AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT review: AMD’s comeback to competition
A quick look at the 6800 XT we see it still sits up well to this day
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AMD’s had a tough time trying to gain some traction in the graphics department, so we see how well the RX 6800 XT performs to this day in our review. The sweet spot in the RDNA 2’s lineup, it offers a strong choice for gaming at the time of its release, but it might just bring what’s needed to the market.
The RX 6800 XT was released back in November 2020, providing a strong competitive choice against Nvidia’s highly acclaimed RTX 30 series. But also coming during a shortage, it was hard to buy one or even for the price it was meant to be. But now it still holds up with a newer RDNA 3 series that hasn’t changed too much.
It has become a bit harder to find the RX 6800 XT GPU in stock anywhere, unlike the 6750 XT which is getting plenty of price cuts. But it still comes with a strong choice over what the recent choices have to offer. That’s why we find if it can still be the best GPU to go for after it came out with a $649 price.
Sapphire AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT
Core clock speed
2,015MHz game, 2,250MHz boost
Stream processors
4,608
Memory
16GB GDDR6
Dimensions
267 x 120 x 50 mm
PSU required
750W
TDP
300W
- Strong performance across the board even 4K
- A strong value proposition when in stock
- Memory capacity and speed gives it a major advantage
- Does fall behind Nvidia in ray tracing and rendering performance
- Doesn’t quite reach RTX 3080 levels
Design and specs of AMDs RX 6800 XT
The model we are looking at is from Sapphire but it is the reference model for the graphics card, AMDs own Founders Edition. The AMD GPU is another densely packed model, as it only measures 267 x 120 x 50 mm but with a 300W TDP, there is a lot of power to dissipate.
That’s where the cooling on the GPU shines. With a metal design for the whole card, you have nothing to worry about. It opts for an open design on the front and back for its giant heatsink to flow through. With a strong heatpipe selection it does move away the heat with the three fans on the front sporting a strong R on each of them.
An AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT graphics card with triple fans, positioned on a wooden surface.
AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT review box displayed on a desk with colorful computer hardware packaging in the background.
A close-up of an AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT graphics card with dual fans, resting on a table with colorful lighting in the background.
A close-up image of an AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT graphics card with three fans, resting on a wooden surface.
A rugged smartphone case stands on a wooden surface against a blurred background of colorful AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT review boxes on shelving.
A graphics card placed on a wooden surface with RGB-lit PC components and boxes in the background for an AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT review: AMD’s comeback to competition.
A graphics card standing upright on a desk with AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT review pc component boxes in the background.
AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT Reference GPU from Sapphire, source: BGFG
Overall, the design isn’t too exciting and keeps it simple yet effective. The heatsink on the front is outlined with a red border and a Radeon name tag that keeps it simple yet effective. It’s not an overclocked model either so you don’t get a higher overclock as other custom choices may provide but it still is good enough on its own.
It does only require a two-pin power connector for the 300W it might need. As for its connectivity, the card changes it up, featuring one HDMI 2.1, and two DisplayPort 1.4a ports, but also a USB Type-C option that makes it more versatile and unique.
RX 6800 XT performance
Now for how well the card does, we can compare it to other options. With the likes of the RX 6800 just below it, the RTX 3070 for Nvidia competition, and the RTX 4070 for a newer-gen choice. These give us a range of performance and choices you may consider.
Out of this lot, the RX 6800 XT does lead when looking at Cyberpunk. Heading easily at 1080p and 1440p it shows a strong performance against the competition. Although even at 4K it falls behind as does the rest in the intensive game. But in ray tracing it does fall behind, even the 3070 edges ahead of the 6800 XT, as the 4070 storms ahead with its superior architecture.
As for the 3DMark benchmarks, .the graphics performance does show the 6800 XT heading strong. It leads the rest of the choices in DX 12 and 11, but yet again ray tracing in Port Royal is its downfall as it just falls behind the 4070. Even still the 6800 XT is a strong value choice considering its performance against the 4070 which just has a $50 lower MSRP.
the 6800 XT is a strong value choice considering its performance against the 4070 which just has a $50 lower MSRP.
Sapphire AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT
RX 6800 XT alternatives
ASUS TUF Gaming RX 7800 XT OC
Core clock speed
2,565MHz boost, 2,254MHz game
Stream processors
3,840
Memory
16GB GDDR6
Dimensions
319.8 x 150.9 x 59.2 mm
PSU required
750W
TBP
263W
- Axial tech and opposite spin fans provide plenty of airflow for cooling with cutouts for it
- Metal build provides good convection and rigidity to the build
- More expensive choice in the range of models
Now looking for alternatives, the first port of call is the RDNA 3 upgrade. The RX 7800 XT is the choice you want to go for. It just about edges ahead of the 6800 XT in performance but does so in an even stronger value choice.
With an MSRP of $499 and a TDP of 263W, it costs less and runs at a lower cost. Making it a strong alternative to the 6800 XT with the change in architecture as it utilizes a multi-chip design to improve its clock rate and efficiency.
MSI GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER 12G VENTUS 2X OC
Core clock speed
2,505 MHz boost
CUDA count
7,168
Memory
12GB GDDR6X
Dimensions
242 x 125 x 43 mm
PSU required
650W
TGP
220W
- Small compact form factor with strong performance
- Overclocked even in smaller size for higher frame rates
- Comes in above the MSRP of the card
As for an alternative you can consider Nvidia, the RTX 4070 Super is a strong choice in its lineup of Ada GPUs. Offering an excellent boost in its power as we found in our 4070 Super review, it does offer the latest and best from the leader in graphics cards. With the addition of DLSS 3 frame generation and improvements, it does provide a strong proposition with a price tag of $599.
RX 6800 XT FAQs
Is 6800 XT still good?
Yes the RX 6800 XT is still a good graphics card. With a strong performance reaching even 4K capabilities, it does give it a strong range of abilities. Even if the ray tracing is not up to par it’s still possible for the card to achieve.
What is the 6800 XT equivalent to?
The RX 6800 XT’s closest equivalent was the RTX 3080. Whilst for a newer option, then the RTX 4070 and RX 7800 XT are the equivalent GPUs to it.
