Launch MSRPs, release cycles and deals windows as of November 9, 2026.
This is a cross-brand comparison between the AMD RX 7600 XT (RX 7000, Mid-range, superseded by the AMD RX 9060 XT) and the NVIDIA RTX 5050 (RTX 5000, Budget, current generation), released 18 months apart. Against the RX 7600 XT, the RTX 5050 costs $80 less at launch MSRP ($249 vs $329, 24% cheaper), has 8 GB less VRAM (8 GB vs 16 GB) and draws 20W less at rated TDP (130W vs 150W).
This GPU is no longer the current generation. It has been replaced by the AMD RX 9060 XT.
Superseded by RX 9060 XT
Best for: Budget gamers who want 16GB VRAM for 1080p/1440p at clearance prices.
Full details →First-generation product — no release history to base predictions on
Best for: Budget 1080p gamers committed to NVIDIA's ecosystem who want DLSS 4 at the lowest possible price — value shoppers should also compare the Intel Arc B580 at the same $249.
Full details →| AMD RX 7600 XT | NVIDIA RTX 5050 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Mid-range | Budget |
| Generation | RX 7000 | RTX 5000 |
| VRAM | 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| TDP | 150W | 130W |
| Upscaling | FSR3 | DLSS4 |
| Ray Tracing | ✅ | ✅ |
| Launch MSRP | $329 | $249 |
| Editor score | 7.3/10 | 7.0/10 |
| Released | Jan 24, 2024 | Jul 31, 2025 |
| Cycle length | ~600 days | — |
| Cycle advice | Superseded | Caution |
| Deals advice | Clearance | Caution |
| Successor | RX 9060 XT | — |
Most VRAM per dollar in the clearance market.
Ultra-efficient.
Street prices are around $370 as of October 2026, above the $329 MSRP — worth buying only when they fall back below it.
The most affordable desktop GPU with Blackwell's AI-powered Multi Frame Generation — substantial FPS uplift at 1080p in supported titles.
The lowest TDP in the desktop RTX 5000 lineup — no PSU upgrade required for most systems with a 500W+ supply.
Fills the gap below the RTX 5060 for buyers who want a current-generation NVIDIA card at the lowest entry price.
Released Jan 24, 2024, the RX 7600 XT has been on the market for 2 years 9 months. It has been superseded by the AMD RX 9060 XT, which launched Jun 5, 2025, so it's no longer a current-generation buy — new stock is clearance, and the rest of the market is second-hand.
Released Jul 31, 2025, the RTX 5050 has been on the market for 15 months. We have no previous release cycle on record for this line and no successor on our radar, so there's no projected replacement date — the timing signal stays at Caution.
On timing, the RTX 5050 is the only current-generation option of the two (Caution), while the RX 7600 XT is a clearance or used purchase.
At launch MSRP the RTX 5050 is $80 cheaper than the RX 7600 XT ($249 vs $329, 24% less). Per gigabyte of VRAM that's $20.6 for the RX 7600 XT and $31.1 for the RTX 5050 — the RX 7600 XT gives more memory for the money. Launch MSRP is only a reference point for a superseded card; its real price is whatever clearance or used stock sells for today.
RX 7600 XT (deals window to Dec 5, 2026, rated Caution): Black Friday 2026 — analysts do not expect memory supply to normalise before late 2027, so real clearance pricing is unlikely. Only buy if a deal lands below the $329 MSRP.
RTX 5050 (deals window to Dec 5, 2026, rated Caution): Black Friday / Cyber Monday 2026 — usually the best annual GPU deals, but analysts do not expect memory supply to normalise before late 2027, so discounts are unlikely to reach the $249 MSRP. Only buy at or near MSRP.
Next on the deals calendar: for the RTX 5050, New Year clearance 2027, from Jan 2, 2027 to Jan 20, 2027.
Our pick: NVIDIA RTX 5050
Our pick is the RTX 5050: it's the current-generation card here, while the RX 7600 XT has been superseded by the AMD RX 9060 XT, and it also costs $80 less at launch MSRP ($249 vs $329) and draws 20W less at rated TDP (130W vs 150W).
Go for the RX 7600 XT instead if you want more VRAM: 16 GB vs 8 GB, or if you want the most VRAM per dollar: $20.6 vs $31.1 per GB at launch MSRP.
Buy/Wait and deals ratings come from release-cycle and pricing data, not benchmarks. How we rate →
Where they're level: memory type (GDDR6).