AMD GPU Selection: Expert Graphics Card Reviews

When embarking on the journey to build a gaming PC, one of the most critical choices you'll face is selecting the right graphics card. Opting for an AMD graphics card can be a smart move, especially if you're looking to avoid the premium price tags often associated with unnecessary features. All of AMD's current-generation graphics cards come equipped with ray tracing capabilities and support for FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), a widely adopted upscaling technology in major PC games.

While there are more powerful options available, AMD's Radeon RX 9070 XT stands out for its impressive 4K performance without the exorbitant costs that can exceed $2,000. For those targeting 1440p gaming, AMD's mid-range offerings provide exceptional value, delivering robust performance at a more affordable price point.

TL;DR: These Are the Best AMD Graphics Cards

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 is the powerhouse behind both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, which can simplify optimization for developers when porting console games to PC. While this doesn't guarantee flawless performance on PC, it certainly aids in smoother transitions. If you're interested in Nvidia's offerings, you can explore my guide to the best Nvidia graphics cards.

Choosing the best AMD GPU isn't just about grabbing the fastest card available. It's crucial to consider the resolution at which you plan to play your games and your budget for the graphics card.

Graphics Card Basics

Graphics cards are inherently complex devices, but you don't need to be an expert to choose a great GPU. For AMD graphics cards, it's important to identify whether you're looking at a current-generation model. AMD recently revamped its naming convention, with the Radeon RX 9070 XT being the latest top-end card, succeeding the RX 7900 XTX. The key is to recognize that any AMD card starting with a '9' is from the current generation, while '7' and '6' denote the previous generations.

Some AMD graphics card models include an "XT" or "XTX" suffix, indicating a performance boost without entering the next performance tier. This naming system began with the Radeon RX 5700 XT in 2019. Older models like the RX 580 or RX 480 are outdated and should be avoided unless you can snag them for $100 or less.

Generally, a higher model number suggests better performance, but diving into specific specs can provide a clearer picture. VRAM, or video memory, is a straightforward spec to consider. More VRAM is beneficial, especially at higher resolutions. For 1080p gaming, 8GB is typically sufficient, but for 1440p, aim for 12GB to 16GB, particularly for demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Black Myth: Wukong. At 4K, maximizing VRAM is advisable, which is why the Radeon RX 9070 XT comes with 16GB.

Another important spec is the number of compute units, each containing multiple streaming multiprocessors (SMs). For the latest AMD cards, each compute unit has 64 SMs. For example, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX, with 96 compute units, boasts 6,144 SMs. Recent AMD cards also feature dedicated ray tracing hardware in each compute unit, with the 7900 XTX having 96 RT Cores, enhancing its ray tracing capabilities.

Before finalizing your choice, ensure your PC can support the selected graphics card. Check your case dimensions and power supply wattage to accommodate the GPU's requirements.

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

6The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT is an excellent 4K graphics card that won't cost you an arm and a legSee it at Newegg

Product Specifications:

• Streaming Multiprocessors: 4096
• Base Clock: 1660 MHz
• Game Clock: 2400 MHz
• Video Memory: 16GB GDDR6
• Memory Bandwidth: 644.6 GB/s
• Memory Bus: 256-bit
• Power Connectors: 2 x 8-pin

Pros:

• Excellent 4K gaming performance for the money
• Plenty of VRAM

Cons:

• Brings GPU prices down to sanity (in theory)

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT has made waves by offering superior value compared to Nvidia's offerings. Launched at $599, it's significantly cheaper than the $749 RTX 5070 Ti and, on average, performs 2% better across various tests. This card handles 4K gaming and ray tracing well, though it may not match Nvidia's ray tracing prowess.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT & 9070 – Benchmarks

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The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT introduces FSR 4, an AI-based upscaling method that enhances image quality over FSR 3.1, though it comes with a slight performance hit. FSR 4 is ideal for single-player games where frame rate isn't as critical.

The Radeon RX 9070 XT's success in the market means AMD doesn't necessarily need to rush a more powerful successor. It offers excellent 4K performance at a competitive price, which is what matters most to gamers.

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

8The AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX is an extremely powerful graphics card, easily able to power most AAA games at 4K max settings. See it at Amazon

Product Specifications:

• Streaming Multiprocessors: 6144
• Base Clock: 1929MHz
• Game Clock: 2365MHz
• Video Memory: 24GB
• Memory Bandwidth: 960 GB/s
• Memory Bus: 384-bit
• Power Connectors: 2 x 8-pin
• Outputs: 1 x HDMI 2.1a, 2 x DisplayPort 2.1, 1 x USB-C

Pros:

• Excellent performance at 4K
• More VRAM than you'll need for gaming

Cons:

• Can fall behind in ray tracing performance

For those willing to invest in top-tier gaming, the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX is a compelling choice. Priced around $900, it offers performance that rivals or surpasses the more expensive Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 in many tests. Its 24GB of VRAM ensures it can handle high-resolution textures, making it ideal for 4K gaming, especially in titles that don't heavily rely 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

5While its priced uncomfortably close to the RX 9070 XT, the Radeon RX 9070 is an excellent 1440p graphics card for the money. See it at Newegg

Product Specifications:

• Streaming Multiprocessors: 3584
• Base Clock: 1330 MHz
• Game Clock: 2520 MHz
• Video Memory: 16GB GDDR6
• Memory Bandwidth: 644.6 GB/s
• Memory Bus: 256-bit
• Power Connectors: 2 x 8-pin

Pros:

• Excellent 1440p gaming performance
• Brings AI upscaling to an AMD graphics card

Cons:

• Priced a little too closely to the RX 9070 XT

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 is a solid choice for 1440p gaming, offering impressive performance at a slightly lower price than the RX 9070 XT. It excels in delivering high frame rates at 1440p and supports FSR 4, enhancing image quality without a significant performance drop.

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

6With 16GB of VRAM, the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT is going to power top-end games at 1080p for years to come. See it at Amazon

Product Specifications:

• Streaming Multiprocessors: 2048
• Base Clock: 1980 MHz
• Game Clock: 2470 MHz
• Video Memory: 16GB GDDR6
• Memory Bandwidth: 288 GB/s
• Memory Bus: 128-bit
• Power Connectors: 1 x 8-pin
• Outputs: 1 x HDMI 2.1a, 3 x DisplayPort 2.1

Pros:

• Solid performance for the money
• Small enough to fit in any PC build

Cons:

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

For gamers focused on 1080p, the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT is an excellent choice. Priced at around $309, it delivers strong performance at this resolution, making it ideal for high-refresh-rate gaming. Its 16GB of VRAM ensures longevity, even as games become more demanding.

Best on a Budget: AMD Radeon RX 6600

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

5The AMD Radeon RX 6600 is a last-gen graphics card, but it's still able to pump out the frames in 1080p games, especially if you play a lot of esports games with friends. See it at Amazon

Product Specifications:

• Streaming Multiprocessors: 1792
• Base Clock: 1626 MHz
• Game Clock: 2044 MHz
• Video Memory: 8GB GDDR6
• Memory Bandwidth: 224 GB/s
• Memory Bus: 128-bit
• Power Connectors: 1 x 8-pin
• Outputs: 1 x HDMI 2.1, 3 x DisplayPort 1.4a

Pros:

• Great for esports
• Very affordable

Cons:

• It's a last-gen graphics card

The AMD Radeon RX 6600, though a last-generation model, remains a viable option for budget-conscious gamers. Priced at around $199, it's perfect for 1080p gaming, especially in less demanding genres like esports, MMOs, and MOBAs.

What is FSR?

FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) is AMD's upscaling technology for PC gaming. It uses information from recent frames and motion vectors to upscale lower resolution images to your native resolution. Initially a software-based solution, FSR 3.1 used temporal upscaling, but FSR 4 introduces AI-based upscaling, offering better image quality at the cost of a slight performance hit. FSR also includes frame generation to boost frame rates, though it's best used at higher frame rates to minimize latency.

What is Ray Tracing?

Ray tracing is a technique for rendering realistic lighting in 3D scenes by tracing the path of light rays. It adds significant computational load to the GPU, especially in real-time applications. Early implementations focused on specific elements like reflections or shadows, but newer games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Black Myth: Wukong use full path tracing, enhancing the visual experience. This is made possible by dedicated RT Cores in modern GPUs, though upscaling technologies like FSR are often necessary for smooth performance.