AMD Radeon RX 9000 Series Gaming PCs: Meet the AWD-IT Kalona and Ares

LB

Lennon Byatt

28 July 2026 4 min read

AMD’s Radeon RX 9000 Series brings a new generation of gaming performance to players looking for smooth frame rates, sharp visuals and strong value.

Whether you are buying your first gaming PC or upgrading an older system, the Radeon RX 9060 and RX 9060 XT provide two excellent options for modern 1080p and 1440p gaming.

At AWD-IT, we have paired these graphics cards with balanced AMD Ryzen systems to create two ready-to-game prebuilts: the AWD-IT Kalona RX 9060 Gaming PC and the more powerful AWD-IT Ares RX 9060 XT Gaming PC.

 

https://www.awd-it.co.uk/gaming-pc.html

 

Recommended 1440p Gaming PC Specifications

For the best balance of performance and value, we recommend:

Component  Recommendation
CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
GPU
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 or AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT
RAM
32GB DDR5 6000MHz
Storage
2TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD
Motherboard
B650
PSU
750W 80 PLUS Gold

This specification is capable of running modern AAA games at high frame rates while providing plenty of headroom for future releases.

Browse AWD-IT's latest AMD Ryzen Processors:

https://www.awd-it.co.uk/components/cpu-processors/amd-cpu.html 

What Is the AMD Radeon RX 9000 Series?

The Radeon RX 9000 Series is AMD’s latest generation of desktop graphics cards, built to provide improved gaming performance, ray tracing and AI-supported features.

The range includes cards aimed at different budgets and resolutions, from accessible 1080p systems to powerful gaming PCs built for high-refresh-rate 1440p and 4K gaming.

For gamers looking for a well-balanced system without moving into high-end pricing, the RX 9060 and RX 9060 XT are two of the most attractive options.

AWD-IT Kalona RX 9060 Gaming PC

The AWD-IT Kalona Ryzen 5 RX 9060 Gaming PC is a brilliant starting point for players moving into PC gaming.

It combines:

  • AMD Ryzen 5 5500 six-core processor
  • AMD Radeon RX 9060 8GB graphics
  • 16GB DDR4 RAM
  • 1TB SSD storage
  • Windows 11 pre-installed
  • Three-year AWD-IT warranty

This combination makes the Kalona ideal for smooth 1080p gaming across popular titles such as Fortnite, Valorant, Call of Duty: Warzone, Apex Legends and GTA V.

This combination makes the Kalona ideal for smooth 1080p gaming

The RX 9060 provides the graphics performance needed to enjoy modern games at strong settings, while the Ryzen 5 processor and 16GB of RAM support responsive everyday performance and multitasking.

Its 1TB SSD also provides plenty of space for a growing game library while delivering much faster loading times than a traditional hard drive.

Because the Kalona arrives assembled, tested and ready to use, it is an excellent choice for beginners who want to start gaming without researching and installing every component individually.

The RX 9060 XT provides additional graphics performance for players who want higher frame rates

AWD-IT Ares RX 9060 XT Gaming PC

For gamers who want more graphics power, higher settings or the option to play at 1440p, the AWD-IT Ares Ryzen 5 RX 9060 XT Gaming PC is the next step up.

The Ares includes:

  • AMD Ryzen 5 processor
  • AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT graphics
  • 16GB RAM
  • 1TB SSD storage
  • Windows 11 pre-installed
  • Three-year AWD-IT warranty

The RX 9060 XT provides additional graphics performance for players who want higher frame rates, improved visual settings and a stronger experience in demanding modern games.

It is particularly well suited to competitive gaming at 1080p, where higher frame rates can make gameplay feel smoother and more responsive. It is also a strong option for players looking to move into 1440p gaming.

With 16GB of system memory and a fast 1TB SSD, the Ares is ready for gaming, browsing, voice chat and everyday multitasking straight out of the box.

Recommended Gaming Build

For an excellent gaming experience in 2026:

Component  Recommendation
CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
GPU
RTX 5070 or RX 9070 XT
RAM
32GB DDR5 6000MHz
Storage
2TB NVMe SSD

Browse AWD-IT's latest:

  • Gaming PCs

https://www.awd-it.co.uk/gaming-pc.html

  • AMD Processors

https://www.awd-it.co.uk/components/cpu-processors/amd-cpu.html

  • Graphics Cards

https://www.awd-it.co.uk/components/graphics-cards.html

The RX 9060 XT provides additional graphics performance for players who want higher frame rates

Choose the Ares RX 9060 XT if:

  • You want higher frame rates or graphics settings
  • You are interested in 1440p gaming
  • You play more graphically demanding games
  • You want additional performance for future releases
  • You want more room to grow with your gaming setup

The Kalona is an excellent entry point into modern PC gaming, while the Ares provides extra graphics performance for players who want to push their settings or resolution further.

For many beginners, a well-balanced mid-range system will provide the best overall value

Why Choose an AWD-IT Prebuilt?

Building a gaming PC yourself can be rewarding, but it also means researching compatible components, assembling the system, installing Windows and troubleshooting any problems.

An AWD-IT prebuilt removes much of that complexity.

Both the Kalona and Ares arrive professionally assembled and tested, with Windows 11 already installed. They are also customisable, allowing you to adjust selected components such as memory, storage, cooling and connectivity before ordering.

AWD-IT gaming PCs also include a three-year warranty, giving you one place to turn if you need help with the system.

Best Sim Racing Setup for Beginners: Start With the Essentials

You don’t need a full cockpit immediately. A well‑chosen beginner setup helps you develop skills faster and keeps costs under control.

1. Steering Wheel and Pedals (Top Priority)

Your wheel and pedals are the most important part of any sim racing rig. Force feedback allows you to feel grip changes, kerbs, and steering resistance—crucial for learning car control.

Beginner tip: Focus on force feedback quality rather than raw power.

Your wheel and pedals are the most important part of any sim racing rig. Force feedback allows you to feel grip changes, kerbs, and steering resistance—crucial for learning car control.

Last Friday we threw open the showroom for the first time, and invited some of the gaming world's biggest creators to come and experience everything AWD has to offer. The result? A day nobody's going to forget quickly. 

Creators in attendance
Stacked lineup

Experience zones
Arcades · Sim rigs · PCs

Tech on display

Latest gen builds

Verdict

Showroom certified

Pick Your Tier

We've named each tier after a tournament stage, because let's be honest, that's exactly the kind of thing we'd do. Find your budget and dive in.

Group Stage

Gets you to the party
~£500
CPU AMD Ryzen 5 7600
GPU RX 7600 8GB
RAM 16GB DDR5-5600
Storage 500GB NVMe SSD
Target 1080p High/Ultra
 
Cracking value. You're getting solid 1080p gaming and streaming without breaking a sweat. The AM5 platform means there's a long upgrade path ahead too — this one grows with you.

Round of 32

The smart money pick
~£850
CPU Ryzen 5 9600X
GPU RTX 5060 Ti 16GB
RAM 32GB DDR5-6000
Storage 1TB NVMe SSD
Target 1440p High
 
This is the sweet spot right here. The Ryzen 9600X handles gaming and multitasking brilliantly, and 32GB of RAM is where you want to be if you're streaming and gaming simultaneously.

Quarter Final

No excuses, no compromises
~£1,500
CPU Ryzen 7 9800X3D
GPU RTX 5070 Ti Super
RAM 32GB DDR5-6400
Storage 2 TB NVMe SSD
Target 1440p Ultra / 4K
 
The 9800X3D is an absolute beast for gaming workloads, one of the best gaming CPUs on the market. Stream a game, encode your reaction cam, and watch the match. All at once. Done.

World Cup Final

 
Because you can
£2,500+
CPU Ryzen 9 9950X3D
GPU RTX 5080 / 5090
RAM 64GB DDR5-6400+
Storage 2TB + 4TB NVMe
Target 4K Ultra / OLED
 
Jaw-dropping performance, full stop. This is the kind of rig that makes the group stage builds weep. Overkill? Absolutely. Incredible? Without a shadow of a doubt.

High-End Gaming PCs

High-end systems are designed for demanding games and premium performance. They may be suitable for 4K gaming, ray tracing, advanced simulation games and high-refresh-rate monitors.

However, beginners should consider whether they will genuinely use the extra performance before investing in top-end hardware.

 

High-end systems are designed for demanding games

Expected Gaming Performance

Game
1440p High
1440p Ultra
GTA 6 (Predicted)
120 FPS
90 FPS
Cyberpunk 2077
120 FPS
95 FPS
Black Ops 7
180+ FPS
150+ FPS
Fortnite
240+ FPS
200+ FPS

Performance will vary depending on drivers, game updates and graphics settings.

What Resolution Should You Choose?

Resolution affects how sharp and detailed your games appear.

1080p is affordable, widely supported and ideal for beginners who want smooth frame rates.

1440p provides a sharper image and is a popular choice for mid-range gaming setups.

4K offers excellent detail but requires a much more powerful graphics card.

Your monitor should match the capabilities of your PC. Explore AWD-IT’s range of gaming monitors to compare resolutions, screen sizes and refresh rates.

Ultra settings aren't always worth the performance cost

8. Your Game Is Installed on an HDD

Older mechanical hard drives struggle with modern games that stream large amounts of data.

Installing games on an NVMe SSD can significantly reduce:

  • Loading times
  • Texture streaming issues
  • Open-world stutter

9. Your Graphics Settings Are Too High

Ultra settings aren't always worth the performance cost.

Try reducing:

  • Ray tracing
  • Shadow quality
  • Volumetric effects
  • Ambient occlusion

These settings often have a large impact on frame times.

Prebuilt or Build Your Own?

Building a PC gives you control over every individual component, but it also requires additional research, assembly and troubleshooting.

A prebuilt gaming PC arrives assembled and tested, making it a more convenient option for many first-time buyers.

It also gives you one main point of contact if you require technical support or warranty assistance.

More Than Just a Graphics Card

The graphics card is one of the most important parts of a gaming PC, but the best systems are properly balanced.

The processor needs to keep up with the graphics card, while sufficient RAM supports smooth multitasking. Fast SSD storage reduces loading times, and suitable cooling helps the system maintain stable performance during longer gaming sessions.

The Kalona and Ares combine their Radeon graphics cards with Ryzen processors, 16GB of memory and 1TB SSD storage, creating complete gaming systems rather than focusing on the GPU alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my game stutter even with high FPS?

High average FPS doesn't guarantee smooth gameplay. Inconsistent frame times, background processes or hardware bottlenecks can all cause stuttering.

Can RAM cause stuttering?

Yes. Insufficient RAM or slow memory can lead to hitching, particularly in open-world games or when multitasking.

Will an SSD fix stuttering?

If stuttering is caused by slow asset streaming or a mechanical hard drive, upgrading to an NVMe SSD can help improve consistency.

Final Thoughts

AMD’s Radeon RX 9000 Series gives gamers a strong selection of options for modern PC gaming.

The AWD-IT Kalona RX 9060 Gaming PC is ideal for beginners and 1080p players who want a capable, ready-to-use system.

The AWD-IT Ares RX 9060 XT Gaming PC takes performance further, making it a better fit for higher frame rates, demanding graphics settings and 1440p gaming.

Whichever system suits the way you play, both prebuilts provide a simple route into AMD’s latest Radeon generation.

Explore the AWD-IT Kalona RX 9060 Gaming PC or step up to the AWD-IT Ares RX 9060 XT Gaming PC and find the right Radeon-powered system for your setup.

Related Guides

  • Best SSD for Gaming in 2026
  • Best Graphics Card for 1440p Gaming
  • Best CPU for RTX 5070
  • What Is Resizable BAR?
  • How Much RAM Do You Need for Gaming?
  • GTA 6 PC System Requirements (Predicted)