AMD GPU Selection: Expert Graphics Card Reviews

When embarking on the journey to build a gaming PC, the cornerstone of your setup will undoubtedly be the graphics card you choose. Opting for an AMD graphics card can be a smart move, especially if you're looking to save on unnecessary frills. AMD's latest graphics cards boast features like ray tracing and support for FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR), a popular upscaling technology compatible with many leading PC games.

While there are indeed more powerful options on the market, AMD's Radeon RX 9070 XT stands out by offering robust 4K performance without the hefty price tag that often exceeds $2,000. For those eyeing a mid-range card suitable for 1440p gaming, AMD's offerings are particularly compelling, delivering exceptional performance at a competitive 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 powers both the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X, which can simplify the optimization process for developers porting console games to PC. While this doesn't guarantee perfect PC optimization, it certainly helps. For those interested in Nvidia's offerings, check out my guide to the best Nvidia graphics cards.

Selecting the right AMD GPU isn't just about snagging the fastest card; it's about matching your desired gaming resolution with your budget.

Graphics Card Basics

Graphics cards are complex devices, but you don't need to be an expert to choose a great one. For AMD graphics cards, it's crucial to identify whether you're looking at a current-generation model. AMD has recently updated its naming convention, with the Radeon RX 9070 XT being the latest top-end card, following the RX 7900 XTX. Cards with a '9' as the first digit are current-generation, while '7' and '6' denote the previous generations.

The "XT" or "XTX" suffixes indicate a performance step up within the same class. This naming convention started with the Radeon RX 5700 XT in 2019, moving away from the three-digit format of older cards like the RX 580 or RX 480. As a rule of thumb, higher numbers generally mean better performance, but diving into the specs can provide a clearer picture.

One key spec to consider is the VRAM (video memory). More VRAM is beneficial, especially at higher resolutions. For 1080p gaming, 8GB suffices for most games, but for 1440p, aim for 12GB to 16GB, and for 4K, the more VRAM, the better. The Radeon RX 9070 XT, for instance, comes equipped with 16GB.

Another important factor is the number of compute units, which house streaming multiprocessors (SMs). The latest AMD cards have 64 SMs per compute unit. For example, the RX 7900 XTX, with 96 compute units, has 6,144 SMs. Recent AMD cards also feature dedicated hardware for ray tracing, with one RT Core per compute unit.

Before finalizing your choice, ensure your PC can accommodate the card. Check your case for space and your power supply for sufficient wattage, as each card has its recommended power needs.

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 offers exceptional 4K performance without breaking the bank. See it at NeweggProduct SpecificationsStreaming Multiprocessors4096Base Clock1660 MHzGame Clock2400 MHzVideo Memory16GB GDDR6Memory Bandwidth644.6 GB/sMemory Bus256-bitPower Connectors2 x 8-pinPROSExcellent 4K gaming performance for the priceAmple VRAMCONSMay not be as readily available due to current shortagesThe AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT reintroduces value to the high-end GPU market, launching at a competitive $599, significantly undercutting the $749 RTX 5070 Ti. Performance-wise, it's slightly faster than the RTX 5070 Ti, averaging a 2% lead across various tests. This makes it an excellent choice for 4K gaming, including ray tracing, though it may not match Nvidia's performance in that aspect.

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 native resolution, offering better image quality than FSR 3.1, albeit with a slight performance hit. FSR 4 is ideal for single-player games where visual quality is paramount.

The Radeon RX 9070 XT provides an excellent balance of performance and value, making it a top choice for 4K gaming.

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 delivers top-tier performance at 4K, making it ideal for gamers seeking maximum settings. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsStreaming 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-CPROSOutstanding 4K performanceAmple VRAM for future-proofingCONSMay lag behind Nvidia in ray tracing performanceFor enthusiasts looking to splurge on a 4K gaming setup, the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX is an excellent choice, priced around $900. It often matches or exceeds the performance of the more expensive Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, offering a better price-to-performance ratio.

Continued testing has shown the RX 7900 XTX to hold its own against Nvidia's offerings, particularly in games without heavy reliance on ray tracing. With 24GB of VRAM, it's well-equipped for handling high-resolution textures in 4K games.

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

5The AMD Radeon RX 9070 offers excellent 1440p performance at a competitive price. See it at NeweggProduct SpecificationsStreaming Multiprocessors3584Base Clock1330 MHzGame Clock2520 MHzVideo Memory16GB GDDR6Memory Bandwidth644.6 GB/sMemory Bus256-bitPower Connectors2 x 8-pinPROSGreat 1440p gaming performanceIntroduces AI upscaling with FSR 4CONSPrice closely competes with the RX 9070 XTThe AMD Radeon RX 9070, though slightly less powerful than the RX 9070 XT, is ideal for 1440p gaming, delivering high frame rates and introducing FSR 4 for enhanced image quality. It outperforms its Nvidia counterpart, the RTX 5070, by an average of 12% in tests.

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

6The AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT is well-suited for high-end 1080p gaming, offering solid performance at a budget-friendly price. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsStreaming Multiprocessors2048Base Clock1980 MHzGame Clock2470 MHzVideo Memory16GB GDDR6Memory Bandwidth288 GB/sMemory Bus128-bitPower Connectors1 x 8-pinOutputs1 x HDMI 2.1a, 3 x DisplayPort 2.1PROSGood value for 1080p gamingCompact designCONSMay struggle with some demanding games using ray tracing1080p remains the most popular resolution for PC gaming, and the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT is a perfect fit for this segment. Priced around $309, it delivers impressive frame rates in games like Forza Horizon 5 and Far Cry 6, and handles less demanding titles like Total War: Warhammer 3 competently.

While ray tracing can be challenging for the RX 7600 XT in some titles, it still offers playable performance in games like Cyberpunk 2077 with adjusted settings. With 16GB of VRAM, it's well-positioned for future games.

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 budget-friendly option that still delivers solid 1080p performance, particularly for esports titles. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsStreaming Multiprocessors1792Base Clock1626 MHzGame Clock2044 MHzVideo Memory8GB GDDR6Memory Bandwidth224 GB/sMemory Bus128-bitPower Connectors1 x 8-pinOutputs1 x HDMI 2.1, 3 x DisplayPort 1.4aPROSGreat for esports gamingAffordable priceCONSLast-generation technologyThe AMD Radeon RX 6600, priced around $199, is an excellent choice for budget-conscious gamers, especially those focusing on esports titles. Despite being from the previous generation, it still performs well in less demanding games at 1080p.

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 frames to your native resolution. Earlier versions of FSR were software-based, but with the AMD Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT, FSR 4 uses AI accelerators for more accurate upscaling, though with a slight performance cost. FSR also includes frame generation to boost frame rates, which can be beneficial when already achieving moderate frame rates.

What is Ray Tracing?

Ray tracing enhances the realism of light in 3D scenes by simulating how light rays interact with the environment. This technology, supported by RT cores in modern GPUs, allows for more natural lighting effects, although it increases the computational load. Initially limited to specific elements like reflections, newer games now implement full path tracing for comprehensive ray-traced lighting, enhancing visual fidelity at the cost of performance, often necessitating the use of upscaling technologies like FSR for smooth gameplay.