AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT
AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT in 2025: Is it Worth Considering?
Analysis of Architecture, Performance, and Practical Value
Introduction
Six years after its release, the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT remains an iconic graphics card for enthusiasts on a budget. Despite the emergence of new GPU generations, this model retains its relevance thanks to a successful combination of price and performance. In 2025, it can be found for prices ranging from $250 to $300, making it an interesting option for entry-level and mid-range PC builds. But how relevant is it today? Let's examine the details.
Architecture and Key Features
RDNA 1.0: The Start of a Revolution
The RX 5700 XT was the first AMD graphics card built on the RDNA (1st generation) architecture, replacing the outdated GCN. It is manufactured using TSMC's 7nm process technology, which allowed for improved energy efficiency and transistor density (10.3 billion compared to 5.7 billion in its predecessor, the Vega 64).
Unique Features
- FidelityFX: A set of AMD technologies designed to enhance graphics, including CAS (Contrast Adaptive Sharpening) for image sharpness and FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) 1.0 — an early version of upscaling.
- Lack of Hardware Ray Tracing: Ray tracing is implemented through shader core computations, which hampers performance.
- Radeon Image Sharpening: Post-processing to enhance clarity without significant resource costs.
Memory: Speed and Limitations
GDDR6 and Bandwidth
The card is equipped with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus. The bandwidth is 448 GB/s (14 Gbit/s × 256 bits / 8). This is sufficient for gaming at 1440p, but by 2025, 8 GB becomes a bottleneck for 4K gaming in projects with high-resolution textures (e.g., Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora or Starfield with mods).
Comparison with Modern Standards
New GPUs, such as the Radeon RX 7700 XT (12 GB GDDR6) or GeForce RTX 4060 Ti (16 GB), offer larger memory capacities, but the RX 5700 XT still handles most games at high settings in 1440p.
Gaming Performance: Numbers and Reality
1080p and 1440p — Ideal Scenarios
In 2025 testing, the RX 5700 XT shows the following results (FPS, ultra settings):
- Cyberpunk 2077 (without ray tracing): 65-70 FPS (1080p), 45-50 FPS (1440p).
- Call of Duty: Warzone 2: 110 FPS (1080p), 80 FPS (1440p).
- Hogwarts Legacy: 55 FPS (1440p, FSR Quality).
4K: Only with Compromises
For 4K gaming, settings need to be dialed down or FSR 1.0 should be used. For example, in Elden Ring, the card delivers 35-40 FPS (4K, medium settings).
Ray Tracing: The Weak Link
Without dedicated RT cores, enabling ray tracing (for instance, in Control) drops FPS to 20-25 frames even at 1080p. The solution is to avoid RT or use FSR to compensate.
Professional Tasks: Not the Main Advantage
Video Editing and Rendering
- DaVinci Resolve: Works steadily due to OpenCL support, but falls behind NVIDIA in rendering speed due to the absence of CUDA.
- Blender: Through the AMD ProRender plugin, it shows average results (for example, rendering a BMW scene takes ~15 minutes compared to ~10 minutes on an RTX 3060).
Scientific Calculations
For OpenCL-based tasks (GROMACS, MATLAB), the card is applicable, but specialized solutions like the NVIDIA A10 or Radeon Pro W6800 are more efficient.
Power Consumption and Heat Output
TDP and PSU Requirements
The TDP of the RX 5700 XT is 225 watts. A power supply unit (PSU) with a capacity of 600 watts and an 80+ Bronze certification (for example, Corsair CX650M) is recommended.
Cooling and Cases
- Reference models (blower-style) are noisy and prone to overheating. It's better to choose custom versions (Sapphire Nitro+, PowerColor Red Devil) with 2-3 fans.
- The case should have good ventilation: at least 2 intake fans and 1 exhaust fan.
Comparison with Competitors
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (12 GB)
- Pros of NVIDIA: DLSS 3.5, hardware ray tracing, lower power consumption (170 W).
- Cons: Price ($330-350) is higher than that of the RX 5700 XT.
AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT (8 GB)
- Comparable price ($260-280), but lower performance at 1440p (~15% lag).
Conclusion: The RX 5700 XT excels in price/performance compared to its rivals but falls short in energy efficiency and modern technologies.
Practical Tips
Power Supply
- Minimum 600 watts with two 8-pin PCIe connectors.
Compatibility
- Supports PCIe 4.0, but works on PCIe 3.0 with minimal performance loss.
- For processors: pairs well with Ryzen 5 5600X or Intel Core i5-12400F without bottlenecks.
Drivers
- By 2025, AMD drivers are stable. The Adrenalin 24.4.1 version is recommended, with optimizations for new games.
Pros and Cons
Strengths:
- Excellent performance at 1440p.
- Support for FidelityFX (FSR 1.0 and CAS).
- Attractive price for its level.
Weaknesses:
- No hardware ray tracing.
- High power consumption.
- 8 GB of memory limits performance at 4K and in some modern games.
Final Conclusion: Who Should Consider the RX 5700 XT?
This graphics card is an ideal choice for:
1. Gamers with a 1440p Monitor, willing to turn off RT for stable FPS.
2. Budget-Conscious Enthusiasts, building a PC for $800-1000.
3. Users for whom the latest technologies, such as Frame Generation or Path Tracing, aren’t critical.
In 2025, the RX 5700 XT may no longer be a flagship, but due to its affordable price and reliability, it remains a viable option for those not chasing ultra settings. However, if you plan to upgrade in the next 2-3 years, it's better to consider more modern models with support for FSR 3.0 and larger amounts of memory.