"Expert Picks: Top AMD GPUs for Gamers and Creators"

When embarking on the journey to build a gaming PC, choosing the best graphics card for your setup is a pivotal decision. AMD graphics cards stand out as a smart choice, especially if you're looking to save money without sacrificing quality. All current-generation AMD graphics cards support ray tracing and feature FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR), a popular upscaling method supported by most major PC games, enhancing your gaming experience without breaking the bank.

While there are more powerful options on the market, AMD's Radeon RX 9070 XT delivers exceptional 4K performance at a more reasonable price point than its competitors, which often exceed $2,000. For those aiming at 1440p gaming, AMD's mid-range cards offer an unbeatable balance of performance and cost-efficiency.

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 also worth noting that AMD's graphics architecture powers both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, making it easier for developers to optimize console games for PC when ported. While this doesn't guarantee perfect optimization for every PC game, it certainly helps. If you're interested in Nvidia's offerings, consider checking out my guide to the best Nvidia graphics cards.

Selecting the best AMD GPU involves more than just choosing the fastest card available. Consider your desired gaming resolution and your budget, as these factors will greatly influence your decision.

Graphics Card Basics

Graphics cards are inherently complex devices. While you don't need to be an expert to select a great GPU, understanding a few key points can be beneficial. For AMD graphics cards, identifying whether it's a current-generation model is crucial. Recently, AMD revamped its naming convention, launching the Radeon RX 9070 XT as its top-end card, skipping the number 8 and shuffling other digits. A card with a '9' as the first digit indicates it's a current-generation model, while '7' and '6' denote previous generations.

Some AMD cards may have an "XT" or "XTX" suffix, indicating a performance boost within the same class. This naming system began with the Radeon RX 5700 XT in 2019. Prior to that, AMD used three-digit naming, like the RX 580 or RX 480, which are now outdated and should only be considered if priced under $100.

A general rule is that higher model numbers usually indicate better performance, but deeper specs can help you make a more informed choice. Video memory (VRAM) is one of the simplest specs to consider: more is better, 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, maximizing VRAM is advisable, which is why the Radeon RX 9070 XT includes 16GB.

Additionally, the number of compute units (CUs) in a GPU is significant. Each CU contains multiple streaming multiprocessors (SMs), crucial for rendering performance. Recent AMD cards also feature dedicated ray tracing hardware in each CU, enhancing their capability to handle advanced lighting effects.

Before finalizing your graphics card choice, ensure your PC can support it. Check your case's dimensions and your power supply's wattage to accommodate the new GPU'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 has made a significant impact by offering superior value compared to Nvidia's cards. Launched at $599, it's notably cheaper than the $749 RTX 5070 Ti and performs better on average. My review found it to be 2% faster than the RTX 5070 Ti, proving its worth as a cost-effective choice for 4K gaming with commendable ray tracing capabilities.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT & 9070 – Benchmarks

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The Radeon RX 9070 XT introduces FSR 4, an AI-based upscaling method that enhances image quality over FSR 3.1, though it comes with a slight performance cost. FSR 4 is ideal for single-player games where visual quality is prioritized over frame rates.

The Radeon RX 9070 XT continues to offer unmatched value for 4K gaming, making it a top choice for gamers looking to maximize performance without overspending.

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 seeking the ultimate gaming PC, the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX is an investment worth considering. Priced around $900, it delivers top-tier performance, often outpacing the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 in non-ray tracing games. Its 24GB VRAM ensures it can handle the most demanding 4K games, making it an excellent choice for high-resolution gaming.

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, though slightly less powerful than the 9070 XT, is a fantastic choice for 1440p gaming. It offers impressive performance and introduces FSR 4, enhancing image quality without the need for high frame rates, making it ideal for gamers focused on visual fidelity.

AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT – Photos

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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 sticking with 1080p, the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT is an affordable yet powerful choice. Priced at around $309, it offers robust performance and ample VRAM, ensuring it can handle future games at this resolution.

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 remains a solid option for budget-conscious gamers. Despite being a last-gen card, it delivers strong performance at 1080p, especially for esports titles, and is available for just under $200.

What is FSR?

FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) is AMD's upscaling technology designed to enhance gaming performance on PC. FSR works by upscaling lower resolution frames to your native resolution, using data from recent frames and motion vector information. While earlier versions were software-based, FSR 4, introduced with the Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT, leverages AI accelerators for improved image quality, though with a slight performance trade-off. FSR also includes frame generation to boost frame rates, but it's best used when already achieving 50-60fps to avoid latency issues.

What is Ray Tracing?

Ray tracing is a rendering technique that simulates realistic lighting in 3D environments. It traces the path of light rays as they interact with surfaces, enhancing visual fidelity. Initially limited to specific effects like reflections, modern ray tracing, supported by dedicated RT cores in AMD and Nvidia GPUs, enables full path tracing in games, significantly improving lighting and shadows at the cost of increased computational demand.