Best AMD GPU 2023 – our top Radeon graphics cards
AMD are now firmly in the GPU picture
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AMD has been clawing back some good performance and market share in both the CPU and GPU markets. As such considering the best AMD GPU for your next build or upgrade is a good alternative to the usual go-to of Nvidia. The RDNA 2 and now RDNA 3 range offer up a good value for money while offering a great performance with great support behind it in the drivers and upscaling behind it available.
Best AMD graphics card: products at a glance
ASUS TUF Radeon RX 7900 XTX OC
Core Clock Speed
1,895 MHz base, 2,395 MHz shader & game, 2,565 MHz boost
Stream processors
6,144
Memory Size
24GB GDDR6
Dimensions
352.9 x 158.2 x 72.6 mm
PSU Required
850W
TBP
355W
ASUS AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT ROG Strix LC OC 16GB
Clock Speed (Base/Boost)
2110MHz/ 2360MHz
VRAM
16GB GDDR6
Ports
HDMI x 1 DP x 2 USB Type C x 1
MSI Gaming Radeon RX 7600 Mech 2X
Core Clock Speed
1,720MHz base, 2,695 MHz OC boost, 2,280 MHz game
Stream processors
2,048
Memory Size
8GB GDDR6
Dimensions
235 x 125 x 47 mm
PSU Required
500W
TBP
165W
ASUS ROG Strix RX 5700 XT O8G Gaming
Game Clock Speed
1965 MHz (OC Mode) 1905 MHz (Gaming Mode)
VRAM
8 GB GDDR6
Memory Bus Width
256 bit
XFX Speedster SWFT 210 RX 6600
Core Clock Speed
2491MHz Boost, 1626MHz Base
Stream Processors
1792
Memory Size
8GB GDDR6
Dimensions
241mm x 131mm x 41mm
PSU Required
550W
AMD has some of the best GPUs available offering up a great value and alternative to gamers around the world. Although in general, they might offer a lower encoding and ray tracing performance compared to an Nvidia GPU, the gaming performance is where it matters and it holds up well especially for the value they offer up. So here are some of the top recommendations for what AMD Radeon graphics cards have to offer.
Best AMD GPU
ASUS TUF Radeon RX 7900 XTX OC
Core Clock Speed
1,895 MHz base, 2,395 MHz shader & game, 2,565 MHz boost
Stream processors
6,144
Memory Size
24GB GDDR6
Dimensions
352.9 x 158.2 x 72.6 mm
PSU Required
850W
TBP
355W
- Great cooling solution that improves thermals and fan curves over reference
- Improved power management from an experienced brand
- High quality build and overclocked for top tier performance
- A slightly more expensive option for its better perfromance and quality
The new RDNA 3 architecture brings with it much-improved performance and ability. Although the card is the flagship, it doesn’t quite reach the same levels as the RTX 4090. But still means it is a great option as an alternative and cheaper option to the Nvidia card.
With a Navi 31 XTX variant in it, it is built with TSMCs 5 and 6nm processes. As the card is split into an MCM with different packages. Which will improve the yield. With 57.7 billion transistors and a die size of 520mm².
The card can also reach a boost clock of 2,565 MHz and a game clock of 2,395 MHz. Whilst the base clock at 1,895 MHz and a shader clock of 2,395 MHz. Whilst the GPU also comes with 24GB of GDDR6 memory across a 384-bit memory bus. And with all those high specs, it is capable of reaching high frame rates with 4k performance behind it.
Best old gen AMD GPU
ASUS AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT ROG Strix LC OC 16GB
Clock Speed (Base/Boost)
2110MHz/ 2360MHz
VRAM
16GB GDDR6
Ports
HDMI x 1 DP x 2 USB Type C x 1
- Full-coverage gold plate
- On-board cooling for power-delivery is handled by a blower-style fan and low-profile heatsink
- 600mm tubing for compatibility with EATX chassis and alternative mounts
- Very fast card
- Very expensive
For the first time in years, 2020 saw AMD try and take on Nvidia at not just the middle range of GPUs, but also the higher end of the price and performance spectrum. With the Radeon RX 6800 XT they almost, but not quite, succeeded in knocking Nvidia’s RTX 3080 off the top spot, nevertheless, for certain consumers, the 6800 XT may actually be the better option.
AMD’s ray tracing functionality exists but it doesn’t yet match Nvidia’s at all, but if this isn’t a feature you particularly care about (it is after all still limited to a relatively small amount of games), then the $50 cheaper RX 6800 XT might be a better choice. Although it depends on the title, overall the RX 6800 XT actually performs slightly better than the RTX 3080 on 1080p and 1440p titles, but the RTX 3080 has the edge on 4K performance.
Equally, if you’ve got one of the latest AMD CPUs, the Smart Access Memory feature which synergizes the performance of the two might also sway the RX 6800 XT in your favor. In reality, the much-vaunted Smart Access Memory has been fairly underwhelming – on some titles making no difference, on others actually reducing performance – however, there are certain games you can get a 10%+ FPS uplift on, so if you identify these titles you can easily switch on the feature as and when it is needed.
Although the RTX 3080 might have the edge in terms of software features and pull ahead slightly in 4K gaming performance, the RX 6800 XT has its advantages on lower resolutions. Ultimately the fight between the AMD RX 6800 XT and Nvidia RTX 3080 is a close race, and whichever card you pick you will end up with one of the best on the market. It may be that the cheaper price of the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT and its somewhat greater availability makes it more favorable for your needs. We have picked the ASUS AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT ROG Strix LC OC 16GB variant for this article, but check out our guide on the best RX 6800 XT to see which AIB of this card would be right for you.
Best 1080p AMD GPU
MSI Gaming Radeon RX 7600 Mech 2X
Core Clock Speed
1,720MHz base, 2,695 MHz OC boost, 2,280 MHz game
Stream processors
2,048
Memory Size
8GB GDDR6
Dimensions
235 x 125 x 47 mm
PSU Required
500W
TBP
165W
- Overclocked model for improved performance offering
- Small size able to fit in most cases and avoids any sag
For the best AMD card for 1080p, there is an RDNA 3 option available. Moving away from the usual release lineup, the RX 7600 was the next to release after the flagship first launched. But it does provide good performance for budget gamers and those looking at HD graphics and especially esports titles that will run fast on the lower-end card.
The card is built with the Navi 33 XL GPU variant on the RDNA 3 architecture. Made with TSMC’s 6nm process, it has a die size of 204mm² with 13.3 billion transistors on the monolithic die. It features 8GB of GDDR6 memory with a 128-bit bus clocked in at 18 Gbps to give a 288 GB/s bandwidth. The cores are made up of 2,048 shaders, 128TMUs, 64 ROPs, 32 CUs, and 32 RT cores.
For the clock speeds, the RX 7600 factory card comes with a base clock of 1,720MHz, a game clock of 2,655MHz, and a boost clock up to 2,655MHz. This requires a TDP of 165W with a suggested power supply of 450W that only needs one 8-pin connector. For the video output, it has one HDMI 2.1a and three DisplayPort 2.1 ports.
Best 5000 series AMD GPU
ASUS ROG Strix RX 5700 XT O8G Gaming
Game Clock Speed
1965 MHz (OC Mode) 1905 MHz (Gaming Mode)
VRAM
8 GB GDDR6
Memory Bus Width
256 bit
- Excellent value for money
- Comes to the table boasting the latest Navi architecture
- Great for 1440p gaming
- Quite large in dimensions
- Does not come with ray-tracing
It comes to shelves plastered in the ROG Strix branding which, as we all know, means this thing has been built with purpose and quality in mind.
The triple-fan cooling solution it uses offers excellent efficiency in keeping temps low during the most stressful of scenarios. The Axial-tech design has longer fan blades and a unique barrier ring for increased air pressure as well.
As with most ROG products, it comes laced with RGB in numerous areas which (to me at least) looks superb in almost any build.
It is, however, worth mentioning the size of this card, as it’s on the large side. It takes up 2.7 case slots and sits at 30.5x13x5.4cm which is considered quite large for a GPU.
Looks aside, the 5700XT from ASUS comes with solid performance across both 1080p and 1440p gaming, making it an excellent all-rounder.
With 2560 stream processors, a boost clock speed of 2035MHz, and 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM, this card is more than equipped to handle both high-intensive gaming and creator work tasks.
It isn’t the most powerful card on this list though. It falls short of that title thanks to the Radeon VII, which takes the crown when it comes to pure power. However, we’ve decided to give the RX 5700XT our number one slot as it offers strong gaming performance alongside a much cheaper price point than the VII.
Overall, we can’t really knock this GPU. It looks great, stays cool under pressure, and provides an enjoyable gaming experience across a number of different platforms.
Best budget AMD GPU
XFX Speedster SWFT 210 RX 6600
Core Clock Speed
2491MHz Boost, 1626MHz Base
Stream Processors
1792
Memory Size
8GB GDDR6
Dimensions
241mm x 131mm x 41mm
PSU Required
550W
- Budget friendly
- Sleek design
- Lower quality build
For the best budget option, the RX 6600 is the AMD GPU to go for. Although it might be limited in performance to just 1080p, you can rely on the use of FSR and RSR upscaling to push it further in what it can achieve in terms of framerates. With a launch during a period of highly inflated prices, it is now at a much better price point and offers a much better value than any newer options.
Built with the Navi 23 XL it is on the older RDNA 2 generation now. With TSMC’s 7nm process, it has 11.06 billion transistors on the 237mm² die size. This fits on it 1,792 shading units, with 112 TMUs, 64 ROPs, 28 CUs, and 28 RT cores. Along with 8GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus clocked at 14Gbps for a 224GB/s bandwidth.
For the clock speeds, the RX 6600 factory setting has a 1,626MHz base frequency, with a boost of up to 2,491MHz, and a game clock of up to 2,044MHz. For the power required, it runs with a TBP of 132W and will only require a power supply rated for 450W. So it is small yet powerful for basic gaming performance.
How we choose the best AMD GPU
Choosing the right components for our best of guides is always hard, no matter if it’s a guide to the best gaming GPU or the best gaming headsets.
It requires hours of product research, performance benchmarking, and user feedback to get anywhere close to a definitive conclusion on what to use.
If you aren’t tech-savvy and struggle to put time aside to go through the above requirements, you may end up purchasing a GPU that simply isn’t right for you, or whatever task you want to use your graphics card for.
Fear not though, friends! Here at WePC, we like to take the stress of research away and transform the whole process into an easy-to-follow, complete buyer’s guide. That’s right, our team of PC enthusiasts has done all the hard work for you!
How we test
Testing the products we recommend is a huge part of the overall selection process in our best of guides. It’s a way to make sure what we recommend is, without a doubt, the best option in its specific category.
To be sure a product is “the best,” it must show excellent performance in our tests, and display better qualities over the competition it faces.
Most of the products we recommend here at WePC have gone through a strict testing process that involves everything from price to performance and efficiency. Each product is pushed to the limit to see how it performs under intense stress to make sure it warrants the coveted top spot.
Doing this enables us to provide you with the most accurate review of how the product performs and, ultimately, whether it’s worth your hard-earned cash.
Things to consider
Let’s be honest; choosing the right graphics card for your specific needs is never an easy task. There is a tonne of key areas that you need to consider before coming to a final conclusion.
Understanding how a product works and what to look for is something we take very seriously. We try to educate people on these areas as often as possible so they can make their own informed decision.
So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at the areas we feel you should consider before purchasing a graphics card.
Price
The first, and potentially most important aspect of any hardware choice, is its price. That’s right, whether you’re looking at one of the latest gaming monitors or a high-end motherboard, you must ensure that it falls within your budget.
Price is an interesting area when it comes to your PC’s GPU. Most people (unless you’re building a premium tier PC that isn’t restricted by budgetary requirements) try to stick to a strict price point. Which is exactly what you should be doing if you ask me.
However, what new PC builders may not be aware of is the current price of a graphics card in relation to the rest of the build. Let me give you an example.
If you’re building a PC in the region of $1,000, you’d be expected to put at least $400-$500 aside for the graphics card. Yes, 50% of the overall budget.
Even though that might sound a little crazy, it’s actually the smart way to go. The next section will explain this point further.
Performance
Most people reading this article will be seeking a graphics card for one of two reasons; they either need more graphical power for a gaming PC or a content creation PC. Most other tasks don’t require the need for a powerful GPU.
Since games started to shift their performance demands from the CPU to the GPU, more people have been investing larger amounts of money in their graphics processors – something we should all be looking to do if the aim is higher in-game FPS.
Obviously, this isn’t the only factor that goes into your PC’s ability to run games, but it’s certainly the main contributing factor. The GPU, ultimately, controls what screen resolution your PC can handle, what frames your PC is likely to get, and how well it can render graphics in creation-type scenarios.
This is why you must find the perfect balance between price and performance when selecting your next graphics card.
Figure out what games you want to play and at what graphical settings before jumping into a purchase. If you don’t, you might end up with a GPU that simply isn’t good enough for your needs.
Cooling
The next factor to consider before purchasing a GPU is the cooling system it comes equipped with.
Cooling and performance go hand-in-hand when it comes to… well, most hardware components. That’s because when under stress or high load they tend to create heat – a lot of heat.
Heat will compromise your hardware’s efficiency levels and as a result, could lead to a lesser gaming experience. Believe me, no one wants that.
For that reason, having the correct cooling is absolutely essential and an area that should be considered well in advance of your next GPU purchase.
Size
Finally, we have size. You might be thinking at this stage – bigger is always better. Thankfully, that isn’t always the case.
When we reference to size, we’re talking about the physical dimensions of a product. Some people aren’t always aware that graphics cards can vary in size dramatically – with budget offerings usually being much smaller than high-end offerings.
Always make sure that your case has the capacity to accommodate the size of the GPU you’re looking to purchase.
Clock speeds
If you have any PC building experience then you probably already know what clock speeds mean. If you don’t, then don’t worry; they’re pretty easy to understand.
Clock speed, or clock rate, is the speed at which your microprocessor (in this case, the GPU chip itself) runs. It basically refers to how fast your GPU performs instructions.
Each GPU is clocked at a different speed, meaning each one can perform tasks at different rates. Even though clock speed is one of the most important factors in a GPU purchase, it isn’t the sole factor that affects your in-game performance. That comes down to a number of factors.
VRAM
VRAM is your GPU’s video RAM (random access memory). It has a direct impact on how well your graphics card performs and how much data it can read at any one time.
VRAM is very similar to your computer RAM; it stores data that your GPU can access at any time in any order. The more VRAM you have, the more access you have to data without having to go via the CPU.
Higher-resolution game formats require more VRAM, as do tasks like anti-aliasing. For that reason, we always recommend looking for at least 6GB of VRAM when purchasing a GPU.
AMD vs Nvidia
One of the big questions that leave many first-time builders scratching their heads is whether to choose AMD or Nvidia for their graphical requirements.
It’s a battle as old as time, and one that still makes headlines today.
Historically, Nvidia has been number one for pretty much all price categories. For some (price points) that still remains the case today. However, thanks to leaps forward in technology from the guys at AMD, that is no longer the story across the board.
Thanks to AMD’s previous and new range of GPUs – the Radeon RX 6000 series – certain price points are now much more evenly matched. The RX 5700XT, which currently retails competitively, might be the best card you can purchase right now at that price point. Similar examples can be found across the mid-lower price points as well, especially now RX 5000 series GPUs are set to lower in price.
Unfortunately (for AMD fans anyway) the higher end of the price spectrum is still completely dominated by Nvidia. Their “king of all graphics cards” RTX 3090 is unmatched at the top of the pecking order and has been since its arrival.
Having said that, if AMD continues to improve their GPUs at the same rate as their CPUs, I wouldn’t be surprised to see those stats change in the next couple of years though. I suppose we’ll have to wait and see!
Other AMD pages
If you’re looking to read more about AMD graphics card, then we have a few pages to read up on what’s on offer.
Final word
So, there you have it; our comprehensive guide to the best AMD graphics cards available right now.
It was pretty tough coming up with a definitive five, especially when you consider how closely matched some of the cards are. Ultimately, though, we feel we’ve done a pretty good job in narrowing down the options.
AMD has come a long way in the last 5-10 years when it comes to graphics cards and the architecture behind them.
We’re just now seeing exactly what they can do with the new technology they have at their disposal. Hopefully, the trend continues and the battle for GPU hierarchy becomes as close as it has been between AMD vs Intel CPUs.
Other GPU guides
FAQs
Which is AMD best GPU?
At the top of the ranks, the RX 7900 XTX is the AMD GPU to go for. With the new architecture in it, it has the advantage of good enhancements that bring it to the top.
What is the fastest AMD GPU?
The fastest GPU is the RX 7900 XTX. As the flagship of the RDNA 3 lineup, it can reach a boost clock of 2,500 MHz at reference, with custom cards reaching higher.
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