I Review Graphics Cards for a Living, Let Me Help You Pick an AMD GPU

Building a gaming PC? Your most crucial decision is the graphics card. AMD offers compelling options, especially if you want high performance without breaking the bank. All current-generation AMD cards support ray tracing and FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR), an upscaling technology compatible with most major PC games. While more powerful cards exist, AMD's Radeon RX 9070 XT delivers excellent 4K performance at a reasonable price, avoiding the exorbitant costs of some competitors. For 1440p gaming, AMD shines, offering exceptional value.

Need a quick answer? Here are the best AMD graphics cards:

Top AMD Graphics Cards

Best 4K AMD Graphics Card: Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 7900 XTX See it at Amazon

Best AMD Graphics Card (Overall): AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT See it at Newegg

Best AMD Graphics Card for 1440p: AMD Radeon RX 9070 See it at Newegg

Best AMD Graphics Card for 1080p: Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT Gaming OC Windforce See it at Amazon

Best Budget AMD Graphics Card: XFX Speedster SWFT Radeon RX 6600 See it at Amazon

AMD's architecture powers the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, potentially aiding PC game optimization. However, remember that choosing the best AMD GPU depends on your desired resolution and budget.

Understanding AMD Graphics Cards

AMD graphics cards can be complex, but understanding a few key aspects simplifies the selection process. Focus on current-generation cards (those with a '9' as the first digit in the model number). Model numbers like "XT" or "XTX" indicate a performance upgrade within a generation. Older three-digit models (e.g., RX 580) are outdated unless exceptionally cheap.

VRAM (Video Memory): More VRAM generally means better performance, especially at higher resolutions. 8GB suffices for 1080p, while 12-16GB is recommended for 1440p, and as much as possible for 4K.

Compute Units & Streaming Multiprocessors (SMs): More compute units and SMs translate to higher performance. Each AMD compute unit contains 64 SMs.

Ray Tracing Cores (RT Cores): More RT Cores improve ray tracing capabilities. Each CU in the latest cards has one RT Core.

Before purchasing, ensure your PC case and power supply (PSU) are compatible with your chosen card. Check the recommended PSU wattage for each model.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT: The Top Performer

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT offers exceptional 4K performance at a competitive price. It often outperforms more expensive competitors, making it a standout value. It handles ray tracing well and introduces FSR 4, an AI-based upscaling technology that prioritizes image quality over raw frame rate. You can switch between FSR 3 and FSR 4 depending on your preference.

AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX: 4K Powerhouse

For ultimate 4K gaming, the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX delivers exceptional performance, often matching or exceeding more expensive Nvidia cards, especially in games less reliant on ray tracing. Its 24GB of VRAM handles high-resolution textures exceptionally well.

AMD Radeon RX 9070: 1440p Champion

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 provides excellent 1440p performance at a competitive price, offering a strong value proposition. It also features FSR 4 for improved image quality.

AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT: 1080p Power

The AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT is an ideal choice for 1080p gaming, offering solid performance at a budget-friendly price. Its 16GB of VRAM ensures future-proofing.

AMD Radeon RX 6600: Budget-Friendly Option

While a last-generation card, the AMD Radeon RX 6600 remains a viable budget option, especially for 1080p gaming and esports titles. It provides excellent value for its price.

FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) and Ray Tracing Explained

FSR: AMD's upscaling technology improves performance by rendering at a lower resolution and then upscaling to your native resolution. FSR 4 uses AI for higher quality upscaling.

Ray Tracing: A realistic lighting rendering technique that significantly enhances visual fidelity but demands more GPU power. RT Cores in modern GPUs accelerate ray tracing performance.