Buying Guide
The Best GPUs Under $300
From the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to the Arc B570 Challenger: three graphics cards ranked on video memory and recommended power supply, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
Under $300, a graphics card targets 1080p gaming at medium to high settings. Every pick cost $300 or less, ordered by VRAM.
We sorted these picks by GPU, VRAM and memory, working from the makers' own data; nothing here was tested in-house, and if a maker skips recommended PSU, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Largest Video Memory
ASRock Intel Arc B570 Challenger 10GB OC
The largest video memory here (10GB).
Best for: Buyers who put video memory first.
Our take Check price for ASRock Intel Arc B570 Challenger 10GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OC
A 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.
Our take Check price for ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
ASRock Radeon RX 6500 XT Phantom Gaming D 4GB OC
0dB silent cooling at light load.
Best for: Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light load.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 6500 XT Phantom Gaming D 4GB OC (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The largest video memory here (10GB). | Buyers who put video memory first. | Check price for ASRock Intel Arc B570 Challenger 10GB OC (opens in a new tab) |
| 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 (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 (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Largest Video Memory1 of 3
ASRock Intel Arc B570 Challenger 10GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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
- The maker gives no recommended power supply, so look elsewhere if that figure decides it for you.
Why we like it
It was the least expensive card here at the time of writing and still offers three DisplayPort 2.1 outputs. On video memory it leads this guide at 10GB, ahead of the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger (8GB). It shares a 1 x 8-pin power connector with the ASRock RX 6500 XT; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger goes with a 2 x 8-pin power connector.
You also get 0dB fan stop. No dimensions are published for the Arc B570 Challenger; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the ASRock RX 6500 XT. Buyers who need a confirmed recommended power supply should compare it with the ASRock RX 6500 XT, which offers 400W.
Key dimensions & 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
- No published recommended power supply
- Costs more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here2 of 3
ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 sits mid-pack at 8GB: the Arc B570 Challenger offers 10GB, and the ASRock RX 6500 XT comes in at 4GB. You get an arc A580 gpu here, which sets it apart from the ASRock RX 6500 XT and its an RX 6500 XT gpu.
No other pick in this guide offers a 2 x 8-pin power connector; compare the Arc B570 Challenger, which has a 1 x 8-pin power connector. It also comes with 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 ASRock RX 6500 XT was closest.
Key dimensions & 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
- Video memory of 8GB, behind the Arc B570 Challenger (10GB)
Also Consider3 of 3
ASRock Radeon RX 6500 XT Phantom Gaming D 4GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 4GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
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 Arc B570 Challenger leads at 10GB. No other pick in this guide offers an RX 6500 XT gpu; compare the Arc B570 Challenger, which has an arc B570 gpu.
It shares a 1 x 8-pin power connector with the Arc B570 Challenger; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger goes with a 2 x 8-pin power connector. 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. On price it sat second of 3, between the cheaper ASRock Arc A580 Challenger and the pricier Arc B570 Challenger, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & 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 Arc B570 Challenger (10GB)
- Costs more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Fit
- We recorded length and slot thickness where the maker lists them, plus low-profile and SFF-Ready status.
- Power
- We noted the power connector and recommended power supply where listed.
- Cooling and extras
- We checked cooler design, fan-stop modes, dual BIOS, support brackets and display outputs.
- Price tier
- We grouped picks by price at the time of writing rather than by listed clock speed.
What to Look for in a GPUs Under $300
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Match the card to your monitor
Resolution and refresh rate decide how much GPU you need. A 1080p screen at 144Hz asks far less than 1440p at 165Hz or 4K.
Buy for the monitor you use now or will buy soon, not for a resolution you may never run.
Check length and thickness
Partner cards of the same GPU can differ by several centimetres. Compare the card's length with the case's GPU clearance, allowing for front fans or a radiator, and check how many slots it covers.
Pair it with a balanced CPU
A fast card with an old CPU can stall at high frame rates, especially at 1080p. At 4K the GPU does most of the work, so the CPU matters less.
Compare upscaling and encoders
NVIDIA cards support DLSS, AMD cards FSR and Intel cards XeSS. Each game supports a different mix, so check the titles you play.
Streamers should also compare hardware video encoders.
Plan the power connector and PSU
Cards use one or two 8-pin PCIe plugs or a single 16-pin 12V-2x6 plug. Confirm your power supply has the right cables and meets the maker's recommended wattage.
Treat 8GB of VRAM as the floor
Some recent games already push past 8GB at high texture settings. Cards with 12GB or 16GB give more room, especially at 1440p and above.
Two versions of the same chip can differ only in memory; check the capacity in the exact model name.
How to Choose a GPUs Under $300
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 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 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Recommended PSU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arc B570 Challenger | Arc B570 | 10GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASRock Arc A580 Challenger | Arc A580 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 650W |
| ASRock RX 6500 XT | RX 6500 XT | 4GB | GDDR6 | 400W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, ASRock RX 6500 XT |
| About $250 to $500 | Arc B570 Challenger |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do these graphics cards compare on video memory?
The Arc B570 Challenger leads at 10GB, ahead of the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at 8GB; the ASRock RX 6500 XT sits at the other end with 4GB.
Which is the cheapest pick in this guide?
Start with the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, the lowest-priced pick when we checked. The Arc B570 Challenger is the premium end, so the spread between them shows what extra money buys here.
Will my CPU hold the card back?
It depends on resolution and the games you play. At 1080p and high refresh rates the CPU matters more; at 4K the GPU sets the limit.
Will a PCIe 5.0 card work in a PCIe 4.0 or 3.0 slot?
Yes, the interface is backward compatible. Cards with a narrow x8 link can lose some performance on PCIe 3.0 boards.
Is an 8GB graphics card still enough?
For 1080p with tuned texture settings, often yes. For 1440p or high textures in new games, 12GB or 16GB is safer.
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 ASRock RX 6500 XT and the rest when we checked and the ASRock RX 6500 XT for 0dB silent cooling at light load if those matter more to you.
Check whether the card needs an 8-pin power connector; some older PSUs lack one.