Radeon RX 7900 XT vs RX 6800

Place in the ranking	42	14
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	51.44	37.55
Power efficiency	16.04	17.38
Architecture	RDNA 2.0 (2020−2024)	RDNA 3.0 (2022−2024)
GPU code name	Navi 21	Navi 31
Market segment	Desktop	Desktop
Release date	28 October 2020 (4 years ago)	3 November 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$579	$899

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance to price ratio. The higher, the better.

RX 6800 has 37% better value for money than RX 7900 XT.

Detailed specifications

General parameters such as number of shaders, GPU core base clock and boost clock speeds, manufacturing process, texturing and calculation speed. Note that power consumption of some graphics cards can well exceed their nominal TDP, especially when overclocked.

Pipelines / CUDA cores	3840	5376
Core clock speed	1700 MHz	1387 MHz
Boost clock speed	2105 MHz	2394 MHz
Number of transistors	26,800 million	57,700 million
Manufacturing process technology	7 nm	5 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	250 Watt	300 Watt
Texture fill rate	505.2	804.4
Floating-point processing power	16.17 TFLOPS	51.48 TFLOPS
ROPs	96	192
TMUs	240	336
Ray Tracing Cores	60	84

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	276 mm
Width	2-slot	2-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	20 GB
Memory bus width	256 Bit	320 Bit
Memory clock speed	2000 MHz	2500 MHz
Memory bandwidth	512.0 GB/s	800.0 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 2.1a, 2x DisplayPort 2.1, 1x USB Type-C
HDMI	+	+

API compatibility

List of supported 3D and general-purpose computing APIs, including their specific versions.

DirectX	12 Ultimate (12_2)	12 Ultimate (12_2)
Shader Model	6.5	6.7
OpenGL	4.6	4.6
OpenCL	2.1	2.2
Vulkan	1.2	1.3

Synthetic benchmark performance

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

Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark 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 57.52

RX 7900 XT 74.81
+30.1%

Passmark

This is the most ubiquitous GPU benchmark. 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.

RX 6800 22188

RX 7900 XT 28858
+30.1%

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.

RX 6800 55084

RX 7900 XT 75896
+37.8%

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.

RX 6800 106236

RX 7900 XT 142489
+34.1%

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.

RX 6800 45441

RX 7900 XT 63712
+40.2%

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.

RX 6800 205274

RX 7900 XT 259707
+26.5%

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.

RX 6800 531548

RX 7900 XT 737404
+38.7%

SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 maya-04

RX 6800 214

RX 7900 XT 347
+62.1%

SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 sw-03

RX 6800 232

RX 7900 XT 342
+47.4%

SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 snx-02

RX 6800 171

RX 7900 XT 373
+118%

SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 catia-04

RX 6800 319

RX 7900 XT 481
+50.8%

SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 creo-01

RX 6800 140

RX 7900 XT 176
+25.7%

SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 mediacal-01

RX 6800 123

RX 7900 XT 288
+134%

SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 showcase-01

RX 6800 212

RX 7900 XT 278
+31.4%

SPECviewperf 12 - specvp12 3dsmax-05

RX 6800 354

RX 7900 XT 502
+42%

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	177 −16.9%	207 +16.9%
1440p	101 −35.6%	137 +35.6%
4K	63 −41.3%	89 +41.3%

Cost per frame, $

1080p	3.27	4.34
1440p	5.73	6.56
4K	9.19	10.10

FPS performance in popular games

Full HD
Low Preset

Cyberpunk 2077

135

−75.6%

237
+75.6%

Full HD
Medium Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey	120−130 −27.5%	150−160 +27.5%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla	205 +51.9%	130−140 −51.9%
Battlefield 5	180−190 −31.1%	240−250 +31.1%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare	100−110 −10.1%	120−130 +10.1%
Cyberpunk 2077	115 −84.3%	212 +84.3%
Far Cry 5	100−110 −8.3%	110−120 +8.3%
Far Cry New Dawn	130−140 −33.1%	180−190 +33.1%
Forza Horizon 4	220−230 −8.9%	240−250 +8.9%
Hitman 3	110−120 −9.3%	120−130 +9.3%
Horizon Zero Dawn	210−220 −22.4%	260−270 +22.4%
Metro Exodus	150−160 −1.3%	150−160 +1.3%
Red Dead Redemption 2	110−120 −7.9%	120−130 +7.9%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider	230−240 −38.5%	300−350 +38.5%
Watch Dogs: Legion	140−150 −4.1%	150−160 +4.1%

Full HD
High Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey	120−130 −27.5%	150−160 +27.5%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla	172 +27.4%	130−140 −27.4%
Battlefield 5	180−190 −31.1%	240−250 +31.1%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare	100−110 −10.1%	120−130 +10.1%
Cyberpunk 2077	104 −82.7%	190 +82.7%
Far Cry 5	100−110 −8.3%	110−120 +8.3%
Far Cry New Dawn	130−140 −33.1%	180−190 +33.1%
Forza Horizon 4	220−230 −8.9%	240−250 +8.9%
Hitman 3	110−120 −9.3%	120−130 +9.3%
Horizon Zero Dawn	210−220 −22.4%	260−270 +22.4%
Metro Exodus	150−160 −1.3%	150−160 +1.3%
Red Dead Redemption 2	110−120 −7.9%	120−130 +7.9%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider	341 −44.3%	492 +44.3%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt	120−130 −35%	160−170 +35%
Watch Dogs: Legion	140−150 −4.1%	150−160 +4.1%

Full HD
Ultra Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey	120−130 −27.5%	150−160 +27.5%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla	162 +20%	130−140 −20%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare	100−110 −10.1%	120−130 +10.1%
Cyberpunk 2077	99 −80.8%	179 +80.8%
Far Cry 5	100−110 −8.3%	110−120 +8.3%
Forza Horizon 4	220−230 −8.9%	240−250 +8.9%
Hitman 3	110−120 −9.3%	120−130 +9.3%
Horizon Zero Dawn	237 −47.7%	350 +47.7%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider	295 −43.7%	424 +43.7%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt	152 −74.3%	265 +74.3%
Watch Dogs: Legion	88 −73.9%	150−160 +73.9%

Full HD
Epic Preset

Red Dead Redemption 2

110−120

−7.9%

120−130
+7.9%

1440p
High Preset

Battlefield 5	120−130 −33.9%	160−170 +33.9%
Far Cry New Dawn	90−95 −24.4%	110−120 +24.4%

1440p
Ultra Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey	65−70 −34.8%	85−90 +34.8%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla	144 +48.5%	95−100 −48.5%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare	65−70 −20.6%	80−85 +20.6%
Cyberpunk 2077	74 −64.9%	122 +64.9%
Far Cry 5	65−70 −25.4%	80−85 +25.4%
Forza Horizon 4	270−280 −0.4%	270−280 +0.4%
Hitman 3	80−85 −34.6%	100−110 +34.6%
Horizon Zero Dawn	186 −48.9%	277 +48.9%
Metro Exodus	138 −2.2%	141 +2.2%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider	215 −51.2%	325 +51.2%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt	95−100 −42.3%	130−140 +42.3%
Watch Dogs: Legion	220−230 −4.8%	240−250 +4.8%

1440p
Epic Preset

Red Dead Redemption 2

95−100

−22.4%

120−130
+22.4%

4K
High Preset

Battlefield 5	65−70 −35.4%	85−90 +35.4%
Far Cry New Dawn	50−55 −27.8%	65−70 +27.8%
Hitman 3	70 +4.5%	65−70 −4.5%
Horizon Zero Dawn	210−220 −3.7%	220−230 +3.7%
Metro Exodus	80−85 −45.2%	120−130 +45.2%
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt	99 −60.6%	159 +60.6%

4K
Ultra Preset

Assassin's Creed Odyssey	40−45 −43.2%	60−65 +43.2%
Assassin's Creed Valhalla	99 +62.3%	60−65 −62.3%
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare	40−45 −26.8%	50−55 +26.8%
Cyberpunk 2077	34 −76.5%	60 +76.5%
Far Cry 5	35−40 −31.6%	50−55 +31.6%
Forza Horizon 4	85−90 −54.5%	130−140 +54.5%
Shadow of the Tomb Raider	127 −36.2%	173 +36.2%
Watch Dogs: Legion	45 −11.1%	50−55 +11.1%

4K
Epic Preset

Red Dead Redemption 2

55−60

−47.4%

80−85
+47.4%

This is how RX 6800 and RX 7900 XT compete in popular games:

RX 7900 XT is 17% faster in 1080p
RX 7900 XT is 36% faster in 1440p
RX 7900 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 62% faster.
in Cyberpunk 2077, with 1080p resolution and the Medium Preset, the RX 7900 XT is 84% faster.

All in all, in popular games:

RX 6800 is ahead in 6 tests (8%)
RX 7900 XT is ahead in 66 tests (92%)

Pros & cons summary

Performance score	57.52	74.81
Recency	28 October 2020	3 November 2022
Maximum RAM amount	16 GB	20 GB
Chip lithography	7 nm	5 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	250 Watt	300 Watt

RX 6800 has 20% lower power consumption.

RX 7900 XT, on the other hand, has a 30.1% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 2 years, a 25% higher maximum VRAM amount, and a 40% more advanced lithography process.

The Radeon RX 7900 XT is our recommended choice as it beats the Radeon RX 6800 in performance tests.

Should you still have questions concerning choice between the reviewed GPUs, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.