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Is the RX 7800 XT good for 4K? There’s potential

Will AMD's upcoming new release be exciting for 4K gamers or just a bust?
Last Updated on September 7, 2023
Is the RX 7800 XT good for 4K? Hero image with card
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The RX 7800 XT offers potential for 4K gaming but with nuances. Its capability to run AAA games at 4K, particularly those not exceptionally demanding, positions it as an intriguing contender in the 4K domain. Its predecessor, the RX 6800 XT, was already a competent performer at this resolution, offering solid gaming performance at a competitive price. With the 7800 XT, you can expect to see an even more capable contender in the 4K gaming arena at optimal frame rates.

Furthermore, with a substantial VRAM allocation of between 16GB, the 7800 XT should have ample memory to handle the texture-rich environments typical of 4K games. Given these specifications, and taking into account the performance of the 6800 XT, the newer card is expected to comfortably handle 4K gaming.

RX 7800 XT 4K Performance

While the 7800 XT is clearly good for 1440p, 4K is a bit of a step up. In simulated benchmarks, the new RDNA 3 card was shown to pull ahead of both the 6800 XT and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 in 4K gaming performance. On average, the RX 7800 XT was found to be around 4% faster than the RX 6800 XT and 6% faster than the RTX 4070, with performance nearly matching that of the RX 6900 XT.

When looking at early extrapolated results, the RX 7800 XT’s lead widened even further. It exhibited an average performance advantage of 14% against the RTX 4070, and 12.5% against the RX 6800 XT, and even managed to outperform the RX 6900 XT by 6%.

In conclusion, the RX 7800 XT shows great promise as a 4K-capable GPU. Its predicted performance in both simulated and extrapolated benchmarks painted a picture of a powerful graphics card that may deliver excellent value, being able to match and even surpass more expensive competitors at launch.

At launch, early reviews appear to back the idea that the RX 7800 XT can handle 4K, but whether it is ‘good’ is relative to what you need. Techpowerup has pointed out that 4K with “decent framerates” is a possibility. Meanwhile Techspot found in its RX 7800 XT review that it was only 7% slower in tests than the RTX 4070. But it deemed “ray tracing at native resolution is not feasible”, as the card requires uspcaling.

However, while AMD hasn’t primarily marketed the 7800 XT as a 4K GPU, the introduction of the advanced FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR 3) upscaling tech adds a layer of promise.

Enhanced 4K Performance with FSR 3.0

The FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) tech has been AMD’s response to the rising demand for high-resolution gaming without taxing the hardware excessively. The recent unveiling of FSR 3 has amplified the excitement.

Unlike its predecessor, FSR 2, and even Nvidia’s DLSS 3.3, FSR 3.0 promises more than just upscaling. Not only does it bring games to life by intelligently transforming a lower-resolution image into crisper 1440p or 4K visuals, but its open-source nature also means wider compatibility, even beyond AMD GPUs.

But the standout feature in FSR 3.0 is frame generation. Essentially, it pushes framerates to even higher echelons by creating new frames between existing ones. While Nvidia employs machine learning for this, AMD’s approach leverages game motion vector data combined with its Fluid Motion Frames technology.

This novel method could be a game-changer, providing smoother transitions and enhanced gameplay experience, especially vital for the high demands of 4K gaming.

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The RX 7800 XT, when paired with AMD’s FSR 3.0, seems ready to accept the 4K challenge. Although it won’t be the undisputed king of 4K gaming, its potential, especially with game optimization and the evolving FSR tech is promising. Gamers keen on exploring 4K should definitely keep an eye on how this GPU performs as more titles embrace FSR 3.0. And, the 7800 XT has clear potential for VR too.

Can the RX 7800 XT run games at 4K?

Yes, the RX 7800 XT is expected to provide good performance for gaming at higher resolutions, according to simulated and extrapolated benchmarks.

Can the RX 7800 XT consistently handle 4K gaming?

Yes, the RX 7800 XT can manage 4K gaming, particularly for less demanding titles. With the backing of AMD’s FSR 3.0 upscaling technology, gamers can expect improved performance and visuals. However, to achieve the best results, in-game settings might need some adjustments, and game support for FSR 3.0 will be a decisive factor.

Camilo is a contributor for PC Guide. He's been into tech since he was a teen, surfing through the web and local stores trying to find the cheapest way to play the latest Half-Life on his old Windows