Buying Guide
The Best Value Graphics Cards
Five cards under about $630 at the time of writing, chosen for VRAM and chip tier against their price.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Value means VRAM and chip tier for the price. We looked at cards under about $630 at the time of writing and weighed each against the next card up.
Specifications come from each listing and AMD, NVIDIA and Intel; we did not benchmark these cards. Prices move, so confirm them before ordering.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best 12GB 1440p Value
ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9070 GRE EVO OC EditionAn RX 9070 GRE with 12GB and a 2880MHz OC-mode boost.
Best for: 1440p on a mid budget.
Check price for ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9070 GRE EVO OC Edition on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best 16GB Value
ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OCAn RX 7800 XT with 16GB of GDDR6.
Best for: The most VRAM here.
Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Value Under $300
ASRock Intel Arc B570 Challenger 10GB OC10GB of GDDR6 with one 8-pin connector.
Best for: Budget 1080p builds.
Check price for ASRock Intel Arc B570 Challenger 10GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Value Current AMD
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GAn RX 9060 XT 8GB on AMD's newest architecture.
Best for: 1080p with FSR 4 support.
Check price for GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Value Small Card
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5050 Twin Edge OCA 2-slot SFF-Ready RTX 5050.
Best for: Small cases.
Check price for ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5050 Twin Edge OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best 12GB 1440p Value1 of 5
ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9070 GRE EVO OC Edition
The ASUS Prime RX 9070 GRE has 12GB of GDDR6 and a 2880MHz boost in OC mode, with a phase-change thermal pad.
Best for
- 1440p on a mid budget.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Arc B570 Challenger cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its 12GB video memory ranks second of 5 here, behind the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB) and ahead of the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge (8GB). It is the only pick here with an RX 9070 GRE gpu; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend has an RX 7800 XT gpu instead. A 2880MHz (OC mode) boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the Arc B570 Challenger uses a 2600MHz boost clock.
It also offers a dual BIOS switch. The ASUS Prime 9070 GRE occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE with the maker. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 9070 GRE
- VRAM
- 12GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Thickness
- 2.5-slot
- Boost clock
- 2880MHz (OC mode)
Pros
- 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- Phase-change GPU thermal pad
- Dual BIOS switch
- RX 9070 GRE gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Arc B570 Challenger at the time of writing
Best 16GB Value2 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OC
The Steel Legend adds a white-and-silver finish and a 2520MHz boost, and it has a 700W recommended power supply.
Best for
- The most VRAM here.
Skip if
- Pass on it if needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
Its 16GB video memory is the largest here; the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE comes next at 12GB. An RX 7800 XT gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the Arc B570 Challenger uses an arc B570 gpu. It is the only pick here with a 2 x 8-pin power connector; the Arc B570 Challenger has a 1 x 8-pin power connector instead.
No other pick in this guide offers a 2520MHz boost clock; compare the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE, which has a 2880MHz (OC mode) boost clock. No dimensions are published for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Power for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend comes through 2 x 8-pin, with 700W the maker's minimum PSU. It was priced above the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB and below the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE at the time of writing.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 7800 XT
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Recommended PSU
- 700W
- Power connector
- 2 x 8-pin
- Boost clock
- 2520MHz
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- White-and-silver Steel Legend finish
- 700W recommended PSU
- RX 7800 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
- Costs more than the Arc B570 Challenger at the time of writing
The catch
There is no published cooler thickness figure, whereas the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge comes in at 2-slot.
Best Value Under $3003 of 5
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
- Budget 1080p builds.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when video memory of 10GB, behind the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB) is a problem.
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 ranks third of 5 here, behind the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB) and ahead of the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge (8GB).
No other pick in this guide offers an arc B570 gpu; compare the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB, which has an RX 9060 XT gpu. It shares a 1 x 8-pin power connector with the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend goes with a 2 x 8-pin power connector. It undercut the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
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
- Video memory of 10GB, behind the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB)
The catch
The maker doesn't give its cooler thickness; if that figure matters, the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge comes in at 2-slot.
Best Value Current AMD4 of 5
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G
Gigabyte's RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB is the entry to AMD's RDNA 4 generation, with Hawk fans and RGB lighting.
Best for
- 1080p with FSR 4 support.
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 suits 1080p more than 1440p. It matches the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge on video memory (8GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RX 9060 XT gpu; compare the Arc B570 Challenger, which has an arc B570 gpu.
It also offers server-grade thermal conductive gel. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 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 Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB with the maker. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge and the pricier ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 9060 XT
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
Pros
- WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans
- Server-grade thermal conductive gel
- RGB lighting
- RX 9060 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the Arc B570 Challenger at the time of writing
The catch
The maker doesn't give its cooler thickness; if that figure matters, the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge comes in at 2-slot.
Best Value Small Card5 of 5
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5050 Twin Edge OC
Zotac's RTX 5050 Twin Edge is a two-slot, SFF-Ready card with two 90mm fans and one 8-pin plug.
Best for
- Small cases.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games is a problem.
Why we like it
It is the smallest NVIDIA option here for a compact case. On video memory it ties with the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB at 8GB. An RTX 5050 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend uses an RX 7800 XT gpu.
Like the Arc B570 Challenger, it has a 1 x 8-pin power connector, while the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend uses a 2 x 8-pin power connector. You also get a pass-through airflow design and a metal backplate. The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge occupies 2 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case.
SFF-Ready is NVIDIA's size guideline, not a guarantee the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge fits every small case. It was priced above the Arc B570 Challenger and below the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB at the time of writing.
Key specs
- GPU
- RTX 5050
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Thickness
- 2-slot
- Power connector
- 1 x 8-pin
- SFF-Ready
- Yes
- Outputs
- 3 x DisplayPort 2.1b, 1 x HDMI 2.1b
Pros
- Dual-slot cooler leaves the next slot free
- A single 8-pin power connector
- Carries NVIDIA's SFF-Ready label
- Two 90mm BladeLink fans
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Video memory trails the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB)
- Costs more than the Arc B570 Challenger at the time of writing
The catch
It gives ground on video memory, where the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend offers 16GB.
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 set side by side five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and cooler thickness from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and cooler thickness and power connector are missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE to the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, the Arc B570 Challenger and the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB give no cooler thickness; the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE and the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB give no power connector.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Arc B570 Challenger ($250 to $500) to the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a Value GPUs
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend tops video memory at 16GB and the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge sits lowest at 8GB. The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend is the pick for video memory.
How much cooler thickness you need
Across these 2 picks cooler thickness spans 2.5-slot (the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE) to 2-slot (the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge). If cooler thickness is your first filter, the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge sets the ceiling at 2-slot. The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, the Arc B570 Challenger and the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB give no cooler thickness figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
The circuit board on the back of a graphics card Power connector
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend lists 2 x 8-pin; the Arc B570 Challenger and the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge list 1 x 8-pin. Settling power connector first narrows 3 picks to 2 or 1.
Setup checks
The ASUS Prime 9070 GRE occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. No dimensions are published for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Features beyond the spec table
The Arc B570 Challenger: 0dB fan stop. The Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB: server-grade thermal conductive gel. The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge: a pass-through airflow design.
How to Choose a Value GPUs
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1440p on a mid budget | ASUS Prime 9070 GRE | An RX 9070 GRE with 12GB and a 2880MHz OC-mode boost |
| The most VRAM here | ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend | An RX 7800 XT with 16GB of GDDR6 |
| Budget 1080p builds | Arc B570 Challenger | 10GB of GDDR6 with one 8-pin connector |
| 1080p with FSR 4 support | Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB | An RX 9060 XT 8GB on AMD's newest architecture |
| Small cases | Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge | A 2-slot SFF-Ready RTX 5050 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend leads on video memory at 16GB, ahead of the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE at 12GB. "Not listed" marks cooler thickness where the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, the Arc B570 Challenger and the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS Prime 9070 GRE | RX 9070 GRE | 12GB | GDDR6 | 2.5-slot |
| ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend | RX 7800 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Arc B570 Challenger | Arc B570 | 10GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB | RX 9060 XT | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge | RTX 5050 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 2-slot |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Arc B570 Challenger, sat in the $250 to $500 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE at $500 to $1000; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | Arc B570 Challenger, Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge, Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB, ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend |
| About $500 to $1000 | ASUS Prime 9070 GRE |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend ahead of the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE on video memory?
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend leads at 16GB, with the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE at 12GB. The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge closes the ranking at 8GB.
Which has the slimmest cooler thickness: the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge or the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE?
The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge is lowest on cooler thickness at 2-slot; the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE follows at 2.5-slot, 20% apart. No cooler thickness figure is published for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, the Arc B570 Challenger and the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB, which leaves 2 of 5 picks ranked here.
Is the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE worth paying more than the Arc B570 Challenger?
The spec sheets show video memory (12GB against 10GB) in its favour. The Arc B570 Challenger sat in the $250 to $500 tier and the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if video memory decides your purchase.
What makes the Arc B570 Challenger the Best Value Under $300?
It earns the label for 10GB of GDDR6 with one 8-pin connector. It suits budget 1080p builds.
Do the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE and the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend differ on GPU?
The ASUS Prime 9070 GRE uses RX 9070 GRE; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend uses RX 7800 XT; the Arc B570 Challenger uses Arc B570; the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB uses RX 9060 XT; the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge uses RTX 5050.
What should I check before buying the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE?
The ASUS Prime 9070 GRE occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE with the maker. In this guide it ranks first of 5, as our Best 12GB 1440p Value pick, and second of 5 on video memory (12GB).
Bottom Line
The ASUS Prime RX 9070 GRE is the best overall value, and the ASRock RX 7800 XT Steel Legend gives the most VRAM. The Arc B570 is the pick under $300, the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT 8GB suits 1080p, and the Zotac RTX 5050 fits small cases.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best GPU for the Money
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- Without a budget limitThe Best Graphics Card to Buy
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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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