For the unaware, AMD just released its latest RDNA 4 GPU, the Radeon RX 9050. You'd be forgiven if the news had eluded you because, aside from an announcement on AMD's website, there wasn't much fanfare around this one. There were no launch reviews or anything like that, which already tells you this product is probably going to be bad.
In fact, we already know the RX 9050 is bad without even having one on hand to review, though we'll be getting one soon. For now, we're revisiting the subject of VRAM because it's particularly relevant to AMD's new RX 9050 series.
The retail version of the RX 9050 comes with 8GB of VRAM. That's not a lot, but arguably enough for an entry-level product. In a more normal market, we'd almost certainly demand at least 12GB at an MSRP of $280, but given the current state of the market, we'd probably give AMD a pass at 8GB.
But 8GB is the good option here, because there's also a 4GB version of the RX 9050. Yes, you read that correctly: AMD is releasing a discrete RDNA 4 GPU in 2026 with just 4GB of VRAM. Insane.
But somehow, it gets worse. AMD has decided to commit almost every possible sin with this release. Not only do the 4GB and 8GB versions of the RX 9050 share the exact same name, but the 4GB model hasn't just had its memory capacity slashed. Its memory bandwidth has been cut as well. Adding insult to injury, AMD is only selling the 8GB model through retail channels, while the dodgy 4GB version is destined for pre-built systems, where it's far more likely to end up in the hands of unsuspecting buyers.
