The RX 6600 XT wasn’t a great option for anyone looking to grab a lower-end AMD GPU. But because Nvidia pushed Ti variants of their GPU lineup, AMD made a similar move and released the RX 6950 XT, RX 6750 XT, and RX 6650 XT.
In this purchasing guide, we’ll evaluate various versions of the RX 6650 XT and determine the best option available.
So, let’s dive right into it to find the top RX 6650 XT.
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MSI Radeon RX 6650 XT Gaming X
Interface: 3 x Display Port, 1 x HDMIrnBoost Clock: 2694 MHzrnDimensions: L: 278 W:130 H: 51mm
The Pros:
- Quality feel and designrnSolid OCrnCool and quiet
The Cons:
- No game-changing disadvantages
MSI’s Gaming X cooling system is rather renowned for its appealing design, robust cooling, and overall decent value. So, will the MSI Radeon RX 6650 XT Gaming X offer a similar value?
Pricing
The RX 6650 XT is priced at $400, but there is no information on the price of this Gaming X variant. So, taking into account the price increases we have seen previously with other Gaming X GPUs, we estimate that this one will cost between $450 and $500
Design
The RX 6650 XT gets a dual fan setup while its design is analogous to previous iterations in other GPUs like the RTX 3070. Although the RTX 3070 got the “Trio” (three fans) treatment since it needed a superior cooler.
The shroud is primarily black, with a couple of silver/grey accents around the fans. In addition, users will get a bit of front-facing RGB and some RGB on the side. Overall, the material looks and feels high-quality.
There is no RGB on the backplate, but it is constructed of metal which we can admire.
Performance And Overclocking Capabilities
The reference RX 6650 XT boosts to 2635 MHz, while this MSI Gaming X advertises a boost clock of 2694 MHz.
When you push the card in real-world testing, average clock speeds stay between 2650 to 2700 MHz, which is marginally quicker than the reference card.
But, if you’re not satisfied with just 50 MHz over the reference card, get yourself the suitable software to overclock this MSI RX 6650 XT because you can push it to 2800 MHz.
Thermals And Acoustics
Thermals look pretty good here, even though it has only two fans. Fan speed sits around 1250 RPM, the temperature at 64 degrees Celsius, and noise levels at ~27 dBA. So that’s both cool and quiet.
We imagine that MSI’s noise levels will stay pretty low even if you push for a hard OC.
Sapphire Radeon RX 6650 XT Nitro+
Interface: 3 x Display Port, 1 x HDMIrnBoost Clock: 2694 MHzrnDimensions: L: 260 W:130 H: 57mm
The Pros:
- Unique designrnExceptional coolingrnSubstantial overclock
The Cons:
- No apparent disadvantages
Expectations for Sapphire’s Radeon RX 6650 XT Nitro+ are quite high because the Nitro+ has not disappointed yet. It was even the Best Value option for the RX 6800 XT. It excels in all directions, so let’s see whether it holds up for this GPU too.
Pricing
Like most of today’s aftermarket cards, an MSRP for the RX 6650 XT Nitro+ has not been released. So, we expect a price point close to $500.
Design
The Nitro+ could be one of our preferred designs. We adore this ebony and silver combination because we’re certain it will complement any build, even though it is on the heftier side.
RGB is not absent but is fairly subdued, with just a bit of illumination on the side.
The backplate might be the best attribute of this card (design-wise).
Performance And Overclocking Capabilities
In-game boost clock frequency sits around the advertised number, 2694 MHz. But, this Sapphire card is more than able to deliver additional power.
Overclocking can bring the Nitro+ up to 2950 MHZ, a 10% frequency increase. Not bad at all.
Thermals And Acoustics
We can estimate that this Sapphire GPU could stay quiet and cool even with that 10% frequency overclock. Why? Well, at stock, noise levels stay at 30 dBA while temperature sits around 65 degrees Celsius.
Powercolor Radeon RX 6650 XT Hellhound Spectral White
Interface: 3 x Display Port, 1 x HDMIrnBoost Clock: 2689 MHzrnDimensions: L: 232 W:150.6 H:45 mm
The Pros:
- Exceptional designrnSolid overclock
The Cons:
- A bit louder and hotter than other options
Powercolor’s cooling setup has proved to be an outstanding alternative to other more popular brands like Gigabyte, ASUS, etc.
But will this Powercolor Radeon RX 6650 XT Hellhound Spectral live up to those standards?
Let’s see!
Pricing
Powercolor has not provided us with an MSRP like the other competitors in this article. However, estimates put this card at around $500.
Design
White graphics cards that fit flawlessly in white PC builds are too scarce nowadays. So, this Hellhound Spectral card gets special praise from us.
And this is not any white GPU. The snow-white shroud is complemented by the transparent fans, white backplate, IO shield, and even PCB. Overall, a fantastic design.
Let’s examine if the performance matches the look.
Performance And Overclocking Capabilities
The Powercolor RX 6650 XT Hellhound Spectral is factory OC’d to 2689 MHz, and it stays there throughout heavy loads.
Nothing too impressive, but if you bump up the sliders in MSI Afterburner, you may push this GPU’s boost clock up to 2930 MHz. So, a bit slower than the Sapphire variant.
Thermals And Acoustics
At stock clocks, temperatures stay around 70 degrees Celsius. Worse than the other contenders, but nothing too crazy. We imagine the extra 10 degrees from overclocking shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
Noise levels ramp up to 34 dBA, so again, worse than the Nitro+ and Gaming X.
ASUS Strix Radeon RX 6650 XT OC
Interface: 3 x Display Port, 1 x HDMIrnBoost Clock: 2694 MHzrnDimensions: L:281 W:135 H: 59 mm
The Pros:
- Coolest RX 6650 XTrnGreat overclocker
The Cons:
- Premium price
When looking at the best variants for any GPU, we usually end up with an ASUS Strix in the list because it usually doesn’t have any compromises. Except for one thing: price.
So, let’s see if this ASUS Strix Radeon RX 6650 XT OC measures up.
Pricing
Just like Powercolor, Sapphire, and MSI, ASUS has not shared any information on the real MSRP of this Strix. But, based on Strix history, we can assume that this variant is the priciest RX 6650 XT.
So, expect a price closer to $500 or beyond that.
Design
Design-wise, the Strix cooling system has not changed substantially over the years. However, it definitely seems distinctive with the metal-like plastic shroud surrounding the two fans on the front.
Additionally, ASUS never disappoints with RGB, so you’ll get plentiful amounts of that with this RX 6650 XT.
Performance And Overclocking Capabilities
The advertised factory overclock is 2694 MHz, just like some of the other cards on this list. Although in-game, it accelerates up over 2.7 GHz.
Overclocking is a bit of a mixed bag. Even though this is a premium product, you probably won’t get more than 2900 MHz OC, but your mileage may vary.
Thermals And Acoustics
Temperature and noise level are where the STRIX OC prevails. During heavy, loads temperature sits around 55 degrees Celsius while keeping noise at 33 dBA.
Certainly the coolest of the group!
Which RX 6650 XT Graphics Card Should You Buy?
Evidently, all of these GPUs are an outstanding choice, but which one is ideal for you?
Well, if you’re looking for a Best Premium pick, ASUS’ Radeon RX 6650 XT Strix OC is what you should opt for, considering its configuration and cooling.
If you want to get great value for your money, choose the Sapphire Radeon RX 6650 XT Nitro+.
