Building a gaming PC is an exciting journey, and choosing the right graphics card is crucial. Opting for an AMD graphics card offers a compelling value proposition, especially if you're looking to avoid the premium price tags often associated with additional features. AMD's latest graphics cards come equipped with ray tracing capabilities and support for FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR), a popular upscaling technology supported by many major PC games.
While there are more powerful options on the market, AMD's Radeon RX 9070 XT stands out for its robust 4K performance without breaking the bank. If you're targeting 1440p gaming, AMD's mid-range cards offer an excellent balance of performance and cost-effectiveness.
TL;DR: These Are the Best AMD Graphics Cards
The best 4K AMD graphics card### Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 7900 XTX
8See it at Amazon
Best AMD Graphics Card (For Most People)### AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT
6See it at Newegg
Best AMD Graphics Card for 1440p### AMD Radeon RX 9070
5See it at Newegg
Best AMD Graphics Card for 1080p### Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT Gaming OC Windforce
6See it at Amazon
Best 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 game optimization for developers when porting titles to PC. This doesn't guarantee perfect performance, but it can certainly help. If you're interested in Nvidia's alternatives, be sure to check out my guide on the best Nvidia graphics cards.
Selecting the best AMD GPU isn't just about picking the fastest card; it's about aligning your choice with your desired gaming resolution and budget.
Graphics Card Basics
Graphics cards are complex pieces of technology, but understanding a few key aspects can help you make an informed decision. For AMD cards, it's essential to identify if it's a current-generation model. AMD recently revamped its naming convention, with the Radeon RX 9070 XT as the latest flagship, succeeding the RX 7900 XTX. Cards starting with '9' are from the current generation, while those starting with '7' or '6' are from previous generations.
Some models include "XT" or "XTX" in their names, indicating a performance boost within the same 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 snag them for $100 or less.
A general rule of thumb is that higher numbers typically mean better performance. Key specs to consider include VRAM, or video memory. More VRAM is beneficial, especially at higher resolutions. For 1080p gaming, 8GB is usually sufficient, but for 1440p, aim for 12GB-16GB, and for 4K, the more VRAM, the better.
Compute units are another important spec, with each unit containing multiple streaming multiprocessors, or shaders. The latest AMD cards have 64 streaming multiprocessors per compute unit. Additionally, recent AMD graphics cards feature dedicated hardware for ray tracing, with each compute unit including one RT Core.
When selecting a graphics card, ensure your PC can support it. Check your case's dimensions and your power supply's wattage to accommodate the card's 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 is an excellent 4K graphics card that won't cost you an arm and a legSee it at Newegg
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 money- Plenty of VRAM
CONS
- Brings GPU prices down to sanity (in theory)The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT reintroduced the days when AMD offered superior value over Nvidia. Launched at $599, it's significantly cheaper than the $749 RTX 5070 Ti and, on average, faster. In my review, the RX 9070 XT was 2% faster than the RTX 5070 Ti across my test suite. This makes it a fantastic choice for a 4K graphics 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 RX 9070 XT also introduces FSR 4, which uses AI for upscaling, unlike the traditional temporal upscaling of FSR 3.1. While FSR 4 may cause a slight 10% performance drop compared to FSR 3.1, it offers superior image quality, making it ideal for single-player games where frame rate isn't as critical.
AMD's success with the RX 9070 XT means they might not need to release a more powerful card soon, as it already provides 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 an extremely powerful graphics card, easily able to power most AAA games at 4K max settings. See it at Amazon
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 you'll need for gaming
CONS
- Can fall behind in ray tracing performanceWhile 1440p and 1080p are popular, the RX 7900 XTX is perfect for those seeking the ultimate 4K gaming experience. Priced around $900, it offers incredible performance. In reviews, it matched or beat the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 in many tests, making it a clear winner in terms of price-to-performance ratio.
In games like Forza Horizon 5, the RX 7900 XTX and RTX 4080 Super are nearly identical, with AMD's card even outperforming in Total War: Warhammer 3 by up to 8%. Despite the newer RX 9070 XT beating it in some 4K games, the RX 7900 XTX's 24GB of RAM makes it ideal for games with high-resolution textures.
If you're willing to invest in a high-end component, the RX 7900 XTX offers the best value for 4K gaming, especially in games that don't rely heavily on 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 its priced uncomfortably close to the RX 9070 XT, the Radeon RX 9070 is an excellent 1440p graphics card for the money. See it at Newegg
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 XTThe RX 9070, while slightly less powerful than the RX 9070 XT, is a great choice for 1440p gaming. It delivers impressive frame rates and outperforms its Nvidia counterpart, the RTX 5070, by an average of 12%. The RX 9070 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
6With 16GB of VRAM, the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT is going to power top-end games at 1080p for years to come. See it at Amazon
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 money- Small enough to fit in any PC build
CONS
- Will struggle in some super-demanding games with ray tracing enabled1080p remains the most popular resolution for PC gaming due to its affordability and performance. The RX 7600 XT, priced at around $309, is perfect for high-end 1080p gaming. It delivers strong performance in games like Forza Horizon 5 and Far Cry 6, and even manages playable frame rates in more demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 with ray tracing enabled.
With 16GB of GDDR6, the RX 7600 XT is well-equipped to handle future games, ensuring longevity in your gaming setup.
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 graphics card, but it's still able to pump out the frames in 1080p games, especially if you play a lot of esports games with friends. See it at Amazon
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 cardThe RX 6600, though a last-gen card, remains a solid choice for budget-conscious gamers. Priced around $199, it performs well in 1080p games, especially in esports titles. It delivered impressive frame rates in games like Final Fantasy XIV and Horizon Zero Dawn during my 2021 review, and continues to hold up well today.
While it may struggle with the most demanding modern games, the RX 6600 is perfect for those looking to enjoy multiplayer games without breaking the bank.
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. Initially a software-based solution, FSR 3.1 used temporal upscaling, but FSR 4, introduced with the RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT, leverages AI accelerators for more accurate upscaling, though with a slight performance cost.
FSR also includes frame generation, which adds extra frames between real frames to boost performance, though it can introduce latency at lower frame rates. It's best used when you're already achieving 50-60fps.
What is Ray Tracing?
Ray tracing is a technique for rendering realistic light in 3D scenes. It allows light to bounce naturally around the environment, significantly increasing the GPU's workload. Early implementations were limited to specific effects like reflections or shadows, but newer games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Black Myth: Wukong use full path tracing, replacing all light sources with ray-traced lighting for a more immersive experience.
This advanced lighting is made possible by RT Cores in modern AMD and Nvidia graphics cards, though it often requires upscaling technologies like FSR to maintain playable frame rates.
