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Best GPU Under $500

For 1440p gaming on a budget, look for GPUs that offer strong raw performance, sufficient VRAM (ideally 12GB+), and good feature sets like upscaling technologies.

#1Top pickAMD

AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT

Offers excellent raw performance for 1440p, 16GB of VRAM, and a strong price-to-performance ratio, making it ideal for high refresh rate gaming.

$499
MSRP
#2Best valueNVIDIA

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070

Still a very capable 1440p card with good ray tracing performance and DLSS, often found at competitive prices on the used market, though 8GB VRAM can be a limitation in newer titles.

$499
MSRP
#3Budget pickAMD

AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT

A solid performer for 1440p at a slightly lower price point, offering 12GB of VRAM which is better for future-proofing than 8GB cards.

$449
MSRP

How to choose

The RX 7800 XT is the best all-rounder for new purchases. The RTX 3070 is a strong contender if found at a good price, especially used, for its feature set. The RX 7700 XT is a great budget-conscious choice that still delivers a good 1440p experience.

Common questions

How did you pick the best gpus for best gpu under $500?+
The RX 7800 XT is the best all-rounder for new purchases. The RTX 3070 is a strong contender if found at a good price, especially used, for its feature set. The RX 7700 XT is a great budget-conscious choice that still delivers a good 1440p experience.
What's the best gpu overall?+
Our current top pick is the AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT (MSRP $499). Offers excellent raw performance for 1440p, 16GB of VRAM, and a strong price-to-performance ratio, making it ideal for high refresh rate gaming.
Are the prices live or estimates?+
MSRP shown is from manufacturer or retailer reference pricing. For live retailer pricing across Amazon, Newegg, Best Buy and other retailers, click any part to see its detail page — we pull live prices on demand and cache them for 30 days.
Do you make money if I buy through these links?+
Yes — we earn affiliate commission from Amazon, Newegg, Best Buy and other retailers when you click "Buy" and complete a purchase. The price you pay is identical to going to the retailer directly. Commissions never influence which parts rank where.

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