The gaming GPU market has two major players competing for the cake, AMD and Nvidia. For the longest time, Nvidia had been dominating the market with a wide variety of graphics cards that occupied the top spot in pretty much all budget ranges. However, over the years, AMD has released GPUs that usurp the Nvidia offerings not only in terms of having options in different budgets but also in terms of price-to-performance. The Navi-based GPUs starting with the RX 5000 series brought AMD back into the arena and ever since then, it has been giving Nvidia a run for its money.
AMD or Advanced Micro Devices was founded in 1969 and, back then, it mostly worked on memory chips and other computer components. It was competing with Intel in the microprocessor space and in 2000, the Radeon line of GPUs broke cover. Fast-forward to 2019, the Radeon RX 5000 series makes a splash in the gaming GPU market, followed by the RX 6000 series in 2020 and the latest Radeon RX 7000 series in 2022. While it’s been two years since AMD released a new lineup of GPUs and the company is currently working on the next generation, gamers who want a new GPU today have a load of options to choose from.
The Best RTX 4080 SUPER GPUs in 2024
Nvidia is upping the ante by addressing some of the major complaints about the RTX 4080 with the Super. Here are the best models in 2024.
That being said, finding the best AMD GPUs for gaming in 2024 can be a bit tricky, so here’s a handy guide that will make the decision a bit easier.
Game Rant’s Picks for the Best AMD GPUs for Gaming
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 7900 GRE
Best AMD GPU for Gaming Overall
$550 $700 Save $150
The GIGABYTE Radeon RX 7900 GRE is a top-tier AMD GPU that delivers incredible performance close to the RX 7900 XT but at a lower price. It has a boost frequency of 2391 MHz, packs 16 GB of GDDR6 VRAM, and a total board power (TBP) of 260W. It also supports the latest AMD technologies for an even better gaming experience.Â
- Brand
- GIGABYTE
- Cooling Method
- Triple-fan
- GPU Speed
- 2391 MHz
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0
- Memory
- 16 GB GDDR6
- Power
- 260W
- Stream Processors
- 5120
- 16GB GDDR6 VRAM
- Dual BIOS
- Graphene lubricated cooling fans
AMD first released the Radeon RX 7900 GRE back in July of last year as an exclusive to the Chinese market, but soon realized its potential for the West and brought it overseas earlier this year. GRE stands for Golden Rabbit Edition and the GIGABYTE GPU is placed between the RX 7900 XT and the RX 7800 XT, being much closer to the more powerful RX 7900 XT, which is why it is the best AMD GPU for gaming overall.
It features 80 compute units and 80 ray accelerators, which is just four shy of the RX 7900 XT. It comes with a boost frequency of 2391 MHz which, interestingly, is even less than the RX 7800 XT, but, where the AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE steps ahead, is the efficiency as it requires a total board power (TBP) of 260W, slightly less than even the RX 7800 XT. The GRE card has 16 GB of GDDR6 VRAM which is only slightly slower than the other two offerings, not enough to show any real-world performance loss.
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For connectivity, the GIGABYTE Radeon RX 7900 GRE comes with DisplayPort 2.1 and HDMI 2.1 supporting the latest standards, and there is also a USB Type-C port. AMD recommends a 700W PSU to use with the RX 7900 GRE, of course, depending on how power hungry your other components are. There is a triple fan cooler to efficiently dissipate heat, and it works in combination with seven composite copper heat pipes, 3D active fans, and a large copper plate.
Being part of the latest generation of AMD GPUs, it supports the latest technologies like Super Resolution, FidelityFX Super Resolution, Smart Access Memory, FreeSync Technology, Noise Suppression, and more.
Asus TUF Gaming Radeon RX 7900 XTX OC Edition GPU
Best Performing AMD GPU for Gaming
The Asus TUF Gaming Radeon RX 7900 XTX OC Edition graphics card comes with 24 GB of GDDR6 memory. It operates on a PCIe 4.0 interface and the card includes HDMI 2.1a and DisplayPort 2.1 ports for diverse connectivity.
This GPU belongs to the TUF Gaming series from Asus. It’s designed for overclocking in addition to being durable and sturdy. The OC Edition means that it has higher clock speeds than the base model, providing even more performance.
- Graphics RAM Size
- 24 GB GDDR6
- Brand
- ASUS
- Slot size
- 3.63
- Transistors
- 58 B
- Ray Accelerators/Cores
- 96
- AI Accelerators/Cores
- 192
- Stream Processors
- 6144
- Boost Clock Speed
- 2615 MHz
- Capable of 4K gaming
- Military-grade capacitors
- Metal exoskeleton and comes with support
- Expensive!
- Minimal RGB lighting
If you are looking for the absolute best gaming experience with an AMD GPU, the RX 7900 XTX is the one for you. ASUS, under its TUF Gaming lineup of components, makes the TUF Gaming Radeon RX 7900 XTX OC Edition, which delivers incredible performance in any and all AAA titles, but at a premium price. AMD released the RX 7900 XTX to compete with the Nvidia RTX 4080 GPUs and compete it does, with its 24 GB GDDR6 VRAM and support for the latest AMD technologies.
The ASUS TUF Gaming Radeon RX 7900 XTX OC Edition boasts clock speeds as high as 2615 MHz in OC mode, which is more than 200 MHz higher than the reference card. It packs 84 compute units and 84 ray accelerators, along with 6144 stream processors. For connectivity, you get three DisplayPort 2.1 ports and one HDMI 2.1 port, but there is no USB Type-C here.
As expected, it is a power-hungry beast demanding an 850W PSU, when, in contrast, the reference RX 7900 XTX requires a 750W PSU. This increased power is delivered to the ASUS card via three 8-Pin connectors, so you will need to make sure your PSU has enough cables for the GPU. For cooling, ASUS has implemented a triple fan setup that is capable of moving more air with reduced noise levels.
The TUF Gaming Radeon RX 7900 XTX OC Edition also has a metal exoskeleton which increases the weight a bit, but ASUS includes a GPU holder for support and avoiding sag over time.
ASRock Steel Legend Radeon RX 7600 XT
Best Budget AMD GPU for Gaming
The Steel Legend Radeon RX 7600 XT from ASRock is a budget-friendly graphics card with a white aesthetic that stands out more due to the translucent fans. It can boost up to an impressive 2810 MHz and comes with 16 GB of GDDR6 VRAM which is more than enough for gaming as well as productivity.
- Graphics RAM Size
- 16 GB GDDR6
- Brand
- ASRock
- Slot size
- 2.6
- Transistors
- 13.3 B
- Ray Accelerators/Cores
- 32
- AI Accelerators/Cores
- 32
- Stream Processors
- 2048
- Boost Clock Speed
- 2810 MHz
- Power Draw
- 190W
- Cooling
- Triple Fan Design
- Great value
- Unique white design
- 0dB silent cooling
- DisplayPort 2.1 only on one port at a time
With AMD’s Radeon 7000 series of GPUs, even the lower end offerings are capable of delivering a decent gaming experience at 1080p or even 1440p and high FPS. This makes the ASRock Steel Legend Radeon RX 7600 XT a great budget-friendly option for gamers who are looking to save a few bucks but still get great performance in AAA titles as well as more than enough juice for casual games.
The Steel Legend Radeon RX 7600 XT from ASRock is a unique looking GPU thanks to its all-white construction and the translucent RGB fans. Stepping away from performance numbers for a bit, this GPU comes with a stylish metal backplate that has a white and camo design, making it the centerpiece of any build. The I/O plate is white as well, so even the outside of your PC will have some white accents.
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White gaming setups are all the rage these days and it all starts with a white PC case. Here’s a handy guide to help find the right one.
The three fans on the ASRock Steel Legend Radeon RX 7600 XT have 0dB silent cooling which means they only ramp up at a certain load. It uses a nickel-plated copper base to make contact with the GPU and VRAM, improving its cooling efficiency. Those using triple monitor setups can make use of the three DisplayPort 2.1 ports or opt to go with a single monitor up to 8K 60 Hz with the HDMI 2.1 port. There is 16 GB of VRAM, which is plenty for most games, and ASRock has managed to take the boost clock speeds up to 2810 MHz, which is higher than the reference design and even more than some of the more powerful AMD offerings.
If you want to save a bit more money at the cost of some performance, the Radeon RX 7600 is a great entry into the latest AMD technologies. XFX, PoweColor, and GIGABYTE have some options that are much more affordable than the ASRock Steel Legend Radeon RX 7600 XT.
XFX Speedster QICK 319 Radeon RX 7700 XT Black Edition
Best Mid-range AMD GPU for Gaming
$420 $460 Save $40
The XFX Speedster QICK 319 Radeon RX 7700 XT Black Edition is the perfect mid-range card that features 12 GB of VRAM, boost clock speed of up to 2544 MHz, and support for the latest AMD technologies like Radeon Anti-Lag, FreeSync Technology, FidelityFX Super Resolution, and more. There are three fans to keep the GPU cool even under heavy load.Â
- Graphics RAM Size
- 12 GB GDDR6
- Brand
- XFX
- Slot size
- 2.5
- Transistors
- 28.1 B
- Ray Accelerators/Cores
- 54
- AI Accelerators/Cores
- 54
- Stream Processors
- 3456
- Boost Clock Speed
- 2599 MHz
- Power Draw
- 245W
- Cooling
- Triple-fan
- Sleek form factor taking only 2.5 slots
- Triple-fan design
- Support for latest AMD technologies
- Lower VRAM than cheaper RX 7600 XT
Targeting 1440p gaming, the XFX Speedster QICK319 RX 7700 XT is the perfect mid-range offering for AMD fans. The RX 7700 XT is one of the more recent launches from the company, filling the gap between the Radeon RX 7600 XT and the Radeon RX 7800 XT. One interesting decision that AMD made with the RX 7700 XT is reducing the amount of VRAM to 12 GB rather than 16 GB as seen on both the cards above and below its tier.
It features 54 compute units and 54 ray accelerators, with boost clocks hitting 2599 MHz, which is slightly more than the reference design. The XFX Speedster QICK319 RX 7700 XT also comes with a triple fan setup that is housed in a sleek looking piece of tech. Even though it has lower VRAM compared to other mid to top-tier offerings from AMD, it is enough to run any and every game without feeling the need for more VRAM, in most cases. You also get three DisplayPort 2.1 ports and one HDMI 2.1 port for connectivity.
The three fans on the XFX Speedster QICK319 RX 7700 XT work well for cooling the GPU and allowing it to perform steadily and consistently. This does, however, increase the length of this card, so if you are facing space constraints and are comfortable sacrificing the third fan, you can check out the ASRock AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT Challenger for $20 less.
XFX Speedster SWFT210 Radeon RX 6650XT CORE
Best Entry-level AMD GPU for Gaming
$220 $240 Save $20
The Radeon RX 6650XT CORE from XFX is a mid-tier offering from the previous generation of AMD GPUs, but still very capable. It features 8 GB of VRAM, boost clock speeds of up to 2635 MHz, and dual fans in a dual-slot design. It is a slim and compact GPU that should fit in even smaller form factor builds.Â
- Graphics RAM Size
- 8 GB GDDR6
- Brand
- XFX
- Slot size
- 2
- Transistors
- 11.1 B
- Ray Accelerators/Cores
- 32
- AI Accelerators/Cores
- 32
- Stream Processors
- 2048
- Boost Clock Speed
- 2635 MHz
- Power Draw
- 180W
- Cooling
- Dual-fan
- Very affordable
- Respectable boost clock speeds
- Only 8 GB VRAM
- No DisplayPort 2.1 ports
At under $250, the XFX Speedster SWFT210 Radeon RX 6650XT CORE is capable of delivering gaming performance very close to the more recent and a bit more expensive Radeon RX 7600. It is a generation old at this point, but you will not have to make a lot of compromises to get a decent gaming experience. The ram is significantly lower than other options at just 8 GB, but even that is enough for casual games as well as newer competitive titles. You may have to turn the resolution and visual settings down a bit, but that’s to be expected if you are looking for an entry-level option.
The Best RTX 4070 SUPER GPUs To Get In 2024
The Nvidia RTX 4070 SUPER is an excellent GPU that takes over the RTX 4070’s slot as Nvidia’s mid-range option with many SKUs available for gamers.
The Speedster SWFT210 Radeon RX 6650XT CORE still supports the latest AMD technologies, like FidelityFX Super Resolution, Smart Access Memory, Radeon Super Resolution, FreeSync Technology, Radeon Anti-Lag, and more. With some strategic overclocking, it can deliver performance numbers that can surpass the stock Radeon RX 7600.
The XFX card comes with a dual-fan setup which is sufficient for the amount of power it consumes and heat it generates. Speaking of power, the RX 6650XT is rated for 180W of total board power and a 500W-600W PSU is recommended alongside it.
ASRock Radeon RX 6800 XT Phantom Gaming D 16G OC
Best Last-gen AMD GPU for Gaming
The ASRock Radeon RX 6800 XT Phantom Gaming D 16G OC is a last generation high-end GPU that is capable of running most AAA titles without a sweat. It features 16 GB of GDDR6 VRAM, 72 compute units, 72 ray accelerators, and 4608 stream processors. It is a triple-fan graphics card with a unique gamery aesthetic. It is a relatively power hungry GPU, demanding 300W under load. Â
- Graphics RAM Size
- 16 GB GDDR6
- Brand
- ASRock
- Slot size
- 2.8
- Transistors
- 26.8 B
- Ray Accelerators/Cores
- 72
- AI Accelerators/Cores
- 72
- Stream Processors
- 4608
- Boost Clock Speed
- 2310 MHz
- Power Draw
- 300W
- Cooling
- Triple-fan
- Unique design
- 0dB silent cooling
- Supports latest AMD technologies
- No DisplayPort 2.1 ports despite the price
- High power draw
With the Radeon 7000 series of GPUs dominating the market, the previous generation offerings have become even better value, not in comparison to the newer cards, but in terms of price-to-performance. The AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT Phantom Gaming D is a prime example of that, bringing top-tier specifications to a mid to upper-mid range price bracket.
It boasts 16 GB VRAM, which is more than enough for all games as well as most productivity tasks. It can boost up to 2310 MHz, which is very respectable even today. It comes with 72 compute units and 4608 stream processors, working together to deliver impressive gaming performance in 2024. It is also a power-hungry GPU coming with three 8-Pin connectors and a PSU recommendation of 750W to 800W.
The connectivity options are where the ASRock Radeon RX 6800 XT Phantom Gaming D 16G OC shows its age as there are three DisplayPort 1.4 ports, instead of 2.1 ports, and one HDMI 2.1 port. However, these DisplayPort 1.4 ports have DSC or Display Stream Compression which allows them to push higher resolutions at greater refresh rates compared to standard 1.4 ports.
It comes with a triple fan cooler with 0dB silent operation and only the middle fan has RGB lighting. The GPU does have an ARGB header for connecting additional LED strips or other devices.
Things to Consider When Looking for the Best GPUs for Gaming
VRAM: VRAM or Video Random-Access Memory is the dedicated memory for storing graphics data that is rendered on a monitor. Generally, the more the VRAM, the better the gaming experience, as there is more memory to process heavy shaders, textures, shadows, and more. The heavier AAA titles can use a lot of VRAM and a GPU with a sufficient amount will allow you to max out the visual settings. Most gaming grade GPUs nowadays come with 8 GB of VRAM, which in most cases, is enough.
Types of Games: If you plan on playing more casual games that do not demand heavy processing, investing in a top-tier GPU would be a waste of money if you don’t plan on using the same GPU for productivity as well. Even the mid-tier GPUs are plenty capable of running casual games at high resolutions and high FPS.
Size: There are two main configurations available with GPUs: dual-fan and triple-fan, with the latter being much longer, which may lead to compatibility issues with certain PC cases. In terms of slots, most modern GPUs take up more than two slots, which is another factor to keep in mind.
Overclocking Capability: Most GPUs in the market can be overclocked to a certain extent. The enthusiasts who like to tinker with the settings and like to squeeze out maximum performance from their hardware would want to go with a GPU that can handle the extra load and extra power draw. It should also have a cooling system that is capable of dissipating the extra heat.
Outputs: GPUs can output to a display via HDMI or DisplayPort, and in some cases, USB Type-C. The most common standards are HDMI and DisplayPort, which have also seen advancements over time to have greater bandwidth, allowing for higher resolutions and faster refresh rates. The latest standard for the two connections is HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4a (DisplayPort 2.1 is the latest standard but is only available on a few monitors). Do note that you must have a display that also supports these standards to make full use of the improved bandwidth.
Best AMD CPUs For Gaming in 2024
The best AMD CPUs make any gaming experience better, and these are the best AMD CPUs you can buy right now.
FAQ
Q: Is AMD good for gaming GPU?
AMD offers some great value and premium options for gaming. While it does not have anything powerful enough to compete with Nvidia’s RTX 4090 GPU, it brings strong competitors to the RTX 4080 and other GPUs, some of which offer better value.
Q: What AMD GPU is equivalent to RTX 4070?
The AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT is a direct competitor to the RTX 4070. However, the lower tier RX 7700 XT can also give the RTX 4070 a run for its money.
Q: What AMD GPU can do 4K?
While most AMD Radeon RX 7000 series GPUs can run games at 4K, not all of them can deliver a decent experience at a constant 60 FPS or higher. The RX 7800 XT, RX 7900 XT, and the RX 7900 XTX can run most games at native 4K smoothly.
