When embarking on the journey to build a gaming PC, one of the most critical choices you'll face is selecting the right graphics card. Opting for an AMD graphics card can be a smart move, especially if you're looking to avoid the premium price tags often associated with unnecessary features. All of AMD's current-generation graphics cards come equipped with ray tracing capabilities and support for FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), a widely adopted upscaling technology in major PC games.

While there are more powerful options available, AMD's Radeon RX 9070 XT stands out for its impressive 4K performance without the exorbitant cost that can push into the $2,000 range. For those targeting 1440p gaming, AMD's mid-range offerings provide exceptional value, delivering robust performance at a more affordable price point.

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 the powerhouse behind both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, which can simplify the optimization process for developers when porting console games to PC. While this doesn't guarantee flawless performance on PC, it certainly aids in smoother transitions. However, if you're leaning towards Nvidia's offerings, you might want to check out my guide on the best Nvidia graphics cards.

Choosing the best AMD GPU isn't just about grabbing the fastest card available. It's crucial to consider the resolution at which you plan to play your games and, importantly, 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 choose a great GPU. For AMD graphics cards, it's essential to identify whether you're looking at a current-generation model. AMD recently revamped its naming convention, with the Radeon RX 9070 XT being the latest top-tier offering, succeeding the RX 7900 XTX. The key is to recognize that any AMD card starting with '9' is from the current generation, while '7' and '6' denote the previous generations.

Some AMD graphics card models include an "XT" or "XTX" suffix, indicating a performance boost without entering the next performance tier. This naming system began with the Radeon RX 5700 XT in 2019. Prior to this, AMD used a three-digit naming scheme, like the RX 580 or RX 480, which are now outdated and should be avoided unless you can snag them for $100 or less.

A general rule of thumb is that a higher model number typically means better performance, but diving into specific specs can provide a clearer picture. One of the most straightforward specs to consider is VRAM (video memory). More VRAM is generally better, particularly at higher resolutions. For 1080p gaming, 8GB of VRAM is usually sufficient, but for 1440p, you'll want 12GB to 16GB, especially for graphically intensive games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Black Myth: Wukong. At 4K, you should aim for as much VRAM as your budget allows, 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 (often called shaders or CUDA cores in Nvidia cards). For the latest AMD cards, each compute unit has 64 Streaming Multiprocessors. For example, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX, with 96 Compute Units, boasts a total of 6,144 SMs.

Recent AMD graphics cards also feature dedicated hardware for ray tracing within each Compute Unit. The latest models have one RT Core per CU, totaling 96 for the 7900 XTX. Generally, more RT Cores mean better ray tracing performance.

Once you've chosen your graphics card, ensure your PC can support it. Check your case dimensions to accommodate the GPU, especially if it's a high-end model. Also, verify that your power supply unit (PSU) has sufficient wattage, as more powerful cards require more power. Each graphics card will specify a recommended PSU wattage, so make sure yours meets or exceeds this requirement.

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

PROS

• Excellent 4K gaming performance for the price
• Plenty of VRAM

CONS

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

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT has made a significant impact by offering value that rivals Nvidia's offerings. Launched at $599, it's considerably cheaper than the $749 RTX 5070 Ti and, on average, performs 2% better across a comprehensive test suite. This makes it a compelling choice for those seeking a high-performance 4K graphics card that can handle ray tracing effectively, though not quite as well as Nvidia's cards.

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, unlike the traditional 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 high frame rates are less critical.

It remains to be seen if AMD will release a more powerful successor to the Radeon RX 9070 XT, but for now, it delivers exceptional 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 a powerhouse capable of running most AAA games at 4K with maximum settings. See it at Amazon

Product Specifications

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 is a top choice. Priced around $900, it offers unmatched performance at 4K, often matching or surpassing the more expensive Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 in various tests. Its price-to-performance ratio has become even more compelling over time, particularly in games that don't heavily rely on ray tracing.

Despite the release of the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT, which outperforms the 7900 XTX in some 4K games, the 7900 XTX's 24GB of RAM ensures it excels in games with high-resolution textures. If you're willing to spend around $1,000 on a single component, the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX offers the best value, especially for games focused on traditional performance rather than 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

5The Radeon RX 9070 offers excellent 1440p performance at a competitive price, despite being close to the RX 9070 XT. See it at Newegg

Product Specifications

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, is an excellent choice for 1440p gaming. It delivers impressive frame rates in most games and can handle demanding titles with ease, especially when ray tracing is disabled. It outperforms its Nvidia counterpart, the RTX 5070, by an average of 12% across various tests, making it a strong contender at its price point.

The Radeon RX 9070 also introduces FSR 4, enhancing image quality through AI upscaling. While this may slightly reduce frame rates compared to FSR 3, the improved visual clarity is a significant advantage, particularly in games that support this feature.

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 its 16GB of VRAM, is well-equipped to handle top-end games at 1080p for years to come. See it at Amazon

Product Specifications

PROS

• Solid performance for the price
• Compact enough to fit in any PC build

CONS

• Struggles in some highly demanding games with ray tracing enabled

1080p remains the most popular resolution for PC gaming due to its affordability and solid performance. The AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT, priced at around $309, is an ideal choice for high-end 1080p gaming. It delivers strong performance in games like Forza Horizon 5 and Far Cry 6, achieving high frame rates with all settings maxed out.

While the RX 7600 XT may not excel in games with intense ray tracing like Cyberpunk 2077, it still offers playable frame rates. Its 16GB of GDDR6 memory ensures it can handle future games that demand more VRAM, making it a future-proof option for 1080p gaming.

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, a last-generation card, still delivers solid performance for 1080p gaming, especially for esports titles. See it at Amazon

Product Specifications

PROS

• Great for esports
• Very affordable

CONS

• It's a last-generation graphics card

The AMD Radeon RX 6600, though a last-generation model, remains a compelling option for budget-conscious gamers. Priced around $199, it offers impressive performance at 1080p, particularly for less demanding genres like MMOs, shooters, and MOBAs. While it may struggle with newer, more demanding titles, it's a solid choice for casual and esports 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 provided by the game engine to upscale lower resolution frames to your native resolution. Before FSR 4, this was a software-based solution, but with the Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT, FSR 4 now leverages AI accelerators for more accurate upscaling, though at a slight performance cost. FSR also includes frame generation to boost frame rates, though it's best used when you're already achieving 50-60fps to avoid latency issues.

What is Ray Tracing?

Ray tracing is a technique for rendering realistic light in 3D scenes by tracing the path of light rays as they bounce around the environment. This method significantly increases the workload on the GPU, especially in real-time applications. Initially, ray tracing was limited to specific elements like reflections or shadows, but with advancements in RT cores, full path tracing is now possible in games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Black Myth: Wukong, enhancing visual fidelity at the cost of performance.