What To Know
- However, if you’re on a tight budget or prioritize power efficiency and low heat output, the Radeon R7 is a solid option.
- If you’re willing to spend a bit more, the Radeon RX 570 is a great alternative to the RX 560.
- On the other hand, if you’re on a very tight budget, the Radeon R5 240 is a budget-friendly option that can handle basic gaming and video playback.
In the realm of budget-friendly graphics cards, the Radeon R7 and RX 560 stand out as two of the most popular options. Both cards offer solid performance for their price point, but which one is the better choice for your gaming needs? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll dive deep into the specifications, features, and performance of the Radeon R7 vs RX 560 to help you make an informed decision.
Specifications
| Feature | Radeon R7 | RX 560 |
| — | — | — |
| GPU Architecture | GCN 1.1 | Polaris 11 |
| Core Count | 384 | 1024 |
| Clock Speed (MHz) | 925 | 1200 |
| Memory | 2GB GDDR5 | 2GB or 4GB GDDR5 |
| Memory Clock Speed (MHz) | 1375 | 1500 |
| Memory Bus Width | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| TDP | 65W | 75W |
Features
Both the Radeon R7 and RX 560 support DirectX 12 and Vulkan APIs, ensuring compatibility with the latest games. However, the RX 560 has a few additional features that set it apart:
- Eyefinity Technology: Allows you to connect multiple monitors for a wider field of view.
- FreeSync Support: Reduces screen tearing and stuttering when paired with a compatible monitor.
Performance
In terms of performance, the RX 560 typically outperforms the Radeon R7 in most games. This is due to its higher core count, faster clock speed, and improved memory bandwidth. Here are some benchmark results from UserBenchmark:
| Game | Radeon R7 | RX 560 |
| — | — | — |
| Fortnite | 72 FPS | 90 FPS |
| Overwatch | 65 FPS | 80 FPS |
| League of Legends | 120 FPS | 140 FPS |
Power Consumption and Heat
The Radeon R7 has a slightly lower TDP (65W) than the RX 560 (75W), which means it consumes less power and generates less heat. This makes it a better choice for compact builds or systems with limited cooling.
Price
The Radeon R7 is typically priced around $50-$70, while the RX 560 costs around $80-$120. The price difference is due to the RX 560’s superior performance and additional features.
Which One to Choose?
The choice between the Radeon R7 and RX 560 depends on your specific needs and budget. If you’re looking for the best possible performance for your money, the RX 560 is the better choice. It offers significantly higher frame rates in most games, supports Eyefinity and FreeSync, and has a slightly higher memory capacity.
However, if you’re on a tight budget or prioritize power efficiency and low heat output, the Radeon R7 is a solid option. It provides decent performance for basic gaming and multimedia tasks at a lower cost.
Alternatives to Consider
If you’re willing to spend a bit more, the Radeon RX 570 is a great alternative to the RX 560. It offers even better performance, with 4GB of memory and support for 4K gaming.
On the other hand, if you’re on a very tight budget, the Radeon R5 240 is a budget-friendly option that can handle basic gaming and video playback.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which card is better for 1080p gaming?
A: The RX 560 is the better choice for 1080p gaming, as it offers higher frame rates and supports FreeSync.
Q: Can the RX 560 handle 4K gaming?
A: No, the RX 560 is not suitable for 4K gaming. Consider the RX 570 or RX 580 for 4K gaming.
Q: Which card consumes less power?
A: The Radeon R7 consumes less power than the RX 560, with a TDP of 65W compared to 75W.
Q: Which card has better overclocking potential?
A: The RX 560 typically has better overclocking potential than the Radeon R7 due to its higher core count and clock speed.
Q: Which card is better for mining cryptocurrency?
A: Neither the Radeon R7 nor the RX 560 is particularly well-suited for mining cryptocurrency. Consider dedicated mining GPUs for better efficiency.
