If you’re shopping for a modern NVIDIA RTX graphics card without going over €400, you’re in luck — the 50-series now includes some very budget-friendly options. In this article, we’ll explore the most relevant RTX GPUs below that price point, including the newly available RTX 5050 and RTX 5060, and assess which one might be the right choice for you.
What Makes the RTX 50-Series Interesting
NVIDIA’s new 50-series GPUs offer newer architectures, improved ray tracing, and support for DLSS 4 / Multi-Frame Generation, all at lower prices than many higher-tier cards. The currency fluctuations (euro vs. dollar) have also helped to bring some models down into more affordable territory. Tom’s Hardware
Top RTX GPUs Under €400 (or Close)
Here are some RTX models you can realistically find priced under or around €400 (or slightly above, depending on retailer and offer):
Here are a few highlights:
- Zotac GeForce RTX 5050 Twin Edge OC 8GB: Around €297; a compact dual-fan version, solid for entry-level gaming and modern titles with DLSS support.
- Zotac GeForce RTX 5050 Low Profile 8GB: About €284; ideal for small form factor builds, HTPCs, or budget gaming rigs.
- PNY GeForce RTX 5060 8GB: Available around €372; uses GDDR7 memory, newer architecture, better raw performance than 5050.
- Zotac GeForce RTX 5060 Low Profile: Approximately €322; low-profile design makes it perfect for compact cases.
Other Notable RTX GPUs Under / Near €400
- RTX 5050 (non-Zotac): According to Alternate.it, there are multiple versions of the RTX 5050 8GB GDDR6 for around €260. ALTERNATE
- ASUS GeForce RTX 5050 Dual OC: On Idealo, prices start from around €244.99 for this model. Idealo
- RTX 5060 (8GB): On Trovaprezzi, there are ~166 offers for RTX 5060 cards, some starting at around €316.10. Trovaprezzi
- RTX 5060 Ti: Note — the 5060 Ti 8GB sits a little over €400 in some listings (e.g. ~€405) reddit.com+1.
In-Depth Look: RTX 5050 vs RTX 5060
Here’s a breakdown of the strengths, trade-offs, and ideal use cases for the 5050 and 5060 GPUs.
RTX 5050
Pros:
- Very affordable: Multiple models start well below €300. Idealo+1
- 8 GB of GDDR6: enough for many modern games, especially with upscaling.
- Supports DLSS and ray tracing (though more modestly compared to higher-tier cards).
- Low power consumption — good for budget builds or smaller PSUs.
Cons:
- Performance is relatively modest: not ideal for very high settings in AAA games at 1440p or above.
- Fewer CUDA cores / lower raw throughput compared to higher RTX models.
Best for: Entry-level gamers, e-sports, 1080p gaming, compact / HTPC builds.
RTX 5060
Pros:
- More powerful than the RTX 5050, thanks to higher core count.
- Uses GDDR7 in some variants, which improves memory bandwidth. The Verge+1
- Supports advanced features: DLSS 4, Multi-Frame Generation, ray tracing.
- Several models available under €400 (especially 8GB variants). Trovaprezzi
Cons:
- VRAM (8GB) might be tight for very VRAM-heavy workloads or very high-resolution gaming in future titles.
- Low-profile or compact versions may trade performance or thermal headroom.
Best for: Gamers who want a balance of price and performance, especially for 1080p or light 1440p gaming, plus creators on a budget.
Final Thoughts
As of November 2025, NVIDIA’s RTX 50-series has made a great step into affordable GPU territory:
- The RTX 5050 is a stellar pick if you want a modern RTX GPU for minimal money — ideal for 1080p gaming or compact builds.
- The RTX 5060 brings a considerable performance uplift over the 5050 while staying under (or very close to) the €400 mark in many cases.
- For small-form-factor or low-profile builds, there are low-profile RTX 5060 and 5050 models that keep performance solid without using too much space.
If I were advising someone building a budget gaming rig now, I’d lean toward the RTX 5060 for future-proofing and better performance, unless they’re very space- or budget-constrained — in which case the 5050 is hard to beat for value.