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RX 7900 XT vs RTX 3080 Ti

Showdown of the GPUs

Reviewed By: Kevin Pocock

Last Updated on January 3, 2024
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The RX 7900 XT and the RTX 3080 Ti are both high-end graphics cards that are designed for gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks. Both cards are based on different architectures and have different specs, but they both deliver exceptional performances.

In this article, we will compare the two cards in terms of their specifications, performance, and overall value, to help you decide which option is better for your needs. Whether you are a hardcore gamer looking for the ultimate gaming experience or a professional working with demanding applications, this comparison will give you a good idea of what to expect from these two powerful GPUs.

7900 XT vs RTX 3080 Ti specs comparison

The first thing to point out in this comparison is the difference between architectures. The 7900 XT is a result of the latest generation of AMD’s GPUs; it has incredibly advanced enhancements. On the other hand, the 3080 Ti, a powerful GPU is from the previous Nvidia generation, comes with 2nd gen ray tracing.

This will denote a difference big enough to notice. But we will talk about the effect of these feature differences in the next section.

 7900 XTRTX 3080 Ti
Memory size20 GB GDDR612 GB GDDR6X
Memory bus320 bit384 bit
Bandwidth800.0 GB/s912.4 GB/s
Base Clock speed1500 MHz1365 MHz
Boost clock speed2394 MHz1665 MHz
Floating-point performance51.48 TFLOPS36.86 TFLOPS
L3 Cache80 MB
TDP300 W350 W
MSRP899 USD1,199 USD
7900 XT vs RTX 3080 Ti specs comparison

The RX 7900 XT has 20 GB of GDDR6 memory, while the RTX 3080 Ti has 12 GB of GDDR6X memory. This could be beneficial for running larger, more complex games or applications. However, the RTX 3080 Ti has a faster memory type (GDDR6X), which can lead to improved performance in certain scenarios.

The other aspect to consider when talking about speed is the memory bus and bandwidth. The RX 7900 XT has a 320-bit memory bus, while the RTX 3080 Ti has a 384-bit memory bus. This will lead to improved performance in certain scenarios.

Last but not least, the RX 7900 XT has a base clock speed of 1500 MHz and a boost clock speed of 2394 MHz, while the RTX 3080 Ti has a base clock speed of 1365 MHz and a boost clock speed of 1665 MHz. Almost double the clock speed from the 7900 XT will allow a better gaming and productivity experience.

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7900 XT vs RTX 3080 Ti Price

Price is a major plus point for AMD; simple as that. Even though the 7900 XT is more powerful and has more advanced features than the 3080 Ti, it was released under a lower MSRP. This is not surprising, especially when we take into account, the usual tendency of Nvidia to overprice its Ti GPUs.

Although it’s been a long time since the release of the 3080 Ti, the ups and downs in the GPU market have affected the price of the GPU. However, at the moment of writing this text, the 3080 Ti is not yet under the $1,000 mark. So it’s still more expensive than the new 7900 XT.

7900 XT vs RTX 3080 Ti Performance

The main factor which impacts the competition in terms of performance is TFLOPS. The RX 7900 XT has a floating-point performance of 51.48 TFLOPS, while the RTX 3080 Ti has a floating-point performance of 36.86 TFLOPS; meaning that the RX 7900 XT has more computational power, which leads to improved performance in certain scenarios.

Across many public benchmarks, the RX 7900 XT has shown improved results in 4K gaming. Also is undeniable the rasterization power that AMD provides to its GPUs. The RX 7900 XT has higher clock speeds and a higher floating-point performance which gives it an advantage in certain scenarios, like in AI workloads or in some specific games. The L3 cache and the memory size are also an advantage for the RX 7900 XT.

On the other hand, the faster and newer memory type of the 3080 Ti majorly boosts Nvidia’s offering. In 4K gaming, for example, this memory capacity takes a more active role to improve the transferring speed of the GPU. The 2nd-gen ray tracing and DLSS really boost the 3080 Ti’s star power, but they don’t quite win over the competition. The raw power of the 7900 XT is too high to be equalized by the technology of the 30-series Nvidia GPU.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, the RX 7900 XT is a newer GPU and has better driver support and better optimization for future games. The raw power of the RX 7900 XT is undeniable and it should not be underestimated. The 3080 Ti is strong and still works well for gaming, but it can’t compete with the newer models, especially when we consider how overpriced it is.

As a tech and AI writer for PC Guide, Gloria is interested in what new technology means for the future of consumer electronics and digital and broadcast journalism.