RX 7800 XT vs RTX 3060 Ti
Same class, different makers. The RX 7800 XT (AMD) and the RTX 3060 Ti (NVIDIA) are built for the same kind of buyer. Scoring each area separately, the RX 7800 XT comes out on top 1 times out of 2. Its lead is sharpest in memory. Budget is a real factor too: at launch, the RTX 3060 Ti undercut the RX 7800 XT by $100.
At a glance
- Memory RX 7800 XT wins
- Power & Thermals RTX 3060 Ti wins
- Price RTX 3060 Ti wins
- GPU & Performance7.8
- Memory10.0
- Power & Thermals0.0
- GPU & Performance3.8
- Memory3.1
- Power & Thermals5.4
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The RX 7800 XT has 8 GB more VRAM
The RTX 3060 Ti is clearly behind on vram (8 GB against 16 GB), and that’s one of its biggest weak spots in this matchup. At high resolutions or with texture packs, running out of VRAM can hurt more than a small speed gap.
-
The RTX 3060 Ti has 63 W lower board power
On this line of the spec sheet, the RTX 3060 Ti is in a different league: 200 W, next to 263 W for the RX 7800 XT. The RTX 3060 Ti draws less power, which makes it easier to cool in compact cases.
-
The RX 7800 XT has 39% more memory bandwidth
For memory bandwidth, the RX 7800 XT leads by a wide margin: 624 GB/s versus 448 GB/s. Memory bandwidth decides how quickly the GPU can feed itself with data, which matters most at 1440p and 4K.
-
The RTX 3060 Ti has a smaller 600 W PSU requirement
This is a headline difference. With 600 W to the RX 7800 XT’s 700 W, the RTX 3060 Ti has a lead that’s easy to see on paper and in practice. Recommendations include a safety margin for the rest of the system, so they’re a guide rather than a hard limit.
Design & Size
- RX 7800 XT 10.51 in × 2 slots
- RTX 3060 Ti 9.53 in × 2 slots
The RTX 3060 Ti is the smaller card here, which some buyers will see as a plus and others as a compromise.
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RX 7800 XT | RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 10.51 in | 9.53 in |
| Slot width | 2 slots | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | N/A (not specified) | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 |
GPU & Performance
On gpu & performance, the useful details are the names in the table: what each one uses, not a figure we can rank.
Memory
RX 7800 XT leads
The RX 7800 XT wins the memory section decisively. The RX 7800 XT steps ahead thanks to 8 GB more VRAM. More VRAM lets the card hold higher-resolution textures and bigger scenes without stutter. For anyone who cares most about memory, the RX 7800 XT is the safer choice.
VRAM
RX 7800 XT: 16 GB RTX 3060 Ti: 8 GB Newer games tend to ask for more video memory, so the RX 7800 XT’s extra VRAM helps the card age better.
Memory bandwidth
RX 7800 XT: 624 GB/s RTX 3060 Ti: 448 GB/s Bandwidth needs vary by architecture, so compare it alongside VRAM and cache rather than on its own.
Features
For features, the differences are in the specifics (component names and types), so the table is the place to look.
Power & Thermals
RTX 3060 Ti leads
In the power & thermals category, the RTX 3060 Ti isn’t just ahead; it’s clearly ahead. The RTX 3060 Ti stands out with 63 W lower board power. Lower board power means less heat, quieter cooling and a smaller impact on your electricity bill. The power & thermals verdict goes to the RTX 3060 Ti.
Total board power
RX 7800 XT: 263 W RTX 3060 Ti: 200 W Higher board power often comes with higher performance, so the RX 7800 XT’s appetite may be part of the price of its speed.
Recommended PSU
RX 7800 XT: 700 W RTX 3060 Ti: 600 W The recommended power supply tells you whether your current PSU can handle the card without an upgrade.
Full Specifications
GPU & Performance
| Spec | RX 7800 XT | RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | RDNA 3 | Ampere |
| GPU die | Navi 32 | GA104 |
| Process | TSMC N5 (GCD) + N6 (MCD) chiplets | Samsung 8N |
| Shader units | 3,840 | 4,864 |
| Ray tracing units | 60 Most ray tracing units | 38 |
| Base clock | N/A (not specified) | 1,410 MHz |
| Boost clock | 2,430 MHz | 1,665 MHz |
| FP32 computeTheoretical peak; AMD counts dual-issue, so compare within a brand only | 37.3 TFLOPS Most compute in class | 16.2 TFLOPS |
Memory
| Spec | RX 7800 XT | RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 16 GB (winner) | 8 GB |
| Memory type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory bus | 256-bit | 256-bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 624 GB/s (winner) Most memory bandwidth | 448 GB/s |
Features
| Spec | RX 7800 XT | RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling | FSR 3 | DLSS Super Resolution |
| Frame generation | FSR 3 Frame Generation, AFMF 2 | No DLSS Frame Generation |
| PCIe interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
Power & Thermals
| Spec | RX 7800 XT | RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Total board power | 263 W Most power-hungry in class | 200 W (winner) |
| Recommended PSU | 700 W Biggest PSU requirement | 600 W (winner) |
| Power connector | 2x 8-pin | 1x 12-pin |
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RX 7800 XT | RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 10.51 in | 9.53 in |
| Slot width | 2 slots | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | N/A (not specified) | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 |
Price
| Spec | RX 7800 XT | RTX 3060 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price (MSRP) | $499 | $399 (winner) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
That’s $100 between the two launch prices, a spread of 25% that makes the RTX 3060 Ti the value-minded choice. For $100 more, the RX 7800 XT adds 8 GB more VRAM and 39% more memory bandwidth. Whether that’s good value depends on how much you need those upgrades.
These are US launch prices, recorded September 2023; what you pay today may be higher or lower.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the RX 7800 XT if…
- you want more video memory for the years ahead (16 GB vs 8 GB)
- you game at high resolutions where bandwidth matters (624 GB/s vs 448 GB/s)
- you like more of everything, size included
Choose the RTX 3060 Ti if…
- you care about your power bill and a quieter case (200 W vs 263 W)
- you want to keep your current power supply (600 W vs 700 W recommended PSU)
- you’d rather keep $100 in your pocket
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the RX 7800 XT or the RTX 3060 Ti?
The RX 7800 XT makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if you care more about 63 W lower board power than anything else.
Which is larger, the RX 7800 XT or the RTX 3060 Ti?
The RTX 3060 Ti is actually the more compact one. It measures 9.53 in, while the RX 7800 XT comes in at 10.51 in.
Does the RX 7800 XT perform better than the RTX 3060 Ti?
It comes down to the chips: RDNA 3 in the RX 7800 XT versus Ampere in the RTX 3060 Ti. Our spec data lists them by name rather than by a single score.
Is the RX 7800 XT cheaper than the RTX 3060 Ti?
At launch, the RTX 3060 Ti undercut the RX 7800 XT by $100. These figures are as of September 2023, and street prices can change.
Executive Summary
I’ll be upfront: I have no stake in whether you buy AMD or NVIDIA. I only care that you end up with the right one of the RX 7800 XT and the RTX 3060 Ti. To me, the standout is that the RX 7800 XT offers 8 GB more VRAM. The RTX 3060 Ti isn’t without merit: 63 W lower board power is a real advantage.
I’d steer memory fans toward the RX 7800 XT and power & thermals fans toward the RTX 3060 Ti.
My pick: the RX 7800 XT, though the RTX 3060 Ti makes sense if you value 63 W lower board power above everything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.