I’ve been testing out the ASUS TUF Radeon RX 7700 XT, and it’s clear AMD is aiming to give us more GPU for our money. This card is ideal if you’re targeting that sweet spot of 1440p gaming and still want the option to dabble in 4K without paying a premium. Built on AMD’s RDNA 3 architecture, it feels like AMD’s made strides in power efficiency, memory handling, and ray tracing compared to previous models.
Price
The current cost of the RX 7700 XT is about $650 brand new which I’d say this puts the it right in that sweet spot for budget conscious gamers who still want serious performance. Compared to the RTX 3080 which is probably one of its closest competitors, and coincidentally my other card (allowing me to test comparatively), you’re saving a fair few hundred dollars.
Standout AMD Features
Where this card really sets itself apart and where AMD comes into its own as a whole is with some special AMD features that really enhance the gameplay experience:
1. AMD Fluid Motion Frames 2 (AFMF 2)
What It Does: AFMF 2 is essentially a frame generator. It creates additional frames that make fast-paced games look smoother, so your action heavy scenes feel more fluid.
Why I Like It: If you want to push into 4K without breaking the bank, this is a massive help. You get a noticeable FPS boost without needing a premium card, which is exactly what a budget gamer needs. It’s clever and does its job well without any effort on your part. Theoretically AMD state a boost of up to 2.6 times more frames per second, however my experience didn't quite live up to such heights despite a very noticeable boost.
2. HYPR-TUNED (Part of HYPR-RX Suite)
In Simple Terms: HYPR-TUNED is like an auto-boost for performance, fine-tuning your settings for each game so that the card always gives you the best frame rate possible.
Supported Games: You’ll feel it working in games like:
Black Myth: Wukong – smooth, immersive combat
Creatures of Ava – more detail and vibrant scenes
Frostpunk 2 – seamless city-building visuals
God of War Ragnarök – stable, detailed graphics
Why I’m a Fan: This is a set it and forget it feature, letting me jump into any game without constantly adjusting settings to get the best visuals. It’s a true convenience feature that I find adds real value.
3. Geometric Downscaling
What It does: This helps with video playback, ensuring your card can handle high-res videos smoothly without causing lag.
Why I like it: I actually like this feature because it’s helpful beyond gaming. If you’re streaming or watching videos on a 4K monitor, you’ll appreciate that everything looks smooth and seamless. It’s one of those details you might not think you need but ends up being useful.
Game Performance: Average FPS Benchmarks
Here’s a rundown of what I’ve seen for average FPS in popular games on both 1440p and 4K. Your setup could lead to slightly different numbers, but this should give a good idea: (Rounded)
Game | Resolution | RX 7700 XT (Average FPS) | RX 7700 XT with AFMF 2 (Average FPS) | RTX 3080 (Average FPS) |
Cyberpunk 2077 | 1440p | 67 FPS | 81 FPS | 73 FPS |
4K | 44 FPS | 57 FPS | 48 FPS | |
Call of Duty: MW2 | 1440p | 133 FPS | 163 FPS | 141 FPS |
4K | 81 FPS | 112 FPS | 87 FPS | |
Fortnite | 1440p | 156 FPS | 184 FPS | 163 FPS |
4K | 103 FPS | 138 FPS | 107 FPS | |
Forza Horizon 5 | 1440p | 122 FPS | 153 FPS | 128 FPS |
4K | 74 FPS | 99 FPS | 77 FPS | |
Apex Legends | 1440p | 160 FPS | 209 FPS | 173 FPS |
4K | 95 FPS | 137 FPS | 103 FPS |
Takeaways on Performance
For 1440p, this card delivers really smooth gameplay across a lot of titles. Even at 4K, it manages pretty well, but you’ll see the frame rate drop in heavy games like Cyberpunk 2077. It’s more for entry-level 4K or a dependable, high-performing 1440p experience.
Power Consumption
When it comes to power consumption and heat management, the ASUS TUF RX 7700 XT strikes a nice balance. Compared to older AMD cards, this GPU is relatively power-efficient, thanks to the RDNA 3 architecture. It doesn’t draw excessive power, making it a good choice for those who want strong performance without the worry of high electricity bills or a system constantly running hot.
Pros and Cons of the ASUS TUF Radeon RX 7700 XT
Pros:
Strong value for its 1440p performance
Packs smart features like AFMF 2 and HYPR-TUNED to boost visuals
Improved power efficiency over older AMD cards
Cons:
Not ideal for high-end 4K gaming; it’s more of a 1440p beast
RTX 3080 has a slight edge in raw 4K power and ray tracing performance
Final Verdict
The ASUS TUF Radeon RX 7700 XT is perfect for gamers looking to hit 1440p at high settings, with solid entry-level 4K performance. If you’re in Australia and value your dollar, the RX 7700 XT gives you plenty of performance at a fraction of the price of top-tier cards. With features like AFMF 2 and HYPR-TUNED, it feels like you’re getting more than just a standard GPU, you’re getting a card that optimizes itself to give the smoothest experience possible. For my setup, it’s a great fit, and I think anyone in the market for a capable, budget-friendly GPU will find it a strong choice.
Comments