AMD Radeon RX 7600
AMD Radeon RX 7600: A Guide to the Budget Gaming GPU of 2025
Overview of architecture, performance, and practical tips for gamers and enthusiasts.
1. Architecture and Key Features
RDNA 3: Evolution of Efficiency
The RX 7600 graphics card is built on AMD's RDNA 3 architecture, which represents a step forward in energy efficiency and performance. The chips are manufactured using a 6nm process (in contrast to the high-end models based on a 5nm process), allowing for cost reductions without significant losses in power.
Unique Technologies
- Ray Accelerators: The card supports ray tracing, but with a caveat — for comfortable gaming with ray tracing, it is recommended to use FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution).
- FSR 3.0: An upscaling technology with Frame Generation support that increases FPS by 30-50% in games with active ray tracing.
- Hybrid Compute: Optimization for simultaneously handling graphical and computational tasks, which is useful in streaming.
2. Memory: Fast but Limited?
GDDR6 and 8 GB: Is it Enough in 2025?
The RX 7600 comes with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory, featuring a 128-bit bus and a bandwidth of 288 GB/s. This suffices for 1080p gaming, but at 1440p in projects like Cyberpunk 2077 or Starfield, performance dips may occur due to insufficient VRAM.
Tip: For future upgrades, it’s better to consider models with 12 GB, but if the budget is tight, 8 GB is an acceptable option when using FSR.
3. Gaming Performance: Numbers and Realities
1080p: The King of Budget Gaming
- Apex Legends: 140-160 FPS (max settings).
- Elden Ring: 75-85 FPS (high settings, no RT).
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare IV: 110-130 FPS.
1440p: Requires Compromises
With FSR 3.0 Quality activated:
- Horizon Forbidden West: 60-70 FPS.
- Alan Wake 2: 45-55 FPS (with RT).
4K: Only for Less Demanding Titles
In CS2 or Dota 2, the card delivers a steady 60+ FPS, but struggles in AAA titles without FSR.
Ray Tracing: The "Economy" Mode
RT reduces FPS by 30-40%, but when paired with FSR 3.0, the difference becomes less noticeable (15-20% loss).
4. Professional Tasks: Not Just Gaming
Video Editing and 3D Work
- In DaVinci Resolve, the RX 7600 shows good rendering speed thanks to OpenCL support and Adrenalin Studio Drivers.
- For Blender, NVIDIA cards are better suited (due to CUDA), but with the use of the HIP backend, AMD delivers acceptable results.
Scientific Computing
The GPU is suitable for basic tasks (e.g., simulations in MATLAB) but falls short compared to specialized solutions like the NVIDIA A100.
5. Power Consumption and Cooling
TDP 165 W: Simpler Than It Seems
The card does not require an overly powerful cooling system — even dual-fan versions (e.g., Sapphire Pulse) maintain temperatures below 70°C under load.
Recommendations
- Power Supply: 500 W (550 W recommended for safety).
- Case: A model with 2-3 fans is sufficient. Avoid compact cases without ventilation.
6. Comparison with Competitors
NVIDIA RTX 4060:
- Pros: Better RT performance, DLSS 3.5.
- Cons: More expensive by $50-70 (RX 7600 price — $269 versus $299-329 for RTX 4060).
AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT:
- 25-30% more powerful, but priced at $399. This is a more rational choice for 1440p.
Intel Arc A770:
- Cheaper ($250), but drivers and stability are still questionable.
7. Practical Tips
Power Supply: Don’t skimp on certifications (80+ Bronze or higher). Examples: Corsair CX550, EVGA 600 GD.
Compatibility:
- PCIe 4.0 x8 — make sure your motherboard supports this standard.
- For processors: Ryzen 5 5600X or Core i5-12400F and newer.
Drivers:
- Use the Adrenalin Edition 2025 with optimizations for FSR 3.0. Avoid beta versions for stable operation.
8. Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent price for 1080p gaming.
- Support for FSR 3.0 and AV1 encoding.
- Low power consumption.
Cons:
- Only 8 GB of memory.
- Weak RT performance without FSR.
9. Final Verdict: Who Should Consider the RX 7600?
This graphics card is an ideal choice for:
- Gamers with 1080p 144 Hz monitors who wish to play at high settings without overpaying.
- Streamers who value energy efficiency and AV1 support.
- Budget builds, where every dollar counts.
If you are not willing to compromise on 1440p or ray tracing, consider the RX 7700 XT or RTX 4070. However, at $269, the RX 7600 remains the best in its niche, proving that AMD can still compete in the budget segment.
Prices are current as of April 2025. Check for discounts and updated models before purchasing!
