I Review Graphics Cards for a Living, Let Me Help You Pick an AMD GPU

When embarking on the journey to build your gaming PC, selecting the right graphics card is paramount. Opting for an AMD graphics card can be a savvy choice, particularly if you're looking to save on unnecessary extras. All of AMD's current-generation graphics cards support ray tracing and come equipped with FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR), an upscaling feature embraced by most major PC games.

While there are indeed more potent GPUs on the market, AMD's offerings, such as the Radeon RX 9070 XT, deliver outstanding 4K performance at a price that doesn't break the bank. For those targeting 1440p gaming, AMD shines in the mid-range segment, offering exceptional value.

TL;DR: These Are the Best AMD Graphics Cards

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The best 4K AMD graphics card### Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 7900 XTX

8See it at AmazonBest AMD Graphics Card (For Most People)### AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT

6See it at NeweggBest AMD Graphics Card for 1440p### AMD Radeon RX 9070

5See it at NeweggBest AMD Graphics Card for 1080p### Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT Gaming OC Windforce

6See it at AmazonBest AMD Graphics Card on a Budget### XFX Speedster SWFT Radeon RX 6600

5See it at Amazon

It's worth noting that AMD's graphics architecture powers both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, which aids developers in optimizing games for AMD hardware when they transition from consoles to PC. While this doesn't guarantee flawless PC game optimization, it certainly helps. If you're considering alternatives, check out my guide to the best Nvidia graphics cards.

Choosing the ideal AMD GPU involves more than just selecting the fastest model; consider your desired gaming resolution and budget constraints.

Graphics Card Basics

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Graphics cards are inherently complex, but you don't need to be an expert to choose a great one. For AMD graphics cards, focus on whether it's a current-generation model. AMD recently revamped its naming convention. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT, for instance, is the latest top-tier card, skipping the '8' series and introducing a new numbering system. Cards with a '9' at the start are current-generation, while '7' and '6' denote older generations.

Models may include "XT" or "XTX," indicating a performance boost without stepping into the next class. This naming began with the Radeon RX 5700 XT in 2019. Older three-digit models like the RX 580 or RX 480 are outdated and should be avoided unless found for $100 or less.

Generally, a higher number suggests better performance, but delve into specifics like VRAM. More VRAM is advantageous, especially at higher resolutions. For 1080p, 8GB suffices, while 1440p requires 12GB-16GB, and 4K benefits from as much VRAM as possible, as seen with the Radeon RX 9070 XT's 16GB.

Compute units, housing numerous streaming multiprocessors (SMs), also influence performance. The latest AMD cards feature 64 SMs per compute unit. For instance, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX boasts 96 compute units, totaling 6,144 SMs.

Recent AMD graphics cards include dedicated ray tracing hardware within each compute unit. The 7900 XTX, for example, has 96 RT Cores, enhancing ray tracing capabilities.

Before finalizing your choice, ensure your PC can accommodate the GPU. Check case space and power supply wattage against the card's recommendations.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT – Photos

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If You Just Want the Best: AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT

Best AMD Graphics Card (For Most People)### AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT

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The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT is a stellar 4K graphics card that offers excellent value for money.

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Product Specifications

Streaming Multiprocessors4096Base Clock1660 MHzGame Clock2400 MHzVideo Memory16GB GDDR6Memory Bandwidth644.6 GB/sMemory Bus256-bitPower Connectors2 x 8-pin

PROS

Excellent 4K gaming performance for the moneyPlenty of VRAM

CONS

Brings GPU prices down to sanity (in theory)

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT reintroduces the era when AMD genuinely outshone Nvidia in terms of value. Launched at $599, it's significantly cheaper than the $749 RTX 5070 Ti, and on average, it's faster. My review showed it to be 2% faster than the RTX 5070 Ti across various tests. This makes it an outstanding choice for a $599 4K card, capable of handling ray tracing well, though not quite on par with Nvidia's offerings.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT & 9070 – Benchmarks

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The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT also introduces FSR 4, which uses AI to upscale games to your native resolution, unlike the traditional temporal upscaling of FSR 3.1. While FSR 4 incurs a 10% performance hit compared to FSR 3.1, it offers superior image quality, making it ideal for single-player games where high frame rates are less critical.

The future of AMD's graphics lineup remains to be seen, but the Radeon RX 9070 XT currently provides top-notch 4K performance at a competitive price.

AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX – Photos

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Best For 4K: AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX

The best 4K AMD graphics card### Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 7900 XTX

8

The AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX is a powerhouse capable of running most AAA games at 4K with maximum settings.

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Product Specifications

Streaming Multiprocessors6144Base Clock1929MHzGame Clock2365MHzVideo Memory24GBMemory Bandwidth960 GB/sMemory Bus384-bitPower Connectors 2 x 8-pinOutputs1 x HDMI 2.1a, 2 x DisplayPort 2.1, 1 x USB-C

PROS

Excellent performance at 4KMore VRAM than you'll need for gaming

CONS

Can fall behind in ray tracing performance

While 1440p and 1080p remain popular, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX is perfect for those seeking the ultimate gaming experience. Priced around $900, it offers incredible performance. My colleague's review showed it either matching or beating the more expensive Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 in many tests, and its price-to-performance ratio continues to impress with time.

In games like Forza Horizon 5, it's neck-and-neck with the RTX 4080 Super, and in Total War: Warhammer 3, it even outperforms by up to 8%. While the newer Radeon RX 9070 XT beats the 7900 XTX in some 4K games, the 7900 XTX's 24GB RAM ensures it excels with high-resolution textures. If you're willing to invest in a premium component, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX offers the best value for games not heavily reliant on ray tracing.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 – Photos

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Best for 1440p: AMD Radeon RX 9070

Best AMD Graphics Card for 1440p### AMD Radeon RX 9070

5

While priced closely to the RX 9070 XT, the Radeon RX 9070 is an exceptional 1440p graphics card for the money.

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Product Specifications

Streaming Multiprocessors3584Base Clock1330 MHzGame Clock2520 MHzVideo Memory16GB GDDR6Memory Bandwidth644.6 GB/sMemory Bus256-bitPower Connectors2 x 8-pin

PROS

Excellent 1440p gaming performanceBrings AI upscaling to an AMD graphics card

CONS

Priced a little too closely to the RX 9070 XT

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 may be slightly outclassed by the 9070 XT, but for 1440p gaming, the $50 price difference might not justify the upgrade, especially with both cards boasting 16GB of VRAM. My review found it delivered impressive triple-digit frame rates at 1440p in most games, and even in games where it hit 70fps, disabling ray tracing boosted performance significantly. It also outperforms Nvidia's RTX 5070 by an average of 12% despite similar pricing.

The Radeon RX 9070 introduces FSR 4, enhancing image quality over FSR 3, though it's optional and can be disabled for higher frame rates if preferred.

AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT

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Best for 1080p: AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT

Best AMD Graphics Card for 1080p### Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT Gaming OC Windforce

6

With 16GB of VRAM, the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT is well-equipped to handle top-end games at 1080p for years to come.

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Product Specifications

Streaming Multiprocessors2048Base Clock1980 MHzGame Clock2470 MHzVideo Memory16GB GDDR6Memory Bandwidth288 GB/sMemory Bus128-bitPower Connectors1 x 8-pinOutputs1 x HDMI 2.1a, 3 x DisplayPort 2.1

PROS

Solid performance for the moneySmall enough to fit in any PC build

CONS

Will struggle in some super-demanding games with ray tracing enabled

1080p remains the most popular resolution for PC gaming due to its affordability and good visual quality. The Radeon RX 7600 XT, priced around $309, is ideal for a high-end 1080p setup. My review showed it excelling at this resolution, achieving 113fps in Forza Horizon 5 and 128fps in Far Cry 6 at max settings. Even in games where it doesn't reach 100fps, like Total War: Warhammer 3, it's competitive at 89fps.

However, in games with intense ray tracing like Cyberpunk 2077, it manages 44fps on the Ray Tracing Ultra preset, suggesting adjustments may be needed for higher frame rates. With 16GB of GDDR6, it's future-proofed for upcoming VRAM-intensive games.

Best on a Budget: AMD Radeon RX 6600

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Best AMD Graphics Card on a Budget### XFX Speedster SWFT Radeon RX 6600

5

The AMD Radeon RX 6600, though last-generation, still delivers impressive performance in 1080p games, particularly for esports enthusiasts.

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Product Specifications

Streaming Multiprocessors1792Base Clock1626 MHzGame Clock2044 MHzVideo Memory8GB GDDR6Memory Bandwidth224 GB/sMemory Bus128-bitPower Connectors1 x 8-pinOutputs1 x HDMI 2.1, 3 x DisplayPort 1.4a

PROS

Great for esportsVery affordable

CONS

It's a last-gen graphics card

Though older, the Radeon RX 6600 is a solid choice for those seeking a graphics card under $200, currently priced around $199. My 2021 review for TechRadar found it competitive at 1080p, delivering 134fps in Final Fantasy XIV and around 85fps in Horizon Zero Dawn. While it may struggle with newer, demanding games like Black Myth: Wukong, it remains a capable option for multiplayer and less demanding genres.

What is FSR?

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FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) is AMD's upscaling technology for PCs, which uses recent frame data and motion vectors to upscale lower resolution frames to your native resolution. Initially a software-based solution, it offers a performance boost over native high-resolution rendering. FSR 4, introduced with the Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT, leverages AI for more accurate upscaling, though with a slight performance cost. It also includes frame generation to further enhance frame rates, though it may introduce latency at lower frame rates.

What is Ray Tracing?

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Ray tracing simulates realistic light behavior in 3D scenes by tracing each light ray's path. This technique, once limited to specific effects like reflections or shadows, now supports full path tracing in modern games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Black Myth: Wukong. While demanding on GPUs, dedicated RT cores in AMD and Nvidia cards facilitate this technology, often requiring upscaling methods like FSR for smooth performance.