The Ryzen 9 9900X was launched on August 15th, and you can grab it right now from Amazon. Or, you can check our Where to Buy page if you want to explore other retailers.
As one of the most powerful CPUs in the AMD 9000 series, it can handle whatever you throw at it, so it’s only obvious to pair it with a high-end GPU that delivers exceptional performance in multiple tasks.
The process of choosing the right GPU can be a big challenge, which is why we’ve selected GPUs from our extensive library of graphics card reviews that we think are worth considering to pair with the 9 9900X.
- Best GPU for Ryzen 9 9900X
ASUS ROG Strix RTX 4090 OC
- GPU: AD102
- CUDA cores: 16,384
- VRAM: 24GB GDDR6X
- Memory bus: 384-bit
- Bandwidth: 1,008 GB/sec
- Base clock: 2235 MHz
- Best AMD GPU for Ryzen 9 9900X
ASUS TUF Gaming Radeon RX 7900 XTX OC
- GPU: Navi 31
- Stream Processors: 6,144
- VRAM: 24GB GDDR6
- Memory bus width: 384-bit
- Bandwidth: 960 GB/s
- Base clock speed: 1,929 MHz
- Best mid-range Nvidia GPU for Ryzen 9 9900X
ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 4070 Super OC Edition
- GPU: AD104
- CUDA cores: 7,168
- VRAM: 12GB GDDR6X
- Bandwidth: 504 GB/s
- Memory bus width: 192-bit
- Boost clock speed: 2595 MHz
- Best mid-range AMD GPU for Ryzen 9 9900X
AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT
- GPU: Navi 32
- Stream Processors: 3,840
- VRAM: 16 GDDR6
- Memory bus width: 256-bit
- Bandwidth: 624.1 GB/sec
- Base clock speed: 1,295 MHz
How we picked
For our list, we researched the market and reviewed several options from Nvidia and AMD. During the process, we considered factors such as price, features, performance, and compatibility.
We always want to make sure that you get the absolute best GPU for your rig. This is why we conduct in-house testing of the cards we recommend. This helps us get an idea of their real-life performance. You can learn more about our testing process through our in-depth How We Test GPUs guide.
Our top picks
- GPU: AD102
- CUDA cores: 16,384
- VRAM: 24GB GDDR6X
- Memory bus: 384-bit
- Bandwidth: 1,008 GB/sec
- Base clock: 2235 MHz
- Leading 4K gaming performance
- Tons of superfast VRA
- Overhead for the future
- Power hungry
- Premium price tag
Since you’re choosing a GPU for an extremely powerful processor, it is only fair to pair it with the RTX 4090. This is currently the best and most powerful GPU available in the market. In our RTX 4090 review, it delivered exceptional performance in 4K gaming, which was already expected.
To begin with, the RTX 4090 comes with 24 GB of GDDR6X VRAM. On top of that, it has a 394-bit memory interface. What this means is that even in the most demanding games, you won’t have to worry about running out of memory while adjusting the graphics settings.
Aside from the VRAM, the 4090 also does not disappoint when it comes to other specifications, as it packs 16,384 CUDA Cores and 191 TFLOPS of Ray Tracing cores. As for its base and boost frequency, they are set at 2.23 GHz and 2.52 GHz, respectively.
According to Nvidia, the 4090 comes with third-gen RT cores that deliver up to 2x Ray Tracing performance, so you can expect better visuals in games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2. The card also delivers up to 4 times better performance with DLSS 3 compared to the RTX 3090 Ti.
The RTX 4090 doesn’t come cheap by any stretch but there’s no denying its capabilities for true 4K gaming and creativity that nothing else on the market can match.
PC Guide
To get an idea about its real-life performance, we decided to test the RTX 4090 in games like Cyberpunk 2077, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and Microsoft Flight Simulator.
In Cyberpunk 2077, the card delivered 168, 135, and 74 FPS at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K, respectively, with the graphics set to Ultra. The FPS crossed the 300 mark in Shadow of the Tomb Raider at 1080p, which then dropped to 269 at 1440p and 184 at 4K. In Microsoft Flight Simulator, which is a very resource-hungry game, we got 54 FPS at 4K, but we were able to boost the number to 115 by using DLSS 3.
Overall, the RTX 4090 is a great card, and you won’t have to worry about upgrading for a few years. It may come with a hefty price tag, but this is what you’d already expect from a high-performance GPU.
What users say
On Amazon, reviewers only have great things to say about this GPU. One of them mentioned: “The ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4090 OC Edition is a behemoth in the realm of graphics cards. It boasts a sturdy build with a sleek, aggressive design that aligns with the Republic of Gamers (ROG) aesthetic.”
- GPU: Navi 31
- Stream Processors: 6,144
- VRAM: 24GB GDDR6
- Memory bus width: 384-bit
- Bandwidth: 960 GB/s
- Base clock speed: 1,929 MHz
- Strong pricing
- Leading 4K performance
- Bolstered by FSR 3
- Far from the cheapest RDNA 3
- Prices vary between partners
If you’re looking for an option from Team Red, we’d recommend the RX 7900 XTX. This card may not be as powerful as RTX 4090, but it still packs a punch when it comes to 4K performance. For our RX 7900 XTX review, we tested the card in several games and weren’t disappointed with its performance.
For starters, the RX 7900 XTX has the same amount of VRAM as the 4090: 24 GB. The only difference is that it’s GDDR6 instead of GDDR6X and has a 384-bit memory interface. Again, with this much memory, you won’t run into memory shortage issues.
The RX 7900 XTX also comes with 6,144 Stream Processors and has a game frequency of 2,300 MHz, which can be boosted up to 2,500 MHz.
If you pair the RX 7900 XTX with the Ryzen 9 9900X, you’ll be able to benefit greatly from AMD Smart Access Memory and Smart Access Graphics. The first one makes the processor deliver better performance by giving it full access to the AMD Radeon graphics memory, while the second one automatically selects the dGPU or APU for a task.
The AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX is a stellar graphics card for 4K gaming with enough under the hood to achieve high frame rates natively.
PC Guide
While testing the real-life performance of the GPU, the 7900 XTX managed to hit 70 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K, which increased to 137 after we switched the resolution to 1440p. Similarly, in another demanding game, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, the FPS stayed above 100 at both resolutions.
If there’s a game in which you’re getting low FPS, you can use AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution upscaling technology to boost the number of FPS without ruining the image quality. However, with the 7900 XTX, you won’t have to worry about facing any performance issues in any game unless it’s not properly optimized.
Overall, if you’re not planning to go with an Nvidia GPU, then there is no better option than the RX 7900 XTX for the Ryzen 9 9900X. Besides, it costs way less than the RTX 4090, and its performance in almost every game is exceptional.
What users say
Most reviewers on Amazon are satisfied with their purchase, with plenty of them praising the card for its 1440p and 4K performance. One of them said: “If you are gonna get high end graphics card, I personally believe this is the best value you can get. It offers remarkable 1440p and 4K performance with blazing fast frame rates with room to spare.”
- GPU: AD104
- CUDA cores: 7,168
- VRAM: 12GB GDDR6X
- Bandwidth: 504 GB/s
- Memory bus width: 192-bit
- Boost clock speed: 2595 MHz
- 20% more CUDA cores
- Better value for money than original card
- Strong performance in 1440p and 4K
- Some partner cards get expensive
- Still uses 16-pin adapter
If you’re not planning to overspend on the GPU but still want something that won’t disappoint in terms of performance, we’d recommend the RTX 4070 Super. This is a great card for those who have a budget of around $600. In our review, we found that it performs well in many demanding modern games at both 1440p and 4K.
To begin with, the RTX 4070 Super comes with 12 GB of GDDR6X VRAM and a 192-bit memory interface. While the VRAM may not be as much as the other two options on our list, it is still more than enough for most games.
Aside from that, the RTX 4070 Super has 7,168 CUDA Cores, a bandwidth of 504 GB/s, and 224 TMUs. The card also offers a base clock of 1,980 MHz paired with a boost clock of 2,475 MHz. However, the boost clock speed will also depend on the variant you’re getting, as the one we reviewed offered a max frequency of 2,565 MHz, which we were able to push to 2,595 after enabling the OC mode.
The RTX 4070 Super finally justifies the ‘4070’ MSRP. If you’re after a card to handle 1440p without issue, then this is the top pick.
PC Guide
In our tests, the RTX 4070 Super delivered more than playable framerates in Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora at 4K, as we got 74 and 60 FPS, respectively. We saw a massive boost in the FPS when we switched the resolution to 1440p and 1080p, as we were able to get more than 100 FPS at both resolutions in Assassin’s Creed Mirage, while the number stayed above 80 in Avatar.
Overall, for the price it comes at, the RTX 4070 is definitely a card worth pairing with the Ryzen 9 9900X. Even if you use it for tasks other than gaming, you won’t be disappointed.
What users say
According to Amazon reviews, most people who purchased this card are satisfied with it. One of the reviewers mentioned: “The Asus Tuf RTX 4070 is incredible. Powerful, quiet, and built like a tank. It doesn’t heat up my case like a higher wattage card does, and plays everything I have at 4k 60fps.”
- GPU: Navi 32
- Stream Processors: 3,840
- VRAM: 16 GDDR6
- Memory bus width: 256-bit
- Bandwidth: 624.1 GB/sec
- Base clock speed: 1,295 MHz
- 16 GB VRAM
- Great value for money
- Strong performance in 1440p and 1080p gaming
- Not the best for creatives
- Not recommended for 4K gaming
If you want to stick with AMD even for the mid-range category, then we’d recommend the RX 7800 XT. This one costs around $100 less than the 4070 Super but still delivers exceptional 1440p performance. In our 7800 XT review, we found it to be a great card for high-end processors.
First, let’s take a look at the specifications of the 7800 XT. It is built on the Navi 32 die and offers 3,840 Stream Processors. These Stream Processors handle most of the graphics rendering tasks, and this GPU has enough for demanding tasks. On top of that, it comes with 16 GB GDDR6 VRAM with a 256-bit memory bus. While this memory type is a bit slower than the X variant found in the 4070 Super, you will be more than fine with 16 GB VRAM in resource-hungry games.
Since its launch, the RX 7800 XT has been an incredibly aggressively priced and powerful video card with strong ray tracing prowess compared to the previous generation RX 6800 XT.
PC Guide
Coming down to the speed, the 7800 XT operates at a base frequency of 1,295 MHz during light tasks. In gaming, this can go up to 2,124 MHz. And if you want even more power, then you can make the GPU run at a speed of 2,430 MHz. However, keep in mind that constantly running the GPU at such high speeds can make it generate a lot of heat, which can lead to overheating issues in the long run.
To find out how powerful this GPU is, we decided to test it in several games. First, we launched CS2 and Rainbow Six Siege, in which it was able to deliver 244 and 282 FPS at 1440p, respectively. Even at 4K, we were getting more than 100 FPS in both games. We then launched Cyberpunk 2077, which requires a powerful GPU and CPU. At 1080p, we were constantly getting around 140 FPS. This dropped to 91 when we switched the resolution to 1440p. And at 4K, we were getting only 39 FPS.
Overall, the RX 7800 XT provides great value for money and is excellent for both 1080p and 1440p gaming. While it can run some games smoothly at 4K, you’ll be better off with the RTX 4090 or 7900 XTX for this resolution.
What users say
Most reviewers on Amazon are satisfied with their purchase. One of them mentioned: “The AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX is a top-tier graphics card that combines excellent performance, advanced features, and great value. It is a strong competitor in the high-end GPU market and a fantastic choice for gamers seeking high performance without paying a ridiculous price tag.”
How to select the best GPU for Ryzen 9 9900X
Selecting the right GPU isn’t just about picking up the most expensive option. Instead, there are several factors that you should consider before making a final purchase, and you can find a few of them below.
Budget
If you’re not short on cash, we’d recommend opting for the high-end GPUs for this processor. You can find a solid GPU between $1000 and $2000, such as the 7900 XTX or the RTX 4090.
However, if you’re not planning to overspend on a GPU, we suggest you get at least the RTX 4070. It costs around $600, and you won’t face any bottleneck issues with it.
Usage
Your usage, of course, will play a big role in selecting the right GPU for the processor.
If you’re planning to push the limits in 4K gaming or will be doing resource-hungry tasks that rely on both the CPU and GPU, then you wouldn’t want anything less than a top-tier card in your rig.
But if the applications you will be using won’t rely on the GPU that much, then you can consider exploring some mid-range options.
