Radeon RX 6950 XT vs RX 6800

Place in performance ranking	32	14
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	22.27	22.50
Architecture	Navi / RDNA2 (2020−2022)	Navi / RDNA2 (2020−2022)
GPU code name	Navi 21	Navi
Market segment	Desktop	Desktop
Release date	18 November 2020 (3 years ago)	10 May 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$579	$1,099
Current price	$781 (1.3x MSRP)	$961 (0.9x MSRP)

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance to price ratio. The higher, the better.

RX 6950 XT has 1% better value for money than RX 6800.

Detailed specifications

General performance parameters such as number of shaders, GPU core base clock and boost clock speeds, manufacturing process, texturing and calculation speed. These parameters indirectly speak of performance, but for precise assessment you have to consider their benchmark and gaming test results. Note that power consumption of some graphics cards can well exceed their nominal TDP, especially when overclocked.

Pipelines / CUDA cores	3840	5120
Core clock speed	1815 MHz	1925 MHz
Boost clock speed	2105 MHz	2324 MHz
Number of transistors	26,800 million	26,800 million
Manufacturing process technology	7 nm	7 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	250 Watt	335 Watt
Texture fill rate	505.2	743.7

Form factor & compatibility

Information on compatibility with other computer components. Useful when choosing a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. For desktop graphics cards it's interface and bus (motherboard compatibility), additional power connectors (power supply compatibility).

Interface	PCIe 4.0 x16	PCIe 4.0 x16
Length	267 mm	267 mm
Width	2-slot	3-slot
Supplementary power connectors	2x 8-pin	2x 8-pin

VRAM capacity and type

Parameters of VRAM installed: its type, size, bus, clock and resulting bandwidth. Integrated GPUs have no dedicated video RAM and use a shared part of system RAM.

Memory type	GDDR6	GDDR6
Maximum RAM amount	16 GB	16 GB
Memory bus width	256 Bit	256 Bit
Memory clock speed	16000 MHz	18000 MHz
Memory bandwidth	512.0 GB/s	576.0 GB/s
Shared memory	-	-

Connectivity and outputs

Types and number of video connectors present on the reviewed GPUs. As a rule, data in this section is precise only for desktop reference ones (so-called Founders Edition for NVIDIA chips). OEM manufacturers may change the number and type of output ports, while for notebook cards availability of certain video outputs ports depends on the laptop model rather than on the card itself.

Display Connectors	1x HDMI, 2x DisplayPort, 1x USB Type-C	1x HDMI 2.1, 2x DisplayPort 1.4a
HDMI	+	+

API compatibility

List of supported graphics and general-purpose computing APIs, including their specific versions.

DirectX	12 Ultimate (12_2)	12 Ultimate (12_2)
Shader Model	6.5	6.5
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
OpenCL	2.0	2.1
Vulkan	1.2	1.3

Synthetic benchmark performance

Non-gaming benchmark performance comparison. The combined score is measured on a 0-100 point scale.

Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance score. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

RX 6800 57.70

RX 6950 XT 73.27
+27%

RX 6950 XT outperforms RX 6800 by 27% based on our aggregated benchmark results.

Passmark

This is the most ubiquitous GPU benchmark, part of Passmark PerformanceTest suite. It gives the graphics card a thorough evaluation under various types of load, providing four separate benchmarks for Direct3D versions 9, 10, 11 and 12 (the last being done in 4K resolution if possible), and few more tests engaging DirectCompute capabilities.

Benchmark coverage: 25%

RX 6800 22308

RX 6950 XT 28328
+27%

RX 6950 XT outperforms RX 6800 by 27% in Passmark.

3DMark 11 Performance GPU

3DMark 11 is an obsolete DirectX 11 benchmark by Futuremark. It used four tests based on two scenes, one being few submarines exploring the submerged wreck of a sunken ship, the other is an abandoned temple deep in the jungle. All the tests are heavy with volumetric lighting and tessellation, and despite being done in 1280x720 resolution, are relatively taxing. Discontinued in January 2020, 3DMark 11 is now superseded by Time Spy.

Benchmark coverage: 17%

RX 6800 55084

RX 6950 XT 72228
+31.1%

RX 6950 XT outperforms RX 6800 by 31% in 3DMark 11 Performance GPU.

3DMark Vantage Performance

3DMark Vantage is an outdated DirectX 10 benchmark using 1280x1024 screen resolution. It taxes the graphics card with two scenes, one depicting a girl escaping some militarized base located within a sea cave, the other displaying a space fleet attack on a defenseless planet. It was discontinued in April 2017, and Time Spy benchmark is now recommended to be used instead.

Benchmark coverage: 17%

RX 6800 106236

RX 6950 XT 119918
+12.9%

RX 6950 XT outperforms RX 6800 by 13% in 3DMark Vantage Performance.

3DMark Fire Strike Graphics

Fire Strike is a DirectX 11 benchmark for gaming PCs. It features two separate tests displaying a fight between a humanoid and a fiery creature made of lava. Using 1920x1080 resolution, Fire Strike shows off some realistic graphics and is quite taxing on hardware.

Benchmark coverage: 14%

RX 6800 45441

RX 6950 XT 59882
+31.8%

RX 6950 XT outperforms RX 6800 by 32% in 3DMark Fire Strike Graphics.

3DMark Cloud Gate GPU

Cloud Gate is an outdated DirectX 11 feature level 10 benchmark that was used for home PCs and basic notebooks. It displays a few scenes of some weird space teleportation device launching spaceships into unknown, using fixed resolution of 1280x720. Just like Ice Storm benchmark, it has been discontinued in January 2020 and replaced by 3DMark Night Raid.

Benchmark coverage: 14%

RX 6800 205274

RX 6950 XT 229172
+11.6%

RX 6950 XT outperforms RX 6800 by 12% in 3DMark Cloud Gate GPU.

3DMark Ice Storm GPU

Ice Storm Graphics is an obsolete benchmark, part of 3DMark suite. Ice Storm was used to measure entry level laptops and Windows-based tablets performance. It utilizes DirectX 11 feature level 9 to display a battle between two space fleets near a frozen planet in 1280x720 resolution. Discontinued in January 2020, it is now superseded by 3DMark Night Raid.

Benchmark coverage: 8%

RX 6800 531548
+6.9%

RX 6950 XT 497297

RX 6800 outperforms RX 6950 XT by 7% in 3DMark Ice Storm GPU.

SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 maya-04

Benchmark coverage: 3%

RX 6800 214
+49.8%

RX 6950 XT 143

RX 6800 outperforms RX 6950 XT by 50% in SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 maya-04.

SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 sw-03

Benchmark coverage: 3%

RX 6800 232
+23.7%

RX 6950 XT 188

RX 6800 outperforms RX 6950 XT by 24% in SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 sw-03.

SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 snx-02

Benchmark coverage: 3%

RX 6800 171
+223%

RX 6950 XT 53

RX 6800 outperforms RX 6950 XT by 223% in SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 snx-02.

SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 catia-04

Benchmark coverage: 3%

RX 6800 319
+12.5%

RX 6950 XT 284

RX 6800 outperforms RX 6950 XT by 13% in SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 catia-04.

SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 creo-01

Benchmark coverage: 3%

RX 6800 140
+0.7%

RX 6950 XT 139

RX 6800 outperforms RX 6950 XT by 1% in SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 creo-01.

SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 mediacal-01

Benchmark coverage: 3%

RX 6800 123
+60.3%

RX 6950 XT 77

RX 6800 outperforms RX 6950 XT by 60% in SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 mediacal-01.

SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 showcase-01

Benchmark coverage: 3%

RX 6800 212

RX 6950 XT 286
+35.2%

RX 6950 XT outperforms RX 6800 by 35% in SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 showcase-01.

SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 energy-01

Benchmark coverage: 3%

RX 6800 36
+26.1%

RX 6950 XT 29

RX 6800 outperforms RX 6950 XT by 26% in SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 energy-01.

SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 3dsmax-05

Benchmark coverage: 2%

RX 6800 354

RX 6950 XT 451
+27.6%

RX 6950 XT outperforms RX 6800 by 28% in SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 3dsmax-05.

Gaming performance

Let's see how good the compared graphics cards are for gaming. Particular gaming benchmark results are measured in FPS.

Average FPS across all PC games

Here are the average frames per second in a large set of popular games across different resolutions:

Full HD	170 −27.1%	216 +27.1%
1440p	104 −33.7%	139 +33.7%
4K	64 −40.6%	90 +40.6%

FPS performance in popular games

Full HD
Low Preset

Cyberpunk 2077

135

−19.3%

161
+19.3%

Full HD
Medium Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey	90−95 −22%	110−120 +22%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla	205 +57.7%	130−140 −57.7%
Battlefield 5	180−190 −28.3%	230−240 +28.3%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare	120−130 −20.2%	140−150 +20.2%
Cyberpunk 2077	115 −24.3%	143 +24.3%
Far Cry 5	95−100 −13.1%	110−120 +13.1%
Far Cry New Dawn	120−130 −14.2%	140−150 +14.2%
Forza Horizon 4	160−170 −28.4%	210−220 +28.4%
Hitman 3	130−140 −10.3%	150−160 +10.3%
Horizon Zero Dawn	439 −2.5%	450 +2.5%
Metro Exodus	120−130 −9.8%	130−140 +9.8%
Red Dead Redemption 2	110−120 −6%	120−130 +6%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider	415 −20.5%	500 +20.5%
Watch Dogs: Legion	115 −13%	130 +13%

Full HD
High Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey	90−95 −22%	110−120 +22%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla	172 +32.3%	130−140 −32.3%
Battlefield 5	180−190 −28.3%	230−240 +28.3%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare	120−130 −20.2%	140−150 +20.2%
Cyberpunk 2077	104 −23.1%	128 +23.1%
Far Cry 5	104 +5.1%	99 −5.1%
Far Cry New Dawn	79 +6.8%	74 −6.8%
Forza Horizon 4	160−170 −28.4%	210−220 +28.4%
Hitman 3	53 −183%	150−160 +183%
Horizon Zero Dawn	368 −15.2%	424 +15.2%
Metro Exodus	157 +6.8%	147 −6.8%
Red Dead Redemption 2	110−120 −6%	120−130 +6%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider	270 −27.8%	345 +27.8%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt	269 −39.8%	376 +39.8%
Watch Dogs: Legion	104 −10.6%	115 +10.6%

Full HD
Ultra Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey	90−95 −22%	110−120 +22%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla	162 +24.6%	130−140 −24.6%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare	120−130 −20.2%	140−150 +20.2%
Cyberpunk 2077	99 −23.2%	122 +23.2%
Far Cry 5	95−100 −13.1%	110−120 +13.1%
Forza Horizon 4	160−170 −28.4%	210−220 +28.4%
Horizon Zero Dawn	237 −34.2%	318 +34.2%
Metro Exodus	142 +7.6%	132 −7.6%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt	152 −42.1%	216 +42.1%
Watch Dogs: Legion	88 −21.6%	107 +21.6%

Full HD
Epic Preset

Red Dead Redemption 2

110−120

−6%

120−130
+6%

1440p
High Preset

Battlefield 5	120−130 −33.9%	160−170 +33.9%
Far Cry New Dawn	130−140 −8.3%	140−150 +8.3%
Hitman 3	104 +14.3%	90−95 −14.3%
Red Dead Redemption 2	50−55 −41.2%	70−75 +41.2%

1440p
Ultra Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey	60−65 −30.2%	80−85 +30.2%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla	144 +54.8%	90−95 −54.8%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare	90−95 −19.8%	100−110 +19.8%
Cyberpunk 2077	74 −25.7%	93 +25.7%
Far Cry 5	163 +0%	163 +0%
Forza Horizon 4	130−140 −38.2%	180−190 +38.2%
Horizon Zero Dawn	186 −37.1%	255 +37.1%
Metro Exodus	138 +4.5%	132 −4.5%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider	215 −36.7%	294 +36.7%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt	95−100 −39.2%	130−140 +39.2%
Watch Dogs: Legion	72 −43.1%	103 +43.1%

4K
High Preset

Far Cry 5	73 −8.2%	79 +8.2%
Far Cry New Dawn	80−85 −41.7%	110−120 +41.7%
Hitman 3	70 +7.7%	65−70 −7.7%
Horizon Zero Dawn	80−85 −38.6%	110−120 +38.6%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider	73 −35.6%	99 +35.6%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt	99 −45.5%	144 +45.5%

4K
Ultra Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey	40−45 −37.2%	55−60 +37.2%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla	99 +67.8%	55−60 −67.8%
Battlefield 5	70−75 −34.7%	95−100 +34.7%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare	60−65 −30.6%	80−85 +30.6%
Cyberpunk 2077	34 −35.3%	46 +35.3%
Forza Horizon 4	85−90 −48.3%	130−140 +48.3%
Horizon Zero Dawn	112 −37.5%	154 +37.5%
Metro Exodus	99 −19.2%	118 +19.2%
Watch Dogs: Legion	45 −44.4%	65 +44.4%

4K
Epic Preset

Red Dead Redemption 2

55−60

−43.9%

80−85
+43.9%

This is how RX 6800 and RX 6950 XT compete in popular games:

RX 6950 XT is 27% faster in 1080p
RX 6950 XT is 34% faster in 1440p
RX 6950 XT is 41% faster in 4K

Here's the range of performance differences observed across popular games:

in Assassin's Creed Valhalla, with 4K resolution and the Ultra Preset, the RX 6800 is 68% faster than the RX 6950 XT.
in Hitman 3, with 1080p resolution and the High Preset, the RX 6950 XT is 183% faster than the RX 6800.

All in all, in popular games: