AMD GPU Selection Guide: Expert Picks

When embarking on the journey to build a gaming PC, the most critical decision you'll make is selecting the best graphics card for your setup. With a plethora of options available, opting for an AMD graphics card is a smart move, especially if you're looking to avoid paying a premium 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 there are more powerful options on the market, AMD graphics cards such as the Radeon RX 9070 XT offer superb 4K performance without the hefty price tags often seen on high-end models. If you're targeting a mid-range card for 1440p gaming, AMD shines brightly, delivering 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

Moreover, AMD's graphics architecture is used in the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, making it easier for developers to optimize console games for PC. While this doesn't guarantee flawless PC performance, it certainly helps. If you're interested in Nvidia's offerings, check out my guide to the best Nvidia graphics cards.

Choosing the right AMD GPU isn't just about picking the fastest card available; it's about matching your desired gaming resolution and budget.

Graphics Card Basics

Graphics cards are inherently complex devices, but understanding a few key points can guide you to the right choice. For AMD graphics cards, it's crucial to identify whether a model is from the current generation.

AMD recently updated its naming convention. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT is the latest flagship, following the RX 7900 XTX. Notably, AMD skipped the number 8 and rearranged some digits. Cards with a '9' as the first digit are current-generation, while those with '7' or '6' are from previous generations.

Some AMD models include an "XT" or "XTX" suffix, indicating a performance step up without entering the next tier. This naming convention began with the Radeon RX 5700 XT in 2019. Prior to this, AMD used three-digit naming like the RX 580 or RX 480, which are outdated now and best avoided unless found for $100 or less.

A general rule is "higher number = better performance," but diving into specific specs can provide more insight. 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 graphically intensive games. At 4K, the more VRAM, the better, which is why the Radeon RX 9070 XT boasts 16GB.

Another spec to consider is the number of compute units, each containing multiple streaming multiprocessors (SMs). For example, the RX 7900 XTX has 96 compute units, totaling 6,144 SMs. Recent AMD cards also include dedicated hardware for ray tracing in each compute unit, with the RX 7900 XTX featuring 96 RT cores.

Before finalizing your choice, ensure your PC can support the graphics card. Check your case's dimensions and ensure your power supply has enough wattage, as listed in the card's specifications.

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 price
• Ample VRAM

CONS

• May not be as competitive in ray tracing performance

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT reintroduced the value proposition that made AMD famous, launching at $599, significantly less than the $749 RTX 5070 Ti. In testing, it averaged 2% faster than the RTX 5070 Ti across various benchmarks, offering superior value. It handles 4K gaming well, including ray tracing, although it may not match Nvidia cards in this aspect.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT & 9070 – Benchmarks

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The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT also introduces FSR 4, which uses AI to upscale games to your native resolution, offering better image quality than FSR 3.1, though with a slight performance trade-off. FSR 4 is ideal for single-player games where frame rate isn't the top priority.

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT continues to be a strong contender, providing excellent 4K performance at a competitive price point.

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 delivers exceptional performance for AAA games 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

• Outstanding 4K performance
• Abundant VRAM for future-proofing

CONS

• May lag in ray tracing performance compared to competitors

For those seeking the pinnacle of gaming performance, the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX, priced at around $900, is a top choice. It often matches or surpasses the more expensive Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, particularly in non-ray tracing games, offering a compelling price-to-performance ratio.

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 delivers exceptional 1440p gaming performance at a competitive price. 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

• Strong 1440p gaming performance
• Introduces AI upscaling with FSR 4

CONS

• Priced close to the more powerful RX 9070 XT

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 is ideal for 1440p gaming, delivering triple-digit frame rates in most tests. It outperforms Nvidia's RTX 5070 by an average of 12%, making it a great value choice. With FSR 4, it offers enhanced image quality at the cost of a slight performance hit, which 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

6The AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT, with 16GB of VRAM, is well-equipped for top-end 1080p gaming 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 at 1080p for the price
• Compact design fits most PC builds

CONS

• May struggle with ray tracing in demanding games

The AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT is ideal for 1080p gaming, offering strong performance at a budget-friendly price of $309. It excels in games like Forza Horizon 5 and Far Cry 6, delivering high frame rates at maximum settings. Its 16GB of VRAM ensures longevity, even as game requirements increase.

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, despite being last-gen, still offers solid 1080p performance, especially for esports games. 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

• Excellent for esports gaming
• Very affordable at around $199

CONS

• Last-gen technology

The AMD Radeon RX 6600 is a budget-friendly option at around $199, still capable of delivering high frame rates in 1080p games, particularly in less demanding genres like MMOs and MOBAs. While it may struggle with newer, more demanding titles, it remains a solid choice for casual and competitive gamers alike.

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 the native resolution of your display. Initially a software-based solution, FSR improved frame rates by rendering games at a lower resolution and then upscaling, though it could introduce some fuzziness.

With the Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT, AMD introduced FSR 4, which leverages AI for upscaling, offering better image quality at the cost of a slight performance hit. Users can switch between FSR 3 and FSR 4 based on their preference for frame rate or image quality. FSR also includes frame generation, which adds frames between rendered ones to boost performance, though it's best used at higher frame rates to avoid latency.

What is Ray Tracing?

Ray tracing is a technique for rendering light in 3D scenes more realistically. It traces each ray of light as it bounces around the scene, creating natural lighting effects. This is computationally intensive, particularly in real-time gaming, which is why early implementations focused on specific elements like reflections or shadows.

Recent advancements in RT cores have allowed for full path tracing, as seen in games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Black Myth: Wukong, which replace traditional lighting methods entirely with ray tracing. This enhances the visual fidelity significantly but still requires upscaling technologies like FSR to maintain playable frame rates.