When it comes to graphics cards, there is an abundance of options available and it is not always easy to find one. On the market, two manufacturers compete: AMD-ATI and Nvidia. Even though Nvidia is the most coveted graphics card supplier, AMD is not on the sidelines.
This brand offers graphics cards of all kinds. Whether you need an entry-level, mid-range or high-end graphics card, you'll find something for you. In order to offer you a more friendly user experience, the brand designs increasingly innovative models. And as its offer flourishes day by day, choosing the best AMD Radeon graphics card can be difficult. This is why we thought of doing this comparison of the best Radeon graphics cards in 2020. A buying guide available at the bottom of this file will also allow you to choose a graphics card suited to your needs and budget.
Best AMD Radeon graphics card: our top 5
1. MSI Radeon RX 570 Armor 8G OC: our favorite
Features and Reviews
The argument that AMD uses to promote this product is partly due to its price, which is intended to be accessible to all. This graphics card is equipped with a very interesting GPU for people who have screens with 1080p resolution. The RX 570 Amor 8G OC will also offer you the possibility of playing titles like TOM Clancy's The Division 2, Devil May Cry, Resident Evil 2... We specify that it is equipped with 8 GB memory, which makes it a perfect graphics card for gaming without major concessions on full HD.
On the other hand, you will have to lower some graphics settings if you are facing a demanding game. Furthermore, you will also be able to benefit from AMD FreesyncTM and HDR with such a graphics card. On almost all frame rates, players will be able to benefit from appreciable fluidity. And because HDR technology is integrated, you will be able to benefit from unparalleled sharpness and contrast.
Overall, you will be able to enjoy quality gaming at an affordable price with this Radeon RX 570 Amor 8G OC graphics card. So, if you want to invest in a graphics card without breaking the bank, you can simply opt for this one. On the architecture side, we find the NAVI technology that everyone is chasing, as well as the GTX 1660 and 1660Ti. Its little extra is always found in its design, which couldn't be more different from other Gaming graphics cards.
2. Radeon RX Vega 64: for 4K gaming
Features and Reviews
The Vega 64 graphics card offers performance similar to the GTX 1080 overall. It offers a decent 4K gaming experience. Although Nvidia is known on the market for its high-end models, this does not mean that AMD is not doing everything possible to assert itself. And the Vega 64 is an example of this.
With its Vega 10 chip and its frequency which rises to 1156 MHz, this graphics card will, of course, allow you to take advantage of 4K games, while benefiting from excellent performance. In terms of graphics, we can go up to 60 fps for Star Wars Battlefront. On Bioshock Infinite, the frame per second can go up to 80, which is rather interesting for a graphics card in this category. However, games like Batman Arkham Origins and Hitman Absolution will drop you down to between 22 and 23 fps. The best is therefore to go for a low resolution where the FPS could reach 60 fps.
However, the GPU takes a performance hit. We are also on a noisy and energy-consuming model. Your PC may reach a temperature of up to 85°C due to an inefficient fan. At this stage, the graphics card loses its performance level by 6% coupled with a drop in GPU frequency to 9%. That said, if the GPU starts at 1533 MHz, it will end at 1401 MHz if its heating level has reached the maximum.
3. MSI Radeon RX 560 Aero ITX 4G OC: best value for money
Features and Reviews
We particularly like the AMD Radeon RX 560 Aero ITX graphics card, because it is suitable for both PCs and MACs. But, if you have to prioritize it if you have a Mac tower. It has sufficient power to support 3D games. It will therefore delight casual players.
As a reminder, this is a variant of the AMD Radeon RX 500 game. In reality, the RX 560 ITX graphics card is based on an AMD Polaris architecture. It was designed so that you can access the greatest number of games on PC. With a price that defies that of the competition, this graphics card will allow you to play esports titles, but also AAA games, while benefiting from unprecedented fluidity.
Equipped with Liquid VR technology, you will be able to use it to experience complete immersion in virtual reality games. The card benefits from extraordinary characteristics with a frequency of up to 1196 MHz. It is equipped with 4 GB GDDR5 memory for a more than comfortable gaming experience. One of the things we particularly liked compared to previous models is that this card is quite quiet and very energy efficient.
4. XFX AMD Radeon RX 5700: a card suitable for Full HD and QWHD resolution
Features and Reviews
Having barely arrived in the Radeon collection, the RX 5700 graphics card is already making waves. This is a perfect graphics card for 4K and full HD gaming. In terms of energy saving, we can say that it offers very good performance, requiring the most revolutionary technologies in this regard. With this graphics card, you will be able to enjoy your gaming sessions without having to reduce your computing power. We might as well tell you right away, it is equipped with processor technology as well as a very recent calculation unit.
This feature allows it to offer sharp and precise image quality. What sets the RX 5700 graphics card apart from previous models is that it promises fast rendering. In fact, it benefits from a bandwidth of 448 GB/second. A feature that has gone from single to double compared to older models. This results in perfect fluidity, thus reducing the risk of unexpected jerks that could interrupt the game.
Furthermore, remember that the graphics card is equipped with optimal GDDR6 GB memory. It will therefore be able to offer ultra-wide bandwidth, supported by 1440p performance for the most demanding games. On the back, you'll find a heat exhaust system to ensure your computer's graphics card cools quickly and efficiently.
You will have understood, with this graphics card, we can say that AMD has thought about doing things big with a GPU architecture optimized for video games. For the moment, the manufacturer does not offer hardware acceleration of raytracing.
5. Sapphire Radeon VII 16GB HBM2/PCI: High performance added to a smooth gaming experience
Features and Reviews
If you are looking for a graphics card that can give you the best performance with full effects while giving you the chance to have a smooth gaming experience, the Sapphire Radeon VII 16GB HBM2/PCI is for you. It promises a smooth, uninterrupted gaming experience with high-precision resolution.
The Radeon VII graphics card was precisely designed for popular e-sports and 3A games. She pushed the graphics industry to a new level of play. It also benefits from 16 GB of HBM2 memory, which allows the graphics card to cope with the most advanced levels of games. Its bandwidth of 1 TB/s guarantees very high resolution textures, high dynamics and ultra-realistic images.
With Radeon VII graphics card, you can achieve smooth and tear-free HDR gaming with 1080P, 1440P and 4K resolution. You can also render your favorite photos and videos with the most advanced graphics software on the 8K display. Advanced Radeon software helps professional users create personalized content experiences with different gaming experiences.
What is a graphics card?
The graphics card is a computer device that guarantees the image quality of your monitor. It is also called a video card or graphics accelerator. It is thanks to the graphics card that you are able to view the image currently displayed on your screen. As you will have understood, the better your graphics card, the better the image quality displayed on your monitor. It's as simple as that. High-performance graphics cards are the item of choice for video game enthusiasts and people specializing in graphics and video editing.
In the market, there are two main graphics cards: integrated graphics card and discrete graphics card. The integrated graphics card, as its name suggests, is located in the motherboard. No need to request an extension in this case. It finds its place in both standard computers and laptops. The discrete graphics card, for its part, is installed on a motherboard and comes as a complementary component. This is a perfect card for people who need to optimize their system by updating.
How does a video card work?
To understand how a graphics card works, you will need to know its main components.
Like Nvidia graphics cards, AMD graphics accelerators have the same components. This mainly concerns the GPU, which is to graphics what the central processing unit is to a computer. GPU, for Graphics Processing Unit, is the cornerstone of a graphics card. What you need to know is that GPUs are not created equal. They differ from each other through their model and their characteristics. The role of the GPU is to translate the data coming from the GPU into an image.
Besides the GPU, there are expansion slots. There are PCI, AGP or PCI-E slots which offer better bandwidth. The expansion slot available at AMD is CrossfireX. With this expansion slot, you will be able to improve the performance of your computer. FPS or Frame per Second is also an essential characteristic of a graphics card.
How to choose your AMD Radeon graphics card?
Choosing an AMD Radeon graphics card should not be taken lightly. There are many selection criteria to consider when choosing an AMD Radeon graphics card. This concerns thermal power, connections, memory, etc.
If you want to see other brands, check out our comparison of the best graphics cards for gamers !
Thermal and GPU design
Thermal design and GPU quality are the main things you need to consider when choosing your graphics card. With a discrete GPU, you risk having a power-hungry graphics card. Before upgrading your PC, make sure it can support the GPU you want to install. Indeed, the GPU, like devices that use electricity, produces a lot of heat and therefore requires sufficient ventilation for better operation.
The combination of how much power a GPU draws and how much heat it generates is known as “thermal design power or TDP.” This measurement is stated in watts, and it's the number you'll see in a graphics card's specifications. The higher the TDP, the more power required to run the GPU and the more heat the GPU produces. This can be important on both desktops and laptops, where thermals become a high priority given space constraints.
Memory
Graphics cards require a specific type of memory to store the data necessary to display information on the screen. Integrated into the graphics card, memory helps the GPU store its calculations. Before choosing memory for your graphics card, you need to make sure it fits your GPU perfectly. The choice depends on the quantity, of course.
There are 1 GB memories, 2 GB memories, 4 GB memories which are more found in high-end models as well as memories of more than 5 GB suitable for Surroung gaming. For this type of memory, you need a high-power GPU.
Such memory will be suitable for CAD or modded games. If you want to have fun playing light games like Batman Origins, Grid 2, Metro Last Night or Bioshock, 1 GB of memory is more than sufficient. However, you will need to opt for 2GB of memory for games like Company of Hereos, Call of Duty Ghosts, etc. Furthermore, what you need to know is that there are several types of memory. These are G-DDR2n GDDR3, G-DDR4 and GDDR5 memory. The higher the number, the faster your memory.
Cooling capacity
As soon as you switch to multi-screen mode, engage in 3D games or plug in a VR headset, the video card becomes your essential equipment. In this type of situation, you will face a heating phenomenon. Heat dissipation results in heat being taken care of by a ventilation system.
However, to ensure the best functioning of the card fan, it is best to ensure that it is completely free of dust to ensure the best ventilation of your computer tower. Software downloadable free from the Internet can help you determine how hot the main components of your computer are.
So, if your graphics card gets too hot, you can get a new fan and install more efficient cooling devices. Watercooling can be useful to you if you are a very demanding user regarding this aspect.
FPS: we opt for a minimum of 50 FPS
As was said above, FPS is also an element to consider when choosing a graphics card. The quality of the Frame per Second is what ensures a certain fluidity during the game. With a high FPS, you will be entitled to a fast, bug-free game. Conversely, a low FPS will give you the impression of switching to what is called point'N'Click in the jargon. To be safe from this inconvenience, it is better to opt for a minimum of 50 fps. Still, you will be able to adjust the resolution and graphics settings as you see fit.
Which graphics card for which use?
Tell me about your graphics card, and I'll tell you who you are? That's quite right. The graphics card you use determines the type of PC user you are. There are all kinds of graphics cards on the market, from the most basic models to the most advanced models.
If you only limit yourself to video processing or if you are simply a movie buff, there is no need to spend 1400 euros on a graphics card. A good performance processor will do the trick.
At the same time, it is better to opt for an expensive and good quality processor to benefit from improved image quality as well as unquestionable fluidity. However, you can also find an AMD Radeon graphics card at a price of 100 euros.
People looking for high-quality hardware to benefit from the best performance and high-definition videos can turn to AMD Radeon gaming graphics cards. The price can go up to 1300 euros for high-end models offering 4K resolution.
Which resolution to choose: Full HD, WQHD or 4K?
Full HD is the standard when it comes to the resolution of a graphics card. It goes up to 1080p. With this resolution, several games will be able to run with high-performance graphics without FPS drops. You can also ignore this type of resolution and focus on high resolutions. This will allow you to benefit from sharper images like WQHD (1440p), 4K or even 5K.
With or without Backplate?
On the market, we find increasingly powerful graphics cards. As the years go by, we see graphics cards whose weight and dimensions are more imposing. To provide better support for the largest cards, manufacturers continue to be inventive.
These mid- and high-end models feature a component known as the Backplate. Clad entirely in metal, the backplate is housed at the back of the graphics card PCB. Thus making it possible to reinforce the rigidity of the graphics card while improving its support in the configuration and making it resistant to the vibration caused by transport.
