RX 7900 XTX Vs RX 6950 XT: Should You Upgrade?

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Abde Manaf

At Tech4Gamers, I began as a comparison writer, analyzing GPU and CPU performance. Now, I focus on writing reviews and contributing to the best-ofs section, sharing personal insights after hands-on testing.

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Having spent extensive hands-on time comparing AMD’s Radeon RX 7900 XTX vs RX 6950 XT, the latest additions to AMD’s GPU lineup, I understand that these GPUs come at a price that may give potential buyers pause. To assist you in making an informed decision, I’ve thoroughly scrutinized and compared the details of each card.

Key Takeaways

• In my tests, I experienced that the Radeon RX 7900 XTX outperformed the Radeon RX 6950 XT in 4K gaming, delivering a remarkable 40% higher FPS performance, with an average of 194 FPS, compared to the latter’s 139 FPS.
• During my hands-on testing, I found that the Radeon RX 6950 XT stands out as a 12.1% more power-efficient choice, consuming an average of 286W, whereas the Radeon RX 7900 XTX drew 323W.
• In terms of pricing, my firsthand experience revealed that AMD has priced the Radeon RX 6950 XT at $630, while the Radeon RX 7900 XTX comes in at $999, making the latter 20% more expensive.
• While taking a closer look at the specifications, I observed that the Radeon RX 7900 XTX boasts RDNA 3 architecture. In contrast, the Radeon RX 6950 XT utilizes RDNA 2 architecture.

Comparison Table

Architectural Differences

1. Process Node: The RX 7900 XTX utilizes a cutting-edge 5nm process node, giving it a technological advantage over the RX 6950 XT, which employs a 7nm process node.
2. Clock Speed: In terms of clock speeds, the RX 7900 XTX boasts a Base Clock of 1855 MHz and a Boost Clock of 2499 MHz, while the RX 6950 XT offers a Base Clock of 1860 MHz and a slightly lower Boost clock of 2310 MHz.
3. VRAM: The RX 7900 XTX packs a generous 24GB of GDDR6 VRAM, providing ample memory for demanding tasks. In comparison, the RX 6950 XT offers 16GB of GDDR6 VRAM.
4. TDP: When it comes to power consumption, the RX 7900 XTX has a higher TDP (Thermal Design Power) rating at 355W, while the RX 6950 XT comes in slightly lower at 335W, potentially impacting power efficiency and cooling requirements.
5. Supported Technologies: Both cards are equipped with the impressive FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) 3.0 technology, enhancing gaming experiences with advanced upscaling and image quality improvements.

Learn The Difference: RX 6950 XT Vs RX 6800 XT

Gaming Benchmarks

I’ve tested the Radeon RX 7900 XTX and Radeon RX 6950 XT head-to-head in 10 real-world 4K gaming scenarios to see if the superior specifications of the former translate to better performance.

Testing Setup

• Processor: Intel Core i9-13900K
• Motherboard: ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero
• RAM: TridentZ5 RGB DDR5-6000 [32GB]
• PSU: Titanium Modular 1000W
• SSD 1: WD Blue SN550 1TB, WD Blue 1TB 3D NAND SATA
• OS: Windows 10 Pro

Combining AMD GPUs with an AMD processor may give you slightly different results, but the benchmarks here are also fair and square because both GPUs are being tested in the same conditions and environment. Let’s dive right in.

Forza Horizon 5

• In my firsthand experience, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX outperformed the Radeon RX 6950 XT by a significant margin, delivering an impressive higher average FPS, with a score of 198 compared to the latter’s 105.
• In terms of temperature, both cards exhibited similar performance, with the RX 7900 XTX running at a stable 56°C, matching the temperature of the RX 6950 XT.
• During my testing, I noticed that the RX 7900 XTX did consume more power, drawing 317W, in contrast to the RX 6950 XT’s lower power consumption of 280W.

Red Dead Redemption 2

• I observed that the performance gap while playing Red Dead Redemption 2 wasn’t massive, but the Radeon RX 7900 XTX still outperformed the Radeon RX 6950 XT. The RX 7900 XTX delivered an average of 94 FPS compared to the RX 6950 XT’s 75 FPS.
• In terms of temperatures, I noted that the RX 6950 XT ran at a temperature of 69°C, while the RX 7900 XTX operated at a slightly higher temperature of 95°C.
• Regarding power consumption, I found that the RX 6950 XT was more power-efficient, using 294W, while the RX 7900 XTX consumed more power, drawing 327W.

Similar Comparison: RTX 4080 Vs RX 6950 XT

The Witcher 3

• During my testing, I recorded an average FPS of 104 on the RX 6950 XT, while the RX 7900 XTX achieved a significantly higher average of 152 FPS.
• Regarding temperatures, I observed that the RX 6950 XT operated at 69°C, while the RX 7900 XTX ran at a slightly cooler temperature of 65°C.
• In terms of power consumption, the RX 6950 XT was more power-efficient, drawing 281W, while the RX 7900 XTX consumed more power at 322W.

God Of War

• In my testing with God of War, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX consistently delivered higher performance, averaging 102 frames per second, while the Radeon RX 6950 XT lagged behind with an average of 79 FPS.
• Notably, both GPUs exhibited ideal temperatures during gameplay, with only a negligible 1-degree advantage in favor of the RX 7900 XTX.
• In terms of power consumption, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX maintained its higher power draw, consuming 326W compared to the Radeon RX 6950 XT’s 294W.

Spiderman Remastered

• In my Spiderman Remastered benchmarks, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX delivered a resounding victory with an impressive average FPS of 118, leaving the Radeon RX 6950 XT far behind with an average FPS of only 53.
• Interestingly, despite its higher power consumption, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX managed to maintain a cooler temperature, operating at 65°C compared to the Radeon RX 6950 XT’s 69°C.
• However, it’s worth noting that the Radeon RX 7900 XTX came at a cost in terms of power consumption, as it drew a substantial 329W, while the Radeon RX 6950 XT was more power-efficient at 281W.

Also Check: RTX 4090 Vs RTX 3080 Ti

F1 22

• During my performance evaluation, both cards performed admirably, but the Radeon RX 7900 XTX showcased a significant advantage, achieving an average of 161 FPS compared to the Radeon RX 6950 XT’s average of 98 FPS.
• Interestingly, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX managed to maintain a slightly lower temperature at 68°C, highlighting its efficiency compared to the Radeon RX 6950 XT, which operated at 69°C.
• However, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX maintained its position as the power-hungry card, consuming an average of 314W, while the Radeon RX 6950 XT was more power-efficient, using 289W.

Read More: RTX 4090 Vs RX 6950 XT

Cyberpunk 2077

• In my testing, both graphics cards faced challenges in crossing the 100 FPS mark, with the Radeon RX 7900 XTX achieving an average score of only 86 FPS.
• Despite the power difference, the temperature variation between the two cards was negligible, further showcasing the efficiency of the Radeon RX 7900 XTX.
• However, it’s worth noting that the Radeon RX 7900 XTX consumed 11% more power, drawing 321W, compared to the Radeon RX 6950 XT.

Also Check: RX 7900 GRE Vs RX 6950 XT

Grand Theft Auto V

• In the case of GTA V performance, both cards delivered exceptional results, averaging 188 FPS.
• The temperature difference, although not substantial, did favor the Radeon RX 7900 XTX, which operated at a cooler 65 degrees Celsius, presenting a 4-degree advantage over the Radeon RX 6950 XT.
• However, it’s worth recognizing the efficiency of the Radeon RX 6950 XT in this scenario, as it achieved the same frame rate while consuming less power, drawing 285W, compared to its competitor’s 325W.

Apex Legends

• While I was testing Apex Legends, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX delivered an impressive victory, providing an average of 259 FPS, while the Radeon RX 6950 XT achieved 143 FPS.
• In terms of temperature, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX maintained a slightly cooler temperature at 68 degrees Celsius, while the Radeon RX 6950 XT operated at 69 degrees Celsius, with a negligible difference.
• Despite the performance lead, the Radeon RX 6950 XT was the more power-efficient option, consuming 285W compared to the Radeon RX 7900 XTX’s 320W.

Learn More: RTX 4070 Ti Vs RX 6950 XT

Valorant

• While going over FPS, both cards performed exceptionally well, with FPS numbers through the roof. The Radeon RX 7900 XTX achieved 586 FPS, while the Radeon RX 6950 XT wasn’t far behind at 492 FPS.
• Remarkably, while I was testing Valorant, both GPUs maintained a cool and optimal temperature of 65 degrees Celsius, showcasing their efficient cooling solutions.
• However, the power draw was noticeably higher on the Radeon RX 7900 XTX, consuming 329W compared to the more power-efficient Radeon RX 6950 XT at 280W.

Also Read: RTX 4070 Vs RX 7900 XTX

Overall Gaming Performance

• In my personal experience, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX consistently outperformed the Radeon RX 6950 XT in nearly every game, with Spiderman Remastered showcasing an impressive 127% performance advantage for the RX 7900 XTX.
• Games like Forza Horizon 5, F1 22, and Apex Legends also witnessed significant performance differences, all favoring the Radeon RX 7900 XTX. However, there were instances where the Radeon RX 6950 XT showed its strength, notably in GTA V and Valorant, where it performed well.
• When considering the overall FPS averages from both cards across 10 games at 4K settings, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX delivered an average of 194.4 FPS, while the Radeon RX 6950 XT averaged 138.9 FPS. This translates to nearly a 33.3% better performance by the Radeon RX 7900 XTX compared to the Radeon RX 6950 XT.

Similar Comparison: RTX 3090 Ti Vs RX 7900 XTX

Average Power Consumption

• Taking a closer look at the power consumption of the Radeon RX 7900 XTX and Radeon RX 6950 XT, I find an interesting contrast. In this domain, the Radeon RX 6950 XT takes the lead.
• Throughout my testing, the Radeon RX 6950 XT consistently stayed below the 300W mark in every game, while the Radeon RX 7900 XTX never dipped below 310W. On average, the Radeon RX 6950 XT drew 285.7W from the motherboard, whereas the Radeon RX 7900 XTX averaged a higher consumption of 323W.
• Comparing these averages, I can conclude that the Radeon RX 7900 XTX uses almost 12.2% more power than the Radeon RX 6950 XT. This discrepancy could potentially lead to higher energy costs for users over time.

Similar Read: RTX 4070 Vs RX 7900 XTX

Average Thermal Statistics

• While the power consumption comparison favored the Radeon RX 6950 XT, it was surprising to find that the Radeon RX 7900 XTX generally maintained a cooler temperature. Despite its higher power draw, the RX 7900 XTX ran cooler than the RX 6950 XT.
• In games like Forza Horizon 5, God of War, F1 22, Apex Legends, and Valorant, the temperature difference between the two graphics cards was negligible, with the Radeon RX 6950 XT consistently running 1 degree Celsius hotter.
• However, in titles like Red Dead Redemption 2, The Witcher 3, Spiderman Remastered, and GTA V, the temperature gap became more noticeable, with the Radeon RX 7900 XTX consistently running up to 4 degrees Celsius cooler than the Radeon RX 6950 XT.
• On average, the Radeon RX 6950 XT maintained a temperature of 68.6 degrees Celsius, whereas the Radeon RX 7900 XTX kept cooler at 66.5 degrees Celsius, leading to a 3.1% difference.

Another Read: RTX 4070 Ti Vs RX 7900 XTX

Pricing And Availability

As of my last update, it seems that the Radeon RX 7900 XTX is listed on AMD’s official website for $999, while the Radeon RX 6950 XT is available at a lower price of $630 on platforms like Newegg.

Moreover, there are multiple variants of the Radeon RX 6950 XT available on Amazon, including options like the XFX Speedster and Powercolor Red Devil, which offer even more competitive prices.

However, please note that pricing and availability can change over time, so I recommend checking the latest prices and availability from reliable sources before making a purchase.

Read More: RX 7900 XTX Vs RX 7900 XT

RX 7900 XTX Vs RX 6950 XT: Which One Would I Recommend?

• Taking the overall FPS averages into account, I strongly recommend the Radeon RX 7900 XTX over the Radeon RX 6950 XT. The RX 7900 XTX delivers nearly 33.3% better performance at 4K settings.
• However, it’s worth noting that the Radeon RX 7900 XTX consumes about 12.2% more power than the Radeon RX 6950 XT, potentially leading to higher energy costs.
• In terms of temperatures, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX maintains a slightly cooler temperature, with a 3.1% difference compared to the Radeon RX 6950 XT.

Pros And Cons

Another Comparison: RX 7900 XTX Vs RTX 3080 Ti

Also Read:

• RX 7900 XTX Vs RX 6900 XT

Abde Manaf

[Comparisons Expert]

Abdemanaf is a skilled creative writer who has been honing his craft since 2011. While initially working in different fields, he found a passion for technology and has been exploring the tech world since early 2015. Over the years, he has developed an in-depth knowledge of the latest tech trends and product offerings by various companies.

Abdemanaf’s writing reflects his analytical mindset and ability to think critically. He has a knack for breaking down complex technical information into easily digestible pieces, making his articles engaging and accessible to readers from all backgrounds. In February 2022, he joined Tech4Gamers as a blog and product comparison writer, where he has been able to hone his skills further.

As a writer, Abdemanaf is dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest technological advancements and trends, enabling him to provide readers with the most relevant and accurate information. He is always eager to learn more and is constantly seeking new challenges to improve his skills.

Get In Touch: manaf@tech4gamers.com