The AMD 7900 XTX has proved to be a formidable GPU, however the story didn’t begin there. The 6900 XT that preceded it opened up the aggressive high-end GPU panorama towards Nvidia in a stunning approach. So a lot in order that the 6900 XT stays related immediately.
That’s the cool factor about last-generation GPUs. The new AMD cream of the crop has not obsoleted the older gen, not by a protracted shot. GPUs such because the 6900 XT stay potent, and in lots of circumstances, can show to be wonderful price-to-performance warriors. The refreshed AMD 6950 XT added a couple of share factors to the combo, too. With AMD placing the 6000-series GPUs on sale, is it sufficient to attract you away from the breakneck efficiency of the 7000 collection to save lots of a couple of bucks?
We’re going to retroactively have a look at the large man from final technology—the 6900 XT—and the 7900 XTX of this technology. They have been each the quickest and high AMD GPUs on launch. Keeping in thoughts the 7900 XT and 6950 XT additionally exist, we’ll preserve the eye on the OG “original” high canines.
We’ll go over the present market costs, gaming efficiency, and vital issues to pay attention to. As with most GPUs, it’s not at all times a rosy scenario that leads you down the right path. The GPU market is usually murky, difficult, and stuffed with twists and turns.
AMD 6900 XT vs. AMD 7900 XTX: Price and availability
Thiago Trevisan
Both GPUs debuted at a $999 MSRP. This makes them spectacular—since comparable Nvidia GPUs are priced increased, such because the RTX 3090 and RTX 4080.
Recently, AMD has dropped the worth of the older 6900 XT to as little as $629 to make approach for the 7900 XTX. (You may even decide up the 6950 XT for below $700, too.)
They have one other shared attribute, this time regarding availability. The 6900 XT got here throughout a really turbulent time of the GPU shortages, making it hardly ever obtainable at MSRP. Thanks to an ease within the GPU market, it’s simply present in inventory now.
While the 7900 XTX has launched throughout a downturn in GPU purchases, it too has availability points. Its less-performant 7900 XT sibling has remained in inventory at $899, however the $999 XTX proves to be too interesting with its price-to-performance benefit to remain on the cabinets.
Neither the 6900 XT nor the 7900 XTX have had preferrred launch and availability situations for many of their existence. If you have been to buy immediately, you’d extra simply discover the older 6900 XT for cheaper in inventory.
As we’ll discover out, the 7900 XTX has a formidable efficiency uplift when you contemplate each GPUs at their authentic $999. That MSRP has stayed the identical, in contrast to the RTX 4080, which has crept up. If we evaluate the present $629 6900 XT value, nonetheless, you’re actually paying extra for every body by the same greenback quantity as of immediately.
Considering the above, we’d say the 7900 XTX is likely one of the higher efficiency values you may get immediately, for these in search of essentially the most frames. If you are able to do with a bit much less efficiency, the 6900 XT remains to be worth.
AMD 6900 XT vs. AMD 7900 XTX: Performance
Thiago Trevisan
Performance is the dueling floor the place the actual questions shall be answered regarding these two contenders.
What are you lacking with the older technology? Nvidia has made DLSS 3 with body technology an unique benefit to solely its RTX 4000 collection of GPUs. AMD expertise equivalent to FSR (FidelityX Super Resolution) is at present comparable on each generations, so that you’ll take pleasure in parity there. The benefit comes down to raised brute efficiency as a substitute. That’s excellent news, that means 6900 XT consumers can nonetheless take pleasure in a comparatively fashionable GPU expertise.
Keep one other vital efficiency concern in thoughts: CPU selection. With the 7900 XTX reaching such excessive body charges, your CPU selection will turn into much more of a consider some video games. Just because the RTX 4090 can have CPU bottlenecks at even 4K, the 7900 XTX shall be rather more demanding. Meaning you’re seemingly capable of skate by with a quick—however not “fastest” CPU—such because the 6900 XT with out as a lot bottlenecking.
From PCWorld’s RX 7900 XTX overview.
Brad Chacos
With Cyberpunk 2077 (ray tracing and DLSS/FSR off), the 7900 XTX is likely one of the most spectacular GPU’s we’ve seen. It even places up a domineering effort towards the Nvidia RTX 4090, which is sort of the feat!
We additionally see the 6900 XT with very shut efficiency to the RTX 3090, however removed from the 7900 XTX. If this was your sport of selection, the latter’s efficiency is round 63 % higher on paper. Oddly sufficient, the worth distinction between $629 and $999 for each GPUs at present stands round 58 %. While you’re getting super efficiency will increase, the worth is equally increased. You’ll should ask your self when you’re high-quality with the suitable 91 FPS at 1440p for Cyberpunk, or when you want extra (equivalent to 4K, and ray tracing, the place the reply favors the 7900 XTX).
There is little question that when evaluating their authentic $999 MSRP, as a substitute of the cheaper present value of the 6900 XT, the efficiency features make the 7900 XTX a better option. But at present costs, it’s a bit extra of a toss-up.
In wanting on the lower-priced 7900 XT, the price-to-performance distinction falls in favor of the 6900 XT, because the $899 7900 XT lacks the identical oomph as its larger XTX brother (however doesn’t lack the excessive pricing).
From PCWorld’s 7900 XTX overview.
Brad Chacos
With Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, we discover a sport that likes AMD {hardware} basically. The 6900 XT is placing up spectacular numbers nonetheless—even at 4K it’s capable of go above the magical 4K 60 FPS barrier. At 1440p, as soon as once more we see the 7900 XTX with practically a 60 % acquire over the 6900 XT.
That is unbelievable—however as soon as once more you could ask your self if the 123 FPS of the 6900 XT at 1440p is inadequate. Chances are, it’s going to do you simply high-quality, and also you’re paying a lot much less.
From PCWorld’s 7900 XTX overview.
Brad Chacos
Returning to Cyberpunk 2077, we now see how ray tracing fares. AMD has made some spectacular enhancements to its ray-tracing efficiency within the 7900 XTX, though it’s nonetheless behind Nvidia.
In most circumstances, ray tracing is the place you’ll seemingly additionally wish to pair FSR to make sure you’re getting playable body charges. With FSR balanced, you’re getting over 50 % higher ray-tracing efficiency with the 7900 XTX over the 6900 XT. With FSR off, that quantity climbs barely nearer to 60 %, the place the brute power of the 7900 XTX performs an even bigger function. You will get much less FPS with it off, and generally low sufficient to be unplayable with ray tracing.
The story with ray tracing is oddly like common rasterized efficiency variations between each GPUs. In each circumstances, the 7900 XTX performs greater than 50 % increased.
If your major aim is ray tracing, likelihood is you’ll be higher served on the Nvidia aspect. Otherwise, you’re seemingly paying equally for that efficiency enhance on the 7900 XTX versus the 6900 XT.
AMD’s FSR expertise is a superb efficiency characteristic on each GPUs, and so they’ll be additional augmented by the eventual launch of FSR 3.
In the efficiency conclusion, when you’re okay with the $999 value, the clear selection is the a lot sooner 7900 XTX. It’s one of many few first rate “bang-for-buck” GPUs these days, even at its present value. If you’re okay with some compromises in frames, the $629 6900 XT has greater than sufficient chops to deal with demanding video games.
AMD 6900 XT vs. AMD 7900 XTX: Power and different issues to know
As we’re speaking concerning the main performers from AMD, effectivity isn’t at all times the primary speaking level. While AMD has closely pushed its relative effectivity up to now, Nvidia has actually showcased some spectacular numbers, too.
Brad Chacos
With a 355W TDP on the 7900 XTX and a tamer 300W on the 6900 XT, they’re each cheap. Remember, the RTX 4090 has a whopping 450W TDP, albeit with extra efficiency.
This signifies that usually you’ll have a better time cooling and becoming these AMD GPUs in your system. AMD made some extent initially that these are “normal-sized” and use the common PCIe 8-pin adapters in comparison with Nvidia’s 12VHPWR answer. While that’s true, some AIB third-party coolers such because the PowerShade Red Devil may be simply as large!
The 7900 XTX is even larger than the RTX 4080.
Thiago Trevisan
Another vital level to the touch on is in driver help. While AMD has been a lot better in latest generations with driver updates, there have been some points. For instance, up to date drivers for the 6900 XT have been noticeably late after 7900 XTX drivers had already been launched for some new sport releases. That’s one factor to recollect about shopping for the older GPU—you might have much less frequent driver updates over time in comparison with the shiny new factor.
AMD 6900 XT vs. AMD 7900 XTX: The verdict
There is little question that, pound for pound, the 7900 XTX is spectacular. If we contemplate that the $999 MSRP technically stayed the identical versus the 6900 XT, it’s much more so. (We’re you, RTX 4080!)
We can discover the 6900 XT at $629 immediately, nonetheless. And whereas it doesn’t have the door-busting efficiency of the 7900 XTX, it’s nonetheless competent in fashionable video games. It’s additionally a lot simpler to seek out in inventory. You shall be lacking out on the highest body charges, and certain have inadequate ray-tracing efficiency. If you mix FSR and the upcoming FSR 3 with the 6900 XT, it’s going to extend the lifetime of this GPU much more.
Having stated that, when you discover a $999 7900 XTX, the efficiency features are clearly price it for a lot of. You’ll take pleasure in 50 % extra frames in lots of video games, together with ray tracing, on the similar authentic MSRP of the 6900 XT.
How about phrasing it like this: If you have been contemplating the 6900 XT, is the $370 distinction price it to leap to the 7900 XTX? If we contemplate future depreciation of each, it’s an in depth name. You’ll be capable of benefit from the 7900 XTX for for much longer than the 6900 XT, because it’s extra future-proof with its elevated efficiency. In the long run, you could possibly take pleasure in extra efficiency now, and an extended life—subsequently negating among the 6900 XT’s value benefit. Either approach, you’ll nonetheless have nice efficiency with each!
Verdict: The 7900 XTX, albeit dearer, is probably going price it over the 6900 XT at present, because it offers you longer usability and comes with super efficiency features.