Nobody likes paying more than they should for any PC component, but it feels like we've all been ripped off when it comes to the latest GPUs. That's because so few of them have been sold at the MSRPs set by AMD, Intel, and Nvidia.
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However, after going through all the major online retailers and checking out every current generation of Arc, GeForce, and Radeon graphics cards, I've found five that are available at or under the suggested retail price.
You might not want to buy any of them, of course, but if you're on the hunt for a new GPU and you don't want to fork out any more cash than you have to, then scroll through your options below.
Quick links
- GeForce RTX 5070 | $550 @ Best Buy
- GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB | $430 @ Best Buy
- GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8 GB | $370 @ Best Buy
- GeForce RTX 5060 | $300 @ Best Buy
- Radeon RX 9060 XT 8 GB | $280 @ B&H Photo
GeForce RTX 5070 (MSRP = $549)
Technically, this is 99 cents over the MSRP, but if you're handing over the better part of $550, what difference does another dollar make? Viewed in isolation, the GeForce RTX 5070 is a good graphics card and a sizeable step up from the previous generation RTX 4070.
Compared to the RTX 4070 Super, though, it's somewhat disappointing, which is why you should absolutely not be paying $600 for one. The RTX 5070's saving grace, like almost all the RTX 50-series models, is DLSS 4—Nvidia's AI-powered package of upscaling, multi-frame generation, and ray tracing denoiser technologies.
It's all extremely good and supported in many of the latest and greatest games. If you have a last-gen GPU, it's not so good that it's worth upgrading to, but if you're using an RTX 30-series or older card, then you'll definitely appreciate the jump in AI tech.
GeForce RTX 5060 Ti (MSRP = $429 16 GB, $379 8GB )
Yes, I know it's not exactly at MSRP, but this is another GeForce RTX 50-series model that's been frequently sold at well over Nvidia's asking price. Unlike the 5070, the RTX 5060 Ti is a decent improvement over the RTX 4060 Ti, even though it uses a little more power.
I've already mentioned DLSS 4 so I won't reiterate its benefits again. Instead I'll focus on the point that there, of course, two versions of the RTX 5060 Ti: one with 16 GB of VRAM and another with 8 GB.
The 16 GB version is at its MSRP (+99 cents, natch), but this 8 GB model is $30 under, so you should buy that one, yes? The two variants have identical core counts and clock speeds, so they'll run games at exactly the same speed.
However, in situations where more than 8 GB of VRAM is being demanded by the game's engine, the 16 GB will carry on just fine. Is that worth $80? Only you can really answer that question, but while VRAM limits aren't widespread in games at the moment, over the coming years, it probably will be.
That said, you can always turn down the graphics settings to stay within an 8 GB VRAM limit, so if you're counting the pennies, then go with the cheaper version. Especially since that's a genuine deal.
GeForce RTX 5060 (MSRP = $299)
Step down to the standard RTX 5060 model and once again, you're looking at an MSRP price tag. This Asus model looks like a big ol' beast of a graphics card, but underneath that massive cooler is a tiny GPU that isn't overly impressive.
DLSS 4 saves the day in games that support it, of course, and as you can see above, the RTX 5060 Ti is faster by a reasonable margin. And the 8 GB version of that particular GPU is only $50 more expensive.
So while the RTX 5060 looks okay on paper and the 'under' $300 price tag might be tempting, spending a bit more money will bag you a much better graphics card. If you really want to save your cash, then go Team Red.
Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB (MSRP = $299)
Cheaper and better than the RTX 5060, AMD's 8 GB version of the Radeon RX 9060 XT is easily the best value graphics card you can buy at the moment. Sure, FSR upscaling and frame generation isn't as good as Nvidia's DLSS, but the little RDNA 4-powered GPU inside the Radeon is pokier than the GeForce GPU.
If every graphics card was sold at its MSRP, I'd choose the 16 GB version of the RX 9060 XT instead of this one, but $20 is a pretty reasonable discount for what's already a well-priced card. Avoid all the usual 8 GB limits in your games, and you'll have yourself a cracking little GPU.
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1. Best overall: AMD Radeon RX 9070
2. Best value: AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB
3. Best budget: Intel Arc B570
4. Best mid-range: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti
5. Best high-end: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090
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