In 2025, Indian PC gamers on a budget have more choices than ever on best graphics cards. Thanks to newer GPU releases and price drops on older models, budget now often means cards around ₹15,000–₹30,000 (roughly $200–$360). At this price range, you can get smooth 1080p gaming and even entry-level 1440p performance. This guide covers both recent and older cards that deliver good frame rates for the price. We compare them by 1080p/1440p FPS, VRAM, power use, and cost, focusing on availability in India (Amazon, Flipkart, local retailers). Each section also lists pros and cons, plus a buyer’s guide at the end.
What “Budget” Means in 2025
In India today, a budget GPU generally means a card under ~₹30,000. For example, the EliteHubs tech site notes there are “plenty of graphics card models available under 30,000 rupees” in 2025. We can roughly categorize budget tiers as:
- High-end budget (₹25k–₹30k): Can run games at 1080p ultra and even 1440p high (e.g. RX 7600 XT, RTX 4060).
- Mid-range budget (₹15k–₹25k): Good 1080p gaming, some 1440p if settings are lowered (e.g. RTX 3060, RX 7600, RTX 3050 8GB, RX 6600).
- Entry-level (≤₹15k): Best for esports/older games at 1080p or basic 720p gaming (e.g. GTX 1650, RTX 3050 6GB, GTX 1630, RX 550).
Prices fluctuate, so watch for deals. Some gamers even find used GPUs (like RX 6600 XT around ₹14k) on local markets. In any case, “smooth gameplay in the latest games without breaking the bank” is possible under ₹30K. The key is choosing based on your resolution target (1080p vs 1440p), VRAM needs (more for higher res), and features like ray tracing or upscaling.
Top Budget Graphics Cards for 2025
Below are recommended budget GPUs available in India. We list both current-gen models and older favorites that still deliver value. Each card is shown with its VRAM, power draw (TDP), current Indian price, and gaming tier (1080p vs 1440p). (Prices from Amazon/Flipkart as of 2025.)
| GPU Model | VRAM | TDP (W) | Price (INR) | 1080p / 1440p |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMD RX 7600 XT (16GB) | 16GB GDDR6 | ~190W | ~₹32,000 | 1080p Ultra, 1440p High |
| Nvidia RTX 4060 (8GB) | 8GB GDDR6 | 110W | ~₹28,000 | 1080p Ultra, 1440p Medium |
| AMD RX 7600 (8GB) | 8GB GDDR6 | 165W | ~₹25,600 | 1080p High |
| Nvidia RTX 3060 (12GB) | 12GB GDDR6 | 170W | ~₹26,000 | 1080p Ultra, 1440p Medium |
| Nvidia RTX 3050 (8GB) | 8GB GDDR6 | 90W | ~₹20,300 | 1080p Medium |
| AMD RX 6600 (8GB) | 8GB GDDR6 | 132W | ~₹19,300 | 1080p High (no RT) |
| Nvidia RTX 3050 (6GB) | 6GB GDDR6 | ~75W (est.) | ~₹16,400 | 1080p Low-Medium |
| Nvidia GTX 1650 (4GB) | 4GB GDDR6 | 75W | ~₹13,900 | 1080p Low-Medium |
| Nvidia GTX 1630 (4GB) | 4GB GDDR6 | ~30W | ~₹10,800 | 720p/Older games |
| AMD RX 550 (4GB) | 4GB GDDR5 | ~50W | ~₹7,200 | 720p/Older titles |
The table above highlights that higher VRAM (like 12–16GB) helps at high resolutions and future games. It also shows that many budget cards are aimed at 1080p gaming; only the top two (RX 7600 XT and RTX 4060) can handle 1440p smoothly on higher settings.
Below, each card is examined with benchmarks, pros, and cons.
AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT (16GB)
The RX 7600 XT is AMD’s mid-tier RDNA3 card with a large 16GB frame buffer. It launched in early 2024 and now sells around ₹32K. With 16GB GDDR6 and a 190W TDP, it excels at high-quality 1080p and even 1440p gaming. For example, EliteHubs notes it can “crank up the settings to an ultra-high 1080p” or handle 1440p with ease. Its extra VRAM helps future-proof against VRAM-hungry games. Benchmark comparisons show the RX 7600 XT roughly matches or slightly trails the RTX 4060 on average, often by single-digit percentages.
However, the 7600 XT’s power draw is relatively high (~190W). It also lacks Nvidia’s DLSS and has weaker ray tracing. Compared to its 8GB sibling (RX 7600), it’s only ~5–7% faster on average. In other words, the big advantage is VRAM, not raw speed.
- Pros:
- Very high VRAM (16GB) for future-proofing,
- Excellent 1080p/1440p raster performance.
- Good value per FPS vs. 4060 (often ~10% slower for ~$30 less).
- Cons:
- High power draw (190W).
- Pricey for a mid-range card (₹32K).
- Limited ray tracing performance (no DLSS).
Overall, the RX 7600 XT is ideal if you want strong 1080p or moderate 1440p gaming without sacrificing future headroom. Its big memory buffer can matter for textures and higher settings.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 (8GB)
The RTX 4060 from Nvidia’s 40-series (128-bit bus) is a popular mid-range card. It uses only 110W, making it very energy-efficient. It comes with 8GB GDDR6. At ~₹28K, it’s a bit cheaper than the 7600 XT but with only half the VRAM. It excels at 1080p, and with DLSS 3/4 (AI upscaling) it can stretch into 1440p gaming. Real-world tests show that the RTX 4060 and RX 7600 (8GB) are very close in performance for non-RT games, with the 4060 about 7% faster on average at 1080p. In rasterized (non-Ray-Tracing) titles, they often tie.
The 4060’s edge comes from features: it supports DLSS 3/4 frame generation and much better ray tracing. For example, in Cyberpunk 2077 or Fortnite with RTX effects, the 4060 pulls ahead of the 7600 by large margins. Without ray tracing, the cards are nearly equal.
- Pros:
- Very efficient (110W).
- Latest Nvidia tech (DLSS 4, frame gen) for smoother frame rates.
- Strong 1080p/1440p performance.
- Good ray tracing support.
- Cons:
- Only 8GB VRAM can limit some games.
- Not as future-proof as 16GB cards.
- 4060Ti (12GB) or AMD card might be better if you need more VRAM.
This card is great for 1080p enthusiasts who want RTX features. It can hit 60+ FPS on high settings in most modern games at 1080p, and with DLSS it can approach 1440p speeds. However, if your monitor is 1440p or you play at ultra details, the limited 8GB buffer means you may need to drop textures.
AMD Radeon RX 7600 (8GB)
The RX 7600 (non-XT) is the 8GB variant of the above card. It uses 165W and costs about ₹25,600. It’s aimed squarely at 1080p gaming. In benchmarks, the 7600 is nearly on par with the RTX 4060 for pure rendering: on average it was only ~7% slower at 1080p. Without ray tracing, the gap shrinks to ~2%.
This means for normal gaming (no RT), the 7600 and 4060 trade blows. The 7600 will run high/ultra settings at 1080p in most titles comfortably. It even beats AMD’s older RX 6600. Its 8GB VRAM is enough for 1080p, though not ample for higher settings or VR. Importantly, like all AMD GPUs it lacks robust ray-tracing: it ran 20% slower than the 4060 with RT on.
- Pros:
- Very competitive 1080p performance.
- Lower price than 7600 XT.
- AMD features like FSR.
- Cons:
- Only 8GB VRAM and 165W draw.
- Slower ray tracing.
- Less headroom for future titles.
For a budget AMD build, the RX 7600 is a strong choice at ~₹26K. It offers excellent FPS in 1080p esports and AAA games. Just note the VRAM limit and power draw.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 (12GB)
The RTX 3060 (12GB GDDR6) is a last-generation workhorse. Even in 2025 it’s “still an impressive graphics card”. With 12GB VRAM and 170W, it’s very flexible. It handles 1080p maxed-out and can do 1440p on medium/low settings. In benchmarks, it outperformed the RTX 3050 and matched the RX 7600/4060 in many cases. Digital Trends found the 3060 to be about 25–40% faster than the RTX 3050 in most games (for instance, 65 FPS vs 52 FPS in RDR2 at 1080p).
At ~₹26K, it offers 12GB VRAM – the most on our list – which helps in texture-heavy or 1440p gaming. It supports DLSS 3 (no frame gen on 3060 Ti only), so some upscaling is available. However, it’s less power-efficient (170W) and based on older architecture. Also, 3060’s ray tracing is weak (no frame gen) compared to 4060.
- Pros:
- 12GB VRAM for future games.
- Strong 1080p and moderate 1440p performance.
- Good with DLSS (3rd gen).
- Cons:
- High power draw (170W).
- Older Ampere design.
- Expensive for relative speed if you find newer alternatives.
The RTX 3060 is ideal if you need a lot of VRAM and decent 1080p speed. It can smooth most modern games at high settings, and even tackle 1440p at lowered quality.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 (8GB)
The RTX 3050 8GB is an entry-level RTX card priced around ₹20,300. It has 90W TDP and is geared for 1080p gaming on mid settings. It’s roughly 23% slower than the RTX 3060 across the board, but still quite playable. For example, Digital Trends’ tests showed it delivering ~52 FPS in RDR2 (1080p highest) vs 65 FPS on the 3060.
The 3050 shines for casual gamers: it runs popular titles (Fortnite, Warzone) smoothly on 1080p medium-high. It also brings ray tracing and DLSS support to budget PCs – features the GTX series lacks. EliteHubs calls it “an excellent entry-level GPU” and notes it can handle esports titles with ease. It’s small and power-efficient, so it fits many prebuilt and low-wattage systems.
- Pros:
- Affordable 1080p card.
- DLSS 2 and ray-tracing support at 1080p.
- Very low power usage (90W).
- Cons:
- Only 8GB VRAM.
- Struggles with ultra settings in new AAA.
- Around 20–30% slower than a 3060.
This card is great for budget gamers on 1080p 60Hz monitors. It won’t max out every game, but it’s a big upgrade over integrated or older GPUs like GTX 1050.
AMD Radeon RX 6600 (8GB)
The Radeon RX 6600 is often called the “first true 1080p GPU”. With 8GB and a 132W TDP, it delivers very good 1080p performance. PCWorld’s review notes it offers “very good Ultra-quality 1080p gaming paired with 8GB of GDDR6”. In practice, the 6600 typically matches or slightly trails the RX 6600 XT, and is competitive with the RTX 3050. It often beats the RTX 3050 in raw FPS since AMD’s rasterization is strong.
However, it has no features like DLSS, and its ray-tracing is much slower than Nvidia’s. It can handle casual ray-tracing at 1080p, but struggles with heavier RT. Also, its 1080p prowess doesn’t carry well to 1440p – at higher resolutions or ultra-high settings its performance falls behind.
- Pros:
- Excellent 1080p raster performance.
- Very power-efficient (132W).
- Often available around ₹19K.
- Cons:
- Only 8GB VRAM.
- Weak ray tracing.
- Not ideal for 1440p or ultra-high texture games.
Overall, the RX 6600 is a cost-effective choice if you game at 1080p and don’t need ray-tracing. It offers solid frame rates on high settings in most modern games.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 (6GB)
This is the stripped-down RTX 3050 with 6GB VRAM. To start with, it’s priced around ₹16,400, making it the cheapest RTX card on our list. In fact, it still comes with a 90W TDP, and many models do not require external power. Because of this, it’s perfect for older systems.
Additionally, you get DLSS and ray-tracing support, which are great features at this price. However, the 6GB memory is a big limitation. As a result, it is best suited for basic 1080p gaming.
For example, games like Valorant, CS:GO, or older titles will run fine. But when it comes to modern AAA games, you may need to play at low or medium settings to get around 30–40 FPS. Therefore, this card mainly appeals to those who want to upgrade an old PC without adding extra power cables. In short, it gives a small performance boost at a very low cost.
- Pros:
- Cheapest way to get an RTX GPU in India.
- Works in low-power PCs.
- Enables DLSS/RT in casual gaming.
- Cons:
- Only 6GB VRAM severely limits textures and resolution.
- Lower FPS than 8GB 3050
- Sells out rarely due to limited demand.
Buy this only if you really need RTX features on a shoestring budget, or have a very old PC to upgrade.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 (4GB)
The GTX 1650 is an older but still common entry GPU (4GB GDDR6, 75W TDP). It’s aimed at 1080p esports and older titles. PC Gamer notes it “isn’t a bad GPU by any means. It can hit 60fps at 1080p medium to high quality in most games”. In practice, expect ~60 FPS in games like Fortnite, Valorant, or GTA V at 1080p/medium. It struggles more in new AAA games (e.g. 30-40 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p).
At ~₹13,900, it’s affordable and power-efficient. Its 4GB VRAM is very tight; some modern games won’t run smoothly on high textures.
- Pros:
- Very low cost.
- Low power draw.
- Handles esports and light games well.
- Readily available.
- Cons:
- Only 4GB VRAM.
- Not suited to modern AAA games at high settings.
- Last-gen architecture.
If you only play esports (CS2, Dota 2, etc.) or need a basic GPU for an office/gaming mix, the GTX 1650 is fine. Otherwise, consider 1650 Super (slightly faster) or newer cards if your budget allows.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1630 (4GB)
The GTX 1630 is Nvidia’s ultra-entry card (4GB GDDR6, very low power ~30W). It’s the cheapest Nvidia GPU available for discrete graphics. With performance above integrated graphics, it can run very undemanding games (Rocket League, CS:GO, older MOBAs) at 1080p low settings. However, even 1080p in new games will be choppy. It only makes sense for an ultra-budget build or as a temporary stopgap. EliteHubs says it “might struggle with the latest AAA games” but is fine for classics.
- Pros:
- Ultra-low cost (~₹10,800).
- Better than integrated GPUs.
- Tiny size and power draw.
- Cons:
- Very low performance.
- Only 4GB.
- Only 720p or very old games are playable.
This card is not recommended for serious gaming. It’s really only for very legacy systems or minimal upgrades.
Other Cheap Options
For completeness, AMD Radeon RX 550 (4GB) is the bottom-of-the-barrel. It’s an older card not optimized for 2025 games. With 4GB GDDR5 and low power, it can handle basic 720p gaming and media (e.g. GTA 5 on low). At ~₹7,200 it’s extremely cheap. Use it only if every rupee counts.
Another older contender is Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti (4GB), which isn’t in our table but often sold used. It delivers similar 1080p/eSports performance as the 1650. However, new GTX 16-series cards are generally better value today.
How to Choose the Right Budget GPU (Buyer’s Guide)
Choosing a budget GPU in India boils down to a few key factors:
- Resolution & Games: Decide if you game at 1080p or 1440p. All cards above can handle 1080p well; only the top two (RX 7600 XT and RTX 4060) are truly comfortable at 1440p without major compromises. For 1080p 60Hz, even the GTX 1650 or RX 550 will work for eSports, but for modern AAA games at high settings, target the 20k–30k range.
- VRAM Needs: More VRAM is future-proof. For 1080p with ultra textures, 8GB is the minimum (RX 7600/3060/4060), and 12–16GB is ideal (3060, 7600 XT). Cards with only 4–6GB (GTX 1650, 3050 6GB, etc.) will force you to lower textures or resolution in new titles.
- Power Supply: Check your PSU wattage. Cards like the RTX 4060 (110W) and RX 6600 (132W) are modest, but RX 7600 XT (190W) or RTX 3060 (170W) need beefier PSUs. Some entry cards (GTX 1650, RTX 3050) don’t even need a 6-pin cable. If your system is old or the PSU is weak, pick a lower-TDP card.
- Features (Ray-Tracing & Upscaling): If you want RTX ray-tracing or DLSS, you’ll need an Nvidia card (e.g., RTX 4060/3060/3050). AMD cards support FSR upscaling (and limited ray-tracing via FSR3 frame generation on RDNA3), but Nvidia still leads in RT performance. For budget builds, DLSS/FSR can let you enjoy higher FPS without dropping resolution.
- Price & Deals: GPU prices can vary. Always check retailers (Amazon India, Flipkart, local shops) for the best deal. For example, the RX 7600 XT 16GB is selling around ₹32K, while the RTX 4060 is around ₹28K. Sometimes previous-gen cards (RTX 3060 or RX 6600) dip in price and become bargains.
- Future Upgrades: If you plan to upgrade your monitor or CPU soon, you might invest a bit more in a GPU now. Conversely, if you only play lighter games, a cheaper card saves money. As EliteHubs summarizes: “For gaming at 1080p resolution, almost all the GPUs here are suitable; … if you want 1440p, the RX 7600 XT and RTX 4060 are your best options”.
In summary, pick the card that fits your target resolution and game library. For high-end 1080p and light 1440p, the RX 7600 XT or RTX 4060 lead the pack. For solid 1080p on a tighter budget, consider the RTX 3060, RX 7600, or RX 6600. If you only play esports or very old games, the GTX 1650 or even GTX 1630 can suffice. And always remember to match the GPU to your power supply and case size.
By balancing price, performance, and features, you can find a great budget graphics card in India that delivers smooth gaming for 2025 and beyond.