Graphics cards are pivotal in determining a gaming PC’s performance and often bear the brunt of budget considerations. Despite the upward trend in PC component prices, the market still presents viable options for those seeking potent graphics solutions without the financial strain.
In this guide, we’re focusing on GPUs priced below £250, showcasing cards that balance price efficiency and performance. These selections promise remarkable 1080p gameplay across a range of popular titles, ensuring high frame rates for an immersive gaming experience across the board and are all within the £250 price range.
Best Graphics Cards to Buy Under £250: AMD Radeon RX 7600
For gamers seeking exceptional value under £250, the AMD Radeon RX 7600 emerges as the top pick. Offering robust performance at 1080p and capable 1440p gameplay, it’s a standout choice for those WHO prioritise high frame rates without breaking the bank. Its efficient architecture ensures smooth gaming experiences across a wide range of titles, making it an ideal purchase for budget-conscious gamers aiming for quality without compromise.
Best Graphics Cards to Buy Under £250
1. AMD Radeon RX 7600
The AMD Radeon RX 7600 stands out as the top pick for gamers on a budget, marking its territory as a formidable contender in the sub-£250 category. Not only does it promise a seamless 1080p gaming experience, but it also ventures into the realm of 1440p with commendable performance. Its architecture, designed to efficiently handle modern gaming demands, ensures gamers can enjoy the latest titles with high frame rates and crisp visuals. This balance of cost-efficiency and performance makes the RX 7600 a prime choice for those looking to pick up a GPU without breaking the bank.
Beyond its gaming power, the RX 7600 is equipped with features that enhance its appeal. AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution, also known as FSR, pushes its performance further, enabling higher frame rates and better fidelity without the heavy hardware demand. The card’s energy efficiency and cooler operation also help provide added performance within a budget package. With boost speeds of 2.62GHz, 8GB of VRAM and a 128-bit bus width, it’s well-suited for current gaming needs, offering ample memory for textures and game assets, ensuring a smooth and immersive gaming experience across a wide range of titles.
| Key Specs | AMD Radeon RX 7600 |
|---|---|
| Video Memory Capacity | 8GB GDDR6 |
| Bus Width | 128-Bit |
| Base Clock Speed | 1.72GHz |
| Boost Clock Speed | 2.62GHz |
| Stream Processors | 2048 |
| Ray Accelerators | 32 |
| Power Draw | 165W |
| MSRP | £249 |
Despite its many strengths, the Radeon RX 7600 is not without its limitations. The primary drawback lies in its 8GB of VRAM, which, while sufficient for current titles, may not hold up as future games become increasingly demanding. This could potentially limit its longevity as a go-to option for future-proof gaming at higher resolutions or settings.
Pros
- Best performance
- Latest generation of GPUs
- Highly power efficient
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM
- Struggles with AAA titles
2. AMD Radeon RX 6600
With its 8GB of GDDR6 memory and a 128-bit bus width, this GPU is tailored to deliver smooth, high-fidelity gameplay without stretching your budget. Its base clock speed of 1.62GHz, boostable up to an impressive 2.49GHz, alongside 1792 stream processors, ensures that the RX 6600 handles modern titles easily, maintaining high frame rates even under demanding workloads.
Notably, the RX 6600 is equipped with 32 ray accelerators, making it capable of rendering realistic lighting and shadow effects for a more immersive gaming experience. The card’s modest power draw of 132W means it fits perfectly into setups with power constraints, emphasizing efficiency without sacrificing performance. Priced attractively at an MSRP of £219, the Radeon RX 6600 is an ideal choice for gamers aiming to build or upgrade their system on a budget, offering a high-quality gaming experience at a fraction of the cost of higher-end models.
| Key Specs | AMD Radeon RX 6600 |
|---|---|
| Video Memory Capacity | 8GB GDDR6 |
| Bus Width | 128-Bit |
| Base Clock Speed | 1.62GHz |
| Boost Clock Speed | 2.49GHz |
| Stream Processors | 1792 |
| Ray Accelerators | 32 |
| Power Draw | 132W |
| MSRP | £209 |
However, the AMD Radeon RX 6600 isn’t without its limitations. When gaming at 1440p, its performance starts to waver, requiring adjustments to graphical settings to maintain smooth gameplay. Additionally, while the card features Ray Tracing capabilities, it struggles to compete with the more robust performance offered by NVIDIA’s alternatives in rendering realistic lighting effects or other cards from later generations of GPUs.
Pros
- Price to performance metrics
- Solid boost clock speed
- Great 1080p gaming potential
Cons
- Not as strong at 1440p gaming
- Outdated generation of GPU
3. Intel ARC A750
The Intel ARC A750 emerges as a contender in the competitive GPU market thanks to its pricing and adept handling of modern games. Catering to budget-conscious gamers that fit under the £250 price point. Priced at £239, while equipped with 8GB of GDDR6 memory and a broad 256-bit bus width, the A750 offers a blend of performance and value, making it a viable option for those looking to enjoy the latest titles at high settings without overspending. With base and boost clock speeds of 2.05GHz and 2.4GHz, respectively, it ensures that the A750 not only meets but exceeds expectations of GPUs at this price point. The frequent updates to this GPU also indicate Intel’s dedication to improving game compatibility and performance, showcasing a proactive approach to supporting and enhancing its first-generation GPU lineup.
Notably, the ARC A750 excels with exceptional performance in newer, more demanding games, particularly those utilising DirectX 12. These titles are where the A750’s strengths truly shine. Intel’s focused efforts on developing strong DX12 drivers have paid dividends, providing gamers with a GPU that’s capable of running modern games at high settings at this price point. This emphasis on newer titles doesn’t detract from the A750’s capability with older games; rather, it highlights its optimal suitability for current and future gaming landscapes, where DX12 and beyond will play increasingly central roles.
| Key Specs | Intel Arc A750 |
|---|---|
| Video Memory Capacity | 8GB GDDR6 |
| Bus Width | 256-Bit |
| Base Clock Speed | 2.05GHz |
| Boost Clock Speed | 2.4GHz |
| Xe Vector Engines | 448 |
| Ray Tracing Units | 28 |
| Power Draw | 225W |
| MSRP | £239 |
However, picking up the Intel ARC A750 isn’t without its challenges, particularly for those new to PC gaming or building. The card’s performance, while impressive, can exhibit volatility across different titles and settings, necessitating a hands-on approach to driver updates and settings optimisations. This aspect might pose a hurdle for first-time builders or those unaccustomed to the tedious process of fine-tuning a GPU’s performance after installation.
Pros
- Competitive pricing
- Ideal for modern games
- Being constantly updated
Cons
- Not great for first-time builders
- Volatile performance
How We Tested the Best Graphics Cards Under £250
To figure out which graphics card is the best for under £250, our in-house benchmarker Harry Coleman has put all of these GPUs to the test. This involves benchmarking them against the current and old-gen options from both Intel and AMD’s product ranges within several different games. Our testing suite includes modern triple A games like Starfield, Hogwarts Legacy, and Esports games such as Apex Legends and Fortnite. The main factors that we’ve taken into account when testing were:
- 1080p Gaming Performance
- 1440p Gaming Performance
- Thermal Capability
- Power Consumption
- Value for Money
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the Best Time to Buy a Budget GPU?
The GPU market can fluctuate a lot. For budget cards, keep an eye on price trends after the launch of new series as that can lead to significant savings as prices often drop for previous-generation cards.
How much VRAM do you need in a budget gaming PC build?
If you’re on a budget and looking for a capable GPU for gaming, 8GB of VRAM tends to be sufficient. While higher VRAM quantities, such as 10GB and 12GB, are advantageous for 1440p gaming, it will push up the cost of your chosen GPU.
How much GPU power do you need for 4K gaming?
You will need to spend around £500 to £600 as a minimum on a next-gen GPU for 4K gaming, making the budget cards in this roundup insufficient for higher resolution, 4K gaming.
