Finding the best budget GPU to run high-performance games is a challenge, especially when considering AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077. With a game size of approximately 70GB and the intricate environments of Night City, you’ll need a robust GPU to fully engage in the experience. This article details the ten best budget GPUs for 1080p gaming, focusing on established brands that deliver quality graphics.

Best Budget GPUs for Playing Cyberpunk 2077

1. AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT ($170)

Specifications

  • Architecture: RDNA 2
  • Cuda Cores: 1024
  • Memory: 8/4 GB GDDR6
  • Base Clock Speed: 2650 MHz
  • Boost Clock Speed: 2815 MHz
  • Memory Interface Width: 64-bit

With its 4GB GDDR6 memory, the AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT is a compelling choice for 1080p gaming on a budget. Its architecture and cuda cores are designed for modern titles, offering decent performance and ray tracing support.

2. AMD Radeon RX 6600 ($219)

Specifications

  • Architecture: RDNA 2
  • Cuda Cores: 1792
  • Memory: 8 GB GDDR6
  • Base Clock Speed: 2044 MHz
  • Boost Clock Speed: 2491 MHz
  • Memory Interface Width: 128-bit

The RX 6600 offers 1080p gaming with ray tracing support, delivering realistic lighting and shadows. With a power draw of 160 watts, it’s also easy on your power supply.

3. Intel Arc A750 Limited Edition ($220)

Specifications

  • Architecture: Xe HPG
  • Cuda Cores: 3584
  • Memory: 8GB GDDR6
  • Base Clock Speed: 2050 MHz
  • Boost Clock Speed: 2400 MHz
  • Memory Interface Width: 128-bit

Intel’s Arc A750 is an efficient card with 175W power draw, balancing value and performance. It supports DLSS and XeSS technologies for enhanced graphics quality in games like Cyberpunk 2077.

4. Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 ($230)

Specifications

  • Architecture: Ampere
  • Cuda Cores: 2560
  • Memory: 8 GB GDDR6
  • Base Clock Speed: 1.55 GHz
  • Boost Clock Speed: 1.78 GHz
  • Memory Interface Width: 128-bit

The RTX 3050 is a sensible pick for those interested in ray tracing at an affordable price point. Its Ampere architecture and modest power draw contribute to an enjoyable 1080p gaming experience.

5. AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT ($250)

Specifications

  • Architecture: RDNA 2
  • Cuda Cores: 2048
  • Memory: 8GB GDDR6
  • Base Clock Speed: 2055 MHz
  • Boost Clock Speed: 2635 MHz
  • Memory Interface Width: 128-bit

The RX 6650 XT offers a performance-price balance, specifically targeting budget gamers. Its 180W power draw sustains smooth gameplay at 60fps+ for titles like Cyberpunk 2077.

6. AMD Radeon RX 7600 ($270)

Specifications

  • Architecture: RDNA 3
  • Cuda Cores: 2048
  • Memory: 8GB GDDR6
  • Base Clock Speed: 2250 MHz
  • Boost Clock Speed: 2655 MHz
  • Memory Interface Width: 128-bit

The RX 7600 is a budget-friendly option for gamers focusing on 1080p resolution. Despite lacking advanced ray tracing capabilities, it offers robust performance with a 165W power draw.

7. Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 ($285)

Specifications

  • Architecture: Ampere
  • Cuda Cores: 3584
  • Memory: 12/ 8 GB GDDR6
  • Base Clock Speed: 1.32 GHz
  • Boost Clock Speed: 1.78 GHz
  • Memory Interface Width: 192-bit / 128-bit

With Ampere architecture and DLSS support, the RTX 3060 offers immersive visuals in both ray tracing and traditional gaming titles.

8. Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 ($300)

Specifications

  • Architecture: Ampere
  • Cuda Cores: 3072
  • Memory: 8 GB GDDR6
  • Base Clock Speed: 1.83 GHz
  • Boost Clock Speed: 2.46 GHz
  • Memory Interface Width: 128-bit

The RTX 4060 is designed for those who wish to upgrade their existing systems without going overboard on their budget. It provides a compelling gaming experience at 1080p with ray-tracing capabilities.

9. AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT ($350)

Specifications

  • Architecture: RDNA 2
  • Cuda Cores: 2,048
  • Memory: 8GB GDDR6
  • Base Clock Speed: 2359 MHz
  • Boost Clock Speed: 2589 MHz
  • Memory Interface Width: 128-bit

The RX 6600 XT offers a stellar 1080p gaming experience with a power-efficient 160W draw. AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution technology further enhances the image quality.

10. AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT ($350)

Specifications

  • Architecture: RDNA 2
  • Cuda Cores: 2560
  • Memory: 12GB GDDR6
  • Base Clock Speed: 2321 MHz
  • Boost Clock Speed: 2581 MHz
  • Memory Interface Width: 192-bit

Though slightly pricier, the RX 6700 XT offers 12GB of GDDR6 memory and efficient power draw. This GPU provides a robust 1080p and 1440p gaming experience, suitable for demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077.

Conclusion

The market offers a range of budget GPUs designed for 1080p gaming. Each of these GPUs has its own set of strengths and weaknesses, but all provide good performance for playing Cyberpunk 2077. Make sure to consider aspects such as ray tracing, power efficiency, and your system’s compatibility before making a purchase.

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