AMD has released a new graphics card with 4 GB of VRAM that results in significant performance losses.
In August 2026, AMD unexpectedly unveiled a new version of the Radeon RX 9050, which is notable primarily for offering “only” 4 GB of VRAM.
An initial comparison with the 8-GB version now shows just how significant the performance difference actually is.
The 8-GB version offers more than twice the performance in some cases
In 2026, the former standard of 8 GB of VRAM is considered by many to be the absolute minimum. Running games at resolutions higher than 1080p with significant reductions in graphical detail is virtually impossible in technically demanding games.
12 GB or even 16 GB have long since established themselves as the new “standard.”
When AMD unveiled a 4-GB variant of the Radeon RX 9050 last August, it didn’t fit into this picture. However, the new GPU isn’t intended for the retail market; rather, it’s primarily meant to be shipped as part of OEM systems. And the memory crisis shouldn’t be forgotten either.
The experts at Hardware Unboxed have now gotten their hands on such a system and compared it directly to a comparable system featuring the 8-GB version of the graphics card. You can watch the full video here:
Here are the performance differences
On average, the 8-GB version delivers 37 percent more performance, according to the tests. Eighteen games were tested in Full HD with low graphics settings.
While the 8-GB version averages 107 FPS, the new version averages 78 FPS. This puts it even behind the Intel Arc B570.
For individual games, the gap is even wider. In Forza Horizon 6, the difference is just under 47 percent, and in 007 First Light, it’s a whopping 53 percent.
Be careful when buying: In the video, the new GPU is also referred to as a “scam,” meaning a fraud or rip-off. This is because the name of the card hasn’t been changed.
So when buying an OEM system, you need to check carefully which version of the Radeon RX 9050 is installed. And the differences can sometimes be very significant, as the test has shown.
