Graphics cards’ pricing is plummeting and budget gaming is getting revived once again. The Radeon RX 6500 XT is among the cheapest cards available in the market today. Starting at just around $210, these cards outperform the similarly priced GTX 1650 by a huge margin. The RX 6500 XT also comes with support for hardware-accelerated ray-tracing, making it a great choice over the GTX 1650. But, among the huge number of AIB options available in the market, which one is the correct choice? Let us find out.
Best Low Profile RX 6500 XT: PowerColor RX 6500 XT ITX
For people searching for a low profile RX 6500 XT, there are not a lot of options. However, PowerColor has been consistent with their low profile options, and their RX 6500 XT ITX offering might be the best low profile 6500 XT available. The card packs a single fan with a sizeable heatsink which is necessary for a 6500 XT. But, it does require a 6-pin power connector provided the power draw it is rated for. However, on the downside, every RX 6500 XT comes with two display outputs, one HDMI 2,1 and a DP 1.4. This might feel limiting for some users.
Pros:
- Low-profile design
- Much cheaper as compared to other RX 6500 XT cards
- Fits in the smallest of cases
Cons:
- Thermal performance is questionable
- Inferior build quality compared to other RX 6500 XT cards
Best Performing RX 6500 XT: Sapphire Pulse AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT Gaming OC
The Sapphite Pulse AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT Gaming OC is a gem of a card. It packs great build quality, high-quality fans, and a sizeable heatsink. Although the thermal design is a bit over the top for an RX 6500 XT, it delivers great performance while ensuring the long lifespan of the card. The Sapphire Pulse Gaming OC variant is specifically designed for overclocking, and the company uses binned chips for this model. It is easily one of the best RX 6500 XT cards available in the market, albeit at a premium price tag.
Pros:
- Great build quality
- Good thermal performance
Cons:
- Costlier than other RX 6500 XT models
There are a lot of other RX 6500 XT models available in the market. Some worthy mentions are the Gigabyte Eagle 4G and the Asus Dual variants. Gigabyte also sells a Gaming OC variant with three Windforce fans. This is overkill cooling for a 6500 XT, and we do not recommend getting this card unless you are getting a great deal on it.
