Best Graphics Cards to Buy in May 2026 as GPU Prices Continue Falling

Prices for graphics cards are finally going in the right direction in May 2026. After months of being overpriced, both AMD and NVIDIA GPU prices have fallen in a number of markets.

That will improve the buying process, whether you're upgrading an old system, getting a new gaming PC, or ensuring you get the best performance for your money. Since the next model won't be released for a long time, the current market offers some of the best options.

Released in May 2026, GPU Game Bundles

NVIDIA is now offering the Pragmata game bundle with RTX 5070 or higher (desktop and laptop) purchases. The promotion will end by May 12, 2026, but these deals may be extended based on demand. You will have to add the game to your cart at checkout with a participating retailer. It retails for $60.

Also, it includes a bit of additional value if you are already planning to purchase an eligible RTX GPU. There are no active game bundles between AMD and Intel at the moment. Their last promotions have expired, and no replacements have been announced as yet.

Prices of AMD Radeon GPUs Keep Improving

The AMD Radeon brand has been in a downward trend. RX 9070 XT has fallen once again, but it is now priced at 699. It has gradually decreased in price from $729 in March to $719 in April and will be reduced further to the target price. Other retailers are also selling bundled power supplies, which can also enhance overall value.

RX 9070 16GB has not changed much, with its price standing at $619, though it has fluctuated as low as 599. Those deals are not very long-lasting, but regular prices have not changed drastically.

In the meantime, the RX 9060 XT 16GB has slightly increased, whereas the 8GB version has declined marginally. Both models are priced at about $449 at the moment. When selecting models, we suggest focusing on Sapphire or XFX models rather than less expensive ones.

NVIDIA GPU Prices are Finally Dropping

The NVIDIA pricing has also begun to shift downward, a positive development. RTX 5090 is now selling at a 100 discount from last month, and a few models are available for about 3,700. Still very costly, but at least the prices are no longer increasing.

RTX 5080 is performing better in terms of normalization. It now has several models priced between $1,289 and $1,329, down from about 1,400 only a month ago. There is an improvement in inventory, and the prices are gradually trailing.

RTX 5070 Ti keeps decreasing. Although there are rare listings priced up to $899, they sell out quickly. You can probably realistically find one around 979. Other retailers are even offering high-quality 750W power supplies as a package, which may serve to counter the price difference.

The price of the RTX 5070 has remained constant, while supply has increased significantly. More models are emerging in the 630-660 price bracket, so more cuts may be on the way.

RTX 5060 Ti has occasionally sold for $479 in temporary sales, but at present, the price has returned to around $514. There are also price reductions on lower-end models, such as the RTX 5060 and RTX 5050.

Intel Arc Availability Brings up Concerns

Intel Arc remains competitively priced, but supply is becoming a problem. Retail stocks have been considerably reduced, and few models are always available. Intel's Celestial gaming GPUs also seem to be in doubt. According to recent reports, Intel might not even release dedicated desktop gaming cards in this generation.

Arc B570 is now available in only one popular version. Arc B580 is also not doing well, and there are a few models left. The declining inventory begs the question of whether Intel is dedicated to its current generation in the long run. Next-Generation GPUs are a Long Way off. In case you are anticipating the arrival of the next generation of graphics cards, there have been rumors that it may not be delivered soon.

It seems less and less likely that the RTX 5000 Super refresh will actually happen. RTX 6000 series from Nvidia might not be released until 2028, three years beyond the standard three-year generational gap. The RDNA5 cards AMD plans to make are expected sometime in mid-2027, leaving at least a year before launch. Waiting might not be very helpful given those timelines.

Best GPU Under $200

If you have a very tight budget, the RX 5500 XT can still be a nice entry point at approximately 100. It provides 1080p performance, but you will have to reduce settings and use FSR. A little more money is worth a lot. RX 5700 is a more powerful option, though we would prefer to stay within the $160-$180 price bracket.

Used NVIDIA cards such as the RTX 2070, RTX 2070 Super, RTX 2080, and RTX 2080 Super are a great deal at that price. They are much more attractive in modern games that support DLSS4.

Best GPU Under $300

The market under $300 is still tough, although one can still make some decent decisions.  RX 9060 XT 8GB is the most powerful option if you have an older PCIe Gen3 platform. Its complete X16 interface and reduced CPU overhead help maintain the performance of older systems.

For newer platforms, the Intel Arc B580 is worth considering. It has 12GB of VRAM and good raster performance. Still, its long-term usefulness will depend on ongoing driver support. Another option, particularly if DLSS is most important to you, is the RTX 5060.

Best 1440p GPU Under $500

For new cards, the RX 9060 XT 16GB is the best value. It is also very cost-effective, has sufficient VRAM, and supports FSR 4.1. At about 250, the RX 6700 XT and RX 6750 XT are a strong case to purchase used, assuming you are comfortable with that.

It might be of interest to Nvidia buyers. Still, the RTX 5060 Ti's value proposition is less favorable than AMD's and the used market. An older RTX 3080 12GB is also a good buy. Simply do not buy the 10GB variant, because the additional VRAM is important in the new games.

Best 1440p High Refresh rate GPUs

AMD offers the best current overall value with 1440p, 240Hz. Both the RX 9070 and the RX 9070 XT are very high-performing and expensive. FSR4.1 also increases their attractiveness. Assuming you can afford it, the RX 9070 XT will be the superior long-term option.

Nevertheless, the typical RX 9070 is still a highly competent alternative if you prefer to stay within the $600 range. Even the RTX 5070 is unexpectedly competitive, particularly at current prices. DLSS is also a huge benefit, but a 12GB framebuffer might restrict performance. RTX 5070 Ti remains prohibitively priced.

Best 4K GPU Under $1,000

AMD still leads the value discussion at 4K. The outstanding product is the RX 9070 XT at $699. It is hard to beat due to its raster performance, VRAM capacity, and FSR4.1 support.

RX 9070 is also a good option when you wish to save money. If absolute performance is more important than value, the RTX 5080 is worth considering. It provides better ray tracing and DLSS, but it will cost much more.

Assuming money is not an issue, the RTX 5090 is the fastest gaming graphics card.

Its price-performance leaves much to be desired, yet halo products have never been concerned with value. It is the card to buy if you want the best possible gaming performance without compromise.

The next significant release from NVIDIA could be as late as 2028; AMD RDNA5 is at least 1 year off, and Intel seems uncertain about its gaming future.  New hardware is also possible, but there will be insufficient initial supply, and launch prices will probably be high.

GPU prices are already on the rise. The balance of the savings that can be made over the next few months is only $30 or $40 in most cases. To the majority of customers, that is not worth the wait. Today, the market offers a wide range of graphics cards for all budgets. We suggest purchasing today rather than waiting until hardware that is still way up the river becomes available.