In the face-off between the RX 7700 XT vs RTX 3080, the tech world is buzzing with excitement. The RX 7700 XT, AMD’s recent launch in the 7000 series lineup, is making waves in the mid-range GPU segment. With the introduction of AMD’s FSR 3.0, it’s now punching well above its weight.
It’s fascinating to see this new GPU taking on the well-regarded powerhouse, the RTX 3080. In this article, we’ll dive deep into their specifications, performance, and pricing to see which one truly stands out.
RX 7700 XT vs RTX 3080: Specs
When comparing the specs of the AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT and the Geforce RTX 3080, a few key differences become evident. At the heart of it, the RTX 3080 boasts an impressive number of cores, standing at a whopping 8704, dwarfing the RX 7700 XT’s 3456 stream processors.
In terms of memory, while the RX 7700 XT does take a slight lead with 12 GB GDDR6 VRAM, the RTX 3080’s 10GB GDDR6X memory combined with a broader 320-bit memory interface and superior memory bandwidth means it’s primed to perform faster in tasks demanding high memory bandwidth.
However, AMD’s RX 7700 doesn’t lag behind in all aspects. Its superior VRAM allows it a bit more leeway when it comes to handling demanding games, ensuring they run seamlessly.
| Specs | RX 7700 XT | RTX 3080 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | RDNA 3.0; Navi 32 | GA102; Ampere |
| RT Accelerators | 54 | 68 |
| Cores | 3456 | 8704 |
| VRAM | 12 GB GDDR6 | 10GB GDDR6X |
| Memory Interface Width | 192-bits | 320 bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 432.0 GB/s | 760.3 GB/s |
| Process Technology | TSMC 5nm | Samsung 8 nm |
| Base clock speed | 2171 MHz | 1440 MHz |
| Boost Clock speed | 2544 MHz | 1710 MHz |
| Graphics Card Power (TDP) | 245W | 320 W |
| L3 cache | 48 MB | 0 |
| MSRP | $449 | $699 |
Additionally, with a base clock speed of 2171 MHz and a boost clock speed that reaches up to 2544 MHz, it undoubtedly offers faster clock speeds than the RTX 3080. The utilization of the more advanced TSMC 5nm process technology also gives the RX 7700 XT a technological edge over the 3080’s Samsung 8nm.
Another element that might give the 7700 XT an upper hand over the RTX 3080 is its latest RDNA 3 architecture. While the last-gen Ampere architecture of the Nvidia GPU was a pioneer of ray tracing performance, DLSS technology, and third-gen tensor cores for AI acceleration, RDNA 3 brings next-gen features to the table. It has dedicated AI acceleration with Wave MMA (matrix multiply-accumulate) instructions, and other upgrades such as second-gen AMD Infinity Cache for improved bandwidth and better color accuracy with AMD Radiance Display Engine.
In terms of power consumption, the RX 7700 XT is more energy-efficient with a TDP of 245W, compared to the RTX 3080’s 320W. While the RTX 3080 may have a higher MSRP, it’s essential to consider that pricing can change based on various factors including demand, availability, and region.
RX 7700 XT vs RTX 3080: Performance
It’s crucial to understand from the outset that the RX 7700 XT and the RTX 3080 aren’t directly pitted against each other in terms of their target markets. The RX 7700 XT, in essence, was designed with competitors like the potential RTX 4070 in mind, which might be perceived as an evolution of the RTX 3080.
However, the introduction of features like FSR 3.0 thrusts the RX 7700 XT into the ring to spar with heavyweights such as the 3080. When examining pure specs, the RX 7700 XT’s higher clock speed and superior VRAM offer it distinct advantages, potentially narrowing the performance gap between it and the RTX 3080.
In terms of gaming performance, it’s already established that the 7700 XT is a card built for 1440p, and it can perform well at 1080 and even 4k in many titles. In their testing, our sister site WePC took Cyberpunk 2077 as an example and found the RX 7700 hitting 122 FPS, 79 FPS, and 36 FPS benchmarks respectively, though it completely tanked with ray tracing on. This jumped up to 260, 186, and 96 in titles such as Overwatch 2, also without RT.
When looking at the RTX 3060, TechSpot’s average performance across 14 games from back when it was released reveals an average frame rate of 181 FPS and 108 FPS at 1440p and 4K respectively. Additionally, its DLSS support helps boost frame rates with ray tracing enabled. The 3080 comes out on top in 4k performance, but the cards can hold similar average fps in some games.
Nvidia’s RTX 3080 might have had its reign in the past, but it mainly leans on its ray tracing 2.0 capabilities when put head-to-head against the RX 7700 XT. While the 3080 is undoubtedly a powerful GPU in its own right, the RX 7700 XT emerges as the more prudent choice for those seeking better value for their money, especially considering its commendable performance metrics which tread closely behind the 3080’s.
RX 7700 XT vs RTX 3080: Price
In the world of GPUs, price can often be the determining factor for many buyers, especially when performance differences between competitors are not colossal. The RX 7700 XT, even though one might yearn for an even more competitive price point, stands out notably when it comes to its cost, especially when contrasted with the RTX 3080’s MSRP.
Given the RX 7700 XT’s performance, which is competitive and often closely trails that of the 3080, its lower price tag gives it a distinct edge, providing gamers and enthusiasts with an option that’s lighter on the wallet yet doesn’t skimp on performance. It’s slightly cheaper than the RX 7800 XT, the alternative new GPU release from AMD. We’ve put together a list of some of the best RX 7700 XT GPUs here, so you can start weighing up what you can get for your money from different brands.
RX 7700 XT vs RTX 3080: Conclusion
In this head-to-head matchup between the new Radeon RX 7700 XT and the RTX 3080, while both GPUs have their merits, the RX 7700 XT edges out as the victor, particularly when you factor in its performance-to-price ratio. For PC gamers who are seeking top-tier gaming performance without completely draining their pockets, the RX 7700 XT is the GPU to watch out for.
On the other hand, if budget isn’t a constraint and you’re after every ounce of power you can get, the RTX 3080 still holds its ground as a formidable GPU. But for the majority, the RX 7700 XT strikes the right balance, making it the preferred choice in this comparison. To further help you decide if this GPU upgrade is worth it, we’ve compared AMD’s latest release to other popular cards currently on the market, including the 7700 XT vs the RTX 4060 Ti and the 7700 vs the RX 6800 XT.
