AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX & 7900 XT Release Date

The AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX and RX 7900 XT desktop graphics cards were introduced on November 3, 2022, and went on sale starting December 13, 2022. Both cards are built on the RDNA 3 architecture and were AMD’s first consumer GPUs to use a chiplet design, combining a 5nm GCD (Graphics Compute Die) with six 6nm MCDs (Memory Cache Dies).

Background: RDNA 3 and the Chiplet Shift

Before the RX 7900 series, AMD’s Radeon cards (RX 6000 series) used a monolithic die on the RDNA 2 architecture. RDNA 3 introduced a major change: splitting the GPU into a central Graphics Compute Die (GCD) and several Memory Cache Dies (MCDs). This design allows AMD to manufacture the compute portion on a more advanced 5nm process while using cheaper 6nm for the memory controllers and Infinity Cache. The result is a card that aims to deliver higher performance per watt than its predecessor, with a 54% increase in instructions per clock (IPC) claimed by AMD at launch.

The RX 7900 XTX and 7900 XT were positioned as direct competitors to Nvidia’s RTX 40-series cards, specifically the RTX 4080 and RTX 4090. AMD chose to focus on 4K gaming performance and rasterization efficiency, while also adding new features like DisplayPort 2.1 support and AI accelerators (though not as advanced as Nvidia’s tensor cores).

Specifications at a Glance

• RX 7900 XTX: 24GB GDDR6 memory, 384-bit bus, 96MB Infinity Cache, 6144 stream processors, boost clock up to 2500 MHz, total board power (TBP) 355W.
• RX 7900 XT: 20GB GDDR6 memory, 320-bit bus, 80MB Infinity Cache, 5376 stream processors, boost clock up to 2400 MHz, TBP 315W.
• Both cards support PCIe 4.0 x16, DisplayPort 2.1 (UHBR 13.5), HDMI 2.1, and AV1 hardware encoding/decoding.

The XTX is the flagship, with about 12% more stream processors and 4GB more memory than the XT. The XT is positioned as a cheaper alternative for high-refresh 1440p and entry-level 4K gaming.

How the Chiplet Design Works

Unlike a monolithic GPU, the RX 7900 series uses a 5nm GCD that contains the shader engines, ray accelerators, and AI accelerators. Around it sit six MCDs, each containing 16MB of Infinity Cache and a 64-bit memory controller. The MCDs communicate with the GCD via AMD’s Infinity Fabric interconnect.

This design reduces manufacturing cost because the MCDs are smaller and easier to produce on a mature 6nm node. It also allows AMD to scale memory bandwidth and cache capacity by adding or removing MCDs. However, it introduces a potential bottleneck: the Infinity Fabric link between dies must be fast enough to avoid limiting performance. AMD addressed this with a high-bandwidth, low-latency interconnect, but some reviewers noted that latency can be slightly higher than a monolithic design in certain workloads.

Performance and Real-World Use

In gaming benchmarks at 4K, the RX 7900 XTX typically delivers performance between the RTX 4080 and RTX 4090, depending on the title. It excels in rasterized games (non-ray-traced) where it often matches or beats the RTX 4080. With ray tracing enabled, it generally trails Nvidia’s equivalent cards by 10-20%, though AMD has improved ray tracing performance significantly over RDNA 2.

The RX 7900 XT sits closer to the RTX 4070 Ti in performance, sometimes beating it in rasterization but losing in ray tracing. Both cards are capable of 4K60 gaming in most titles, and 4K144 in esports or with upscaling enabled. AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) 3.0, which includes frame generation, is available on these cards and helps boost frame rates in supported games.

For productivity, the 7900 series offers strong performance in video editing and 3D rendering, though CUDA acceleration in many professional applications still favors Nvidia. AV1 encoding is supported, making them good for streaming and content creation.

How to Choose Between the XTX and XT

Your choice should depend on your resolution, refresh rate, and budget:

• If you game at 4K and want maximum frame rates, the XTX is the better pick. Its extra memory (24GB vs 20GB) also helps in future titles and heavy texture mods.
• If you game at 1440p or are on a tighter budget, the XT offers nearly the same performance at a lower price. It still handles 4K well, but you may need to lower settings or use FSR for demanding titles.
• Consider your power supply: the XTX requires at least an 850W PSU, while the XT can run on 750W. Both use the new 12VHPWR connector (though AMD’s reference cards use it, many AIB models use standard 8-pin connectors).

Common Problems and Solutions

Owners have reported a few issues, mostly related to software and early drivers:

• High idle power draw: Some cards consume more power at idle when using multi-monitor setups with high refresh rates. This is often due to memory clock behavior; enabling ‘VRR’ (variable refresh rate) or adjusting display settings can help.
• Driver crashes: Early drivers had occasional crashes in specific games. AMD has released multiple updates since launch; always install the latest Adrenalin driver.
• Coil whine: Some cards emit a buzzing sound under load. This is a physical characteristic and not a defect; it varies by unit and can be reduced by undervolting.
• Temperature and fan noise: The reference cooler runs hot and loud under load. Custom AIB models with better coolers are often quieter and cooler.

Cost and Value Considerations

The RX 7900 XTX launched at $999 USD, and the RX 7900 XT at $899 USD. These prices have fluctuated since launch, with occasional discounts and bundle deals. The XTX is generally considered a good value for 4K gaming if you don’t need Nvidia’s ray tracing or CUDA. The XT, however, has been criticized for being only slightly cheaper than the XTX while offering noticeably less performance, making the XTX the better value unless you have a strict budget.

When comparing to Nvidia, the RTX 4080 launched at $1199, making the XTX $200 cheaper. The RTX 4070 Ti launched at $799, making the XT $100 more expensive. These price differences have shifted over time, so check current retail prices.

Alternatives to the RX 7900 Series

If you’re considering other options, here are the main alternatives:

• Nvidia RTX 4080: Better ray tracing, DLSS 3, and CUDA support, but more expensive and uses more power.
• Nvidia RTX 4090: Faster than the XTX in almost every scenario, but costs significantly more and requires a large case and PSU.
• Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti: Competes with the XT, but with less VRAM (12GB) and narrower memory bus.
• Previous-gen RX 6950 XT: If you can find it at a good price, it offers similar rasterization performance to the XT but lacks newer features like AV1 encoding and DisplayPort 2.1.

Frequently Asked Questions

When exactly was the RX 7900 XTX released?

The RX 7900 XTX was released on December 13, 2022, the same day as the RX 7900 XT. Both cards were announced on November 3, 2022.

Does the RX 7900 XTX support ray tracing?

Yes, it does. RDNA 3 includes dedicated ray accelerators, and the XTX can handle ray tracing at playable frame rates in most games, though it generally performs worse than Nvidia’s RTX 40-series in heavy ray-traced titles.

How much power does the RX 7900 XTX draw?

The reference model has a total board power (TBP) of 355W. Under heavy gaming loads, it typically draws around 300-350W. It requires at least an 850W power supply.

Is the RX 7900 XT good for 4K gaming?

Yes, it can handle 4K gaming at high settings in most titles, but you may need to enable FSR or lower some settings in very demanding games to maintain 60+ fps. The XTX is better for consistent 4K high-refresh gaming.

What is the difference between the 7900 XTX and 7900 XT?

The XTX has more stream processors (6144 vs 5376), more memory (24GB vs 20GB), a wider memory bus (384-bit vs 320-bit), and higher power draw (355W vs 315W). It is roughly 10-15% faster than the XT in gaming.

Can I use the RX 7900 series with an older PCIe 3.0 motherboard?

Yes, the cards are backward compatible with PCIe 3.0 slots. However, you may see a small performance drop (around 1-3%) in some games due to reduced bandwidth, especially at lower resolutions.

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