RX 7900 XTX vs RTX 5080
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 XTX and the RTX 5080. Here the verdict on paper is fairly clear. The RX 7900 XTX takes 2 of 2 areas against the RTX 5080, starting with memory.
At a glance
- Memory RX 7900 XTX wins
- Power & Thermals RX 7900 XTX wins
- Price Tie
- GPU & Performance7.8
- Memory10.0
- Power & Thermals1.1
- GPU & Performance8.9
- Memory5.3
- Power & Thermals0.0
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 XTX has 8 GB more VRAM
A clear win for the RX 7900 XTX: 24 GB against 16 GB. Few specs in this matchup are as one-sided. More VRAM lets the card hold higher-resolution textures and bigger scenes without stutter.
-
The RX 7900 XTX has a wider 384-bit memory bus
Here the RX 7900 XTX pulls well ahead of the RTX 5080, with 384-bit compared to 256-bit. A wider memory bus moves more data per clock between the GPU and its memory.
-
The RX 7900 XTX has a smaller 800 W PSU requirement
On recommended psu, the RX 7900 XTX edges out the RTX 5080, 800 W to 850 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 5080 11.97 in × 2 slots
A larger body can leave more room inside, while a smaller one is easier to live with in tight spaces. Here, the RTX 5080 is the larger card.
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RX 7900 XTX | RTX 5080 |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 11.30 in | 11.97 in |
| Slot width | 2.5 slots | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | 2x DisplayPort 2.1, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x USB-C | 3x DisplayPort 2.1b, 1x HDMI 2.1b |
GPU & Performance
In the gpu & performance section, the key entries are names rather than numbers, so compare what the RX 7900 XTX and the RTX 5080 list in the table below.
Memory
RX 7900 XTX leads
This is one of the RX 7900 XTX’s strongest areas. On memory, the RTX 5080 falls well short. The RX 7900 XTX gives you 8 GB more VRAM. At high resolutions or with texture packs, running out of VRAM can hurt more than a small speed gap. In short, the RX 7900 XTX is the better-equipped card for memory.
VRAM
RX 7900 XTX: 24 GB RTX 5080: 16 GB Newer games tend to ask for more video memory, so the RX 7900 XTX’s extra VRAM helps the card age better.
Memory bus
RX 7900 XTX: 384-bit RTX 5080: 256-bit The RX 7900 XTX’s wider bus supports higher bandwidth, which helps most at high resolutions.
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 XTX leads
Slight edge to the RX 7900 XTX on power & thermals. Most buyers could live happily with either. The RX 7900 XTX takes this one with a smaller 800 W PSU requirement. The recommended power supply tells you whether your current PSU can handle the card without an upgrade. So if power & thermals tops your list, lean toward the RX 7900 XTX.
Recommended PSU
RX 7900 XTX: 800 W RTX 5080: 850 W With the RX 7900 XTX, you’re more likely to keep your existing power supply, which can save real money.
Full Specifications
GPU & Performance
| Spec | RX 7900 XTX | RTX 5080 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | RDNA 3 | Blackwell |
| GPU die | Navi 31 | GB203 |
| Process | TSMC N5 (GCD) + N6 (MCD) chiplets | TSMC 4N |
| Shader units | 6,144 | 10,752 Most shader units |
| Ray tracing units | 96 Most ray tracing units | 84 |
| Base clock | N/A (not specified) | 2,295 MHz |
| Boost clock | 2,500 MHz | 2,617 MHz Highest boost clock |
| FP32 computeTheoretical peak; AMD counts dual-issue, so compare within a brand only | 61.4 TFLOPS Most compute in class | 56.3 TFLOPS |
Memory
| Spec | RX 7900 XTX | RTX 5080 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 24 GB (winner) Most VRAM in class | 16 GB |
| Memory type | GDDR6 | GDDR7 |
| Memory bus | 384-bit (winner) | 256-bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 960 GB/s | 960 GB/s |
Features
| Spec | RX 7900 XTX | RTX 5080 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling | FSR 3 | DLSS 4 Super Resolution |
| Frame generation | FSR 3 Frame Generation, AFMF 2 | DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation (up to 4x) |
| PCIe interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 5.0 x16 |
Power & Thermals
| Spec | RX 7900 XTX | RTX 5080 |
|---|---|---|
| Total board power | 355 W | 360 W Most power-hungry in class |
| Recommended PSU | 800 W (winner) | 850 W Biggest PSU requirement |
| Power connector | 2x 8-pin | 1x 16-pin (12V-2x6) |
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RX 7900 XTX | RTX 5080 |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | 11.30 in | 11.97 in |
| Slot width | 2.5 slots | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | 2x DisplayPort 2.1, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x USB-C | 3x DisplayPort 2.1b, 1x HDMI 2.1b |
Price
| Spec | RX 7900 XTX | RTX 5080 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price (MSRP) | $999 | $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
Neither is cheaper at launch; the RX 7900 XTX and the RTX 5080 share the same price.
Based on US launch pricing as of January 2025. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
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 push high resolutions where memory width helps (384-bit vs 256-bit bus)
- you’re building on a modest power supply (800 W vs 850 W)
Choose the RTX 5080 if…
- you like more of everything, size included
- you’re loyal to NVIDIA and happy with it
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the RX 7900 XTX or the RTX 5080?
On the specs compared here, the RX 7900 XTX makes more sense for most buyers; the RTX 5080 doesn’t win a single measurable area.
Which is larger, the RX 7900 XTX or the RTX 5080?
It’s the RTX 5080 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 5080?
Performance is driven by RDNA 3 in the RX 7900 XTX and Blackwell in the RTX 5080; the spec table below shows the rest of the hardware.
Executive Summary
Here’s the short version of how I’d choose between the RX 7900 XTX and the RTX 5080. My main argument for the RX 7900 XTX? It comes with 8 GB more VRAM. It also helps that the RX 7900 XTX has a smaller 800 W PSU requirement.
I think of the RX 7900 XTX as the one for memory and the RTX 5080 as the one for the things a spec sheet can’t capture.
My pick: the RX 7900 XTX.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.