Buying Guide
The Best Graphics Cards Under $250
Four cards priced under $250 at the time of writing, compared on memory, power needs and features.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read4 products evaluated
Under $250 you are choosing between older or cut-down cards. Memory ranges from 4GB to 8GB, and power needs from 400W to 650W.
Prices move often, so check current listings. We compared listed specifications from the card makers and retailer listings; we did not benchmark these cards.
Quick Picks
Which of the 4 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Under $250
ASRock Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8GB8GB on a 269mm card with a single 8-pin connector.
Best for: Most budget 1080p builds.
Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price at Writing
ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OCThe least expensive card here at the time of writing, with 8GB on a 256-bit bus.
Best for: The tightest budgets with a 650W PSU.
Check price for ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best for DLSS
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6GDLSS support on a 6GB RTX 3050.
Best for: Players who rely on NVIDIA features.
Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Power Need
ASRock Radeon RX 6500 XT Phantom Gaming D 4GB OCA 400W minimum PSU.
Best for: Upgrading an older PC with a small PSU.
Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 6500 XT Phantom Gaming D 4GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8GB on a 269mm card with a single 8-pin connector. | Most budget 1080p builds. | Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The least expensive card here at the time of writing, with 8GB on a 256-bit bus. | The tightest budgets with a 650W PSU. | Check price for ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| DLSS support on a 6GB RTX 3050. | Players who rely on NVIDIA features. | Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A 400W minimum PSU. | Upgrading an older PC with a small PSU. | Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 6500 XT Phantom Gaming D 4GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Under $2501 of 4
ASRock Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8GB
ASRock's RX 6600 Challenger D is 269mm long, uses one 8-pin connector and stops its fans at light load.
Best for
- Most budget 1080p builds.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
It is a previous-generation 8GB card still sold new. It supports AMD FSR upscaling for higher frame rates in supported games. Its single 8-pin connector suits older power supplies.
On video memory it ties with the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at 8GB. You get an RX 6600 gpu here, which sets it apart from the ASRock RX 6500 XT and its an RX 6500 XT gpu. Like the ASRock RX 6500 XT, it has a 1 x 8-pin power connector, while the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger uses a 2 x 8-pin power connector.
You also get a PCIe 4.0 x8 interface and a dual-fan cooler. The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D is 269mm long; compare that with your case's GPU limit. At our last price check it topped the group, with the ASRock RX 6500 XT the nearest cheaper option.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 6600
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Length
- 269mm
- Power connector
- 1 x 8-pin
- Outputs
- 3 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.1
Pros
- A single 8-pin power connector
- 0dB silent cooling at light load
- PCIe 4.0 x8 interface
- Dual-fan cooler
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
If you want a confirmed recommended power supply, look to the ASRock RX 6500 XT instead: it offers 400W, while this one gives no figure.
Lowest Price at Writing2 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
- The tightest budgets with a 650W PSU.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 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 6600 Challenger D at 8GB. An arc A580 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock RX 6500 XT uses an RX 6500 XT gpu.
It is the only pick here with a 2 x 8-pin power connector; the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D has a 1 x 8-pin power connector instead. 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 4 picks at the time of writing, with the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce 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 Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
- Card length of 271mm, behind the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D (269mm)
The catch
What it gives up: card length of 271mm, behind the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D (269mm); by contrast, the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D comes in at 269mm.
Best for DLSS3 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
- Players who rely on NVIDIA features.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games is a problem.
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 sits mid-pack at 6GB: the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D offers 8GB, and the ASRock RX 6500 XT comes in at 4GB. An RTX 3050 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger uses an arc A580 gpu. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. It was priced above the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger and below the ASRock RX 6500 XT at the time of writing.
Key specs
- GPU
- RTX 3050
- VRAM
- 6GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
Pros
- Dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler
- DLSS support
- Second-generation RT cores
- Video memory of 6GB, ahead of the ASRock RX 6500 XT
Cons
- 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- No published card length
- No published recommended power supply
The catch
There is no published card length figure, whereas the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D comes in at 269mm.
Lowest Power Need4 of 4
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
- Upgrading an older PC with a small PSU.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 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 ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D leads at 8GB. It is the only pick here with an RX 6500 XT gpu; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger has an arc A580 gpu instead.
It shares a 1 x 8-pin power connector with the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D; 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.
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 RX 6600 Challenger D (8GB)
- No published card length
The catch
If video memory is your priority, the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D (8GB) is the stronger choice.
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.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up four cards on GPU, video memory, memory and card length, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 2 of 4 picks leave out card length.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D to the ASRock RX 6500 XT, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the ASRock RX 6500 XT give no card length; the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D and the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce give no recommended power supply.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger ($150 to $250) to the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a GPUs Under $250
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory
Across these 4 picks video memory spans 4GB (the ASRock RX 6500 XT) to 8GB (the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D). For less, the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger is the runner-up at 8GB ($150 to $250 tier).
How much card length you need
Here card length runs from 271mm on the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to 269mm on the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D, a 1% spread. Start with the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D if card length decides it. The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the ASRock RX 6500 XT give no card length figure, so 2 of 4 picks are compared here.
The circuit board on the back of a graphics card Recommended power supply across these picks
Here recommended power supply runs from 650W on the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to 400W on the ASRock RX 6500 XT, a 38% spread. The ASRock RX 6500 XT is the pick for recommended power supply. The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D and the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce give no recommended power supply figure, so 2 of 4 picks are compared here.
Power connector
The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D and the ASRock RX 6500 XT list 1 x 8-pin; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger lists 2 x 8-pin.
Setup checks
The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D is 269mm long; compare that with your case's GPU limit. Measure for 271mm and 2.4 slots before ordering the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
How to Choose a GPUs Under $250
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most budget 1080p builds | ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D | 8GB on a 269mm card with a single 8-pin connector |
| The tightest budgets with a 650W PSU | ASRock Arc A580 Challenger | The least expensive card here at the time of writing, with 8GB on a 256-bit bus |
| Players who rely on NVIDIA features | Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce | DLSS support on a 6GB RTX 3050 |
| Upgrading an older PC with a small PSU | ASRock RX 6500 XT | A 400W minimum PSU |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D leads on video memory at 8GB, ahead of the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at 8GB. "Not listed" marks card length where the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the ASRock RX 6500 XT leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D | RX 6600 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 269mm |
| ASRock Arc A580 Challenger | Arc A580 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 271mm |
| Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce | RTX 3050 | 6GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASRock RX 6500 XT | RX 6500 XT | 4GB | 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 6600 Challenger D 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, ASRock RX 6500 XT |
| About $250 to $500 | ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the shortest card length: the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D or the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger?
The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D is lowest on card length at 269mm; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger follows at 271mm, 1% apart. The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the ASRock RX 6500 XT are left out of this ranking because their card length isn't stated; 2 of 4 picks are ranked.
How does the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger compare with the ASRock RX 6500 XT on recommended power supply?
Between the top two, it is 400W on the ASRock RX 6500 XT against 650W on the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, a 38% difference. The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D and the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce don't state a recommended power supply figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 4 picks are ranked.
Is the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D worth paying more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger?
On paper it adds card length (269mm against 271mm). The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger sat in the $150 to $250 tier and the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, with 2 other picks between them; pay the difference only if card length decides your purchase.
What makes the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce the Best for DLSS?
The label rests on DLSS support on a 6GB RTX 3050. It gives up video memory (6GB against 8GB) to the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, the cheapest pick. It is aimed at anyone who relies on NVIDIA features.
Do the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D and the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger differ on GPU?
The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D uses RX 6600; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger uses Arc A580; the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce uses RTX 3050; the ASRock RX 6500 XT uses RX 6500 XT.
What should I check before buying the ASRock RX 6500 XT?
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. In this guide it ranks fourth of 4, as our Lowest Power Need pick, and fourth of 4 on video memory (4GB).
Bottom Line
The RX 6600 is the balanced pick under $250. The Arc A580 was cheapest at the time of writing but needs more power, the RTX 3050 brings DLSS, and the RX 6500 XT suits PCs with small power supplies.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Budget Graphics Cards
- Related guideThe Best Graphics Cards Under $300
- Related guideThe Best Graphics Cards for 1080p Gaming
- Similar guideThe Best Graphics Cards Under $350
- Similar guideThe Best Graphics Cards Under $400
- ExplainerHow Much VRAM Do You Need?
- ExplainerGPU Power Connectors Explained
- Check compatibility: power supplies12V-2x6 vs 12VHPWR vs 8-Pin PCIe: What Your PSU Needs to Provide
- Similar guideThe Best Graphics Cards Under $450
- Topic hubAll graphics cards guides
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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