Buying Guide
The Best Cheap Graphics Cards for Gaming
From the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X: four graphics cards ranked on video memory and GPU, with who should skip each one.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read4 products evaluated
Under $280, a GPU still handles 1080p at medium settings. Every pick cost $280 or less, ordered by VRAM.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: GPU, VRAM and memory come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and a missing power connector is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Which of the 4 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Largest Video Memory
ASRock Intel Arc B570 Challenger 10GB OCThe largest video memory here (10GB).
Best for: Buyers who put video memory first.
Check price for ASRock Intel Arc B570 Challenger 10GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OCA lower price than the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce 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
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6GA dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Best for: Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 6G OCTwo HDMI 2.1a outputs.
Best for: Buyers who want two HDMI 2.1a outputs.
Check price for MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 6G OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The largest video memory here (10GB). | Buyers who put video memory first. | Check price for ASRock Intel Arc B570 Challenger 10GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A lower price than the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce 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) |
| A dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler. | Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler. | Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Two HDMI 2.1a outputs. | Buyers who want two HDMI 2.1a outputs. | Check price for MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 6G OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Largest Video Memory1 of 4
ASRock Intel Arc B570 Challenger 10GB OC
The Arc B570 is the B580's cheaper sibling with 10GB of memory on a 160-bit bus.
Best for
- Buyers who put video memory first.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It was the least expensive card here at the time of writing and still offers three DisplayPort 2.1 outputs. Its dual striped axial fans stop completely at low load, and the card supports Intel XeSS 2 upscaling. Its 10GB video memory is the largest here; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger comes next at 8GB.
It is the only pick here with an arc B570 gpu; the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce has an RTX 3050 gpu instead. No dimensions are published for the Arc B570 Challenger; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Power for the Arc B570 Challenger comes through 1 x 8-pin. Its price falls between the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X, based on our last check.
Key specs
- GPU
- Arc B570
- VRAM
- 10GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Power connector
- 1 x 8-pin
- Boost clock
- 2600MHz
- Outputs
- 3 x DisplayPort 2.1, 1 x HDMI 2.1a
Pros
- 10GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- A single 8-pin power connector
- 160-bit memory bus at 19Gbps
- 0dB fan stop
Cons
- Costs more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here2 of 4
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
- Look at the others if this bothers 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 sits mid-pack at 8GB: the Arc B570 Challenger offers 10GB, and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X comes in at 6GB. You get an arc A580 gpu here, which sets it apart from the Arc B570 Challenger and its an arc B570 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. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce was closest.
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 Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
- Video memory of 8GB, behind the Arc B570 Challenger (10GB)
The catch
What it gives up: video memory of 8GB, behind the Arc B570 Challenger (10GB); by contrast, the Arc B570 Challenger offers 10GB.
Also Consider3 of 4
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G
Gigabyte's RTX 3050 Windforce OC V2 is the 6GB version of the RTX 3050, with DLSS support and a dual-fan cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
It has 6GB of GDDR6 on a 96-bit interface and third-generation Tensor cores for DLSS. The RTX 3050 chip has 6GB of GDDR6 on a 96-bit bus and supports DLSS and second-generation ray tracing cores. It is built on NVIDIA Ampere streaming multiprocessors, and its two Windforce fans sit on the GV-N3050WF2OCV2-6GD model.
On video memory it ties with the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X at 6GB. It shares an RTX 3050 gpu with the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger goes with an arc A580 gpu. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce with the maker. When we checked, only the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger cost less, and the Arc B570 Challenger cost more.
Key specs
- GPU
- RTX 3050
- VRAM
- 6GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
Pros
- Dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler
- DLSS support
- Second-generation RT cores
Cons
- 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 4
MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 6G OC
MSI's RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 6G OC has two HDMI 2.1a outputs and one DisplayPort, with DLSS support.
Best for
- Buyers who want two HDMI 2.1a outputs.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
It is built on the Ampere architecture with 6GB of GDDR6 at 14Gbps on a 96-bit interface and a 1492MHz boost clock. Its single DisplayPort output is version 1.4a, and the card carries two HDMI 2.1a ports. It matches the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce on video memory (6GB).
Like the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, it has an RTX 3050 gpu, while the Arc B570 Challenger uses an arc B570 gpu. It also offers a dual-fan Ventus cooler. No dimensions are published for the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X with the maker.
Key specs
- GPU
- RTX 3050
- VRAM
- 6GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Boost clock
- 1492MHz
- Outputs
- 1 x DisplayPort 1.4a, 2 x HDMI 2.1a
Pros
- Two HDMI 2.1a outputs
- Dual-fan Ventus cooler
- DLSS support
Cons
- 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Video memory trails the Arc B570 Challenger (10GB)
- Costs more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at the time of writing
The catch
If video memory is your priority, the Arc B570 Challenger (10GB) is the stronger choice.
How We Chose These Cheap Graphics Cards for Gaming
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 compared four cards on GPU, video memory, memory and power connector, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 2 of 4 picks leave out power connector.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the Arc B570 Challenger to the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X give no power connector; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger and the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce give no boost clock.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger ($150 to $250) to the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Cheap Graphics Card for Gaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory across these picks
Here video memory runs from 6GB on the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X to 10GB on the Arc B570 Challenger, a 67% spread. For less, the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger is the runner-up at 8GB ($150 to $250 tier).
Power connector
The Arc B570 Challenger lists 1 x 8-pin; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger lists 2 x 8-pin.
The circuit board on the back of a graphics card What to check at home
No dimensions are published for the Arc B570 Challenger; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Measure for 271mm and 2.4 slots before ordering the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger.
Features beyond the spec table
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger: 0dB silent cooling at light load. The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce: DLSS support. The MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X: a dual-fan Ventus cooler.
Budget
$150 to $250 buys the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger and the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce; $250 to $500 buys the Arc B570 Challenger and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X at our last check.
How to Choose a Cheap Graphics Card for Gaming
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put video memory first | Arc B570 Challenger | The largest video memory here (10GB) |
| Getting 256-bit memory bus for the least money | ASRock Arc A580 Challenger | A lower price than the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler | Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce | A dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler |
| Buyers who want two HDMI 2.1a outputs | MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X | Two HDMI 2.1a outputs |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Arc B570 Challenger leads on video memory at 10GB, ahead of the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at 8GB. "Not listed" marks power connector where the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Power connector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arc B570 Challenger | Arc B570 | 10GB | GDDR6 | 1 x 8-pin |
| ASRock Arc A580 Challenger | Arc A580 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 2 x 8-pin |
| Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce | RTX 3050 | 6GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X | RTX 3050 | 6GB | 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 MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X at $250 to $500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce |
| About $250 to $500 | Arc B570 Challenger, MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger compare with the Arc B570 Challenger on video memory?
Between the top two, it is 10GB on the Arc B570 Challenger against 8GB on the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, a 25% difference. The MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X closes the ranking at 6GB.
Is the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X worth paying more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger?
The MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X matches or trails the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger on video memory, so pay more only for a feature the spec sheet doesn't cover. The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger leads on video memory (8GB). The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger sat in the $150 to $250 tier and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, with 2 other picks between them.
What makes the Arc B570 Challenger the Largest Video Memory?
The label rests on the largest video memory here (10GB). The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger is next on video memory at 8GB, so this pick's 10GB is 25% further out. The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, the cheapest pick, sat in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It suits anyone who puts video memory first.
Do the Arc B570 Challenger and the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger differ on GPU?
The Arc B570 Challenger uses Arc B570; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger uses Arc A580; the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X use RTX 3050.
What should I check before buying the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger?
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. In this guide it ranks second of 4, as our Lowest Price Here pick, and second of 4 on video memory (8GB).
Beyond the specs, what sets the Arc B570 Challenger and the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger apart?
The Arc B570 Challenger: a 160-bit memory bus at 19Gbps. The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger: a 256-bit memory bus. The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce: a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Arc B570 Challenger, chosen for the largest video memory here (10GB). Look at the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger for a lower price than the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the rest when we checked, the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce for a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X for two HDMI 2.1a outputs if those matter more to you.
Check your PSU has an 8-pin connector.
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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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