AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT and 7800 XT review: The 1440p GPUs you want

Price When Reviewed

$499

Best Prices Today: AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT

$539.99

Ten lengthy months after the launch of the high-end Radeon RX 7900-series, AMD is lastly ending its next-gen graphics card lineup with the launch of the $450 Radeon RX 7700 XT and $500 Radeon RX 7800 XT. And their arrival signifies that for the primary time this technology, there are 1440p gaming choices lastly value shopping for.

Nvidia’s choices on this worth vary flatly aren’t compelling. The $400 8GB GeForce RTX 4060 Ti and $500 16GB model of the identical GPU are higher suited to 1080p gaming due to their ultra-nerfed reminiscence configurations, that means it’s good to spend $600 on the RTX 4070 to get compelling 1440p efficiency from Team Green — a steep worth for that decision.

Enter the Radeon RX 7700 XT and 7800 XT. AMD’s new graphics playing cards ship nice 1440p gaming efficiency for a complete lot lower than its Nvidia rivals, although they aren’t as power environment friendly or pretty much as good at ray tracing because the GeForce GPUs. If you’re keen to bend on these elements, AMD’s new graphics playing cards are value an extended, exhausting look — although this a lot cash for 1440p gaming nonetheless feels dear.

We’ve put Sapphire’s customized Nitro+ Radeon RX 7800 XT to the take a look at in opposition to Nvidia’s RTX 4060, together with the corporate’s new all-white “Pure” Radeon RX 7700 XT. Let’s dig in!

Radeon RX 7800 XT and 7700XT specs and options

We already lined the Radeon RX 7800 XT and 7700 XT’s key technical features in our protection of their announcement. Hit that hyperlink for our full evaluation, or peruse the AMD-supplied chart of extra in-depth specs beneath.

AMD

AMD clearly constructed these new graphics playing cards for 1440p gaming, not like Nvidia’s RTX 4060 Ti. The Radeon RX 7800 XT wields 16GB of quick GDDR6 reminiscence and a large 256-bit reminiscence bus, whereas the cut-down Radeon RX 7700 XT drops to a still-respectable 12GB of reminiscence and a 192-bit bus. By distinction, the RTX 4060 Ti packs simply 8GB of reminiscence and a 128-bit bus — a setup extra perfect for 1080p gaming.

It’s additionally value evaluating AMD’s new graphics playing cards in opposition to their direct predecessors. The Radeon RX 6800 XT launched at $650 with 72 compute models again in 2020. The new Radeon RX 7800 XT is priced a lot decrease — at $500, it’s even lower than the $550 Radeon RX 6800 non-XT launched at — however packs simply 60 CUs, matching the 6800 non-XT’s compute unit rely.

Conversely, the $450 Radeon RX 7700 XT comes with 54 compute models, an enchancment of 14 over its predecessor, the Radeon RX 6700 XT, whereas costing $30 much less at launch.

Adam Patrick Murray / IDG

The new Radeon 7000 GPUs are constructed utilizing TSMC’s 5-nanometer course of, a leap ahead from the 7nm course of utilized in Radeon 6000 GPUs. The 7700 XT and 7800 XT additionally use a novel design launched this technology, splitting reminiscence controllers and the second-gen Infinity Cache off into discrete “Memory Cache Dies” constructed utilizing the 6nm course of. All Radeon RX 7000 graphics playing cards additionally assist AV1 encoding and DisplayPort 2.1, a extra superior DP model than you’ll discover on competing Nvidia GPUs.

Modern {hardware} is supercharged by superior software program as of late. In addition to the same old suite of killer Radeon options like FSR, Radeon Super Resolution, and Smart Access Memory, AMD is rolling out two new software program options to bolster this launch. The AMD Adrenalin driver that provides Radeon RX 7700 XT and 7800 XT assist additionally folds in Hypr-RX, a long-awaited toggle that may drastically enhance gaming efficiency by flipping on a number of different AMD options multi functional fell swoop.

Adam Patrick Murray / IDG

Later this month, AMD’s just-as-long-awaited FSR 3.0 technology will make its debut in Forspokenand Immortals of Aveum. It’s pitched as a DLSS 3 different that may dramatically pace up visuals by inserting interpolated frames between rendered ones — however not like Nvidia’s tech, it doesn’t want devoted AI {hardware} and might run on any fashionable GPU, no matter producer. It stays to be seen how effectively FSR 3.0 truly performs however it seems mighty thrilling on paper.

The Sapphire contact

Adam Patrick Murray / IDG

AMD constructed a reference design for the Radeon RX 7800 XT, although not for the 7700 XT. Rather than utilizing that, nevertheless, we’re conducting our preliminary evaluations utilizing a pair of customized Sapphire playing cards: the Sapphire Nitro+ Radeon RX 7800 XT, in addition to the all-new Sapphire Pure Radeon RX 7700 XT, the primary entry in a contemporary, all-white Pure sequence of Sapphire GPUs.

We acquired our first style of this technology’s refined Nitro+ design within the big, badass, and beautiful Nitro+ Radeon RX 7900 XTX. I fell in love with the smooth metallic design, punctuated by a raised, illuminated full-length RGB gentle bar that’s so vibrant it must be seen to believed.

Adam Patrick Murray / IDG

Adam Patrick Murray examined these GPUs from PCWorld’s San Francisco workplace. Here are his ideas on the Sapphire Nitro+ Radeon RX 7800 XT and Sapphire Pure Radeon RX 7700 XT’s designs:

Both graphics playing cards are the identical size, however the Nitro+ is a thicker ‘true’ 3-slot card, with a full-length built-in bracket that screws into the PCIe slot for additional rigidity. Both have 2x 8-pin energy however the Nitro+ additionally has PWM and ARGB headers and a 3-stage BIOS swap. The Nitro+ contains a full-length RGB strip and RGB Sapphire emblem on the again plate, whereas the Pure solely has a light-up crimson Sapphire emblem on the aspect with a {hardware} on/off swap in case you need to disable it.

Both playing cards are well-built, provide distinctive design aesthetics (extra white builds please!), and are constructed with a mix of metallic and plastic. The Pure’s white metallic and white plastic match higher than the metal shroud and the metallic backplate of the Nitro+, however there may be simply extra plastic on the Pure and it’s apparent within the hand. Anti-sag brackets got here with each playing cards, however the Pure was gentle sufficient and the Nitro+ was inflexible sufficient that neither felt completely vital to make use of. It’s good to have, although.

I by no means expertise temps above the low 60s on both card and the followers by no means ramped as much as excessive sufficient speeds to be noticeable. Both really feel a bit overbuilt for the GPUs which might be featured in them, which may restrict their usefulness in smaller circumstances. Their premium positively feels justified.

Adam Patrick Murray / IDG

We’ve stated it earlier than and we’ll say it once more: Sapphire makes nice, extremely customized graphics playing cards. Onto the benchmarks!

Our take a look at rig

We’re taking a break from our regular testing rig and full suite of video games for this assessment. My home not too long ago burned down and my GPU take a look at machine, in addition to its backup, have been each destroyed — a truth I couldn’t affirm till mere days earlier than this launch. Fortunately, my pal and PCWorld lead video director Adam Patrick Murray had a high-end take a look at system in addition to an RTX 4070 readily available to assist out.

Here’s the rig he tested on:

• AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
• ID-Cooling IS-55 w/ Noctua fan
• Asus ROG Strix X670-I Gaming WiFi
• 32GB G.Skill Flare X5
• Solidigm P44 Pro 2TB
• SilverStone Extreme 850R Platinum
• Fractal Design Terra (all panels off throughout benchmarks)

How do the Radeon RX 7700 XT and 7800 XT carry out?

Adam was solely capable of run half our regular video games benchmark suite, and solely at 1440p — the decision AMD is concentrating on with its new Radeon GPUs. He ran every benchmark not less than 3 times and averaged the rating for every sport, whereas additionally protecting observe of most GPU temperature and energy draw knowledge for the runs. Per regular, all vendor-specific software program options (like AMD’s FSR and Nvidia Reflex) have been disabled in sport, and the best potential in-game graphics settings have been used for every title.

Adam Patrick Murray / IDG

Well, that’s a win for AMD.

The $500 Radeon RX 7800 XT manages to solidly beat the $600 GeForce RTX 4070 in each sport, at worst drawing even in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. The step-down Sapphire Pure Radeon RX 7700 XT battles admirably, going toe-to-toe with the 4070 as a rule and hitting glorious body charges throughout the board. For graphics playing cards that value $100 to $150 lower than the RTX 4070, that’s a powerful success — and do not forget that Sapphire’s customized designs ran inaudibly as effectively.

It’s not a clear sweep although. The GeForce RTX 4070 pulls forward once you flip on Cyberpunk 2077’s strenuous, beautiful real-time ray tracing results and FSR Balanced upscaling, although the 7800 XT solely falls a step behind. AMD’s duo additionally attracts significantly extra energy than Nvidia’s environment friendly 1440p GPU. Both have been anticipated outcomes given what we’ve already seen from the remainder of the trendy AMD and Nvidia lineups, although it’s stunning how shut the 7800 XT manages to get to the GeForce card in ray-traced Cyberpunk.

Should you purchase the Radeon RX 7700 XT and 7800 XT?

Definitely, should you’re in search of a contemporary 1440p graphics card that prices underneath $500. In that case, these are the one choices round.

Adam Patrick Murray / IDG

Nvidia’s $400 8GB RTX 4060 Ti and $500 16GB RTX 4060 Ti are greatest suited to 1080p gaming due to their pipsqueak reminiscence configuration, whereas the RTX 4070 begins at $600. As you noticed in our efficiency benchmarks, the Radeon RX 7700 XT meets or beats the 4070’s rasterization efficiency for a whopping $150 much less. We didn’t take a look at the RTX 4060 Ti on Adam’s rig, however the 7700 XT would completely obliterate it, particularly at 1440p. The Radeon RX 7800 XT is even quicker, surpassing the RTX 4070 in all however one sport (Shadow of the Tomb Raider), and by vital margins.

That stated, there are legitimate causes to think about the RTX 4070 (although not the 4060 Ti). Nvidia’s extra superior ray tracing know-how continues to outpace AMD’s second-gen RT implementation, and the RTX 4070 consumes notably much less energy than each of the brand new Radeon playing cards — a key distinction in areas of the world the place electrical energy costs are skyrocketing. That decrease energy use additionally permits smaller RTX 4070s to exist. Nvidia’s arsenal of superior software program — like Reflex, Broadcast, DLSS, and DLSS 3 — additionally maintain true attraction for individuals who faucet into these options. FSR 3, AMD’s DLSS 3 rival, is ready to launch this month however DLSS 3 is already supported in dozens of video games.

If you simply need your graphics card to be actually quick in video games, AMD’s Radeon RX 7700 XT and 7800 XT are a no brainer. Nothing else compares on this worth vary.

That stated, we aren’t fully enamored with the pricing AMD selected. The Radeon RX 7800 XT must be just some hairs quicker than the last-gen RX 6800 XT, which already goes for about $500 on the road. So whereas AMD hammers the worth proposition of Nvidia’s RTX 40-series, the 7800 XT doesn’t provide a lot of a worth to efficiency benefit over what’s already out there. And if the Radeon RX 7700 XT was priced at $400, it could be hands-down one of the best worth graphics card of this technology. As-is, at simply $50 lower than its larger brother, the 7700 XT nearly feels prefer it exists to upsell would-be consumers into choosing the 7800 XT, particularly contemplating that the 7700 XT has 4GB much less VRAM and a smaller reminiscence bus (whereas nonetheless being nice for 1440p gaming).

Adam Patrick Murray / IDG

As such, if you have already got a Radeon 6000 or GeForce 30-series GPU, AMD’s new choices gained’t make for a compelling improve. But should you’re utilizing a 2-gen-old card or constructing new, the Radeon RX 7700 XT and 7800 XT are simply one of the best 1440p choices out there. AMD is actually locking down the sub-$500 market this graphics card technology.

When it involves third-party choices, Sapphire’s design excellence continues with the Nitro+ 7800 XT and new all-white Pure 7700 XT. Either could be a wonderful match for any 1440p gaming construct, although their measurement would possibly preclude them from small form-factor builds. They’re stunning, frigid, and whisper silent. Sapphire fees a mere $60 premium for the Nitro+, making it considerably cheaper than even fundamental RTX 4070 fashions. Its luxurious design and fierce efficiency makes it a worthwhile funding. You gained’t discover an RTX 4070 card wherever close to its caliber for $600.