RX 7900 XT vs RTX 3080 Ti
The RX 7900 XT and the RTX 3080 Ti land in the same high-end graphics card category, so the comparison is fair, and the differences are telling. The spec sheets tilt toward the RX 7900 XT, which leads in 2 of 2 areas and opens its biggest gap on memory. Budget is a real factor too: at launch, the RX 7900 XT undercut the RTX 3080 Ti by $300.
At a glance
- Memory RX 7900 XT wins
- Power & Thermals RX 7900 XT wins
- Price RX 7900 XT wins
- GPU & Performance5.8
- Memory6.1
- Power & Thermals4.4
- GPU & Performance5.2
- Memory4.9
- Power & Thermals2.3
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 7900 XT has 8 GB more VRAM
It’s a lopsided result (20 GB for the RX 7900 XT, 12 GB for the RTX 3080 Ti) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. More VRAM lets the card hold higher-resolution textures and bigger scenes without stutter.
-
The RX 7900 XT has 35 W lower board power
You may not notice this one every day, but the RX 7900 XT’s 315 W is a step ahead of the RTX 3080 Ti’s 350 W. Higher board power often comes with higher performance, so the RTX 3080 Ti’s appetite may be part of the price of its speed.
-
The RTX 3080 Ti has 14% more memory bandwidth
Slight advantage to the RTX 3080 Ti: 912 GB/s compared with 800 GB/s. The RTX 3080 Ti has more bandwidth to work with, helping it hold up in memory-heavy games.
-
The RTX 3080 Ti has a wider 384-bit memory bus
On memory bus, the RTX 3080 Ti edges out the RX 7900 XT, 384-bit to 320-bit. Large on-chip caches can make up for a narrower bus, so bandwidth is the more telling number.
Design & Size
- RX 7900 XT 10.87 in × 2.5 slots
- RTX 3080 Ti 11.22 in × 2 slots
Going by the official dimensions, the RTX 3080 Ti is the larger of the two.
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RX 7900 XT | RTX 3080 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 10.87 in | 11.22 in |
| Slot width | 2.5 slots | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | 2x DisplayPort 2.1, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x USB-C | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 |
GPU & Performance
For gpu & performance, the spec sheet lists components and formats rather than figures we can rank. The table shows what the RX 7900 XT and the RTX 3080 Ti each bring.
Memory
RX 7900 XT leads
The memory numbers point firmly in one direction: toward the RX 7900 XT. The RX 7900 XT stands out with 8 GB more VRAM. Newer games tend to ask for more video memory, so the RX 7900 XT’s extra VRAM helps the card age better. The RTX 3080 Ti answers with 14% more memory bandwidth. If memory is your priority, the RX 7900 XT is the card to pick.
VRAM
RX 7900 XT: 20 GB RTX 3080 Ti: 12 GB At high resolutions or with texture packs, running out of VRAM can hurt more than a small speed gap.
Memory bandwidth
RX 7900 XT: 800 GB/s RTX 3080 Ti: 912 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
RX 7900 XT leads
It’s a narrow one, but the power & thermals round goes to the RX 7900 XT. The RX 7900 XT makes its case with 35 W lower board power. Lower board power means less heat, quieter cooling and a smaller impact on your electricity bill. So if power & thermals tops your list, lean toward the RX 7900 XT.
Total board power
RX 7900 XT: 315 W RTX 3080 Ti: 350 W The RX 7900 XT draws less power, which makes it easier to cool in compact cases.
Full Specifications
GPU & Performance
| Spec | RX 7900 XT | RTX 3080 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | RDNA 3 | Ampere |
| GPU die | Navi 31 | GA102 |
| Process | TSMC N5 (GCD) + N6 (MCD) chiplets | Samsung 8N |
| Shader units | 5,376 | 10,240 |
| Ray tracing units | 84 | 80 |
| Base clock | N/A (not specified) | 1,365 MHz |
| Boost clock | 2,400 MHz | 1,665 MHz |
| FP32 computeTheoretical peak; AMD counts dual-issue, so compare within a brand only | 51.6 TFLOPS | 34.1 TFLOPS |
Memory
| Spec | RX 7900 XT | RTX 3080 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 20 GB (winner) | 12 GB |
| Memory type | GDDR6 | GDDR6X |
| Memory bus | 320-bit | 384-bit (winner) |
| Memory bandwidth | 800 GB/s | 912 GB/s (winner) |
Features
| Spec | RX 7900 XT | RTX 3080 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 7900 XT | RTX 3080 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Total board power | 315 W (winner) | 350 W |
| Recommended PSU | 750 W | 750 W |
| Power connector | 2x 8-pin | 1x 12-pin |
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RX 7900 XT | RTX 3080 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 10.87 in | 11.22 in |
| Slot width | 2.5 slots | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | 2x DisplayPort 2.1, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x USB-C | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 |
Price
| Spec | RX 7900 XT | RTX 3080 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price (MSRP) | $899 (winner) Lowest price in class | $1,199 |
“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
The RX 7900 XT undercut the RTX 3080 Ti by $300 at launch, which works out to 33%. The RTX 3080 Ti asks $300 more without winning more areas, which tilts value firmly toward the RX 7900 XT.
Prices shown are US launch prices as of December 2022. Retail prices change often, so it’s worth checking current offers.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the RX 7900 XT if…
- you want more video memory for the years ahead (20 GB vs 12 GB)
- you care about your power bill and a quieter case (315 W vs 350 W)
- you want more value for your money ($300 less at launch)
Choose the RTX 3080 Ti if…
- you game at high resolutions where bandwidth matters (912 GB/s vs 800 GB/s)
- you want the wider memory bus (384-bit vs 320-bit)
- you like more of everything, size included
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the RX 7900 XT or the RTX 3080 Ti?
The RX 7900 XT wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless having 14% more memory bandwidth matters more to you than the rest.
Is the RX 7900 XT bigger than the RTX 3080 Ti?
It’s the RTX 3080 Ti that is larger: 11.22 in, versus 10.87 in for the RX 7900 XT.
Does the RX 7900 XT perform better than the RTX 3080 Ti?
Performance is driven by RDNA 3 in the RX 7900 XT and Ampere in the RTX 3080 Ti; the spec table below shows the rest of the hardware.
Is the RX 7900 XT cheaper than the RTX 3080 Ti?
Going by launch prices, the RX 7900 XT costs $300 less than the RTX 3080 Ti. Prices as of December 2022; current offers may differ.
Executive Summary
Honestly, the RX 7900 XT versus the RTX 3080 Ti is one of those matchups where your priorities matter more than the logo. The RX 7900 XT earns my vote first and foremost with 8 GB more VRAM. The RX 7900 XT also scores with 35 W lower board power. The RTX 3080 Ti has a trump card of its own in 14% more memory bandwidth.
Your priorities do the choosing here: memory points to the RX 7900 XT, memory bandwidth to the RTX 3080 Ti.
My pick: the RX 7900 XT, unless you value 14% more memory bandwidth above everything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.