AMD GPU Selection Guide from a Graphics Card Expert

When you're setting out to build a gaming PC, one of the most critical decisions you'll face is choosing the best graphics card for your setup. With a plethora of options available, opting for an AMD graphics card can be a smart move, especially if you're looking to save on unnecessary frills. All of AMD's current-generation graphics cards come equipped with ray tracing capabilities and support for FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), a popular upscaling technology used in many major PC games.

While there are more powerful graphics cards on the market, AMD's Radeon RX 9070 XT delivers exceptional 4K performance without the exorbitant price tags often seen with top-tier models. For those interested in a mid-range option for 1440p gaming, AMD's offerings provide outstanding value and performance.

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 the Xbox Series X, which can make it easier for developers to optimize games for AMD hardware when porting them to PC. While this doesn't guarantee perfect optimization, it's a beneficial factor. Of course, AMD isn't the only player in the GPU market, so if you're more inclined towards Nvidia, check out my guide on the best Nvidia graphics cards.

Choosing the best AMD GPU isn't just about selecting the fastest card available. It's about deciding the resolution at which you want to play your games and, crucially, how much you're willing to spend.

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 identify if it's a current-generation model. Recently, AMD revamped its naming convention. The Radeon RX 9070 XT is the latest flagship, succeeding the RX 7900 XTX. Note that any AMD card starting with '9' is current-generation, while '7' and '6' denote previous generations.

Some AMD graphics card model numbers include "XT" or "XTX," indicating a performance boost within the same tier. This naming scheme 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 snag them for under $100.

Generally, higher model numbers correlate with better performance, but diving into the specs can provide more insight. VRAM, or video memory, is a key spec. More VRAM is beneficial, especially at higher resolutions. For 1080p gaming, 8GB of VRAM suffices, but for 1440p, aim for 12GB to 16GB, particularly for demanding games. For 4K gaming, maximizing VRAM is crucial, which is why the Radeon RX 9070 XT features 16GB.

Compute units are another important aspect, each containing multiple streaming multiprocessors (SMs). The latest AMD cards have 64 SMs per compute unit. For instance, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX, with 96 compute units, boasts 6,144 SMs. Recent AMD cards also include dedicated ray tracing hardware in each compute unit, with the 7900 XTX featuring 96 RT Cores, enhancing its ray tracing capabilities.

Before finalizing your choice, ensure your PC can support the graphics card. Check your case size, especially for high-end models, 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 bankSee 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 for the money
• Plenty of VRAM

Cons

• Brings GPU prices down to sanity (in theory)

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT has made waves by offering a compelling value proposition, outperforming Nvidia's more expensive RTX 5070 Ti. Launched at $599, it's significantly cheaper than its competitor's $749 model and delivers an average 2% better performance across a wide range of tests. Its ray tracing capabilities are commendable, though not quite on par with Nvidia, but it's closing the gap.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT & 9070 – Benchmarks

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

It remains to be seen if AMD will release an even more powerful successor, but the Radeon RX 9070 XT currently offers outstanding 4K performance at a competitive 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, ideal for running AAA games at 4K with max settings. See it at Amazon

Product Specifications

Streaming Multiprocessors: 6144
Base 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 performance

For those willing to invest in a high-end gaming PC, the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX is a top choice. Priced around $900, it offers performance that rivals or even surpasses the more expensive Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 in many tests. Its value has only improved over time, making it a standout option for 4K gaming, especially in non-ray traced games.

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, despite being priced close to the RX 9070 XT. 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, while slightly less powerful than the 9070 XT, excels at 1440p gaming, delivering triple-digit frame rates in most games tested. It outperforms its Nvidia counterpart, the RTX 5070, by an average of 12%. The introduction of FSR 4 enhances image quality, making it a versatile choice for gamers focused on 1440p.

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 offers robust performance at 1080p, ensuring longevity 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

• 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 a popular choice for PC gamers due to its affordability and performance. The AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT, priced around $309, is perfect for high-end 1080p gaming, delivering strong frame rates in games like Forza Horizon 5 and Far Cry 6. It's less impressive at higher resolutions but shines at 1080p, even with some ray tracing capabilities.

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 cost-effective choice for 1080p gaming, especially 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

The AMD Radeon RX 6600, though a last-gen model, remains a solid option for budget-conscious gamers, particularly those focused on esports titles. Priced at around $199, it offers impressive performance at 1080p, making it a great choice for those looking to maximize value.

What is FSR?

FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) is AMD's upscaling technology for PC games. It uses information from recent frames and motion vectors provided by the game engine to upscale lower resolution frames to the native resolution of your display. Initially a software-based solution, FSR improves frame rates by rendering at a lower resolution and then upscaling, although it may introduce some image softness.

With the introduction of FSR 4 on the AMD Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT, AMD has shifted to an AI-based upscaling method. This new version offers a cleaner image but at a slight performance cost. FSR also includes frame generation to further boost performance, though it's recommended to use this feature only if you're already achieving 50-60 fps to avoid increased latency.

What is Ray Tracing?

Ray tracing is a technique used to simulate realistic lighting in 3D scenes. It traces the path of light rays as they interact with objects, creating more lifelike reflections, shadows, and lighting effects. This process is computationally intensive, requiring dedicated hardware like RT Cores found in modern AMD and Nvidia GPUs.

Early implementations of ray tracing were limited to specific effects like reflections, but recent advancements allow for full path tracing, which replaces all lighting with ray-traced effects, significantly enhancing visual quality. However, to maintain playable frame rates, ray tracing often requires the use of upscaling technologies like FSR.