Best GPU for local AI under $300
Every GPU, Mac and mini PC we track that costs $300 or less, ranked by how much memory a model can actually use, since memory decides which LLMs fit. Checks are at Q4_K_M with about 4k context.
- Devices at or under $300
- 8 8 GPUs, 0 Mac/mini PC
- Most usable memory
- 12 GB
- Biggest at Q4
- OLMo-2-1124-13B-Instruct
For $300 or less, the Intel Arc B580 gives you the most usable memory (12 GB, $249) and runs up to OLMo-2-1124-13B-Instruct at Q4. Worth stretching: the Radeon RX 7600 XT has 16 GB for $329.
Top picks
Intel Arc B580
- Usable memory
- 12 GB
- Price per usable GB
- $21
- Run at Q4
- 350 / 656
$249 list price (MSRP), source, 2026-10-22
Street prices may be higher than list.
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GPUs at or under $300
| Device | Price | Usable memory | $ per usable GB | Biggest model at Q4 | Models that fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Arc B58012 GB VRAM | $249list price (MSRP), source, 2026-10-22 | 12 GB 12 GB tier | $21 | OLMo-2-1124-13B-Instruct~10.6 GB at Q4 | 350 / 656 |
| Intel Arc B57010 GB VRAM | $219list price (MSRP), source, 2026-10-28 | 10 GB 10 GB tier | $22 | HyperCLOVAX-SEED-Omni-8B~8.5 GB at Q4 | 340 / 656 |
| GeForce RTX 3050 8GB8 GB VRAM | $249list price (MSRP), source, 2026-10-22 | 8 GB 8 GB tier | $31 | NVIDIA-Nemotron-Nano-9B-v2~7.2 GB at Q4 | 315 / 656 |
| Radeon RX 76008 GB VRAM | $269list price (MSRP), source, 2026-10-28 | 8 GB 8 GB tier | $34 | NVIDIA-Nemotron-Nano-9B-v2~7.2 GB at Q4 | 315 / 656 |
| Intel Arc A7508 GB VRAM · Discontinued; buy used. Price shown is the original launch MSRP. | $289list (launch MSRP; discontinued), source, 2026-10-28 | 8 GB 8 GB tier | $36 | NVIDIA-Nemotron-Nano-9B-v2~7.2 GB at Q4 | 315 / 656 |
| GeForce RTX 40608 GB VRAM | $299list price (MSRP), source, 2026-10-22 | 8 GB 8 GB tier | $37 | NVIDIA-Nemotron-Nano-9B-v2~7.2 GB at Q4 | 315 / 656 |
| GeForce RTX 50608 GB VRAM | $299list price (MSRP), source, 2026-10-28 | 8 GB 8 GB tier | $37 | NVIDIA-Nemotron-Nano-9B-v2~7.2 GB at Q4 | 315 / 656 |
| Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB8 GB VRAM | $299list price (MSRP), source, 2026-10-28 | 8 GB 8 GB tier | $37 | NVIDIA-Nemotron-Nano-9B-v2~7.2 GB at Q4 | 315 / 656 |
Macs and mini PCs
None of the Macs or unified-memory mini PCs we track are priced at or under $300.
Quick answers
- What is the best GPU for local AI under $300?
- Of the GPUs we track, the Intel Arc B580 has the most VRAM at or under $300: 12 GB for $249 (list price, 2026-10-22). It runs 350 of our 656 tracked models at Q4, up to OLMo-2-1124-13B-Instruct.
- What is the best Mac or mini PC for local AI under $300?
- None of the Macs or unified-memory mini PCs we track are priced at or under $300; the cheapest is the Mac mini M4 16GB at $789.
- What is the biggest LLM I can run for under $300?
- OLMo-2-1124-13B-Instruct (13.7B parameters, ~10.6 GB at Q4) on the Intel Arc B580, which has 12 GB usable.
- Which device under $300 gives the most memory per dollar?
- The Intel Arc B580: $249 for 12 GB usable, about $21 per usable GB.
- Are these prices current?
- They are dated snapshots from our price data (GPUs at official list price / MSRP), refreshed twice a week. Street prices can be higher or lower; each row links its source and date.