AMD GPU Selection Guide: Expert Graphics Card Reviews

When building a gaming PC, the most crucial choice you'll face is selecting the best graphics card for your needs. While there are numerous options available, opting for an AMD graphics card offers great value, especially if you're looking to avoid the premium costs of additional features. All of AMD's current-generation graphics cards support ray tracing and come equipped with FSR, or FidelityFX Super Resolution, a widely supported upscaling technology for PC gaming.

Although there are more powerful options available, AMD graphics cards like the Radeon RX 9070 XT deliver impressive 4K performance without the exorbitant price tags often seen with top-tier GPUs. For those interested in a mid-range solution for 1440p gaming, AMD shines with cost-effective performance that punches above its weight class.

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 used in both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, making it easier for developers to optimize console games for PC. While this doesn't guarantee perfect performance, it certainly helps. If you're interested in Nvidia's offerings instead, you can check out a guide to the best Nvidia graphics cards.

Choosing the right AMD GPU isn't just about grabbing the fastest model available; it's about deciding the resolution at which you want to play and, crucially, 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 select a great GPU. For AMD graphics cards, it's important to identify if it's a current-generation model. AMD has recently revamped its naming scheme. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT, for instance, is the latest top-end card, succeeding the RX 7900 XTX. The key is to recognize that any AMD card starting with '9' is current-generation, with '7' and '6' indicating older generations.

You might see "XT" or "XTX" following some model numbers, indicating a slight performance boost within the same generation. This naming convention began with the Radeon RX 5700 XT in 2019. Previously, AMD used three-digit naming for models like the RX 580 or RX 480, which are now outdated unless you find them for $100 or less.

Generally, a higher model number suggests better performance, but specific specs like VRAM can provide more detailed insights. VRAM, or video memory, is crucial, especially at higher resolutions. For 1080p gaming, 8GB is sufficient, but for 1440p, aim for 12GB to 16GB, particularly for demanding titles. For 4K gaming, the more VRAM the better, which is why the Radeon RX 9070 XT features 16GB.

Another critical spec is the number of compute units, each containing streaming multiprocessors (SMs). For example, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX, with 96 Compute Units, has 6,144 SMs. Recent AMD cards also include dedicated ray tracing hardware in each Compute Unit, with the 7900 XTX having 96 RT Cores, enhancing ray tracing capabilities.

Before purchasing, ensure your PC can handle the new GPU. Check your case dimensions and power supply wattage, as high-end GPUs require more power. Each graphics card will specify its recommended power supply, so ensure yours meets or exceeds these 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 outstanding 4K graphics card that offers excellent value for money. 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

• Excellent 4K gaming performance at a reasonable price
• Plenty of VRAM

Cons

• Brings GPU prices down to a more reasonable level (in theory)

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT reintroduced the era when AMD offered better value than Nvidia. Although current shortages have affected pricing, the RX 9070 XT launched at $599, significantly less than the $749 RTX 5070 Ti, and it's faster on average. My review showed it was about 2% faster than the RTX 5070 Ti across various tests. This makes the RX 9070 XT a compelling 4K card that handles ray tracing well, though not quite as effectively as Nvidia's offerings.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT & 9070 – Benchmarks

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The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT also introduces FSR 4, which uses AI for upscaling to your native resolution, unlike the temporal upscaling of FSR 3.1. While FSR 4 may result in a 10% performance loss compared to FSR 3.1, it offers superior image quality, making it ideal for single-player games where frame rates are less critical.

The success of the Radeon RX 9070 XT means AMD may not need to rush a more powerful successor. It currently offers excellent 4K performance for the money, which is what matters most.

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 titles at 4K with 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

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

Cons

• Can fall behind in ray tracing performance

While 1440p and 1080p are popular, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX is ideal for those seeking the ultimate 4K gaming experience, despite its $900 price tag. My colleague Bo's review showed it matching or beating the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 in many tests, and its price-to-performance ratio has only improved over time. My own tests confirmed its strong performance in non-ray tracing games, often matching or exceeding the RTX 4080 Super. For example, in Forza Horizon 5, both cards achieved around 158fps, while the RX 7900 XTX outpaced the RTX 4080 Super in Total War: Warhammer 3 by up to 8%.

Although the RX 9070 XT beats the 7900 XTX in some 4K games, the latter's 24GB of RAM makes it superior for games with high-resolution textures. If you're willing to invest in a top-tier component, the RX 7900 XTX offers the best value for money, especially for games that prioritize traditional performance over 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 priced close to the RX 9070 XT, the Radeon RX 9070 offers excellent value for 1440p gaming. 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 may be slightly outclassed by the 9070 XT, but it's a fantastic choice for 1440p gaming, especially with both cards featuring 16GB of VRAM. My review highlighted its ability to achieve triple-digit frame rates in most games at 1440p, and even without ray tracing, it outperforms Nvidia's RTX 5070 by an average of 12%. The RX 9070 also introduces FSR 4, which, while not necessarily boosting frame rates over FSR 3, offers significantly improved image quality. This feature is optional and can be toggled off in the AMD Adrenalin software if you prefer 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

6With 16GB of VRAM, the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT is well-equipped to handle 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

1080p remains the most popular resolution for PC gaming due to its affordability and good visuals. The AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT, available for around $309, is perfect for a high-end 1080p gaming setup. My review found it underwhelming at higher resolutions, but at 1080p, it excels. For instance, it achieves an average of 113fps in Forza Horizon 5 and 128fps in Far Cry 6 at maximum settings. Even in more demanding titles like Total War: Warhammer 3, it manages 89fps. With ray tracing, performance can dip, as seen in Cyberpunk 2077 where it averages 44fps on the Ray Tracing Ultra preset. However, its 16GB of GDDR6 VRAM ensures it will remain relevant as games demand more memory.

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, though a last-gen card, still delivers strong performance in 1080p games, particularly for esports enthusiasts. 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

Although older, the AMD Radeon RX 6600 is still a solid choice for those looking to spend less than $200, available for around $199. My 2021 review for TechRadar found it competitive at 1080p, delivering 134fps in Final Fantasy XIV and 85fps in Horizon Zero Dawn. It remains capable for most 1080p games, especially if ray tracing isn't a priority. It's ideal for gamers focusing on less demanding genres like MMOs, shooters, and MOBAs, although newer, more demanding titles like Black Myth: Wukong may challenge it.

What is FSR?

FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) is AMD's upscaling technology for PC gaming. It uses data from recent frames and motion vectors to upscale lower resolution frames to your native resolution. Initially a software-based solution, it leverages the same streaming multiprocessors as the rest of the frame rendering, offering less performance uplift than AI-based models like Nvidia's DLSS but still improving frame rates over native high-resolution rendering.

With the introduction of FSR 4 in the AMD Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT, AMD has shifted to AI-based upscaling, which, while slightly reducing performance, significantly enhances image quality. FSR 4 can be toggled with FSR 3 for users who prefer higher frame rates. Additionally, FSR includes frame generation, which adds extra frames between 'real' frames to boost performance, though it's best used at higher frame rates to minimize latency.

What is Ray Tracing?

Ray tracing is a technique for rendering realistic light in 3D scenes by tracing light rays as they bounce around. This method requires more GPU power, especially for real-time applications. Early implementations in games like Battlefield 1 focused on specific elements like reflections or shadows, but newer games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Black Myth: Wukong utilize full path tracing, requiring dedicated RT cores in GPUs and often benefiting from upscaling technologies like FSR to maintain playable frame rates.