Best Graphics Cards Under £500 (2025 Guide)
Looking for the best graphics card under £500? In 2025, AMD, Nvidia, and Intel offer powerful new options for smooth 1080p and 1440p gaming. We’ve picked the top performers based on real-world benchmarks, efficiency, and long-term value.
Quick Recommendations:
- Best Overall: NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti 16GB (~£400)
- Best Value: AMD RX 9060 XT 16GB (~£315)
- Best 1080p: AMD RX 7600 XT 16GB (~£330)
- Best Budget: Intel Arc B570 10GB (~£150)
Detailed Reviews
1. NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti 16GB~£400
Nvidia's RTX 5060 Ti, launched in early 2025, leads the pack with strong 1440p performance, DLSS 4 support, and a generous 16GB of VRAM. It handles modern AAA games at high settings while staying efficient and cool.
Performance Highlights
- 1440p gaming at 60+ FPS in demanding titles
- Excellent DLSS 3/4 upscaling & Frame Generation
- 16GB VRAM and low 180W TDP
- Runs cool and quiet with triple-fan models
2. AMD RX 9060 XT 16GB~£315
AMD's RX 9060 XT brings incredible value with 16GB of VRAM, improved ray tracing, and FSR 4 upscaling. It matches the 5060 Ti in many games at a significantly lower price.
Performance Highlights
- Very strong 1080p and 1440p performance
- 16GB VRAM for future-proofing
- Great efficiency (~160W) and thermals
- FSR 4 + FrameGen for performance boost
3. AMD RX 7600 XT 16GB~£330
Still a great 1080p performer, the RX 7600 XT delivers ultra settings at high FPS. It lacks some of RDNA4's features but makes up for it with wide availability and stable drivers.
Performance Highlights
- Excellent 1080p gaming (80–100 FPS average)
- 16GB VRAM is rare at this price
- Good cooling and stable RDNA3 platform
4. Intel Arc B570 10GB~£150
For ultra-budget builds, Intel's Arc B570 is unbeatable. 10GB VRAM, decent 1080p performance, and XeSS upscaling make it a standout under £200—just watch for occasional driver hiccups.
Performance Highlights
- Great 1080p value (~57 FPS average)
- 10GB VRAM is very generous for this tier
- XeSS upscaling and low 136W power draw
- Improved drivers, though not perfect
Buying Tips
What to Look For
- • At least 8GB VRAM; 10–16GB preferred
- • Triple-fan or large heatsink cooling
- • Good warranty from reputable brand
- • Factory OC models with power headroom
What to Avoid
- • Single-fan compact coolers on high-wattage cards
- • Cards without proper PSU compatibility
- • Models priced far above UK MSRP
- • Cards with known thermal/throttling issues
Where to Buy
You can find new and gently used GPUs across major UK retailers and our listings. Check our GPU marketplace for curated options with verified sellers.
💡 Pro Tip
Save 15–25% by buying a slightly used card with remaining warranty. Newer models like the RX 9060 XT and RTX 5060 Ti are already showing up second-hand.
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