RX 7900 XTX vs RTX 4080
For high-end graphics card shoppers, the RX 7900 XTX from AMD and the RTX 4080 from NVIDIA are two of the obvious candidates. The RTX 4080 is up against it here: the RX 7900 XTX wins 1 of the 2 areas on our scorecard, with memory as its standout. Budget is a real factor too: at launch, the RX 7900 XTX undercut the RTX 4080 by $200.
At a glance
- Memory RX 7900 XTX wins
- Power & Thermals RTX 4080 wins
- Price RX 7900 XTX wins
- GPU & Performance7.8
- Memory10.0
- Power & Thermals1.1
- 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
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The RX 7900 XTX has 8 GB more VRAM
When it comes to vram, the RX 7900 XTX wins comfortably with 24 GB against 16 GB. Newer games tend to ask for more video memory, so the RX 7900 XTX’s extra VRAM helps the card age better.
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The RX 7900 XTX has 34% more memory bandwidth
It’s a lopsided result (960 GB/s for the RX 7900 XTX, 717 GB/s for the RTX 4080) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. The RX 7900 XTX has more bandwidth to work with, helping it hold up in memory-heavy games.
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The RTX 4080 has 35 W lower board power
The gap on total board power is slim (320 W against 355 W), yet it tips toward the RTX 4080. The RTX 4080 draws less power, which makes it easier to cool in compact cases.
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The RX 7900 XTX has a wider 384-bit memory bus
The spread here is large: 384-bit on the RX 7900 XTX versus 256-bit on the RTX 4080. Expect to notice it. A wider memory bus moves more data per clock between the GPU and its memory.
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The RTX 4080 has a smaller 750 W PSU requirement
You may not notice this one every day, but the RTX 4080’s 750 W is a step ahead of the RX 7900 XTX’s 800 W. Recommendations include a safety margin for the rest of the system, so they’re a guide rather than a hard limit.
Design & Size
- RX 7900 XTX 11.30 in × 2.5 slots
- RTX 4080 11.97 in × 3 slots
In overall size, the RTX 4080 is ahead, which is good news only if a bigger card is what you want.
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RX 7900 XTX | RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 11.30 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 XTX and the RTX 4080 list different components for gpu & performance, and the table spells them out.
Memory
RX 7900 XTX leads
The RX 7900 XTX dominates the memory section, and the gaps are large enough to matter in daily use. The RX 7900 XTX delivers 8 GB more VRAM. At high resolutions or with texture packs, running out of VRAM can hurt more than a small speed gap. Net result: the RX 7900 XTX leads this part of the comparison.
VRAM
RX 7900 XTX: 24 GB RTX 4080: 16 GB More VRAM lets the card hold higher-resolution textures and bigger scenes without stutter.
Memory bandwidth
RX 7900 XTX: 960 GB/s RTX 4080: 717 GB/s Bandwidth needs vary by architecture, so compare it alongside VRAM and cache rather than on its own.
Features
In the features section, the key entries are names rather than numbers, so compare what the RX 7900 XTX and the RTX 4080 list in the table below.
Power & Thermals
RTX 4080 leads
The RTX 4080 does a little better in the power & thermals section, though nothing here is a deal-breaker for the RX 7900 XTX. The RTX 4080 scores with 35 W lower board power. Lower board power means less heat, quieter cooling and a smaller impact on your electricity bill. Weighing only power & thermals, the RTX 4080 comes out ahead.
Total board power
RX 7900 XTX: 355 W RTX 4080: 320 W Higher board power often comes with higher performance, so the RX 7900 XTX’s appetite may be part of the price of its speed.
Recommended PSU
RX 7900 XTX: 800 W RTX 4080: 750 W With the RTX 4080, you’re more likely to keep your existing power supply, which can save real money.
Full Specifications
GPU & Performance
| Spec | RX 7900 XTX | RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | RDNA 3 | Ada Lovelace |
| GPU die | Navi 31 | AD103 |
| Process | TSMC N5 (GCD) + N6 (MCD) chiplets | TSMC 4N |
| Shader units | 6,144 | 9,728 |
| Ray tracing units | 96 Most ray tracing units | 76 |
| Base clock | N/A (not specified) | 2,205 MHz |
| Boost clock | 2,500 MHz | 2,505 MHz |
| FP32 computeTheoretical peak; AMD counts dual-issue, so compare within a brand only | 61.4 TFLOPS Most compute in class | 48.7 TFLOPS |
Memory
| Spec | RX 7900 XTX | RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 24 GB (winner) Most VRAM in class | 16 GB |
| Memory type | GDDR6 | GDDR6X |
| Memory bus | 384-bit (winner) | 256-bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 960 GB/s (winner) | 717 GB/s |
Features
| Spec | RX 7900 XTX | 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 XTX | RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| Total board power | 355 W | 320 W (winner) |
| Recommended PSU | 800 W | 750 W (winner) |
| Power connector | 2x 8-pin | 1x 16-pin (12VHPWR) |
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RX 7900 XTX | RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 11.30 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 XTX | RTX 4080 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price (MSRP) | $999 (winner) | $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
A launch price gap of 20% is hard to ignore, and in this case it amounts to $200 in favor of the RX 7900 XTX. If value matters, the RX 7900 XTX makes a strong case: it saves $200 and wins more of the comparison.
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 XTX if…
- you play at high resolutions with high-quality textures (24 GB vs 16 GB VRAM)
- you want more memory bandwidth (960 GB/s vs 717 GB/s)
- you want the wider memory bus (384-bit vs 256-bit)
- you don’t need the extras that cost $200 more
Choose the RTX 4080 if…
- you want lower power draw and less heat (320 W vs 355 W board power)
- you’re building on a modest power supply (750 W vs 800 W)
- you like more of everything, size included
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the RX 7900 XTX or the RTX 4080?
We’d point most buyers to the RX 7900 XTX. The main exception is if you need 35 W lower board power, which only the RTX 4080 offers.
Is the RX 7900 XTX bigger than the RTX 4080?
It’s the RTX 4080 that is larger: 11.97 in, versus 11.30 in for the RX 7900 XTX.
Which is faster, the RX 7900 XTX or the RTX 4080?
It comes down to the chips: RDNA 3 in the RX 7900 XTX versus Ada Lovelace in the RTX 4080. Our spec data lists them by name rather than by a single score.
Which costs less, the RX 7900 XTX or the RTX 4080?
The RTX 4080 launched at $200 more than the RX 7900 XTX, based on prices as of December 2022.
Executive Summary
The RX 7900 XTX and the RTX 4080 are aimed at each other, and I think the gaps between them are more interesting than the headlines. The single spec I’d point a friend to is this: the RX 7900 XTX has 8 GB more VRAM. There’s more, too: the RX 7900 XTX offers a wider 384-bit memory bus. The RTX 4080 has a trump card of its own in 35 W lower board power.
If memory is your thing, the RX 7900 XTX fits. If power & thermals matters more, the RTX 4080 makes more sense.
My pick: I think most people will be happier with the RX 7900 XTX, unless you know that 35 W lower board power would make a real difference in your routine.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.