Buying Guide
The Best Graphics Cards Under $300
Five cards priced under $300 at the time of writing, compared on memory, power needs and features.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Raising the budget to $300 brings in Intel's Arc B570 with 10GB, as well as a low-profile RTX 3050 for slim PCs.
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
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Most Memory Under $300
ASRock Intel Arc B570 Challenger 10GB OC
10GB of VRAM with a single 8-pin connector.
Best for: Recent games at 1080p.
Our take Check price for ASRock Intel Arc B570 Challenger 10GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Best AMD Value
ASRock Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8GB
8GB with fan stop and a single 8-pin connector.
Best for: Budget Radeon builds.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8GB (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price at Writing
ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OC
The least expensive card here at the time of writing.
Best for: The tightest budgets.
Our take Check price for ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Best for Two HDMI Displays
MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 6G OC
Two HDMI 2.1a outputs with DLSS support.
Best for: TV and monitor setups.
Our take Check price for MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 6G OC (opens in a new tab)
Best Low-Profile Pick
MSI Gaming RTX 3050 LP 6G OC
A low-profile RTX 3050.
Best for: Slim office desktops.
Our take Check price for MSI Gaming RTX 3050 LP 6G OC (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10GB of VRAM with a single 8-pin connector. | Recent games at 1080p. | Check price for ASRock Intel Arc B570 Challenger 10GB OC (opens in a new tab) |
| 8GB with fan stop and a single 8-pin connector. | Budget Radeon builds. | Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8GB (opens in a new tab) |
| The least expensive card here at the time of writing. | The tightest budgets. | Check price for ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OC (opens in a new tab) |
| Two HDMI 2.1a outputs with DLSS support. | TV and monitor setups. | Check price for MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 6G OC (opens in a new tab) |
| A low-profile RTX 3050. | Slim office desktops. | Check price for MSI Gaming RTX 3050 LP 6G OC (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Most Memory Under $3001 of 5
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
- Recent games at 1080p.
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. On video memory it leads this guide at 10GB, ahead of the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D (8GB). It is the only pick here with an arc B570 gpu; the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D has an RX 6600 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. A 2600MHz boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the MSI RTX 3050 LP uses a 1492MHz boost clock. It also offers 0dB fan stop.
Its price falls between the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed card length should compare it with the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D, which comes in at 269mm.
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
- Costs more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at the time of writing
Best AMD Value2 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASRock's RX 6600 Challenger D is 269mm long, uses one 8-pin connector and stops its fans at light load.
Best for
- Budget Radeon builds.
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 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. An RX 6600 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger uses an arc A580 gpu. Like the Arc B570 Challenger, 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. It was priced above the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger and below the Arc B570 Challenger at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & 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
- Costs more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at the time of writing
Lowest Price at Writing3 of 5
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
- The tightest budgets.
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. You get an arc A580 gpu here, which sets it apart from the MSI RTX 3050 LP and its an RTX 3050 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. 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 ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D was closest. What it gives up: video memory of 8GB, behind the Arc B570 Challenger (10GB); by contrast, the Arc B570 Challenger offers 10GB.
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 MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X
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)
Best for Two HDMI Displays4 of 5
MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 6G OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
MSI's RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 6G OC has two HDMI 2.1a outputs and one DisplayPort, with DLSS support.
Best for
- TV and monitor setups.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent game is a problem.
Why we like it
It matches the MSI RTX 3050 LP on video memory (6GB). Like the MSI RTX 3050 LP, it has an RTX 3050 gpu, while the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger uses an arc A580 gpu. It shares a 1492MHz boost clock with the MSI RTX 3050 LP; the Arc B570 Challenger goes with a 2600MHz boost clock.
You also get 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. Buyers who need a confirmed card length should compare it with the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D, which comes in at 269mm.
Key dimensions & 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
- Costs more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at the time of writing
Best Low-Profile Pick5 of 5
MSI Gaming RTX 3050 LP 6G OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
MSI's RTX 3050 LP is an entry card with 6GB of memory, fine for older games and esports titles.
Best for
- Slim office desktops.
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
Two HDMI 2.1a ports and a DisplayPort make it useful in a multi-monitor work PC. 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.
Like the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X, it has a 1492MHz boost clock, while the Arc B570 Challenger uses a 2600MHz boost clock. No dimensions are published for the MSI RTX 3050 LP; 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 LP with the maker.
Only the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks. It gives ground on video memory, where the Arc B570 Challenger offers 10GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 3050
- VRAM: 6GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Boost clock: 1492MHz
- Low profile: Yes
- Outputs: 1 x DisplayPort 1.4a, 2 x HDMI 2.1a
Pros
- Low-profile design for slim desktops
- 14Gbps memory on a 96-bit bus
- Two HDMI 2.1a outputs
- A low-profile RTX 3050
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
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.
- Price tier
- We grouped picks by price at the time of writing rather than by listed clock speed.
- GPU and memory
- We compared the chip, video memory capacity and memory type stated in each listing.
What to Look for in a GPUs Under $300
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
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.
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.
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.
Count the display outputs
Most cards offer three DisplayPort outputs and one HDMI, but some swap that balance. Check that the ports match your monitors, TV or VR headset.
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.
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.
How to Choose a GPUs Under $300
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Recent games at 1080p | Arc B570 Challenger | 10GB of VRAM with a single 8-pin connector |
| Budget Radeon builds | ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D | 8GB with fan stop and a single 8-pin connector |
| The tightest budgets | ASRock Arc A580 Challenger | The least expensive card here at the time of writing |
| TV and monitor setups | MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X | Two HDMI 2.1a outputs with DLSS support |
| Slim office desktops | MSI RTX 3050 LP | A low-profile RTX 3050 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arc B570 Challenger | Arc B570 | 10GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D | RX 6600 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 269mm |
| ASRock Arc A580 Challenger | Arc A580 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 271mm |
| MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X | RTX 3050 | 6GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| MSI RTX 3050 LP | RTX 3050 | 6GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
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 6600 Challenger D |
| About $250 to $500 | Arc B570 Challenger, MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X, MSI RTX 3050 LP |
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
How big a power supply do I need?
Use the maker's recommendation for your exact card, then add headroom if you run a high-power CPU. Also check the connectors, not just the wattage.
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.
Should I choose AMD or NVIDIA?
Compare price and memory at your budget first, then features such as DLSS or FSR support in your games and hardware encoding if you stream.
Do I need a GPU support bracket?
Long, heavy cards can sag and stress the slot. Some come with a support stand or bracket; otherwise one is inexpensive to add.
Do partner cards of the same GPU perform differently?
Only slightly. Factory overclocks add a few percent at most; cooling, noise, size and price differ more.
Bottom Line
The Arc B570 offers the most memory under $300. The RX 6600 is the AMD alternative, the RTX 3050 Ventus suits two HDMI displays, and MSI's low-profile 3050 fits half-height cases.