RX 7900 XT vs RTX 4080 Super
Choosing between AMD and NVIDIA often comes down to a specific pair of products. In the high-end graphics card class, that pair is the RX 7900 XT and the RTX 4080 Super. Most of what matters is shared here; the differences are real but modest.
At a glance
- Memory RX 7900 XT wins
- Power & Thermals Tie
- Price RX 7900 XT wins
- GPU & Performance5.8
- Memory6.1
- Power & Thermals4.4
- GPU & Performance8.0
- Memory3.1
- Power & Thermals4.1
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 4 GB more VRAM
A narrow win for the RX 7900 XT. With 20 GB to 16 GB, it’s the kind of difference that adds up rather than stands out. More VRAM lets the card hold higher-resolution textures and bigger scenes without stutter.
-
The RX 7900 XT has 8.7% more memory bandwidth
Close, but not identical: the RX 7900 XT lists 800 GB/s and the RTX 4080 Super lists 736 GB/s. The RX 7900 XT has more bandwidth to work with, helping it hold up in memory-heavy games.
-
The RX 7900 XT has a wider 320-bit memory bus
The gap on memory bus is slim (320-bit against 256-bit), yet it tips toward the RX 7900 XT. The RX 7900 XT’s wider bus supports higher bandwidth, which helps most at high resolutions.
Design & Size
- RX 7900 XT 10.87 in × 2.5 slots
- RTX 4080 Super 11.97 in × 3 slots
By the manufacturer’s measurements, the RX 7900 XT is the more compact card, and the RTX 4080 Super the larger one.
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RX 7900 XT | RTX 4080 Super |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 10.87 in | 11.97 in |
| Slot width | 2.5 slots | 3 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 4080 Super each bring.
Memory
RX 7900 XT leads
The memory comparison is one-sided. The RX 7900 XT leads where it counts. The RX 7900 XT pulls ahead with 4 GB more VRAM. At high resolutions or with texture packs, running out of VRAM can hurt more than a small speed gap. Anyone shopping mainly on memory should start with the RX 7900 XT.
VRAM
RX 7900 XT: 20 GB RTX 4080 Super: 16 GB Newer games tend to ask for more video memory, so the RX 7900 XT’s extra VRAM helps the card age better.
Memory bandwidth
RX 7900 XT: 800 GB/s RTX 4080 Super: 736 GB/s Memory bandwidth decides how quickly the GPU can feed itself with data, which matters most at 1440p and 4K.
Features
We don’t score this area directly, because the features specs are labels rather than measurements. The table shows what each lists.
Power & Thermals
Too close to call
Evenly matched is the fairest summary of the power & thermals section. Either card will serve you equally well on power & thermals.
Full Specifications
GPU & Performance
| Spec | RX 7900 XT | RTX 4080 Super |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | RDNA 3 | Ada Lovelace |
| GPU die | Navi 31 | AD103 |
| Process | TSMC N5 (GCD) + N6 (MCD) chiplets | TSMC 4N |
| Shader units | 5,376 | 10,240 |
| Ray tracing units | 84 | 80 |
| Base clock | N/A (not specified) | 2,295 MHz |
| Boost clock | 2,400 MHz | 2,550 MHz |
| FP32 computeTheoretical peak; AMD counts dual-issue, so compare within a brand only | 51.6 TFLOPS | 52.2 TFLOPS |
Memory
| Spec | RX 7900 XT | RTX 4080 Super |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 20 GB (winner) | 16 GB |
| Memory type | GDDR6 | GDDR6X |
| Memory bus | 320-bit (winner) | 256-bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 800 GB/s (winner) | 736 GB/s |
Features
| Spec | RX 7900 XT | RTX 4080 Super |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling | FSR 3 | DLSS Super Resolution |
| Frame generation | FSR 3 Frame Generation, AFMF 2 | DLSS Frame Generation (2x) |
| PCIe interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
Power & Thermals
| Spec | RX 7900 XT | RTX 4080 Super |
|---|---|---|
| Total board power | 315 W | 320 W |
| Recommended PSU | 750 W | 750 W |
| Power connector | 2x 8-pin | 1x 16-pin (12VHPWR) |
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RX 7900 XT | RTX 4080 Super |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 10.87 in | 11.97 in |
| Slot width | 2.5 slots | 3 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 4080 Super |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price (MSRP) | $899 (winner) Lowest price in class | $999 |
“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
Price barely moves the needle here: the RTX 4080 Super launched $100 higher. The RX 7900 XT is both $100 cheaper and ahead on more of the specs we compared.
Based on US launch pricing as of January 2024. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the RX 7900 XT if…
- you play at high resolutions with high-quality textures (20 GB vs 16 GB VRAM)
- you game at high resolutions where bandwidth matters (800 GB/s vs 736 GB/s)
- you push high resolutions where memory width helps (320-bit vs 256-bit bus)
- you’re working to a firm budget and $100 matters
Choose the RTX 4080 Super if…
- you like more of everything, size included
- you trust NVIDIA and want to keep things familiar
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the RX 7900 XT or the RTX 4080 Super?
On the specs compared here, the RX 7900 XT makes more sense for most buyers; the RTX 4080 Super doesn’t win a single measurable area.
Is the RX 7900 XT bigger than the RTX 4080 Super?
It’s the RTX 4080 Super that is larger: 11.97 in, versus 10.87 in for the RX 7900 XT.
Does the RX 7900 XT perform better than the RTX 4080 Super?
It comes down to the chips: RDNA 3 in the RX 7900 XT versus Ada Lovelace in the RTX 4080 Super. Our spec data lists them by name rather than by a single score.
Which costs less, the RX 7900 XT or the RTX 4080 Super?
At launch, the RX 7900 XT undercut the RTX 4080 Super by $100. These figures are as of January 2024, and street prices can change.
Executive Summary
The RX 7900 XT and the RTX 4080 Super come from rival camps, AMD and NVIDIA, but they’re chasing the same person: you. If I had to name one reason, it’s that the RX 7900 XT brings 4 GB more VRAM. And if that weren’t enough, the RX 7900 XT has a wider 320-bit memory bus.
If your days lean on memory, I’d pick the RX 7900 XT; if they lean on the things a spec sheet can’t capture, the RTX 4080 Super.
My pick: the RX 7900 XT.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.