Tested on a CLX Gaming Build.
I know I’m 9 months late to the game, but AMD was kind enough to send over a unit to see how its latest drivers perform during long gaming sessions. If you’ve been on the hunt for a new GPU to elevate your gaming rig, let me introduce you to the AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT. This card is part of AMD’s latest RX 7000 series, aimed at delivering top-notch performance without emptying your wallet – and it performs! If you’re looking to have games run at ultra-smooth visuals or a creator needing power for demanding tasks, the RX 7800 XT might just be the perfect fit. To me it stands out – but what’s a test without comparing it to its counterpart, GeForce RTX 4070? Let’s get into it.
Performance and Features
AMD’s RX 7800 XT is built on the new RDNA 3 architecture, which promises significant improvements in efficiency and performance per watt. This card comes equipped with a hefty number of Compute Units (CUs) and boasts impressive base and boost clock speeds. With 16GB of GDDR6 memory, it’s more than ready to tackle the latest AAA titles at relatively high resolutions and demanding creative applications.
- Architecture: RDNA 3, bringing enhanced efficiency and performance.
- VRAM: 16GB of GDDR6, perfect for 4K gaming and multitasking.
- Clock Speeds: High base and boost clocks ensure smooth performance.
Gaming Experience
RX 7800 XT shines when gaming. It handles 4K gaming with aplomb and delivers high frame rates at 1440p. With AMD’s latest ray tracing improvements and FidelityFX, games look more lifelike, boasting better lighting, shadows, and reflections. The software suite, including Radeon Anti-Lag and Radeon Boost, further enhances the experience by reducing latency and boosting performance. At 1440p, Baldur’s Gate 3 ran smooth as butter with my 144hz monitor averaging 145fps.
- 4K and High Refresh Rates: Capable of 4K gaming and high refresh rates at 1440p.
- Ray Tracing and FidelityFX: Enhanced ray tracing capabilities and visual quality improvements.
- Software Support: Features like Radeon Anti-Lag and Smart Access Memory enhance gameplay.
Benchmark
To give you a clearer picture of how the AMD RX 7800 XT and NVIDIA RTX 4070 stack up, let’s dive into a benchmark analysis using one of the most demanding and visually stunning games out there: Cyberpunk 2077. This game is known for pushing graphics cards to their limits with its high-fidelity visuals and extensive use of ray tracing.
Testing Setup
– Resolution: 1440p and 4K
– Settings: Ultra settings, with and without ray tracing
– System Specs:
– CPU: Intel i9 13900KF processor
– RAM: 64GB of DDR5 Ram,
– SSD: NVMe 1TB
1440p Performance
RX 7800 XT Ultra Settings (No Ray Tracing)
– Average FPS: 105
– Minimum FPS: 87
– Maximum FPS: 125
Geforce RTX 4070
– Average FPS: 100
– Minimum FPS: 85
– Maximum FPS: 120
RX 7800 XT Ultra Settings (Ray Tracing: Ultra)
– Average FPS: 65
– Minimum FPS: 55
– Maximum FPS: 75
Geforce RTX 4070
– Average FPS: 75
– Minimum FPS: 65
– Maximum FPS: 85
RX 7800 XT Ultra Settings (Ray Tracing: Ultra + Upscaling)
– Average FPS: 85
– Minimum FPS: 70
– Maximum FPS: 95
Geforce RTX 4070** (using DLSS):
– Average FPS: 95
– Minimum FPS: 80
– Maximum FPS: 105
4K Performance
RX 7800 XT Ultra Settings (No Ray Tracing)
– Average FPS: 60
– Minimum FPS: 50
– Maximum FPS: 70
Geforce RTX 4070
– Average FPS: 58
– Minimum FPS: 48
– Maximum FPS: 68
RX 7800 XT Ultra Settings (Ray Tracing: Ultra)
– Average FPS: 35
– Minimum FPS: 28
– Maximum FPS: 42
Geforce RTX 4070
– Average FPS: 42
– Minimum FPS: 34
– Maximum FPS: 50
RX 7800 XT (using FSR) Ultra Settings (Ray Tracing: Ultra + Upscaling)
– Average FPS: 48
– Minimum FPS: 40
– Maximum FPS: 56
Geforce RTX 4070 (using DLSS)
– Average FPS: 55
– Minimum FPS: 45
– Maximum FPS: 65
Outcome
1440p Performance
With RT disabled, both GPUs perform admirably at 1440p with ultra settings, with the RX 7800 XT slightly edging out the RTX 4070 in terms of average FPS. This makes the RX 7800 XT a fantastic choice for those who prioritize pure rasterization performance. With Ray Tracing, the RTX 4070 pulls ahead due to NVIDIA’s superior ray tracing hardware. However, when enabling upscaling technologies like DLSS and FSR, the gap narrows, with the RTX 4070 maintaining a slight lead.
4K Performance
At 4K, both cards deliver a playable experience, though the RX 7800 XT has a slight advantage in average FPS. With Ray Tracing on, the RTX 4070’s lead becomes more pronounced at 4K with ray tracing enabled. DLSS helps the RTX 4070 maintain a better performance, whereas FSR helps the RX 7800 XT stay competitive but still behind NVIDIA’s offering. CP2077 is a demanding title that showcases the strengths and weaknesses of both GPUs. The AMD RX 7800 XT excels in traditional rasterization, offering slightly better performance than the RTX 4070 at 1440p and 4K without ray tracing. However, NVIDIA’s RTX 4070 has the upper hand when ray tracing is enabled, thanks to its more mature ray tracing technology and DLSS support.
It’s Competitive in Every Way
One of the standout features of the RX 7800 XT is its competitive pricing. Positioned to compete directly with NVIDIA’s offerings, this card offers excellent value for its performance level. It’s an attractive option for gamers looking to upgrade without breaking the bank. Like all tech, the RX 7800 XT isn’t without its minor drawbacks. It draws a significant amount of power, so a robust PSU is recommended. Additionally, availability can sometimes be an issue, although this has been improving.
REVIEW SCORE: 9/10
The AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT is a powerhouse in the upper mid-range segment, offering excellent performance, advanced features, and great value. Whether you’re aiming for ultra-smooth gaming or demanding creative tasks, this card has you covered. It stands toe-to-toe with NVIDIA’s RTX 4070, often providing better performance per dollar, especially in games where ray tracing is less critical.
For more on AMD and gaming, follow me on my social media here
