AMD GPU Selection Guide from a Graphics Card Reviewer

When embarking on the journey to build your ultimate gaming PC, choosing the best graphics card is crucial. Opting for an AMD graphics card can be a savvy decision, especially if you're looking to save money without sacrificing performance. AMD's current-generation graphics cards not only support ray tracing but also feature FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR), an upscaling method that enhances performance in most major PC games.

While there are more powerful options available, AMD's Radeon RX 9070 XT delivers exceptional 4K performance without the hefty price tag that often exceeds $2,000. For gamers targeting 1440p, AMD's mid-range offerings provide excellent value, ensuring you get the best bang for your buck.

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 Xbox Series X, making it easier for developers to optimize games for AMD's hardware when transitioning from consoles to PC. This doesn't guarantee perfect optimization on PC, but it certainly helps. For those interested in Nvidia's offerings, check out our guide to the best Nvidia graphics cards.

Choosing the best AMD GPU isn't just about grabbing the fastest card available. It's about matching your desired gaming resolution and budget to find the perfect fit for your needs.

Graphics Card Basics

Graphics cards are complex devices, but understanding a few key points can help you select the right one. For AMD graphics cards, it's important to identify if it's a current-generation model. AMD recently revamped its naming convention, with the Radeon RX 9070 XT launching as the top-end graphics card, succeeding the RX 7900 XTX. A card with a '9' as the first digit indicates it's current-generation, while '7' and '6' denote the previous generations.

Some AMD graphics card models include "XT" or "XTX," indicating a step up in performance without entering the next tier. This naming convention started with the Radeon RX 5700 XT in 2019. Older models like the RX 580 or RX 480 should be avoided unless you can find them for $100 or less.

A general rule to follow is "higher number = better performance," but you can dive deeper into specifications to gauge performance accurately. Video RAM (VRAM) is an easy spec to understand; more VRAM is beneficial, especially at higher resolutions. For 1080p gaming, 8GB is usually sufficient, while 12GB-16GB is recommended for 1440p, and more is better for 4K.

Compute units, which house streaming multiprocessors (SMs), are another critical spec. Each compute unit in the latest AMD cards contains 64 SMs. For example, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX has 96 compute units, totaling 6,144 SMs. Additionally, recent AMD cards include dedicated hardware for ray tracing, with each compute unit having one RT Core.

Before finalizing your choice, ensure your PC can accommodate the graphics card. Check your case for sufficient space and verify your power supply's wattage against the card'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 break the bank.

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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 price
• Plenty of VRAM

Cons:

• Brings GPU prices down to sanity (in theory)

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT stands out by offering value that competes with Nvidia's offerings. Launched at $599, it's significantly cheaper than the $749 RTX 5070 Ti while delivering slightly better average performance. This card handles 4K gaming and ray tracing admirably, narrowing the gap with Nvidia's offerings.

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 offers superior image quality over FSR 3.1, though it comes with a slight performance hit. FSR 4 is ideal for single-player games where high frame rates are less critical than visual fidelity.

AMD's Radeon RX 9070 XT provides excellent 4K performance at a competitive price, making it a top choice for gamers looking to maximize their investment.

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 a powerhouse, capable of running most AAA games at 4K with maximum settings.

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Product Specifications:

• Streaming Multiprocessors: 6144
• Base Clock: 1929 MHz
• Game Clock: 2365 MHz
• 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 needed for gaming

Cons:

• Can fall behind in ray tracing performance

For gamers seeking the pinnacle of PC gaming performance, the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX is a worthy investment. Priced around $900, it offers exceptional value, often matching or surpassing the more expensive Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 in performance. Its 24GB of VRAM ensures it can handle the most demanding 4K games, making it ideal for traditional performance-focused gaming rather than 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

5The AMD Radeon RX 9070 offers excellent value for 1440p gaming, even though it's priced close to the RX 9070 XT.

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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 AMD graphics cards

Cons:

• Priced a little too closely to the RX 9070 XT

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 is a solid choice for 1440p gaming, delivering impressive frame rates and introducing FSR 4 for enhanced image quality. While it may not match the RX 9070 XT in raw power, its performance at 1440p and competitive pricing make it a strong contender.

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, with 16GB of VRAM, is poised to handle top-end games at 1080p for years to come.

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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 price
• Compact enough to fit in any PC build

Cons:

• Struggles in some demanding games with ray tracing enabled

At 1080p, the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT strikes a perfect balance between performance and affordability. Priced around $309, it delivers high frame rates in popular games like Forza Horizon 5 and Far Cry 6, making it an ideal choice for high-refresh-rate gaming at 1080p.

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, a last-gen graphics card, still delivers solid performance for 1080p gaming, especially in esports titles.

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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, priced around $199, is an excellent budget option for 1080p gaming. It excels in less demanding genres like MMOs, shooters, and MOBAs, making it perfect for gamers who prioritize multiplayer experiences over graphical fidelity.

What is FSR?

FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) is AMD's upscaling technology for PC gaming. It leverages information from recent frames and motion vectors from the game engine to upscale lower resolution images to your monitor's native resolution. Earlier versions of FSR were software-based, but with the AMD Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT, FSR 4 introduces AI-based upscaling for improved image quality, though with a slight performance trade-off. FSR also includes frame generation to further boost performance, though this should be used cautiously to avoid latency issues.

What is Ray Tracing?

Ray tracing is a technique used to realistically render light in 3D scenes, allowing light to bounce naturally within the environment. This method increases the workload on the GPU, especially in real-time applications. Initially limited to specific elements like reflections or shadows, advancements in RT cores have enabled full path tracing in games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Black Myth: Wukong, enhancing visual realism significantly.