Yesterday we saw AMD’s new entry-level RX 9050 graphics card unveiled online, though there’s still some time to wait until the GPU is made available for purchase. Unlike the non-XT RX 9060 (an OEM-exclusive part), the RX 9050 will be available as a standalone 8GB card. However, there have been instances of it being cut down to just 4GB in prebuilt systems.

With the RX 9050, AMD has officially brought 4GB graphics cards back, not really to anyone’s delight, as gamers are already looking to move on from 8GB as it is. Yes, the RX 9050 is very much an entry-level part, but dropping back down to just 4GB in some variants only feels like we’re moving backwards while memory shortages continue to drive up component prices.

4GB versions of the RX 9050 have been listed online

AMD’s official RX 9050 listing notes a ‘Max Memory Size’ of 8GB without explicitly saying there will be a 4GB variant. We also reported yesterday on the ASRock Challenger 8GB model listed online, but it turns out there’s actually a 4GB version, too. Interestingly, the 4GB variant’s product page has since been taken down, but not before it could be screenshotted.

According to PCWorld, an AMD representative says the RX 9050 4GB will only be available in pre-built systems – not as a standalone graphics card. It’s a “system-only variant, not intended to be sold out of the pre-built system.” As you can see down below, the 4GB card has already been spotted in a CyberPowerPC coming soon to Best Buy, priced at $889.99. Paired with the Ryzen 5 5500, it’s not a terrible price for an entry-level system, but it’s difficult to recommend a 4GB GPU for gaming.

AMD hasn’t officially announced the price of the RX 9050. Reportedly, it will cost $279 for the 8GB model, and since you won’t be able to buy the 4GB VRAM card individually, you’ll only find it in systems such as the CyberPowerPC prebuilt above. Many PC gamers have come to agree that even 8GB of VRAM “isn’t enough anymore” for modern AAA gaming, so we’re keen to see how the RX 9050’s 8GB and 4GB variants compare once reviews and benchmarks are available.

About the Author

Jack Goodall

At PC Guide, Jack is mostly responsible for reporting on hardware deals. He also specializes in monitors, TVs, and headsets and can be found putting his findings together in a review or best-of guide.