Best RX 6500 XT graphics card in 2024

How we choose

When choosing the best RX 6500 XT we start off by collating all the available models of the graphics card. We then spend the time researching, and finding the benefits and drawbacks of each. Each model is reviewed and we take account of any differences and the design and specifications.

Using our expertise and testing methods, we make sure the cards achieve what they promise. Taking into consideration what the customers are looking for in a card, we can be sure that those needs are met. We spend the hours doing this so we can save you plenty of time and effort finding the card that fits your needs.

How we test

To test these GPUs we take them through a thorough selection process. We take each product category we know customers consider important in their selection and evaluate each GPU with those in mind.

To be the best they need to excel in each of those areas. We consider the price of the product, its performance, and the design of the card. Each of these is pushed to the limit to see which one is deserving of your money. 

Evaluated categories for the RX 6500 XT

With each new GPU comes a whole range of partner cards. So much choice can be overwhelming and a hard task to evaluate each one. Each card is based on the same original PCB so there are only some differing factors.

So what factors do we consider when comparing different offerings?

Price

One of the key factors when comparing any sort of product is how much it’s going to cost you. The manufacturers will set the price that the product should be sold for. In this case, AMD suggested an MSRP (manufacturer suggested retail price) of just $199. This was a strict cap for them, and they withheld certain features from the card (both limited VRAM, PCIe lanes, and encoding capabilities). 

Even with the current market situation, with scalping and shortages, partners don’t usually sell at MSRP. Their additional features normally see the price creep up. Add this to the current market and the shortages and scalping, with demand high and supply low, the price these cards are actually sold for will likely be higher. 

There are diminishing returns as prices increase. This card is an entry-level 1080p GPU so shouldn’t reach that far above its MSRP. But actually getting it at the MSRP may well be tough, if not impossible. 

Cooling

One key factor of evaluation is how well the cooling system works on a graphics card. With adequate cooling, you can be sure the card will perform reliably over time without any throttling when it gets too hot.

There is also consideration of how loud the cooling will be. If you’re looking for something that you won’t notice being there under load, you’ll need something significant and of quality so it doesn’t become too loud under pressure.

Here are some tips on various GPU cooling solutions:

• Triple fan setups are more efficient than dual setups
• Larger cooling solutions can create much more noise but are generally more efficient
• Blower style coolers (like on founder’s edition GPUs) are much less efficient than generic fan setups

Size

Another consideration is the physical size of the card. The dimensions are a particular consideration, with cards getting more powerful and bigger over the years to accommodate the cooling. Therefore, you need to be careful of the size when choosing your next card.

Plenty of times have we seen that new cards don’t fit in older or smaller cases as they are just too long. Or if you’re looking to make a compact ITX build you need a smaller card. The RX 6500 XT has the smallest die size yet and is only an entry-level card so there should be a card to suit even the most compact of set-ups. 

Understanding the specifications

If you’re in the market for a new graphics card, you may come across some information that can be confusing – a lot of numbers and words that may not make sense straight away. So we will explain some of the base specifications of the 6500 XT.

Clock speeds

One of the first features talked about on a graphics card is the clock speed. Also known as the clock rate, this refers to how quickly the microprocessor calculates and works. In a nutshell, how fast it can perform instructions and render graphics.

AMD has a base frequency that the card will run at standard. In the case of the RX 6500 XT the game clock is 2610 MHz and a boost of 2815 MHz. However, partner boards have the ability to overclock the cards to offer better performance, and a reason for buying its card over others. 

VRAM/memory size

Video random access memory is essentially the same as system RAM but for your GPU. It provides instant access to data needed to run active programs more efficiently. This memory is faster and more instant than other storage solutions.

So, having more of it should result in a higher framerate and smoother experience playing games. It is also useful in productivity scenarios if you’re more interested in that area. However, the RX 6500 XT only comes in a 4GB model, which should deter at least Ethereum miners (the DAG requiring 4.6 GB). However, it can hinder some more quality performance.

TDP

The thermal design power is the max heat dissipation the cooler is capable of at max load. This figure will be dependent on each brand’s design so will be unique to each design. It will give you a good indication of how good a heater the card will be for your PC though so it’s good to keep an eye on. This feature is usually not a big consideration though as the coolers are usually sufficient enough to not warrant separate options.