AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT Graphics Card Review

What we have for review is the AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT. This is a high-end graphics card, featuring the Navi 32 GPU at its core along with a healthy 16 GB of GDDR6 of VRAM.

Disclosure: AMD sent the Radeon RX 7800 XT for the purpose of this review. The brand did not ask me to say anything particular about it.

Technical Specifications

The Radeon RX 7800 XT is a high-end PCIe 4.0 x16 graphics card built on TSMC’s 5 nm process, and is based on the RDNA 3.0 architecture – more specifically the Navi 32 XT GPU. It comes with 16 GB of GDDR6 video memory and draws power from dual 8-pin power connectors. TDP is rated at 263 W, so AMD recommends a 600 W PSU.

GPU
Cores	3840
Core Clock	1295 – 2430 MHz (Boost)
Architecture	RDNA 3.0 (Navi 32 XT)
Manufacturing Process	5 nm
TDP	263 W
Memory
Memory Clock	2438 MHz
Memory Bus Width	256-bit
Memory Capacity	16 GB
Memory Type	GDDR6
Bandwidth	624.1 GB/s
Connectivity
Display	3x DisplayPort 2.1, HDMI 2.1a
Power	2x 8-pin
Dimensions
Length	267 mm
Width	111 mm
Height	50 mm
Weight	1525 g

Packaging and Accessories

The AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT comes in a pretty jewel box design, appropriate for their reference level graphics cards.

Scope of delivery are as follows:

• AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT (Reference)
• Documentation(s)

Design, Layout and Build Quality

The AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT reference model features a sleek matte-black finish and is equipped with two axial fans capable of 0 dB operation. The dimensions are approximately 10.5 x 4.4 x 2 inches (length x width x height), which should allow it to fit into most modern cases with ease.

The Radeon RX 7800 XT features a full-size PCB and is equipped with a robust backplate for added protection. That said, don’t expect the same gimmick found on competing cards with half-size PCBs. That is also true with AIB partner’s models –  unless they decided to invest into designing a more compact PCB. It appears that this is not the case considering the existing models.

The RX 7800 XT is powered by dual 8-pin connectors. Theoretically, this setup can deliver up to 375 watts, offering a substantial power margin above the card’s 263-watt TDP. That’s plenty of room for overclocking.

Connectivity options includes three DisplayPort 2.1 ports and one HDMI 2.1a port. However, the absence of rear ventilation, combined with the heat-fin’s orientation, means that the card is supposed to ventilate inside the case. Such design will work best on sandwich style cases or those with support for vertical GPU mounts.

3D Rendering

The Radeon RX 7800 XT does support OPTIX, but that is not enough to dethrone the current chart toppers form the green team. That includes the GeForce RTX 4060, which is a cheaper graphics card.

AI Inference

Machine learning performance is not this card’s forte either, but it is still much better compared to even the latest NPUs or neural processing unit equipped desktop processors.

AI Image Generation

Now as for image generation, the RX 7800 XT scored 15.9 and 146.1 seconds at Stable Diffusion 1.5 and XL respectively.

API Test

3DMark’s popular API benchmarks has been tested too. Results suggests that the RX 7800 XT is faster compared to the RTX 4070.

Feature Test

New addition to the suite are 3DMark’s feature tests. This should be helpful to determine a GPU’s performance with raytracing, image upscaling, and more. Results below will be our reference for future reviews.

Counter-Strike 2

Counter Strike 2 offers an insight about the Radeon RX 7800 XT’s performance with competitive titles. 1080p of course nets the best result, offering 401.5 FPS on average.

Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk is strenuous as ever, especially for AMD graphics cards. Forget running the game at 4K UHD with high settings since it cannot break 60 FPS at such resolution. Running the game at 1440p is just fine with the said settings.

Assetto Corsa

Assetto Corsa is a less demanding title, allowing for higher frame rates. Even at 4K UHD, the RX 7800 XT can achieve an impressive average of 222.6 FPS.

Forza Horizon

Forza Horizon is a well-optimized title and is one that the RX 7800 XT could easily run smoothly at all resolutions tested.

Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail

The latest expansion of the Final Fantasy XIV isn’t that much forgiving to the Radeon RX 7800 XT. 4K UHD runs decent, but if you want absolute fluidity, 1440p is the resolution to go.

Black Myth: Wukong

Black Myth: Wukong poses significant challenges for AMD Radeon cards, with performance results even falling below those of the RTX 4060.

Civilization VI

Now Civilization VI performance results are positive. The game could be played smoothly at any resolutions tested – with excellent 1% and 0.2% percentile results to boot.

Total War: Warhammer III

Total War: Warhammer III performs well at 1440p. While it’s possible to play at 4K UHD, I prefer to stick with 1440p to ensure that I maintain a framerate above 60 FPS with the RX 7800 XT.

Temperature

The RX 7800 XT’s thermal performance is impressive for a reference model. During heavy load, we recorded an average GPU core temperature of 67.94 ºC, which is commendable given that the fan speed hovers around ±1600 RPM or about 50% of its full capacity. In contrast, the card idles at 42.41 ºC with the fans completely off. If you prefer the fans to operate at a specific RPM while idling, you can configure this using the AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition (ASAE).

Power

The RX 7800 XT boasts a Total Board Power of 250.42 W. This power level is well-suited for its class and can also be fine-tuned via ASAE for optimized performance.

Noise

The noise output of the AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT is outstanding, producing just 36.9 dBA under load.

While I don’t recommend exceeding 75% fan speed due to increased noise levels, you can explore this option if you’re aiming for maximum performance. Adjusting the fan speed and power limits via ASAE is a great place to start tuning the card.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT proves itself to be a formidable contender in the high-end graphics card market, combining powerful hardware and impressive performance. Powered by the Navi 32 GPU and built on TSMC’s advanced 5 nm process, this card delivers substantial graphical capabilities. With a generous 16 GB of GDDR6 VRAM and based on AMD’s RDNA 3.0 architecture, it is tailored for demanding gaming and 3D rendering tasks, offering strong performance at various resolutions, especially at 1440p and 1080p.

While it may not challenge the top-tier Nvidia cards in specific areas like ray tracing or AI inference, it does deliver solid performance for most users. In machine learning tasks and AI image generation, it will definitely performs better than some of the latest desktop processors, though it lags behind the high-end offerings from Nvidia. It’s clear that AMD has focused on optimizing the card for gaming and traditional 3D workloads, where it performs admirably across a range of applications.

Its performance in more graphically demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Black Myth: Wukong falls in line with expectations, though in particular is a challenge for AMD cards, requiring gamers to scale down the resolution or settings to achieve smooth gameplay. On the other hand, less demanding games like Assetto Corsa and Civilization VI see the RX 7800 XT handling high frame rates effortlessly, making it a versatile choice for various gaming preferences. Additionally, the card does very well in optimized titles like Forza Horizon, where it performs smoothly across all tested resolutions.

Thermal performance is one of the standout features of the RX 7800 XT. The card maintains a commendably low temperature under heavy load, with an average GPU core temperature of just 67.94 ºC at 50% fan speed. The absence of rear ventilation is somewhat compensated by its design, which works best in cases with adequate airflow or vertical GPU mounts. The card’s noise levels are equally impressive, producing only 36.9 dBA under load, which is relatively quiet for a high-performance GPU.

Power-wise, the RX 7800 XT is well-suited for its class, drawing a TBP of 250 W and utilizes safer dual 8-pin connectors for power delivery. This ensures there’s plenty of overhead for overclocking while keeping the card within safe operational limits. The ability to fine-tune performance through AMD’s Adrenalin Edition Software allows users to optimize the card’s settings for maximum performance or to prioritize power efficiency, depending on their needs.

While the RX 7800 XT doesn’t dethrone Nvidia’s top-end GPUs in every category, it’s a solid performer across the board and offers excellent value for gamers and enthusiasts looking for strong 1440p or 1080p performance. Its ability to handle demanding games at smooth frame rates, its efficient thermal and power characteristics, and its low noise output make it an attractive option for those who want an all-around reliable GPU. Whether you’re gaming, rendering, or just enjoying general PC tasks, the RX 7800 XT provides a robust solution without breaking the bank.