AMD Radeon RX 5700

AMD Radeon RX 5700 in 2025: Budget Gaming GPU with Potential

Overview of Architecture, Performance, and Practical Value

Introduction

In 2025, the AMD Radeon RX 5700 remains a popular choice for budget gamers and enthusiasts, even with the release of more modern models. Six years after its launch (2019), it demonstrates remarkable longevity thanks to its successful architecture and affordable price. In this article, we will explore how relevant the RX 5700 is today, the tasks it can handle, and who should consider it.

Architecture and Key Features

RDNA 1: AMD's Revolution

The RX 5700 is built on the RDNA 1 (Radeon DNA) architecture, marking AMD's first step towards rethinking GPU design. The card was released using TSMC's 7nm process, which increased energy efficiency by 50% compared to the previous generation (GCN).

Key Features:

- Compute Units (CU): 36 compute units compared to 40 in the RX 5700 XT.

- Clock Speed: Base - 1465 MHz, Game Clock - 1625 MHz, Boost - up to 1725 MHz.

- FidelityFX: A suite of AMD technologies aimed at enhancing graphics, including Contrast Adaptive Sharpening (CAS) and FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR 1.0).

Lack of Hardware Ray Tracing: Unlike NVIDIA's RTX 20 series, the RX 5700 does not have dedicated RT cores. Ray tracing is only possible through software methods (e.g., DirectX 12 Ultimate) but with low performance (15-25 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 with FSR).

Memory: Fast GDDR6 and Bandwidth

GDDR6: 8 GB for Comfortable Gaming

- Memory Type: GDDR6 (not GDDR6X or HBM).

- Capacity: 8 GB — sufficient for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but may be insufficient for 4K in 2025.

- Bus: 256-bit, bandwidth — 448 GB/s.

Impact on Performance:

- In Red Dead Redemption 2 (1440p, Ultra), the GPU uses 6-7 GB of memory.

- In newer games with HD textures (e.g., Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora), stuttering may occur due to limited memory capacity.

Gaming Performance: FPS, Resolutions, and RTX

1080p: The Ideal Choice

- Apex Legends (Ultra): 110-130 FPS.

- Call of Duty: Warzone (high settings): 85-95 FPS with FSR 2.1.

- Elden Ring (max quality): 60-70 FPS (without ray tracing).

1440p: A Compromise Between Quality and FPS

- Fortnite (Epic, DLSS/FSR off): 50-60 FPS.

- Horizon Forbidden West (High): 45-55 FPS with FSR 3.0.

4K: Only for Less Demanding Titles

- CS2 (High): 70-80 FPS.

- GTA V (Ultra): 40-50 FPS.

Ray Tracing: In Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Low RT) with FSR 3.0, the card delivers 25-30 FPS, which is acceptable only for single-player campaigns.

Professional Tasks: Not Just Gaming

Video Editing and 3D Rendering

- Premiere Pro: Rendering acceleration via OpenCL. Exporting 4K video takes 20% longer than with the RTX 3060.

- Blender: Supports OpenCL and HIP. For complex scenes (e.g., Classroom), rendering takes ~15 minutes compared to ~8 minutes on the RTX 3060.

Scientific Calculations

- Machine Learning: Limited support for libraries (ROCm). Not recommended for tasks with large datasets.

- Emulation: Handles RPCS3 (PS3) and Yuzu (Nintendo Switch) well due to high memory bandwidth.

Power Consumption and Heat Dissipation

TDP and System Requirements

- TDP: 180 W.

- Recommended Power Supply: 550 W (e.g., Corsair CX550M).

- Temperatures:

- Reference cooler: 80-85°C under load.

- Custom models (Sapphire Pulse): 70-75°C.

Cooling Tips:

- Use a case with 2-3 fans (e.g., NZXT H510 Flow).

- Regularly clean the heatsink of dust — clogged coolers can raise temperatures by 10-15°C.

Comparison with Competitors

AMD vs NVIDIA

- RX 5700 vs RTX 2060 (6 GB):

- In DX11/DX12: RX 5700 is faster by 10-15%.

- With ray tracing: RTX 2060 wins by 2 times.

- RX 5700 vs RTX 3060 (2021):

- RTX 3060 is 30% more powerful at 1440p and supports DLSS 3.5.

Current Prices (April 2025):

- New RX 5700: $200-230 (only remaining stock).

- RTX 3060: $270-300.

Practical Tips

Building a PC with RX 5700

1. Power Supply: Don't skimp — Corsair CV550 or Be Quiet! System Power 9.

2. Processor: To avoid bottlenecks, choose Ryzen 5 5600 or Core i5-12400F.

3. Drivers: Use Adrenalin 24.x — they are stable and support FSR 3.0.

Important: Avoid old motherboards without UEFI — there could be boot issues.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

- Excellent price/performance ratio for 1080p.

- Supports FSR 3.0, extending its lifecycle.

- Low noise levels in custom models.

Cons:

- No hardware ray tracing.

- Limited support for professional SDKs (ROCm is outdated).

- Higher power consumption compared to RTX 3050.

Final Conclusion: Who Should Consider the RX 5700?

This graphics card is an ideal choice for:

1. Gamers with a budget under $300 who play at 1080p and do not require "ultra" settings.

2. Streamers who value stability — AMD drivers have improved encoding via AMF.

3. Enthusiasts of upgrades combining GPU with Ryzen 5 level processors.

Alternative: If you need ray tracing or high settings at 1440p, consider the RX 6600 XT ($250) or a used RTX 3060 Ti ($220).

Conclusion

The AMD Radeon RX 5700 in 2025 is a prime example of a "long-lived" GPU. It still handles most tasks well but requires compromises in newer games. If you're looking for a reliable card for a basic PC or upgrading an old system — it’s a worthy option. However, for flagship projects with ray tracing and 4K gaming, it's better to choose something more modern.