AMD launches the RX 5500XT graphics card at US$169 for 4 GB variant and US$199 for 8 GB

AMD recently announced the launch of the RX 5500 XT. This new graphics card is based on the Navi 14 GPU (formerly utilized in the OEM-only RX 5500). Two variants were announced: a 4 GB model starting at $169, and an 8 GB model at $199. 

Both models use a cut-down variant of Navi 14, with 22 CUs and 1408 shaders enabled. 4 or 8 GB of GDDR6 is paired to a 128-bit memory bus for 224 GB/s of bandwidth. Boost clocks top out at 1845 MHz, while AMD expects the "game clock" to hover around 1717 MHz.

With the 5500 XT, AMD is clearly taking a shot at Nvidia's $159 1650 Super. Initial benchmarks suggest that the 4 GB 5500 XT edges it out in most gaming workloads. Compared to the 1650 Super, the 4 GB 5500 XT is a reasonable alternative, especially since custom variants of the 1650 Super often sell at or above $169. 

However, the 8 GB 5500 XT is a more questionable proposition. 8 GB RX 580s can now be had for as little as $159. These are cards that often outperform the 8 GB 5500 XT, while costing less than the 4 GB variant.

More worrying is the fact that Nvidia's GTX 1660 and GTX 1660 Super retail for just US$ 20-30 more. The GTX 1660 comprehensively bests the 5500 XT. Meanwhile, the 1660 Super costs just US$10 more than the vanilla 1660 but delivers GTX 1070-levels of performance. 

If you're in the market for a solid 1080p card, the outgoing RX 580 continues to deliver exceptional value. Get hold of one while stocks last. If it's a choice between the 4 GB 5500 XT and the 1650 Super, we'd give a tentative nod to the Navi card--it delivers better performance and gets you access to AMD software goodies like Radeon Boost. We'd pass on the 8 GB variant though: for $30 more, the 1660 Super nets you 30 percent greater performance.