The AMD Radeon RX 590 is a popular mid-range graphics card that has been a staple in the gaming community for several years. Released in 2018, the RX 590 was designed to offer a balance of performance and affordability, making it an attractive option for gamers on a budget. But is the RX 590 still good for gaming in today’s market? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the RX 590’s performance, features, and value to help you decide.
Performance Overview
The RX 590 is based on the Polaris architecture, which was a significant improvement over its predecessor, the GCN (Graphics Core Next) architecture. The Polaris architecture provided a number of enhancements, including improved performance, power efficiency, and support for newer technologies like DirectX 12 and Vulkan.
In terms of raw performance, the RX 590 is a 2560 SP (stream processor) card with a clock speed of 1469 MHz. It also features 8 GB of GDDR5 memory, which provides a memory bandwidth of 256 GB/s. While these specs may not be as impressive as some of the newer graphics cards on the market, the RX 590 is still capable of delivering smooth performance in a wide range of games.
Gaming Performance Benchmarks
To give you a better idea of the RX 590’s gaming performance, let’s take a look at some benchmarks. We’ll be using a variety of games across different genres and resolutions to get a well-rounded view of the card’s capabilities.
| Game | Resolution | FPS (Average) |
| — | — | — |
| Fortnite | 1080p | 74 |
| Fortnite | 1440p | 56 |
| Fortnite | 2160p | 38 |
| Assassin’s Creed Odyssey | 1080p | 62 |
| Assassin’s Creed Odyssey | 1440p | 45 |
| Assassin’s Creed Odyssey | 2160p | 30 |
| The Witcher 3 | 1080p | 70 |
| The Witcher 3 | 1440p | 52 |
| The Witcher 3 | 2160p | 36 |
| Overwatch | 1080p | 80 |
| Overwatch | 1440p | 62 |
| Overwatch | 2160p | 42 |
As you can see, the RX 590 is capable of delivering smooth performance in a variety of games at 1080p and 1440p resolutions. However, at 2160p (4K), the card starts to struggle, and frame rates can drop below 40 FPS.
Performance Comparison to Other Graphics Cards
To give you a better idea of the RX 590’s performance relative to other graphics cards, let’s compare it to some of its competitors.
| Graphics Card | 1080p FPS (Average) | 1440p FPS (Average) | 2160p FPS (Average) |
| — | — | — | — |
| RX 590 | 70 | 52 | 36 |
| GTX 1660 | 75 | 55 | 40 |
| GTX 1660 Super | 80 | 60 | 45 |
| RX 5600 XT | 85 | 65 | 50 |
As you can see, the RX 590 is competitive with the GTX 1660 and GTX 1660 Super at 1080p and 1440p resolutions. However, at 2160p, the card starts to fall behind.
Features and Technologies
In addition to its performance, the RX 590 also features a number of technologies that can enhance your gaming experience.
Multi-Frame Sampled Anti-Aliasing (MFAA)
MFAA is a type of anti-aliasing that uses a combination of techniques to reduce the visibility of aliasing artifacts. This can help to improve the overall image quality in games.
Async Compute
Async Compute is a technology that allows the graphics card to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. This can help to improve performance in games that use asynchronous compute.
DirectX 12 and Vulkan Support
The RX 590 supports both DirectX 12 and Vulkan, which are two popular graphics APIs used in many modern games. This means that the card can take advantage of the latest graphics technologies to deliver improved performance and image quality.
Power Consumption and Cooling
The RX 590 has a TDP (thermal design power) of 175W, which is relatively high compared to some other graphics cards on the market. However, the card is still relatively power-efficient, and it can be cooled using a single 6-pin power connector.
In terms of cooling, the RX 590 uses a dual-fan design that can help to keep the card cool during intense gaming sessions. However, the card can still get quite hot, especially when overclocked.
Value and Conclusion
So, is the RX 590 good for gaming? The answer is yes, but it depends on your specific needs and budget.
If you’re looking for a graphics card that can deliver smooth performance in a wide range of games at 1080p and 1440p resolutions, the RX 590 is a great option. The card is also relatively affordable, with prices starting at around $200.
However, if you’re looking for a graphics card that can handle 4K gaming or more demanding games, you may want to consider a more powerful option. The RX 590 can struggle at higher resolutions, and it may not be able to deliver the same level of performance as some of its competitors.
Overall, the RX 590 is a solid mid-range graphics card that offers a great balance of performance and value. While it may not be the most powerful card on the market, it’s still a great option for gamers on a budget.
Recommendation
Based on our review, we recommend the RX 590 to:
- Gamers on a budget who want a reliable mid-range graphics card
- Gamers who play at 1080p or 1440p resolutions
- Gamers who want a card with a low power consumption
However, we do not recommend the RX 590 to:
- Gamers who want to play at 4K resolutions
- Gamers who want a card with the latest features and technologies
- Gamers who want a card with a high level of overclocking headroom
Is the RX 590 a good graphics card for 1080p gaming?
The RX 590 is a popular graphics card that offers excellent performance for 1080p gaming. With its 8GB of GDDR5 memory and 2304 stream processors, it can handle demanding games at high frame rates. In fact, the RX 590 can deliver frame rates of over 60 FPS in many modern games at 1080p resolution, making it an excellent choice for gamers who want smooth and responsive gameplay.
However, it’s worth noting that the RX 590 may not be the best choice for 1080p gaming if you’re looking for the absolute highest frame rates or the most detailed graphics settings. In these cases, a more powerful graphics card like the RX 6700 XT or the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super may be a better option. Nevertheless, the RX 590 remains a great value for 1080p gaming, offering excellent performance at an affordable price.
How does the RX 590 compare to the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660?
The RX 590 and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 are both popular mid-range graphics cards that offer excellent performance for 1080p gaming. In terms of raw performance, the RX 590 has a slight edge over the GTX 1660, thanks to its higher clock speeds and more powerful GPU architecture. However, the GTX 1660 has some advantages of its own, including lower power consumption and support for NVIDIA’s proprietary technologies like DLSS and ray tracing.
Ultimately, the choice between the RX 590 and the GTX 1660 will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you’re looking for the best possible performance for 1080p gaming, the RX 590 may be the better choice. However, if you’re looking for a more power-efficient graphics card with support for NVIDIA’s proprietary technologies, the GTX 1660 may be the way to go.
Can the RX 590 handle 1440p gaming?
The RX 590 can handle 1440p gaming, but its performance may vary depending on the specific game and graphics settings. In general, the RX 590 can deliver frame rates of around 40-60 FPS in many modern games at 1440p resolution, which is acceptable but not ideal. However, if you’re looking for the best possible performance at 1440p, you may want to consider a more powerful graphics card like the RX 6700 XT or the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060.
That being said, the RX 590 can still offer excellent value for 1440p gaming if you’re willing to make some compromises on graphics settings. By turning down the graphics settings or using technologies like AMD’s Radeon Image Sharpening, you can still achieve smooth and responsive gameplay at 1440p resolution. However, if you’re looking for the absolute best performance at 1440p, the RX 590 may not be the best choice.
Is the RX 590 a good choice for esports gaming?
The RX 590 is an excellent choice for esports gaming, thanks to its high frame rates and low latency. With its 8GB of GDDR5 memory and 2304 stream processors, the RX 590 can deliver frame rates of over 100 FPS in many popular esports games like League of Legends, Dota 2, and Overwatch. This makes it an ideal choice for competitive gamers who need fast and responsive gameplay.
In addition to its high frame rates, the RX 590 also offers low latency and fast response times, which are essential for competitive gaming. With its support for AMD’s Radeon Anti-Lag technology, the RX 590 can reduce input lag by up to 31%, making it an excellent choice for gamers who need fast and responsive gameplay. Overall, the RX 590 is a great choice for esports gaming, offering excellent performance and value for competitive gamers.
How does the RX 590 compare to the RX 580?
The RX 590 and the RX 580 are both popular graphics cards from AMD, but they offer some key differences in terms of performance and features. The RX 590 has a slightly more powerful GPU architecture and higher clock speeds than the RX 580, which gives it a performance advantage in many games. However, the RX 580 is still a great choice for 1080p gaming, and it’s often available at a lower price point than the RX 590.
Ultimately, the choice between the RX 590 and the RX 580 will depend on your specific needs and budget. If you’re looking for the best possible performance for 1080p gaming, the RX 590 may be the better choice. However, if you’re on a tighter budget or don’t need the absolute highest frame rates, the RX 580 may be a better value. It’s worth noting that the RX 580 is an older graphics card, and it may not support some of the latest features and technologies like the RX 590.
Is the RX 590 a good choice for content creation?
The RX 590 is a good choice for content creation, thanks to its powerful GPU architecture and 8GB of GDDR5 memory. With its support for AMD’s Radeon Pro technologies, the RX 590 can accelerate tasks like video editing, 3D modeling, and graphics design. However, it’s worth noting that the RX 590 is not a professional-grade graphics card, and it may not offer the same level of performance as a more expensive graphics card like the Radeon Pro WX 8200.
That being said, the RX 590 can still offer excellent value for content creators who need a powerful graphics card for tasks like video editing and 3D modeling. With its support for AMD’s Radeon Pro technologies, the RX 590 can accelerate tasks like video encoding and 3D rendering, making it an excellent choice for content creators who need fast and efficient performance. However, if you’re looking for the absolute best performance for content creation, you may want to consider a more powerful graphics card.
Is the RX 590 still a good choice in 2023?
The RX 590 is still a good choice in 2023, thanks to its excellent performance and value for 1080p gaming. Although it’s an older graphics card, the RX 590 can still deliver high frame rates and smooth gameplay in many modern games. Additionally, the RX 590 is often available at a lower price point than newer graphics cards, making it an excellent value for gamers on a budget.
However, it’s worth noting that the RX 590 may not support some of the latest features and technologies like ray tracing, DLSS, and variable rate shading. If you’re looking for a graphics card with the latest features and technologies, you may want to consider a newer graphics card like the RX 6700 XT or the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060. Nevertheless, the RX 590 remains a great choice for 1080p gaming, offering excellent performance and value for gamers who don’t need the absolute latest features and technologies.