The AMD Radeon RX 580 is a mid-range graphics card that was released in 2017. Based on the Polaris architecture, it offered solid 1080p gaming performance at an affordable price point. However, there are now many alternatives to the RX 580 that provide better value and performance.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top 10 alternatives to consider if you’re looking for an upgrade from the RX 580.
The RX 580: A Quick Recap
Before diving into the alternatives, let‘s briefly recap what the RX 580 brings to the table:
- Released in 2017 as an upgraded version of the RX 480
- Based on AMD‘s Polaris GPU architecture
- Typically comes with 8GB of GDDR5 memory
- Offers performance on par with NVIDIA‘s GTX 1060 6GB
- Good for 1080p gaming at high settings in most titles
- Common benchmarks are around 60 FPS average in demanding games
- TDP of 185W
The RX 580 excels at 1080p gaming and also works for 1440p in some titles. However, its getting old at this point, and there are better options available today for a similar price that outperform it.
10 Best Alternatives to the RX 580
Here are 10 of the best graphics cards to consider as an upgrade from the aging RX 580:
1. Nvidia RTX 3050
The Nvidia RTX 3050 brings Ampere architecture and ray tracing capabilities down to a budget-friendly price point. It outperforms the RX 580 significantly while only costing slightly more.
Key Specs:
- Nvidia Ampere architecture
- 8GB GDDR6 memory
- Up to 1.8 GHz boost clock
- DLSS and ray tracing support
- 120W TDP
Performance:
- ~75% faster than RX 580
- Excellent 1080p gaming, solid 1440p in optimized titles
- 60+ FPS in most games at ultra settings
The RTX 3050 is one of the best upgrades from an RX 580 if you want better performance without spending too much. It brings great value at around $250-$300.
2. AMD Radeon RX 6600
AMD‘s RDNA 2 based RX 6600 is an excellent 1080p gaming card that outpaces the last-gen RX 580 by a wide margin.
Key Specs:
- AMD RDNA 2 architecture
- 8GB GDDR6 memory
- Up to 2.59 GHz boost clock
- 128MB Infinity Cache
- 132W TDP
Performance:
- ~85% faster than the RX 580
- Great 1080p gaming, playable 1440p
- High framerates at max settings in eSports titles
The RX 6600 is a great step up from the RX 580 if you want to maximize performance at 1920×1080. It‘s very power efficient too.
3. Nvidia RTX 3060
Nvidia‘s RTX 3060 brings modern features and excellent 1080p/1440p performance at a reasonable price. It‘s a great high-end alternative to the RX 580.
Key Specs:
- Nvidia Ampere architecture
- 12GB GDDR6 memory
- Up to 1.8 GHz boost clock
- DLSS and ray tracing support
- 170W TDP
Performance:
- Up to 130% faster than the RX 580
- Fantastic 1080p gaming, great 1440p experience
- Smooth visuals with RTX and DLSS
The RTX 3060 nails the sweet spot for a high-end 1080p gaming card. With DLSS and ray tracing, it will stay very relevant for several years.
4. AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT
AMD‘s RX 6650 XT delivers excellent 1080p and 1440p gaming performance via the RDNA 2 architecture. It‘s a great high-end alternative.
Key Specs:
- AMD RDNA 2 architecture
- 8GB GDDR6 memory
- Up to 2.6 GHz boost clock
- 128MB Infinity Cache
- 180W TDP
Performance:
- Up to 75% faster than the RX 580
- Superb 1080p and 1440p gaming
- High frame rates in AAA titles at max settings
The RX 6650 XT is a superb choice if you want top-tier 1080p fps and high-refresh 1440p gaming coming from an RX 580.
5. AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
AMD‘s RX 6700 XT is a top-tier 1440p graphics card powered by the RDNA 2 architecture. It dominates the RX 580.
Key Specs:
- AMD RDNA 2 architecture
- 12GB GDDR6 memory
- Up to 2.58 GHz boost clock
- 96MB Infinity Cache
- 230W TDP
Performance:
- Up to 110% faster than the RX 580
- Incredible 1440p gaming card
- High FPS for competitive shooters
- Smooth 4K gaming in some titles
The RX 6700 XT delivers an enormous upgrade over the RX 580 for flawless high-refresh 1440p gaming. It‘s also capable of 4K gaming in optimized titles.
6. Nvidia RTX 3070
Nvidia‘s RTX 3070 is a premium 1440p graphics card with next-gen ray tracing and DLSS 2.0. A big step up from the RX 580.
Key Specs:
- Nvidia Ampere architecture
- 8GB GDDR6 memory
- Up to 1.73 GHz boost clock
- RT and tensor cores
- 220W TDP
Performance:
- Around 130% faster than RX 580
- Incredible 1440p gaming card
- Excellent 4K gaming experience
- Smooth visuals via DLSS and ray tracing
The RTX 3070 delivers a massive upgrade over the RX 580 with stunning 1440p performance and high framerates. It‘s also suited for 4K gaming.
7. AMD Radeon RX 6800
AMD‘s RX 6800 brings cutting-edge RDNA 2 performance tailored for 1440p and 4K gaming. A huge upgrade over the RX 580.
Key Specs:
- AMD RDNA 2 architecture
- 16GB GDDR6 memory
- Up to 2.1GHz boost clock
- 128MB Infinity Cache
- 250W TDP
Performance:
- Up to 150% faster than the RX 580
- Incredible 1440p and entry-level 4K gaming
- High framerates in AAA titles at max settings
- Next-gen graphics technologies
The RX 6800 delivers a massive leap in performance over the RX 580 via the advanced RDNA 2 architecture. It‘s built for 1440p and 4K gaming.
8. Nvidia RTX 3080
Nvidia‘s mighty RTX 3080 is a top-tier 4K gaming graphics card powered by Ampere. A huge upgrade over the aging RX 580.
Key Specs:
- Nvidia Ampere architecture
- 10GB GDDR6X memory
- Up to 1.71 GHz boost clock
- 2nd-gen RT cores and 3rd-gen tensor cores
- 320W TDP
Performance:
- Up to 200% faster than the RX 580
- Incredible 4K gaming card
- Superb ray tracing and DLSS 2.0
- High FPS in 1440p and AAA titles
The RTX 3080 dominates the RX 580, delivering elite-tier 4K gaming performance with advanced features like DLSS 2.0 and ray tracing.
9. AMD Radeon RX 6950 XT
AMD‘s new flagship RX 6950 XT packs the latest RDNA 2 architecture tailored for 4K gaming. A monumental upgrade over the RX 580.
Key Specs:
- AMD RDNA 2 architecture
- 16GB GDDR6 memory
- Up to 2.3 GHz boost clock
- 320W TDP
Performance:
- Up to 220% faster than RX 580
- Incredible 4K gaming card
- Next-gen graphics features
- Smooth high-FPS 1440p gaming
The 6950 XT is AMD‘s new 4K gaming king. With cutting-edge architecture, it absolutely demolishes the RX 580.
10. Nvidia RTX 3090 Ti
Nvidia‘s mighty RTX 3090 Ti represents the pinnacle of gaming GPUs. It‘s overkill for most, but the ultimate upgrade from RX 580.
Key Specs:
- Improved Nvidia Ampere architecture
- 24GB GDDR6X memory
- Up to 1.9 GHz boost clock
- 40 TFLOPs power
- 450W TDP
Performance:
- Up to 300% faster than the RX 580
- Overkill top-tier 4K and 8K gaming
- Incredible power for creative workloads
- The best of the best (for a price!)
The RTX 3090 Ti is an absurd, no-compromise upgrade over the RX 580. It offers elite performance but with an extreme price tag.
Final Thoughts
The RX 580 was a beloved GPU in its time, but there are now many excellent alternatives that leave it in the dust in terms of gaming performance.
For a budget-friendly upgrade, the RTX 3050 and RX 6600 are your best bets. They provide a nice performance bump without breaking the bank.
If you want a more high-end card for flawless 1080p or 1440p gaming, go for the RTX 3060 or RX 6700 XT. They deliver excellent performance for the money.
For top-tier 4K gaming power, check out the RTX 3080, RX 6800 XT or RX 6950 XT. These flagship cards will max out any game with ease.
Just be sure to check the specs, your case size, and your power supply before purchasing. Have fun shopping for your RX 580 upgrade!
