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 prices 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 price tag that can often 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 also used in the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, which can simplify optimization for developers when porting console games to PC. While this doesn't guarantee perfect performance on PC, it certainly helps. 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 picking 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 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 it's 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 look for cards with a '9' as the first digit for current-generation models, while '7' and '6' denote older generations.
Some AMD graphics card model numbers include "XT" or "XTX," indicating a performance boost without moving to the next class. This naming convention 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 find them for $100 or less.
Generally, a higher model number suggests better performance, but you can also look at specific specs like VRAM (video memory). More VRAM is beneficial, especially at higher resolutions. For 1080p gaming, 8GB is usually sufficient, while 1440p gaming benefits from 12GB to 16GB, and 4K gaming requires as much VRAM as you can afford, like the 16GB on the Radeon RX 9070 XT.
Another important spec is the number of compute units, each containing multiple streaming multiprocessors (SMs). For example, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX has 96 Compute Units, totaling 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 ray tracing performance.
Before finalizing your choice, ensure your PC can support the graphics card. Check your case for space, especially for high-end GPUs, and verify that your power supply has enough wattage to meet 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 offers exceptional 4K performance at a reasonable price, making it a top choice for gamers seeking value and performance.
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Product Specifications
Streaming Multiprocessors: 4096Base 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 has redefined value in the GPU market, launching at $599, significantly less than the $749 RTX 5070 Ti. In my tests, the RX 9070 XT was on average 2% faster than the RTX 5070 Ti, showcasing AMD's competitive edge. This card handles 4K gaming and ray tracing well, though it may not match Nvidia's ray tracing performance.
AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT & 9070 – Benchmarks
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The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT introduces FSR 4, which uses AI to upscale games, offering better image quality than FSR 3.1, though with a slight performance hit. FSR 4 is ideal for single-player games where image quality is more important than frame rate.
The success of the Radeon RX 9070 XT means AMD doesn't necessarily need a more powerful successor right now, as it already delivers excellent 4K performance for the 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
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: 6144Base 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 needed for gaming
CONS
- Can fall behind in ray tracing performance
For those willing to invest in a high-end gaming PC, the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX is a top contender. Priced around $900, it offers incredible performance, often matching or surpassing the more expensive Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 in non-ray tracing games. Its 24GB of VRAM ensures it can handle high-resolution textures, making it ideal for 4K gaming.
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, making it a great choice for gamers focused on this resolution.
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Product Specifications
Streaming Multiprocessors: 3584Base 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, delivering high frame rates and outperforming its Nvidia counterpart, the RTX 5070, by an average of 12%. It also introduces FSR 4, enhancing image quality through AI upscaling, though it's optional and can be turned off for higher frame rates.
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 1080p gaming, offering solid performance and ample VRAM for future-proofing.
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Product Specifications
Streaming Multiprocessors: 2048Base 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
- Small 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, and the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT is an excellent choice for this resolution. Priced at around $309, it delivers strong performance in games like Forza Horizon 5 and Far Cry 6, though it may struggle with ray tracing in more demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077.
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, especially for esports games.
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Product Specifications
Streaming Multiprocessors: 1792Base 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 card, remains a viable option for budget-conscious gamers. Priced around $199, it performs well in 1080p games, particularly in less demanding genres like 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 frames to your native resolution. FSR 3 was a software-based solution, but FSR 4, introduced with the Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT, uses AI accelerators for more accurate upscaling, though with a slight performance cost. FSR also includes frame generation to boost frame rates, though it's best used at higher frame rates to avoid latency.
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 bounce around the environment. This method, supported by RT Cores in AMD and Nvidia GPUs, significantly enhances visual quality but requires more computational power. Early implementations focused on specific effects like reflections, but newer games like Cyberpunk 2077 use full path tracing for comprehensive lighting effects, often necessitating upscaling technologies like FSR for smooth gameplay.