RX 7900 XT vs RTX 4080
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. On balance, the RX 7900 XT is the stronger package: it leads in 1 out of 2 areas, most clearly in memory. There’s also a launch price gap of $300 in favor of the RX 7900 XT.
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 & Performance7.2
- Memory2.9
- 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
This one is close enough that other factors could outweigh it, but on paper the RX 7900 XT leads with 20 GB to 16 GB. At high resolutions or with texture packs, running out of VRAM can hurt more than a small speed gap.
-
The RX 7900 XT has 12% more memory bandwidth
Only a little separates them: 800 GB/s on the RX 7900 XT, 717 GB/s on the RTX 4080. 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
It’s a fine margin, and it favors the RX 7900 XT (320-bit versus 256-bit). A wider memory bus moves more data per clock between the GPU and its memory.
Design & Size
- RX 7900 XT 10.87 in × 2.5 slots
- RTX 4080 11.97 in × 3 slots
The RTX 4080 simply takes up more room than the RX 7900 XT, whether that’s on a desk, in a bag or in a parking space.
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RX 7900 XT | RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| 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
This section is descriptive. The RX 7900 XT and the RTX 4080 list different components for gpu & performance, and the table spells them out.
Memory
RX 7900 XT leads
The RX 7900 XT is the clear pick if memory is what you care about most. The RX 7900 XT scores with 4 GB more VRAM. More VRAM lets the card hold higher-resolution textures and bigger scenes without stutter. Bottom line for memory: the RX 7900 XT has the edge.
VRAM
RX 7900 XT: 20 GB RTX 4080: 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: 717 GB/s Memory bandwidth decides how quickly the GPU can feed itself with data, which matters most at 1440p and 4K.
Features
Nothing to tally in the features section, but plenty to read. The table lists what the RX 7900 XT and the RTX 4080 each use.
Power & Thermals
Too close to call
Neither the RX 7900 XT nor the RTX 4080 has a real advantage in the power & thermals category. The power & thermals verdict: no winner, and no reason to worry either way.
Full Specifications
GPU & Performance
| Spec | RX 7900 XT | RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | RDNA 3 | Ada Lovelace |
| GPU die | Navi 31 | AD103 |
| Process | TSMC N5 (GCD) + N6 (MCD) chiplets | TSMC 4N |
| Shader units | 5,376 | 9,728 |
| Ray tracing units | 84 | 76 |
| Base clock | N/A (not specified) | 2,205 MHz |
| Boost clock | 2,400 MHz | 2,505 MHz |
| FP32 computeTheoretical peak; AMD counts dual-issue, so compare within a brand only | 51.6 TFLOPS | 48.7 TFLOPS |
Memory
| Spec | RX 7900 XT | RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 20 GB (winner) | 16 GB |
| Memory type | GDDR6 | GDDR6X |
| Memory bus | 320-bit (winner) | 256-bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 800 GB/s (winner) | 717 GB/s |
Features
| Spec | RX 7900 XT | RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 price gap is wide: $300 at launch, which is 33% of difference between the RX 7900 XT and the RTX 4080. The RTX 4080’s extra $300 is hard to justify when the RX 7900 XT leads in more areas.
Launch prices in the US as of December 2022; street prices move, so check before you buy.
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 want more memory bandwidth (800 GB/s vs 717 GB/s)
- you want the wider memory bus (320-bit vs 256-bit)
- you don’t need the extras that cost $300 more
Choose the RTX 4080 if…
- you prefer a larger card and have the room for it
- you prefer staying with NVIDIA
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the RX 7900 XT or the RTX 4080?
On the specs compared here, the RX 7900 XT makes more sense for most buyers; the RTX 4080 doesn’t win a single measurable area.
Which is larger, the RX 7900 XT or the RTX 4080?
The RTX 4080 is the larger of the two. It measures 11.97 in, compared with 10.87 in for the RX 7900 XT.
Which is faster, the RX 7900 XT or the RTX 4080?
The RX 7900 XT is powered by RDNA 3 and the RTX 4080 by Ada Lovelace. Check independent benchmarks for how they compare in the apps you use.
Which costs less, the RX 7900 XT or the RTX 4080?
The RTX 4080 launched at $300 more than the RX 7900 XT, based on prices as of December 2022.
Executive Summary
Cross-brand comparisons are where I find the real differences in philosophy, and the RX 7900 XT versus the RTX 4080 shows that nicely. The biggest reason I lean toward the RX 7900 XT is simple: it has 4 GB more VRAM. Stack a wider 320-bit memory bus on top of that, and the RX 7900 XT’s lead grows.
If you’d rather have strength in memory, go with the RX 7900 XT. If the things a spec sheet can’t capture is what you’d miss, go with the RTX 4080.
My pick: the RX 7900 XT.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.