AMD GPU Selection: Expert Graphics Card Reviews

When you're setting out to build a gaming PC, one of the most crucial decisions you'll make is selecting the best graphics card for your setup. With numerous options available, opting for an AMD graphics card can be a smart choice, especially if you want to avoid paying a premium for unnecessary extras. AMD's current-generation graphics cards come equipped with ray tracing capabilities and support for FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR), a widely supported upscaling technology in major PC games.

While there are more powerful graphics cards on the market, AMD options like the Radeon RX 9070 XT offer stellar 4K performance without exorbitant prices. For those seeking a mid-range card for 1440p gaming, AMD shines with excellent 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 also powers the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, which can ease the process for developers optimizing games for AMD hardware when transitioning from consoles to PC. While this doesn't guarantee perfect PC optimization, it certainly helps. However, if you're more inclined towards Nvidia's offerings, you might want to check out my guide to the best Nvidia graphics cards.

Selecting the best AMD GPU isn't just about grabbing the fastest card available. It's crucial to consider the resolution you plan to game at and, more importantly, 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 important to know if you're looking at a current-generation model. AMD recently updated its naming convention; the Radeon RX 9070 XT, for instance, is the latest top-end card, succeeding the RX 7900 XTX. Cards with a '9' as the first digit are current-generation, while '7' and '6' indicate older generations.

Some models include "XT" or "XTX," indicating a performance upgrade without moving to a new tier. This naming system started with the Radeon RX 5700 XT in 2019. Older naming conventions used three digits, like the RX 580, which are now outdated and best avoided unless you find them at a very low price.

A general rule is that a higher number typically means better performance, but you can dive deeper into specs. VRAM, or video memory, is a key spec; more is better, especially at higher resolutions. For 1080p gaming, 8GB is usually sufficient, while 1440p requires 12GB-16GB, and for 4K, you'll want as much as possible. The Radeon RX 9070 XT, for instance, comes with 16GB of VRAM.

You should also look at the number of compute units, each containing multiple streaming multiprocessors (SMs). The latest AMD cards have 64 SMs per compute unit. 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 one RT core per compute unit.

Before finalizing your choice, ensure your PC can accommodate the graphics card. Check your case dimensions and power supply 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. See 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

CONS

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT has made waves by offering better value than Nvidia's comparable cards. Launched at $599, it's significantly cheaper than the $749 RTX 5070 Ti, and in my tests, it averaged 2% faster. This card handles 4K gaming and ray tracing well, though Nvidia still leads in ray tracing performance.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT & 9070 – Benchmarks

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

The future of AMD's graphics cards is promising, but for now, the Radeon RX 9070 XT stands out for its 4K performance and value.

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 for 4K gaming, capable of running most AAA titles at maximum settings. See it at Amazon

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

CONS

While 1440p and 1080p are popular, those aiming for the ultimate gaming experience should consider the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX. Priced at around $900, it delivers top-tier performance, often matching or surpassing the more expensive Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 in non-ray tracing scenarios. Its 24GB of RAM makes it particularly suitable for high-resolution textures at 4K.

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 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

CONS

The AMD Radeon RX 9070, while slightly less powerful than the 9070 XT, is an excellent choice for 1440p gaming. It handles games smoothly, achieving high frame rates, and outperforms Nvidia's RTX 5070 in my tests. It also introduces FSR 4, which improves image quality, making it a great option for those prioritizing visuals over pure frame rate.

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-equipped for 1080p gaming with 16GB of VRAM. 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

CONS

1080p remains the most popular resolution for PC gaming due to its affordability and performance. The AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT, priced around $309, is ideal for high-end 1080p gaming. It delivers impressive frame rates in games like Forza Horizon 5 and Far Cry 6, and its 16GB of VRAM ensures longevity.

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 card but still delivers solid 1080p performance, especially for esports. 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

CONS

The AMD Radeon RX 6600, though a last-gen card, remains a strong choice for budget-conscious gamers, especially those focused on esports. Priced at around $199, it offers good performance for 1080p gaming, as demonstrated in games like Final Fantasy XIV and Horizon Zero Dawn.

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 4 now uses AI accelerators to enhance image quality, though it may slightly reduce performance compared to earlier versions. FSR also includes frame generation to boost frame rates, though it may introduce latency at lower frame rates.

What is Ray Tracing?

Ray tracing is a technique for rendering realistic light in 3D scenes by tracing the path of light rays as they interact with virtual objects. This adds significant computational demand, especially for real-time rendering. Early implementations limited ray tracing to specific effects, but newer games like Cyberpunk 2077 use full ray tracing, or path tracing, for more immersive visuals, aided by dedicated RT cores in modern GPUs.