Best GPUs to Pair with AMD’s Ryzen 5 7600X & 9600X

Sapphire PULSE RX 9070 XT Overview

If you’re chasing top-tier performance without crossing into the ultra-premium Nvidia territory, AMD’s RX 9070 XT is good option to consider. Whether you want to game at 1440P resolution on ultra settings or looking to get ~60FPS at higher settings on a 4K display, the 9070 XT is strong enough to accommodate your needs.

The RX 9070 XT features 16GB of GDDR6 memory, a boost clock that reaches up to 2970 MHz, and support for the latest tech like FSR 4 upscaling and PCIe 5.0. It’s built on AMD’s new RDNA 4 architecture, bringing enhanced efficiency and modern display outputs including DisplayPort 2.1a and HDMI 2.1b. Simply put, it’s designed for gamers who want bleeding-edge performance without paying a premium just for a brand name.

And when it comes to RX 9070 XT models, our favorite pick is the Sapphire Pulse edition. It’s one of the best blends of performance, cooling, and value currently available. Despite its more compact design, the Pulse keeps thermals well in check thanks to its triple-fan setup and smart thermal layout. It matches the reference boost speeds, but does it while running cooler and quieter than many bulkier options.

You’ll need a solid power supply—this card draws just over 300W and requires at minimum a 750-watt PSU—but the performance you get in return is well worth it. The Sapphire Pulse RX 9070 XT hits that sweet spot where smart design meets raw power. If you’re putting together a high-performance build and want to jump into 4K gaming (or high refresh rate 1440P gaming) without overspending, this card should be at the top of your list.

All things considered, the RX 9070 XT is AMD’s strongest play in the current GPU generation, and the Sapphire Pulse version is our top recommendation for anyone who wants high-end performance, efficient cooling, and great value—all in one package.

MSI RTX 5070 Ti Ventus 3X Overview

Do you prefer NVIDIA’s feature set? Then the RTX 5070 Ti might be the best option to pair with your 9600X or 7600X. Launched with a $749 MSRP in the U.S., it lands just under NVIDIA’s RTX 5080 in performance—roughly 14% slower at 1440P and about 17% behind at 4K. And yet, thanks to DLSS 4 and Multi‑Frame Generation, that gap often shrinks in real-world gaming, especially if you overclock a bit.

Now, among the RTX 5070 Ti options available, the MSI Ventus 3X stands out for its thoughtful design and solid thermal performance. It packs 16 GB of blazing-fast GDDR7 memory clocked at 28 Gbps, and MSI’s Center software lets the card reach over 2490 MHz under its Extreme Performance profile.

The triple-fan TORX Fan 5.0 setup does a nice job keeping things cool under heavy load, even if the fans do ramp up to noticeable levels—some reviewers pegged noise levels around 40 dBA during intense gaming sessions.

Performance-wise, the 5070 Ti will deliver excellent performance at 1440P resolution, and will handle even the most demanding titles well enough at 4K resolution.

The 5070 Ti’s one downside is that it is often priced a little higher than the RX 9070 XT and since both perform fairly similar, it’s usually a better value play to opt for the 9070 XT.

But, if you want NVIDIA’s superior upscaling and ray tracing features, or if the prices are close, the 5070 Ti is probably your best bet.

XFX Swift RX 9070 OC Overview

If you’re looking for a performance-focused GPU that sidesteps the over-the-top pricing of flagship cards, an RX 9070 should be on your radar. It lands just below its XT sibling, and its significantly lower pricetag still gives you RDNA 4 power—16 GB of GDDR6, PCIe 5.0 support, and that sweet FSR 4 upscaling.

For our pick for the best RX 9070 graphics card right now, we like XFX’s Swift OC model. What makes the XFX Swift RX 9070 OC stand out is the factory overclock and the clean, modern design. XFX’s Swift variant cranks the boost clock to around 2700 MHz, a roughly 7% uplift over the reference RX 9070. That bump translates to noticeably smoother performance, especially in fast-paced games where every frame counts.

Thermals and power requirements stay reasonable, too. It has a 3.5-slot form factor, requires dual 8-pin PCIe connectors, and you’ll want at least an 800 W PSU to keep things stable under load. (Although, AMD recommends a 750-watt PSU for the RX 9070).

In gaming, the Swift RX 9070 OC will handle 1440P with ease and it should hold its own at 4K resolution.

Ultimately, if you’re looking for a solid graphics card to pair with your 9600X/7600X and you have ~$600 to spend, XFX’s Swift RX 9070 OC is an option worth checking out.

GIGABYTE RTX 5070 Gaming OC Overview

If you’re aiming for high-end performance without jumping into the ultra‑premium bracket, the GIGABYTE RTX 5070 Gaming OC deserves a look. The RTX 5070 already delivers great performance with its Blackwell architecture, and DLSS 4 support. What GIGABYTE’s Gaming OC model brings to the table is an overclocked core clock pushing 2625 MHz—well above NVIDIA’s 2512 MHz reference spec—so you’re getting an extra boost right out of the box.

Beyond the extra clock speed, GIGABYTE outfits this card with its WINDFORCE cooling system, featuring Hawk fans and high-end thermal conductive gel to keep temperatures in check. The dual-BIOS setup—Performance and Silent modes—means you can prioritize raw speed or quiet operation on the fly depending on whether you’re deep in a heated firefight or just browsing the web.

Performance-wise, the 5070 should handle 1440P gaming well enough, but the one downside of the GPU is its lower 12GB of VRAM. As games are starting to get developed to utilize more and more VRAM, 12GB is quickly approaching the “not enough” territory, especially at higher resolutions. The saving grace for the RTX 5070, though, is that DLSS 4 and Multi‑Frame Generation should help soften the blow of the lower VRAM and help it perform well into the future.

But, if you’d prefer an adequate amount of VRAM we highly recommend you consider the RX 9070 listed above.

Sapphire PULSE RX 9060 XT (16GB) Overview

Looking for a more value-packed GPU for 1440p gaming without sacrificing VRAM? Sapphire’s PULSE RX 9060 XT 16 GB is an excellent option. With RDNA 4 architecture under the hood and a generous 16 GB GDDR6 framebuffer, it’s one of the only cards under $400 that can give you a near-ideal gaming experience at 1440P resolution.

It will also serve well for competitive gamers who are trying to push as high of a framerate as possible at 1080P resolution.

And the PULSE cooler keeps things neat—compact, no nonsense, and surprisingly efficient. At just 240mm long, the Sapphire PULSE RX 9060 XT will fit in most cases, including in small form factor setups as well. And, it only requires a ridiculously low 450-watt power supply, so it’s a good option to drop into older systems, too.

It’s not perfect, though—AMD’s FSR still trails NVIDIA’s DLSS in visual quality, and when it comes to upscaling or heavy ray tracing, Blackwell-based cards hold the edge. Still, if you’re looking to build a PC for 1440P or 1080P gaming and you want longevity without breaking the bank, the 9060 XT 16 GB packs exceptional value and future‑ready capacity in a tidy, cool‑running package.

PNY RTX 5060 Ti 16GB OC Overview

If you’re after AI-assisted frames and efficient ray tracing while keeping things midrange, the PNY RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB OC is a smart value pick. Built on NVIDIA’s Blackwell architecture and featuring a generous 16 GB GDDR7 framebuffer, it gives you more memory headroom than similarly priced Radeon cards. Out of the gate, PNY’s factory OC pushes the boost clock to around 2692 MHz, a solid bump over the base spec.

In practice, this translates into impressive real‑world gaming. DLSS 4 with Multi‑Frame Generation can significantly affect performance—think buttery smooth 1080P performance and a very playable 1440P experience even with ray tracing enabled.

This PNY RTX 5060 Ti card is also compact, measuring in at just 245mm long, making it a great option for small form factor builds. And, while it does have a higher recommended PSU capacity than the 9060 XT does, at 600-watts it should be easy to find a quality unit to power it.

Bottom line, though: if you care about frame generation, long‑term driver support, and plenty of VRAM, the PNY RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB OC is an option you’ll want to consider to combine with your 7600X or 9600X.

XFX Swift RX 9060 XT OC 8GB (8GB) Overview

Need to spend under $300 on your graphics card, but still want solid 1080P gaming performance? The Sapphire PULSE RX 9060 XT 8 GB might be the right option for you.

The Sapphire PULSE’s dual-fan PULSE cooler retains the same compact, no-frills efficiency as its bigger brother, making it a smart match for mid‑tier builds and smaller form factors. Performance-wise, you’re still in good shape for today’s games and esports titles at 1080P resolution.

But the catch—8 GB of VRAM is likely going to feel dated in the new future. Titles with ultra textures, larger open-world maps, or ray tracing will tax that buffer. If you can’t live with the lower VRAM, your best bet in this price range will be Intel’s Arc B580.

TL;DR: The 9060 XT 8 GB is a decent budget workhorse for 1080P builds. But if you’re building to last, you may find yourself aiming for lowered settings—or regretting it sooner than expected.

GIGABYTE RTX 5060 WINDFORCE OC Overview

While the 9060 XT (8GB) offers more raw performance the NVIDIA’s RTX 5060, the 5060 does offer better upscaling performance and that could help it age better.

Of the RTX 5060s out there, we like what the GIGABYTE RTX 5060 WINDFORCE OC 8 GB brings to the table. With a tidy dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler, alternate-spinning Hawk fans, and a plastic backplate, it will fit snugly into more compact builds while delivering respectable thermals and noise levels.

You should expect solid 1080P performance in most titles, especially in competitive games where you’ll likely be playing at lower settings. However, 8 GB of VRAM isn’t ideal and likely won’t withstand the test of time.

Overall, the Gigabyte WINDFORCE OC hits a good entry point—clean design, modern features, and adequate performance—but if you’re planning for the future, its 8GB of VRAM may be a deal breaker. And, if that’s the case, you might want to consider Intel’s Arc B580 to pair with your 9600X/7600X…

Sparkle Arc B580 TITAN OC Overview

If you’re looking to stray off the beaten GPU path, the Sparkle Arc B580 TITAN OC (Intel Battlemage) is an intriguing underdog. Built with efficiency and 1440P performance in mind, it combines strong ray tracing chops and surprisingly decent AI upscaling, giving the 5060 and 9060 XT a run for their money…

The triple-fan design handles thermals admirably, keeping clock speeds stable under load. Build quality is solid, and the price-to-performance ratio is right where it needs to be for a mid-tier GPU pick

Things to keep in mind: Intel’s GPU drivers still lag behind, especially in older or niche titles. Compatibility can be spotty, and support and updates aren’t yet as refined as AMD’s or Nvidia’s. Sparkle’s Arc B580 Titan OC is also one of the only B580 cards that are easy to find available.

But, if you want something different that offers great value and solid 1440P performance, give the Arc B580 a look. Just be prepared for some growing pains as Intel continues to iterate and build its GPU ecosystem.