The Ryzen 9 9950X is the flagship CPU of AMD’s 9000 series and it is available for purchase on Amazon. The title of flagship means there is very little that makes this processor nervous. So, it goes without saying that high-definition gaming is also a piece of cake for this, but for the best experience, it needs to be paired with a GPU that complements its processing capabilities.
We’ve selected a number of GPUs that we’ve reviewed here at PC Guide that we think will match well with the new processor. If you’re interested in exploring how we test GPUs, we’ve got you covered there as well.
You’ll find multiple GPU options along with their details, reviews, and pros and cons, which is everything you need to make an informed decision. So, without further ado, let’s get right into it. In case you want to order a 9950X as soon as possible, we’ve got your back.
- Best GPU for 9950X overall
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 9950X
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 Nvidia runner-up GPU for 9950X
Gigabyte RTX 4080 Super Windforce V2
- GPU: AD103
- CUDA Cores: 10,240
- VRAM: 16GB GDDR6X
- Bandwidth: 736.3 GB/s
- Memory bus width: 256-bit
- Base clock speed: 2295 MHz
- Best AMD runner-up GPU for 9950X
Sapphire Radeon RX 7900 XT
- GPU: Navi 31
- Stream Processors: 5,376
- VRAM: 20GB GDDR6
- Memory bus: 320-bit
- Base clock speed: 1,387 MHz
- Game Clock speed: 2.2025 MHz
How we picked
We researched the market and found various options from Nvidia and AMD. We filtered those options based on their price, compatibility, performance, and other features, such as DLSS and FSR.
In addition, we also conduct rigorous in-house testing of the cards. This gives us insight into how they’ll perform across various scenarios, whether in gaming or professional tasks. We’re always updating our list with the latest information, so if there are better pairings than these, we’ll be sure to update them, so check back with us. If you’re interested in learning about our testing process, head over to the PC Guide Testing lab for more details.
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
- Excellent 4K performance
- A good option to future-proof your setup
- 24 GB of GDDR6X RAM
- It has a 450W TDP
- It comes with a premium price tag
If you’re not surprised by seeing the RTX 4090 at the top, we don’t blame you because the most powerful processor deserves to be paired with the most powerful GPU on the market. In our RTX 4090 review, we put this GPU through our suite of industry tests, and it passed with flying colors, which is, again, not surprising.
To begin with, this GPU has decked out hardware under the hood, featuring 16,384 CUDA cores, which basically do all the heavy lifting, a 2.23 GHz base clock, a 2.52 boost clock, and 191 TFLOPS of Ray Tracing cores. This means that regardless of the task you put in front of it, it will mow it down without breaking a sweat.
GPUs have slower clock speeds than CPUs because they are specialized units that process large amounts of data in parallel, unlike CPUs, which are extreme multi-taskers.
The RTX 4090 has 24 GB of GDDR6X of VRAM with a 394-bit memory interface, meaning the data has enough channels to comfortably travel to and from the GPU to be processed without causing bottleneck issues.
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
GDDR6X memory can achieve speeds of up to 21 Gbps per pin, as opposed to the GDDR6 used by Team Red. That said, this memory also has a high power consumption, reflected by the 4090’s max TDP of 450W. So, this GPU, combined with the 9950X, should deliver a seamless and immersive 4K gaming experience across various titles.
According to Nvidia, the RTX 4090 has 5.2x the performance of the RTX 3090 Ti in Cyberpunk 2077 with Ray Tracing set to Overdrive. In addition, with DLSS 3.5 turned on for the same title at 3840 x 2160 resolution, it went from 20 FPS to 102 FPS, a 410% increase in frame generation.
We also took it upon ourselves to test what this GPU is all about, and the results were nothing less than incredible. In Cyberpunk 2077, it delivered 168, 135, and 74 FPS at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K in ultra resolution. If that wasn’t enough, Microsoft Flight Simulator had an average FPS of 115 at 4K with DLSS 3 enabled.
So, the title of the most powerful GPU isn’t wasted on this GPU, and if you wanted a graphics card that could do it all, the RTX 4090 is the way to go. That said, it does cost an arm and a leg, but it should keep your rig powering through for years to come, making it a worthwhile investment.
What user say
According to Amazon reviews, this graphics card has exceptional performance with a good amount of performance gain over the previous generation. One reviewer had this to say: “The 4090 is the first card I’ve experienced that can actually deliver practical 4k gaming at max settings while maintaining acceptable FPS.”
- 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
- It costs less than the RTX 4090
- It has great 1440p and 4K performance
- Performance can be increased by leveraging FSR 3
- It still has a price tag of $1,000+
- The Ray Tracing performance isn’t as good as the RTX 4090
We’ll shift our focus to Team Red as the RX 7900XTX is also a 4K beast, which should pair well with the Ryzen 9 9950X and take advantage of technologies like AMD Smart Access Memory. In our RX 7900XTX review, it performed stellarly in synthetic and gaming benchmarks, giving the 4090 some good competition, especially at a lower price range.
For starters, this GPU features 6,144 stream processors, equivalent to Nvidia’s CUDA cores, a game frequency of 2300 MHz, a boost frequency of 2500 MHz, and 96 compute units and Ray Accelerators. What these specifications translate to is that it has all the hardware it needs to handle whatever graphical task you set in front of it.
It has a 24 GB GDDR6 VRAM with a 384-bit memory interface and a memory speed of up to 20 Gbps. What this means is that you can ramp up the in-game graphics without needing to turn down some settings.
However, if there is a game that is giving this monster some trouble, which is highly unlikely, AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution or FSR has its back. This technology uses AI upscaling and frame generation to boost framerates and low latency. According to AMD, by enabling FSR 3 Performance mode with Frame Generation, Forspoken at 4K, Ultra-high present, and RT enabled saw a decrease in latency from 81 MS to 55 MS.
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
On the other hand, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora saw a 3.7x increase in FPS at 4K and 1440p. So, this GPU’s software capabilities are also outstanding, and combined with a powerhouse like 9950X, there is nothing this dynamic duo can’t take care of.
During our in-house testing of this GPU, we tested it against titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Doom Eternal, and it fared more than well. In Cyberpunk 2077, it delivered 70 and 137 FPS at 4K and 1440p, while in Doom Eternal, a much more optimized game, it churned out 227 and 378 FPS in the same resolutions.
One thing to note is that our testing is done natively without any use of upscaling features like FSR or DLSS. So, considering that the 7900XTX had incredible performance, and the fact that it costs less than the 4090 makes it even better for people looking to game at 4K. So, for the 9950X, this graphics card is one of the best, and an all-AMD build has its own charm.
What users say
The Amazon reviews of this card speaks highly of its performance. One reviewer 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. Additionally, now that FSR3 is slowly rolling out and Fluid Motion Frames are available in the driver software, this makes the competition look less tempting.”
- GPU: AD103
- CUDA Cores: 10,240
- VRAM: 16GB GDDR6X
- Bandwidth: 736.3 GB/s
- Memory bus width: 256-bit
- Base clock speed: 2295 MHz
- It costs less than the RTX 4080
- A great option for 4K gaming
- It has better performance than the RTX 4080
- It has a price tag of $999.99
- The price for partner cards varies
The RTX 4080 Super is the second most powerful GPU in Nvidia’s 4000 series lineup and an excellent option for those who don’t want to spend a small fortune on the RTX 4090. That said, it does still cost almost $1,000, but its performance more than justifies that price tag.
In addition, in our RTX 4080 Super review, it performed exceptionally well across various gaming resolutions, and its synthetic performance was matched. This GPU is powered by 10,240 CUDA cores, 121 TFLOPs of Ray Tracing cores, a 2.29 GHz base clock, and a 2.55 GHz boost clock speed.
It also has 16 GB of GDDR6X VRAM with a 256-bit memory interface. While these specifications might seem less impressive in comparison to beasts like the RTX 4090 and RX 7900XTX, they are more than enough to withstand intense graphical workloads without breaking a sweat.
According to Nvidia, this GPU has a total graphics power of 320W, and the 9950X has a TDP of 170W. Nvidia recommends a 750W PSU, and if you’re interested in exploring some options, we recommend the Corsair RM750X, which we’ve reviewed and were satisfied with.
With a significantly lower price of entry and slightly improved performance, the RTX 4080 Super is the 4K gaming graphics card to get, and creatives should get a lot out of it, too.
PC Guide
If you want to squeeze every bit of performance from this GPU, you can overclock it, but that means it’ll consume more power and generate more heat. We don’t recommend using a GPU or a CPU in a highly overclocked state for extended periods, as it could damage the GPU.
However, if you still want to do that, you can check out our How to overclock a GPU guide that explains the process step-by-step with pictures. Also, ensure that your casing is adequately ventilated and has powerful fans and we recommend the best case for RTX 4080 Super.
During our testing, we found that it delivered excellent results at 4K and 1440p. In Cyberpunk 2077, it averaged 125 and 51 FPS in 1440p and 4K without enabling DLSS. So, these numbers can be largely increased by leveraging this AI upscaling technology for a better in-game experience.
Overall, this GPU has all the hardware and power to adequately complement the Ryzen 9 9950X’s next-gen prowess. It is much cheaper than the base model and has better performance, so it’s a win-win situation.
What users say
According to Amazon reviews, this GPU’s performance is great and it has a quiet operation. One reviewer said: “Overall, the Gigabyte 4080 Super is a great card, and I’m thoroughly enjoying it.”
- Bandwidth: 800 GB/sec
- TDP: 300 W
- Strong pricing
- Excellent gaming performance
- Tons of VRAM
- Slower GDDR6 memory
- Power users will want the XTX
If you want to pair the 9950X with a GPU from AMD but don’t have the budget to get the 7900 XTX, then you can opt for the RX 7900 XT. This is the second-most powerful card in the RX 7000 series lineup, and it won’t disappoint you in terms of performance. In our RX 7900 XT review, we found it to be an excellent card for gaming.
Let’s first discuss the specifications. The 7900 XT is built on the RDNA 3 architecture and has 5,376 Stream Processors, 336 TMUs, 192 ROPs, 84 Compute Units, and 84 RT cores. The best part is that you don’t have to worry about getting a 16-pin adapter, as it can be connected using 2x PCIe 8-pin power connectors.
In terms of specs, the Radeon RX 7900 XT comes out of the gate swinging confidently.
PC Guide
The area where the 7900 XT shines is the VRAM. It boasts 20 GB of GDDR6 memory, which is more than enough for demanding games. With this much VRAM, you won’t have to worry about bumping into memory-related issues while trying to improve the in-game graphics settings.
When it comes to speeds, you can boost the 7900 XT up to 2,400 MHz. However, during gaming, the clock speed is around 2,000 MHz. It also has a TDP of 315W, and AMD recommends pairing it with at least a 750W PSU.
As far as the performance is concerned, we tested the GPU in several demanding games. Without any surprises, it was able to deliver strong performance in all of them.
When we ran Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K with everything set to Ultra, we were getting around 62 FPS. We saw a major boost in the number when we switched the resolution to 1440p, as the GPU managed to hit 119 FPS. Similarly, in another demanding game, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, we were constantly getting 90 and 145 FPS at 4K and 1440p, respectively.
We also tested the GPU with different tools to get an idea of its productivity performance. In Fire Strike, Fire Strike Extreme, and Fire Strike Ultra, we got 49,397, 31,569, and 17,131 points, respectively. And in Time Spy Extreme, the overall score was 12,385.
Overall, the RX 7900 XT is easily one of the most powerful GPUs available on the market. It is a solid option for the 9950X, especially for those who don’t want to overspend on the 7900 XTX.
What users say
On Amazon, most reviewers are satisfied with their purchase, and they are happy with the build quality and performance of the 7900 XT. One of them mentioned: “If you want the best bang-for-your-buck high-end card in the current gen, this right here is the one to buy. Anything else is either inferior performance or grossly overpriced.”
How to select the best GPU for 9950X
Selecting a GPU for any game, task, or processor sounds like a simple task, but a handful of factors come into play, and ones you need to consider before making a decision. Spending your money on the most decked-out options isn’t wise, as unless you have an enthusiast build, you won’t need all that firepower. So, to help you make an informed decision, we’ve listed some of the factors below.
Cooling solutions
The Ryzen 9 9950X is a powerful CPU with a TDP of 170W, which is justified given its specifications. So, it would make sense that you’re looking to pair a high-end Nvidia or AMD GPU that would complement it, but those GPUs also come with a high TDP.
So, to keep your components from overheating, which can impact their performance, ensure that you have a PC case large enough to accommodate the GPUs and house a robust cooling solution like the best water cooling kit or 140mm case fans.
Budget
If you’ve got a Ryzen 9 9950X on your hands, there is a good chance that the budget isn’t a big concern for you, but if you’re looking to buy the 9950X and a GPU with it, that is something you need to consider.
The 9950X is likely not going to be pocket-friendly, and neither is a high-end GPU. That said, this processor should be capable enough to be paired with a mid-range GPU like the RTX 4070 Super without bottlenecking the other.
This should help keep the costs under control, especially if you’re switching to the AM5 platform from LGA 1700 or AM4.
