AMD GPU Buying Guide: Expert Picks for Gamers

When embarking on the journey to build a gaming PC, one of the most critical choices you'll face is selecting the ideal graphics card. With a plethora of options available, opting for an AMD graphics card is a smart move, especially if you're looking to avoid shelling out extra cash for unnecessary features. All of AMD's current-generation graphics cards support ray tracing and come equipped with FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR), an upscaling technology compatible with most major PC games.

While more powerful graphics cards exist, AMD's offerings like the Radeon RX 9070 XT deliver impressive 4K performance without breaking the bank. For those seeking a mid-range solution for 1440p gaming, AMD shines brightly, providing exceptional value for your investment.

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, facilitating easier optimization for developers when porting console games to PC. While this doesn't guarantee flawless performance on PCs with AMD graphics cards, it certainly aids in the process. If you're interested in Nvidia's options, check out my guide on the best Nvidia graphics cards.

Selecting the best AMD GPU isn't just about grabbing the fastest card available. It's crucial to consider your desired gaming resolution and budget constraints.

Graphics Card Basics

Graphics cards are inherently complex, but understanding a few key aspects can guide you to the right choice. For AMD graphics cards, it's important to identify if the card is from the current generation. AMD recently revamped its naming convention, introducing the Radeon RX 9070 XT as its top-end model, bypassing the '8' series. Cards with a '9' as the first digit are current-generation, while '7' and '6' represent previous generations. An "XT" or "XTX" suffix indicates a higher performance model within the same tier.

The traditional naming for older AMD cards used three digits, like the RX 580 or RX 480, which are now outdated and should be avoided unless found at a steep discount. Generally, a higher number suggests better performance, but diving into specific specs can offer more clarity.

Video RAM (VRAM) is a straightforward spec to consider. More VRAM is beneficial, especially at higher resolutions. For 1080p gaming, 8GB is often sufficient, while 1440p gaming benefits from 12GB to 16GB. At 4K, maximizing VRAM is key, which is why the Radeon RX 9070 XT comes with 16GB.

Another important spec is the number of compute units, each containing multiple streaming multiprocessors (SMs). For instance, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX has 96 Compute Units, totaling 6,144 SMs. Recent AMD cards also feature dedicated hardware for ray tracing in each Compute Unit, with the 7900 XTX having 96 RT Cores.

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 cost you an arm and a legSee 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 stands out by offering top-tier performance at a more affordable price point, launching at $599 compared to Nvidia's $749 RTX 5070 Ti. In tests, it proved to be 2% faster on average, making it a compelling choice for gamers seeking value without compromising on performance. It handles ray tracing well, although it doesn't quite match Nvidia's prowess in this area.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT & 9070 – Benchmarks

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The Radeon RX 9070 XT introduces FSR 4, utilizing AI for upscaling to your native resolution. While FSR 4 may result in a 10% performance hit compared to FSR 3.1, it offers superior image quality, making it ideal for single-player games where frame rate isn't as critical.

Whether AMD will follow up with a more powerful successor remains to be seen, but the Radeon RX 9070 XT currently offers exceptional 4K performance for the price, making it a standout choice.

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: 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 the ultimate gaming experience, the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX offers unmatched performance at 4K. Priced around $900, it provides a competitive edge against Nvidia's more expensive options, often matching or surpassing the RTX 4080 in non-ray tracing scenarios. Its 24GB of VRAM ensures it can handle the most demanding games with ease.

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: 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 excels at 1440p, delivering high frame rates and outperforming Nvidia's RTX 5070 by an average of 12%. It introduces FSR 4, enhancing image quality through AI upscaling, though it's optional and can be toggled 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: 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

For gamers focused on 1080p, the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT offers a cost-effective solution, priced at around $309. It delivers strong performance in popular titles, making it ideal for high-refresh rate gaming at this resolution. While it may struggle with ray tracing in more demanding games, 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 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: 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-generation model, remains a solid choice for budget-conscious gamers, especially those focused on esports. Priced around $199, it offers impressive performance at 1080p, making it a great option for multiplayer gaming.

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. While earlier versions were software-based, FSR 4, introduced with the Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT, leverages 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 minimize latency.

What is Ray Tracing?

Ray tracing enhances the realism of lighting in 3D scenes by simulating the natural path of light rays. Initially limited to specific effects like reflections, advancements in RT cores have enabled full path tracing in games like Cyberpunk 2077, significantly improving visual fidelity. However, ray tracing demands significant GPU power, often requiring upscaling technologies like FSR to maintain playable frame rates.