with 0dB silent cooling at light load and a metal backplate.
No dimensions are published for the ASRock RX 6500 XT; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Power for the ASRock RX 6500 XT comes through 1 x 8-pin, with 400W the maker's minimum PSU. Its price falls between the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger and the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, based on our last check.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 6500 XT
- VRAM
- 4GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Recommended PSU
- 400W
- Power connector
- 1 x 8-pin
- Boost clock
- 2820MHz
Pros
- A modest 400W PSU recommendation
- A single 8-pin power connector
- 0dB silent cooling at light load
- Metal backplate
Cons
- 4GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Video memory trails the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger (8GB)
- Costs more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 3
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB OC
ASRock's RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB brings AMD's RDNA 4 architecture to a budget card with 32 compute units.
Best for
- Buyers who want 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing and can spend more than the ASRock RX 6500 XT costs.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games is a problem.
Why we like it
Its 8GB of memory is the compromise; the 16GB version costs more. It matches the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger on video memory (8GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RX 9060 XT gpu; compare the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, which has an arc A580 gpu.
You also get a dual-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop. No dimensions are published for the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB with the maker. It was the highest-priced of the 3 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the ASRock RX 6500 XT and the rest.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 9060 XT
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Boost clock
- 3290MHz
- Outputs
- DisplayPort 2.1a, HDMI 2.1b
Pros
- 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing
- Dual-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop
- 20Gbps memory on a 128-bit bus
- Video memory of 8GB, ahead of the ASRock RX 6500 XT
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- No published recommended power supply
- Costs more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at the time of writing
The catch
The maker doesn't give its recommended power supply; if that figure matters, the ASRock RX 6500 XT offers 400W.
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up three cards on GPU, video memory, memory and recommended power supply, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 3 picks leave out recommended power supply.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB gives no recommended power supply; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB gives no power connector.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger ($150 to $250) to the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Budget Graphics Card
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory across these picks
Here video memory runs from 4GB on the ASRock RX 6500 XT to 8GB on the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, a 100% spread. Start with the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger if video memory decides it.
Recommended power supply
The ASRock RX 6500 XT tops recommended power supply at 400W and the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger sits lowest at 650W. The ASRock RX 6500 XT is the pick for recommended power supply. The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB gives no recommended power supply figure, so 2 of 3 picks are compared here.
The circuit board on the back of a graphics card Power connector
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger lists 2 x 8-pin; the ASRock RX 6500 XT lists 1 x 8-pin. Settling power connector first narrows 2 picks to 1 or 1.
What to check at home
Measure for 271mm and 2.4 slots before ordering the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger. No dimensions are published for the ASRock RX 6500 XT; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Features beyond the spec table
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger: 0dB silent cooling at light load. The ASRock RX 6500 XT: a metal backplate. The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB: a dual-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop.
How to Choose a Budget Graphics Card
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting 256-bit memory bus for the least money | ASRock Arc A580 Challenger | A lower price than the ASRock RX 6500 XT and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light load | ASRock RX 6500 XT | 0dB silent cooling at light load |
| Buyers who want 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing and can spend more than the ASRock RX 6500 XT costs | ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger leads on video memory at 8GB, ahead of the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB at 8GB. "Not listed" marks recommended power supply where the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB leaves the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Recommended PSU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock Arc A580 Challenger | Arc A580 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 650W |
| ASRock RX 6500 XT | RX 6500 XT | 4GB | GDDR6 | 400W |
| ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB | RX 9060 XT | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, sat in the $150 to $250 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB at $250 to $500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, ASRock RX 6500 XT |
| About $250 to $500 | ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ASRock RX 6500 XT ahead of the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger on recommended power supply?
The ASRock RX 6500 XT is lowest on recommended power supply at 400W; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger follows at 650W, 38% apart. The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB is left out of this ranking because its recommended power supply isn't stated; 2 of 3 picks are ranked.
What makes the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger the Lowest Price Here?
It earns the label for a lower price than the ASRock RX 6500 XT and the rest when we checked. It suits getting 256-bit memory bus for the least money.
Do the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger and the ASRock RX 6500 XT differ on GPU?
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger uses Arc A580; the ASRock RX 6500 XT uses RX 6500 XT; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB uses RX 9060 XT.
What should I check before buying the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB?
No dimensions are published for the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB with the maker. In this guide it ranks third of 3, as our Premium Pick, and second of 3 on video memory (8GB).
Beyond the specs, what sets the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger and the ASRock RX 6500 XT apart?
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger: a 256-bit memory bus. The ASRock RX 6500 XT: 0dB silent cooling at light load. The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB: 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, chosen for a lower price than the ASRock RX 6500 XT and the rest when we checked. Look at the ASRock RX 6500 XT for 0dB silent cooling at light load and the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing if those matter more to you.
8GB cards may need lower texture settings in newer games.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Graphics Cards
- Related guideThe Best Graphics Cards for 1440p Gaming
- Related guideThe Best Budget Graphics Cards
- Without a budget limitThe Best Graphics Card to Buy
- Similar guideThe Best Graphics Cards for Gaming
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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