AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT review – more VRAM but not much else

Previous to scripting this Radeon RX 7600 XT evaluation, the announcement of the graphics card instilled equal components pleasure and disappointment inside me. Now, after testing it, I’m sadly left feeling no higher or worse than I did then. This GPU sadly isn’t fairly what the funds house wants, even when it’s a step in the correct route.

I’ve been utilizing the Radeon RX 7600 XT for the previous few days, testing its mettle to see if the AMD GPU is worthy of donning the best graphics card crown for value-oriented builders. Over the course of my testing, it’s confirmed to be a blended bag.

AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT specs

There are three issues that separate the Radeon RX 7600 XT specs from its non-XT counterpart, particularly clock speeds, energy consumption, and VRAM. Whereas two of those are improved from the Radeon RX 7600, one is made worse off as a consequence, albeit solely barely.

Sport clock sees the largest enhance, shifting as much as 2,470MHz (2.47GHz) on the Radeon RX 7600 XT from the Radeon RX 7600’s 2,250MHz (2.25GHz), for a rise of 220MHz. In the meantime, enhance clock rises by a smaller 100MHz to 2,755MHz (2.78GHz). A lot as this improve is welcome, each do little to raise efficiency previous a number of further frames.

The headline characteristic of the Radeon RX 7600 XT, although, is its 16GB of VRAM. It now joins the Intel Arc A770 in being considered one of simply two graphics playing cards to supply such capability within the funds house. Nonetheless, the 128-bit bus from the Radeon RX 7600 stays the identical, as does reminiscence bandwidth at 476.9GB/s.

Lastly, TBP for the Radeon RX 7600 XT will increase to 190W to accommodate these enhancements. That is solely 10W increased than the Radeon RX 7600, although, and isn’t value shedding sleep over.

AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT benchmarks

For our Radeon RX 7600 XT benchmarks, we now have captured body fee information for the three hottest resolutions, 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. These findings are cut up into sections that cowl ray tracing and rasterization efficiency, in addition to the affect of FSR. Every benchmark was run thrice to supply a mean remaining consequence, discarding anomalous entries. The outcomes beneath for all graphics playing cards are freshly captured, utilizing the newest accessible drivers.

Pairing the budget-leaning Radeon RX 7600 XT with the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is considerably egregious, provided that it’s a far higher-range CPU than most consumers of this class of graphics card are going to be utilizing. Nonetheless, holding our alternative of CPU constant makes comparisons to different graphics playing cards simpler, eliminating every other variables. For a extra good selection of chip to pair with this card, although, we’d suggest the Ryzen 5 7600X or Core i5 14600K.

AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT rasterization benchmarks

Non-ray traced rendering has classically confirmed to be among the many biggest strengths of AMD’s graphics playing cards, and the Radeon RX 7600 XT is not any exception. It joins its cheaper sibling, the Radeon RX 7600, in virtually all the time exhibiting up the GeForce RTX 4060 on the subject of this type of rendering, and infrequently falls inside spitting distance of the costlier GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8GB.

Analyzing the Radeon RX 7600 XT in isolation in opposition to the GeForce RTX 4060 produces a 13-14% benefit in minimal and common body charges. On condition that it prices slightly below 10% extra ($29), the 7600 XT seems to supply strong worth on this respect versus the RTX 4060 from its efficiency alone, not to mention when you account for its bigger VRAM pool. It additionally persistently beats out the Intel Arc A770, making it the de facto 16GB graphics card to seize for underneath $350, ray tracing isn’t a precedence.

Nonetheless, bringing the Radeon RX 7600 into the fold complicates the worth of the Radeon RX 7600 XT. For all of the technical benefits the 7600 XT boasts, be it clock speeds or VRAM capability, they sadly don’t quantity to any sizable positive factors. The truth is, on common, each minimal and common body charges are a mere 7-8% improved. That is diminished to only 1-2% when focussing completely on 1080p and 1440p outcomes; resolutions the cardboard is greatest suited to. This minute enhance is of course problematic contemplating the $60 value distinction.

The truth is that the Radeon RX 7600 XT’s elevated clock speeds and VRAM capability do nothing to handle the underlying limitations of the Navi 33 GPU at its coronary heart and the 128-bit reminiscence bus it rides on. Nonetheless, as we’ll talk about additional into this evaluation, these adjustments can show enormously useful on the subject of ray tracing. For now, although, let’s dive into the particulars of our rasterized benchmarks.

RX 7600 XT – 3DMark rasterization benchmarks

3DMark supplies us with a normal estimation of a graphics card’s efficiency, with Time Spy and Time Spy Excessive testing their capabilities utilizing the DirectX 12 API.

The Radeon RX 7600 XT takes the bronze right here, falling behind the costlier Intel Arc A770 and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8GB. It’s essential to notice, nonetheless, that the Arc A770 won’t carry out as effectively in real-world benchmarks, significantly DirectX 11 video games, as will probably be evident.

It’s right here that we see an unlucky reality in regards to the Radeon RX 7600 XT first current itself, with its rating virtually mirroring the Radeon RX 7600. These benchmarks solely demand as much as 4GB of VRAM, leaving one of many RX 7600 XT’s core benefits to be of no use right here.

RX 7600 XT – Cyberpunk 2077 rasterization benchmarks

At 1080p, the Radeon RX 7600 XT pulls forward of each different graphics card in Cyberpunk 2077 utilizing the Extremely preset (minus FSR), save for the costlier GeForce RTX 4060 Ti. It pumps out minimal and common body charges of 67fps and 83fps, respectively, making for a clean expertise. Nonetheless, the Radeon RX 7600 follows shut behind, regardless of falling 4GB wanting the 12GB of VRAM demanded by this decision and high quality preset combo.

The efficiency gaps between the Radeon RX 7600 XT and its opponents narrows considerably at 1440p, with each graphics card falling beneath the perfect 60fps threshold. The one actual loser at this decision is the GeForce RTX 4060, which falls behind the pack in each common and minimal fps.

A lot because the Radeon RX 7600 XT has the VRAM capability to resist the calls for of Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K, the identical can’t be stated for its GPU. Alongside its opponents, it fails to hit the 30fps threshold and thus leaves native 2160p out of the query right here.

RX 7600 XT – F1 23 rasterization benchmarks

F1 23 tends to favor AMD GPUs, and this stays true with the Radeon RX 7600 XT. It comfortably leaves the Intel Arc A770 and GeForce RTX 4060 within the mud with its 77fps common at 1080p. Whereas the Radeon RX 7600 trails by simply 3fps, its minimal body fee is far decrease, giving the 7600 XT a decisive edge within the stability of its efficiency.

The lead in common body charges continues at 1440p and 4K, with the latter decision additionally seeing a recurrence of higher minimal fps from the Radeon RX 7600 XT in comparison with the Radeon RX 7600. F1 23 calls for 9-12GB of VRAM at this high quality preset, relying on output decision, and the elevated body buffer of 16GB is undoubtedly enjoying a bigger position than clock speeds in creating these variations.

RX 7600 XT – Returnal rasterization benchmarks

Returnal serves as an equalizer of types for the Radeon RX 7600 XT and GeForce RTX 4060, with each graphics playing cards performing roughly identically throughout all three resolutions. The truth is, the Radeon RX 7600 additionally mirrors them with margin-of-error variations.

Whereas these metrics don’t reveal any trigger for alarm when it comes to VRAM utilization, Returnal calls for at least 11GB of video reminiscence utilizing the Epic preset at 1080p, inherently making the Radeon RX 7600 and GeForce RTX 4060 extra vulnerable to efficiency points. Conversely, the Radeon RX 7600 XT and Intel Arc A770 with their 16GB capability are greater than outfitted for the job.

RX 7600 XT – Complete Struggle: Warhammer 3 rasterization benchmarks

As a DirectX 11 sport, Complete Struggle: Warhammer 3 creates efficiency issues for the Intel Arc A770, whereas the Radeon RX 7600 XT and GeForce RTX 4060 have none. Of the 2 remaining viable sub-$350 opponents, although, the real-time technique sport in the end prefers staff crimson’s pixel pusher.

Artistic Meeting’s RTS is likely one of the much less VRAM hungry video games in our check suite, calling for at least 8GB. All of the graphics playing cards in query listed below are as much as that process, however their GPUs are in the end solely highly effective sufficient to resist the Extremely preset at 1080p anyway.

AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT ray tracing benchmarks

It’s with ray tracing enabled that we see the benefit of the Radeon RX 7600 XT’s bigger VRAM pool extra clearly current itself. Nonetheless, this comes with some caveats. Common body charges stay mainly unchanged, save for one consequence whose impressive-sounding near-200% enchancment is altogether much less so, given the ultimate body fee stays unplayable. Taking a look at minimal body charges, although, one title that stumbled and stuttered on the Radeon RX 7600 is now much more playable.

Comparisons to each the GeForce RTX 4060 and Arc A770 are much less favorable for the Radeon RX 7600 XT. Throughout our suite, the AMD card trails the less-expensive GeForce RTX 4060 by 12-14% at 1080p and 1440p, whereas its Arc competitor pulls forward by 3-5% on the similar resolutions. As talked about earlier on this evaluation, provided that nothing substantial has modified from the core specs of the identical Navi 33 GPU discovered within the Radeon RX 7600, we discover ourselves as a rule experiencing déjà vu.

This leaves the Radeon RX 7600 XT in an ungainly place, as its 16GB of VRAM is most instantly helpful in a sort of rendering it nonetheless finds itself falling brief in in comparison with the competitors. Even with this benefit, the efficiency hole between the GeForce RTX 4060 stays substantial on the resolutions that matter most to it.

RX 7600 XT – 3DMark ray tracing benchmarks

3DMark supplies us with a normal estimation of a graphics card’s efficiency, with Velocity Manner and Port Royal testing their ray tracing capabilities utilizing the DirectX 12 API.

As anticipated, the Radeon RX 7600 XT and Radeon RX 7600 don’t fare in addition to their opponents in ray traced rendering. This weak point is true of all Radeon RX 7000 collection GPUs, although, and that is, once more, an estimation of efficiency. As we will see, AMD’s GPUs can commerce blows with each Intel and Nvidia in some video games.

RX 7600 XT – Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora ray tracing benchmarks

In contrast to the opposite video games in our suite, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora doesn’t explicitly separate its ray tracing choices into separate presets or explicitly described settings. As such, its Extremely preset can catch you unawares in the event you’re not cautious.

It is a very demanding sport, with the Radeon RX 7600 XT and the vast majority of its opponents falling shy of even a 50fps common at 1080p. Transferring up the decision ladder proves too tough for all however the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, with minimal body charges beneath 30fps.

The dimensions of Avatar’s efficiency footprint is matched solely by its starvation for VRAM, with a 13GB minimal utilizing the Extremely preset. This would depart even the costlier 12GB Radeon RX 7700 XT brief, and helps make the case all of the stronger for the likes of the Radeon RX 7600 XT (even when its GPU is weaker).

RX 7600 XT – Cyberpunk 2077 ray tracing benchmarks

Taking part in Cyberpunk 2077 utilizing the RT Extremely preset, sans efficiency boosting upscalers, is just too a lot to ask of the Radeon RX 7600 XT. Its 16GB of VRAM helps it keep higher afloat than the Radeon RX 7600, however this situation is just too demanding for mainly the graphics playing cards in our suite right here. Even the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, with its extra highly effective ray tracing cores, can’t escape the constraints of its 8GB VRAM capability, with vastly completely different minimal and common fps.

Demanding 14GB of VRAM out of the gate, Cyberpunk 2077 suffers no would-be 8GB challengers. It isn’t till we make use of the likes of DLSS, FSR, and XeSS, that we get a playable expertise with minimal body charges of 30fps.

RX 7600 XT – F1 23 ray tracing benchmarks

The place as soon as the Radeon RX 7600 XT loved a snug lead in F1 23 with rasterization, it finds itself extra carefully driving alongside its competitors with ray tracing enabled.

The Radeon RX 7600 XT is ready to drive steadily at 1080p, however buckles barely at 1440p with minimal body charges dipping beneath 30fps. In the meantime, the Intel Arc A770 and GeForce RTX 4060 nearly keep on observe.

Naturally, 4K proves an excessive amount of for all concerned. Partly because of the GPUs merely missing the facility to push so many pixels, but additionally as a result of VRAM constraints, as we are able to see evaluating the Radeon RX 7600 XT to the Radeon RX 7600.

RX 7600 XT – Returnal ray tracing benchmarks

In Returnal, the 16GB of VRAM within the Radeon RX 7600 XT proves to be its greatest boon. At 1080p, minimal body charges soar from an abysmal 18fps on the Radeon RX 7600 to a much better 35fps.

Nonetheless, this victory solely serves to carry it consistent with its opponents, with the GeForce RTX 4060 even outclassing the Radeon RX 7600 XT with simply 8GB of VRAM.

AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT FSR benchmarks

Bringing FidelityFX Tremendous Decision (FSR) into the image, alongside competing options, basically compounds the gaps between the Radeon RX 7600 XT and different sub-$400 graphics playing cards we see in native rendering. Nonetheless, when it comes to picture constancy, FSR leaves the 7600 XT behind each the GeForce RTX 4060 and Intel Arc A770.

Launching alongside the Radeon RX 7600 XT is AMD Fluid Movement Frames, a driver-based body era answer that goals to carry body era to each DirectX 12 and 11 sport no matter whether or not the developer has carried out native DLSS or FSR Body Technology. Higher nonetheless, it’s suitable with each Radeon RX 7000 and 6000 collection graphics playing cards. Sadly, I wasn’t capable of spend sufficient time testing this characteristic previous to evaluation to provide knowledgeable impressions, given when our pattern arrived, however you possibly can anticipate a separate characteristic on the know-how quickly.

With FSR 2 enabled, the Radeon RX 7600 XT finds itself freed as much as present larger ranges of rasterized efficiency in Cyberpunk 2077. It matches the 1080p minimal body fee of the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8GB, at 80fps, falling simply shy of its competitor’s 114fps common by simply 5fps.

As resolutions enhance, the Intel Arc A770 begins to catch as much as the Radeon RX 7600 XT, finally turning into neck and neck with 33fps and 32fps, respectively, at 4K. In the meantime, the GeForce RTX 4060 can’t handle a playable body fee at such a excessive decision.

Even with FSR, the ray tracing efficiency of the Radeon RX 7600 XT nonetheless leaves a lot to be desired in comparison with the GeForce RTX 4060 utilizing DLSS 2. We’re taking a look at a 50% deficit right here when it comes to common body charges at 1080p, and that’s with out contemplating the variations in picture high quality too.

That stated, the sport is at the least playable, in the event you’re prepared to endure a 30fps cap. If, you’ll want to show your consideration away from the Radeon RX 7600 XT.

AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT value

The Radeon RX 7600 XT value is $329, which is a sum that evokes emotions akin to these I’ve in direction of the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, albeit not fairly as unfavorable. The additional $60 AMD is asking for right here over the RX 7600 versus the $100 by Nvidia is definitely extra palatable, however nonetheless feels too costly for the product you find yourself with.

As with the Radeon RX 7600, I want that AMD had been extra aggressive with its pricing. At $299, matching the GeForce RTX 4060, the Radeon RX 7600 XT could be a way more disruptive drive and all of the extra engaging of a purchase order. As issues stand, nonetheless, there are simply too many caveats and nuances required to successfully justify its price.

Is the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT value it?

It’s frustratingly tough to outright suggest the Radeon RX 7600 XT to most individuals, provided that this needs to be the funds graphics card we’ve been clamoring for. It ought to present higher worth than the Radeon RX 7600 in the long term, given its bigger VRAM pool, however this feels much less pronounced within the right here and now. Whereas you will note advantages in some video games, others will solely see marginal enhancements.

The issue right here is that the Radeon RX 7600 is mainly simply nearly as good because the Radeon RX 7600 XT typically, give or take a number of frames, making the latter’s increased price a cause to pause. Then there’s the uncomfortable hole between it and the cheaper GeForce RTX 4060 when it comes to ray tracing and upscaling high quality, additional hampering the enchantment of what needs to be the funds king of types.

For these whose major concern is non-ray traced gaming, nonetheless, the Radeon RX 7600 XT is the graphics card to go for in case your funds is proscribed, don’t plan to improve for some time, and couldn’t care much less about upscaling. VRAM bottlenecks might not be so obvious but on 8GB playing cards exterior of ray tracing, however it received’t be lengthy till we see extra system necessities demand extra reminiscence from our graphics playing cards.

AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT alternate options

If the Radeon RX 7600 XT isn’t the right match in your system, try these alternate options:

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060

The GeForce RTX 4060 is each cheaper and extra performant than the Radeon RX 7600 XT on the subject of ray tracing. It additionally delivers a extra sturdy characteristic set for efficiency enhancements, with DLSS Tremendous Decision and Body Technology proving to be of a better high quality than FSR 3. Simply keep in mind that its 8GB VRAM capability might show to be a constraint in years to return.

Learn our GeForce RTX 4060 review to study extra.

AMD Radeon RX 7600

In case your funds can’t stretch above $300, then the Radeon RX 7600 is the graphics card to go for. It shares many similarities with the Radeon RX 7600 XT, similar to the power to carry out effectively at 1080p in rasterized rendering. Nonetheless, it solely has 8GB of VRAM, in comparison with the 16GB discovered within the XT.

Learn our Radeon RX 7600 review to study extra.