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01Best overall GPU under $500
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02Best AMD GPU under $500
Looking for a budget choice of component, we seek the best GPU under $500. Upping the budget, you can get a decent option for performance and capabilities. What might seem like an option being omitted, there are options to go after in the older generation, as you might wait for something new to come out in the newer generations.
But for now, you can still expect to have the best GPU for 1440p performance at this price point. You might struggle for 4k without any help but it certainly is a good start for 2K UHD gaming. It is an upstage to the selection of best GPUs under $200 these certainly have more features and power to utilise.
For this range of pricing, the best GPU to go for is the RTX 3070. With a $499 MSRP, the older-gen card has a lot to offer, especially as an Nvidia RTX option. It has strong 1440p performance but not quite averages at 4k. So we look at the offerings available.
Best GPU under $500
Best overall GPU under $500 – EVGA GeForce RTX 3070 FTW3 Ultra Gaming
EVGA GeForce RTX 3070 FTW3 Ultra Gaming graphics card
Base Clock
1500 MHz
Boost Clock
1815 MHz
VRAM
8GB
Dimensions
300 x 137 mm
Recommended PSU
550 W
- Strong 1440p performance for the price
- Older generation misses out on DLSS 3
- Just on the cusp of 4k capabilities
At the top of the selections for the best graphics card under $500, you get Nvidia’s RTX 3070. In the middle of the pack for Ampere’s generation, it has a strong performance for its level. Although now surpassed, there isn’t anything at the price point to match it just yet.
The GPU comes with the GA104-300 processor, built with Samsung’s 8nm processor. It means a die size of 392mm² with 17.4 billion transistors on it. The processor comes with 5,888 CUDA cores, with 184 TMUs, 96 ROPs, 46 SMs, 46 RT, and 184 Tensor cores. These have a base clock of 1,500MHz and a boost clock of up to 1,725MHz. Along with 8GB of GDDR6 memory, with a 256-bit bus clocked at 14Gbps, which gives it a bandwidth of 448GB/s as well as a TDP of 220W.
The card is still relatively well-sized and not huge like its successors plus it still a strong card to use for 1440p performance. You can expect a performance of around 128 FPS at 1080p, along with 94FPS at 1440p, and just about 58 at 4K. The card is a good choice for under $500 and is one of the best Nvidia GPUs of the last generation.
Best AMD GPU under $500 – ASUS ROG Strix Radeon RX 6700 XT OC
ASUS ROG Strix Radeon RX 6700 XT OC
Base Clock
2,457MHz
Boost Clock
2,622MHz
VRAM
12GB GDDR6
Dimensions
322 x 141 x 57mm
Recommended PSU
650W
- Overclocked model that offers improved performance over the other options
- Custom card might go over the MSRP of the card
Now if you’re looking for the best AMD GPU under $500 the AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT is the card to go for. It is also a 1440p GPU that offers other features that could push it beyond what it can achieve. Either with the use of FSR or RSR, you can probably push it a bit further.
In terms of its make up, it has a Navi 22 XT GPU variant on the RDNA 2 architecture. Made with TSMC’s 7nm process it has a 335mm² die size with 17.2 billion transistors on it. With 2,560 Shaders, 160 TMUs, 64 ROPs, 40 Compute Units, and 40 RT cores. It has a base clock of 2,321MHz, a game clock of 2,424MHz, and boosts up to 2,581MHz. This is supported by 12GB of GDDR6 memory with a 192-bit bus clocked at 16Gbps to give a bandwidth of 384GB/s also with a TDP of 230W.
It is a plenty capable option, with an expected performance of around 150 FPS at 1080p, with a 115 FPS option at 1440p, and 4K hitting below 60FPS. The ray tracing performance will also be lower for the Team Red options with a lower effectiveness with that feature. So it might be a consideration between them.
Best AMD GPU under $500 – things to consider
If you’re in the market for a budget-friendly GPU, there are several factors to take into account. With a variety of cards available, let’s identify the key considerations.
Resolution capacity
Primarily, for a GPU under $500, you should be focusing on 1440p performance, which is gaining traction among users. However, 1080p remains a common preference and will provide sufficient power for a robust performance. It’s also a suitable option for those running a multi-monitor setup.
Certain cards in this price range can also support 4k, offering impressive visual fidelity. As older hardware becomes more affordable, you can find several excellent choices within this budget.
Underlying architecture
One of the most significant disparities among GPUs lies in their architecture, either between generations or manufacturers. While newer cards bring enhanced optimization, they also come at a higher price point.
However, examining older models can yield great value for their performance capabilities. For instance, Nvidia typically offers better optimization for encoding and ray tracing, along with generally superior drivers. On the other hand, AMD provides a gaming-centric experience with additional features.
Upscaling technology
Upscaling is a recent innovation in gaming that allows games to be rendered at a lower resolution for higher FPS and then upscaled to look similar. This process improves the framerate, albeit with a slight reduction in quality.
Certain upscaling technologies such as DLSS, FSR, and XeSS need to be incorporated into the game and be supported by Nvidia, AMD, and Intel cards, respectively. Only AMD’s RSR can operate on any platform, as it functions on the driver level, making it applicable to any application running below your native resolution.
Final Considerations
There are several worthwhile contenders for the top GPU under $500. Exploring the mid-range segment, you can discover powerful options for 2k gaming. Additionally, upcoming releases from Ada and RDNA 3 in this price bracket should provide similar or enhanced performance compared to previous generations.
