Best Mid‑Range GPUs for Ray Tracing in 1080p/1440p — Value Picks for 2026

By: pcbuildhelper Editorial Team | Updated: Jan 8, 2026

In 2026, real‑time ray tracing has become mainstream, even in mid‑range GPUs. Whether you're gaming at 1080p or 1440p, you want frames that are smooth, visuals that are immersive, and technologies like DLSS, FSR, or XeSS to enhance performance without sacrificing quality.

This guide focuses on mid‑range GPUs that deliver solid ray tracing at 1080p and 1440p, balancing price, performance, and next‑generation features. All picks are based on the latest benchmarks and feature support like DLSS 4 or AMD FSR 4 to future‑proof your setup.

TL;DR: Top Mid‑Range Ray‑Tracing GPUs for Value in 2026

• Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti – Entry‑level Blackwell ray tracing, DLSS 4, unbeatable ~$379 MSRP
• Nvidia RTX 5070 – Strong 1440p ray tracing performance with GDDR7
• AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT (16 GB) – Cost‑effective, generous VRAM, solid performance
• AMD Radeon RX 9070 – Best overall 1440p ray tracing value via RDNA 4
• Intel Arc B580 – Budget pick with XeSS, reasonable ray tracing, ~$249

RTX 5060 Ti – Best Value Ray Tracing with DLSS 4

Overview
The RTX 5060 Ti launched in 2025 as Nvidia’s most affordable mid‑range ray tracing GPU, starting at $379 (8 GB) or $429 (16 GB) MSRP. It supports DLSS 4 with Multi‑Frame Generation (MFG), Nvidia’s newest frame‑boosting AI tech.

Why We Recommend It

• Exceptional ray tracing performance at 1080p and respectable at 1440p
• DLSS 4 + MFG delivers massive FPS gains in supported titles like Cyberpunk 2077
• 16 GB version offers future‑ready memory buffer despite availability challenges

Pros:

• Modern Blackwell architecture with RT and Tensor cores
• Gigantic feature ecosystem: DLSS 4, Reflex, PCIe 5, GDDR7 (16 GB version)
• MSRP presents compelling value compared to previous-gen cards

Cons:

• Stock limited in some regions; prices often inflated
• Base 8 GB variant may limit long-term 1440p usage

Buy on Amazon

RTX 5070 – Strong Performance and Ray Tracing Headroom

Overview
Positioned above 5060 Ti, the RTX 5070 ($549 MSRP) offers a major leap in raw power while maintaining DLSS 4 and strong ray tracing capabilities.

Why We Recommend It

• Consistently high 1440p FPS with ray tracing, strong for future‑proofing
• GDDR7 memory and DLSS 4 make it a compelling mid‑range powerhouse

Pros:

• High ray tracing core count for smoother performance
• Excellent rasterization + AI features

Cons:

• Higher price, limited to value‑focused build when on sale

Buy on Amazon

AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT (16 GB) – Great Memory & Ray-Tracing Potential

Overview
The AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT (16 GB) is a budget-friendly RDNA 4 card below $400 that delivers strong 1080p and decent 1440p ray tracing performance.

Why We Recommend It

• Massive 16 GB VRAM grants headroom for modern titles
• FSR support enhances ray tracing FPS

Pros:

• Affordable with enough memory for high-res textures
• Good value for mid-range workloads

Cons:

• Ray tracing isn’t as refined as Nvidia DLSS solutions

Buy on Amazon

AMD Radeon RX 9070 – Best 1440p Value with RDNA 4

Overview
TechRadar’s top 1440p GPU pick of 2026, the Radeon RX 9070 balances performance and pricing with 16 GB GDDR6, robust RT performance, and FSR 4 upscaling.

Why We Recommend It

• Excellent 1440p ray tracing performance for the money
• RDNA 4 architecture with advanced upscaling options

Pros:

• Top-tier 1440p value
• Larger VRAM, strong RT and AI feature suite

Cons:

• Slightly higher power draw than Nvidia equivalents
• Creative/media workloads less optimized

Buy on Amazon

Intel Arc B580 – Budget Ray Tracing Alternative

Overview
At just $249, the Intel Arc B580 offers ray tracing at a very low price, with 12 GB VRAM and XeSS upscaling. It’s a strong entry point for gamers on tight budget.

Why We Recommend It

• Fantastic price-to-performance ratio in ray tracing 1440p scenarios
• XeSS support closes the gap with DLSS/FSR

Pros:

• Superb MSRP for its performance class
• Decent ray tracing and future-ready memory

Cons:

• Drivers still maturing
• Less optimized ecosystem compared to Nvidia/AMD

Buy on Amazon

Essential Buying Considerations

• Ray Tracing & Upscaling: Nvidia’s RTX 50-series leads with DLSS 4 and MFG. AMD offers FSR 4 on RDNA 4 GPUs; Intel brings XeSS, though not as polished.
• VRAM & Future Proofing: Aim for at least 12 GB—9060 XT (16 GB), 5070 (12 GB), 9070 (16 GB). Avoid 8 GB variants for longevity.
• Price vs Performance: Watch for MSRP adherence—some regions see inflated costs.
• Ecosystem & Drivers: Nvidia offers most stable support; AMD and Intel are improving but can lag behind.
• Power & Compatibility: Check PSU and slot (PCIe 5) compatibility—RTX 50 GPUs demand modern setups.

Final Thoughts

For mid‑range 2026 builds with a focus on ray tracing:

• Best Overall Value: RTX 5060 Ti delivers cutting‑edge ray tracing and DLSS 4 at the most accessible price.
• For High‑Res Ray Tracing: RTX 5070 and RX 9070 deliver standout 1440p performance—choose Nvidia for AI features, AMD for VRAM and price.
• Memory-Conscious Builds: RX 9060 XT (16 GB) offers excellent capacity for limited funds.
• Tight Budgets: Intel Arc B580 brings ray tracing into reach, though with caveats on drivers.

Choose based on your priorities—whether that’s raw ray tracing frame rate (Nvidia), upscaling and memory (AMD), or the lowest price (Intel). Each option brings solid performance for today’s 1080p and 1440p gaming with ray tracing enabled—making 2026 a great year for value GPU buyers.