GoKawiilAfter a couple of chaotic years defined by erratic MSRPs, scarce stock, and an AI-driven parts squeeze, prices have mostly landed where they were supposed to all along. The current generation hasn't delivered the leap many hoped for, DRAM pricing is currently a big mess, and 8GB cards refuse to die, but at least you can buy a modern GPU without feeling like you're negotiating for minerals on Arrakis.
The current-gen GPU lineup has its disappointments, sure, but it also has a few genuine bright spots. Intel's Arc B580 finally settling at $250 (and staying in stock) feels like a minor miracle. The 9060 XT 8GB dipping under MSRP is welcome, too, but the real standout is the 16GB 9060 XT at $350. Yes, it's pricier than beloved cards from years past, but adjusted for inflation, it holds up impressively well.
PC builders have been through enough plot twists lately, and the next chapter looks just as unpredictable.
At the midrange, the 9070 XT hitting $600 might be the single biggest win of the generation. It's only a single-digit bump over the RTX 4070 Ti Super (both 16GB VRAM GPUs), but considering that card launched at $800 back in January 2024, a 25% price drop over two years is nothing to sneeze at.
But here's the catch: this might be as good as it gets for a while. DRAM costs are spiking thanks to relentless AI demand, and AMD is already signaling that future GPU shipments will reflect those increases. In other words, if you're waiting for a 9070 XT to sink even further, don't. The floor is already cracking.
PC builders have been through enough plot twists lately, and the next chapter looks just as unpredictable. So while we used to warn readers to hold off because a new launch was always looming, our advice now is refreshingly simple: if you need the upgrade and you've got the budget, this might be the best time you'll get.
Let's break down the market – from entry-level to no-limits – and find the best GPUs you can actually buy right now.
Entry-Level GPU (less than $300)
AMD Radeon 9060 XT 8GB or Intel Arc B580
Starting with the most affordable discrete GPU options, there are a few choices here, though sadly none are particularly good, each with its own glaring issues. The cheapest cards currently available include the RTX 3050 6GB for $180, which is complete garbage, so skip it. Even worse, somehow, is AMD's Radeon RX 6500 XT 4GB for $210, a true abomination.
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