After our taster earlier in the week it's time to see how the new RDNA2 architecture fares in the white-hot competition of gaming benchmarks...
AMD Radeon RX 6800 and RX 6800 XT Review
AMD Radeon RX 6800 and RX 6800 XT Review
- Thread starter tinytomlogan
- Start date
After our taster earlier in the week it's time to see how the new RDNA2 architecture fares in the white-hot competition of gaming benchmarks...
AMD Radeon RX 6800 and RX 6800 XT Review
g0ggles1994
Active member
I am wet.
Time to retire the Vega
Time to retire the Vega
KingNosser
Well-known member
About what i expected tbh so not disapointed, but with regards to stock come next year it'll be what i can get my hands on cause atm it's a right mess.
AngryGoldfish
Old N Gold
Wowzers, that's very, very good. Both the 6800 and 6800XT are 1440p kings for sure. Congratulations, RTG! And the 4k performance is still highly competitive.
Thanks so much for the thorough review, as always.
I noticed TPU had much lower power consumption numbers. I know everyone tests differently with different systems, so I'm not comparing them. I just want to add to how competitive AMD is. Looking at TPU's numbers, the 6800 draws less power than the 5700XT in gaming... and obviously way less than the 3080 and even the 3070. That's an incredible feat for the same 7nm process!
And the temperatures are definitely there as well. The cooler seems to be performing admirably. It's the first time in donkey's years where you could buy the AMD reference design and not feel like you're compromising on anything.
Ray-tracing is certainly behind Nvidia; they have a strong lead on AMD it seems. I wouldn't consider that a deal-breaker, but the 3070 and 3080 offer better value for money if you care a lot about RT. Add DLSS to that and Nvidia aren't in trouble of losing too many sales I don't think.
Seeing as I saw early UK listings at over £700, that's excellent pricing for Spain.
Thanks so much for the thorough review, as always.
I noticed TPU had much lower power consumption numbers. I know everyone tests differently with different systems, so I'm not comparing them. I just want to add to how competitive AMD is. Looking at TPU's numbers, the 6800 draws less power than the 5700XT in gaming... and obviously way less than the 3080 and even the 3070. That's an incredible feat for the same 7nm process!
And the temperatures are definitely there as well. The cooler seems to be performing admirably. It's the first time in donkey's years where you could buy the AMD reference design and not feel like you're compromising on anything.
Ray-tracing is certainly behind Nvidia; they have a strong lead on AMD it seems. I wouldn't consider that a deal-breaker, but the 3070 and 3080 offer better value for money if you care a lot about RT. Add DLSS to that and Nvidia aren't in trouble of losing too many sales I don't think.
Seeing as I saw early UK listings at over £700, that's excellent pricing for Spain.
very nice review the fact it pulls less power than a 5700xt i find very impressive going to get another coffee and nose through the written bits and slides .... i am going to build a new system soon to replace my 5820k with 1080ti and am wanting allmost all the same parts as ttl just showed apart from a lesser 8 core cpu i really like the little bit darker board and whole amd eco system idea and yer with the consoles i think these will have a great lifespan. look forwards to the water build some really nice stuff there thats 1 very happy cat 2
AlienALX
Well-known member
Encoding is poo too. And so is streaming.
I also don't like the way they brushed DLSS aside by saying it is not native res. That's a seriously, seriously foolish move.
AngryGoldfish
Old N Gold
Usually a company does that when it doesn't have a leg to stand on, like Intel with their "glued together" comment, which does not bode well. If AMD had a genuine alternative, surely they'd just sit on it, happily knowing it'll be an equal.
AlienALX
Well-known member
Indeed. It was rather telling. Fact is that with DLSS my 2080Ti is as fast as their 6800.
And that is a huge problem for them. I noticed that most of the reviews today skipped DLSS completely. That, again, was a bad move IMO.
That said it is just my opinion I suppose. I couldn't give a toss about RT but DLSS? yeah, see that I do.
KingNosser
Well-known member
I think the reason amd aren't talking about it is simply that it's not ready so why make promises if they don't know if they can keep them.
I don't think it's perfect but I do feel they sold a bunch of cards what remains to be seen is if they will restock quicker, kinda on the fence about that atm, but heard 2/3rds went to AIB's so there should be more cards from them than what went out today.
The ray tracing for me isn't much of an issue since I'm 1080p atm but at 4k can see that would be an issue and maybe in some titles an issue at 1440p, but it's early days and it's only a few games cause in some games it actually works pretty well from the many reviews I've seen.
Price wise I'm not certain as the only price i saw on a site was overclockers and i would think they charged more than the norm, Idk why if it's out of stock they can't still show the price on all the sites.
The 6800 vs the 6800XT were closer than i expected tbh to close in price, but for me I do feel the 6800XT is worth that small amount extra.
My main takeaway from todays reviews tom being the first i watched even waited that short time extra, is it's only day one and by the time I'm ready in Jan maybe sooner that things will develop more. I can very much see once a fair amount of games have been optimised for amd's cards that while in RT they won't beat nvidia it should at least get better and overall in time actually that these cards will last well due to the vram amounts.
I like the clock speeds in OC but it doesn't seem to translate into large gains tbh, but for me on the whole I'd be happy with the 6800XT. I don't need all the features of the 3k series and since im 1080p the raytracing performance is enough for me, but I get that for many on newer cards than my 970sli would really either prefer nvidia or straight up have no upgrade path until maybe the next generation of cards, end of the day if you have a decent rig your not in need to upgrade and certainly not every generation on any part of your PC.
I don't think it's perfect but I do feel they sold a bunch of cards what remains to be seen is if they will restock quicker, kinda on the fence about that atm, but heard 2/3rds went to AIB's so there should be more cards from them than what went out today.
The ray tracing for me isn't much of an issue since I'm 1080p atm but at 4k can see that would be an issue and maybe in some titles an issue at 1440p, but it's early days and it's only a few games cause in some games it actually works pretty well from the many reviews I've seen.
Price wise I'm not certain as the only price i saw on a site was overclockers and i would think they charged more than the norm, Idk why if it's out of stock they can't still show the price on all the sites.
The 6800 vs the 6800XT were closer than i expected tbh to close in price, but for me I do feel the 6800XT is worth that small amount extra.
My main takeaway from todays reviews tom being the first i watched even waited that short time extra, is it's only day one and by the time I'm ready in Jan maybe sooner that things will develop more. I can very much see once a fair amount of games have been optimised for amd's cards that while in RT they won't beat nvidia it should at least get better and overall in time actually that these cards will last well due to the vram amounts.
I like the clock speeds in OC but it doesn't seem to translate into large gains tbh, but for me on the whole I'd be happy with the 6800XT. I don't need all the features of the 3k series and since im 1080p the raytracing performance is enough for me, but I get that for many on newer cards than my 970sli would really either prefer nvidia or straight up have no upgrade path until maybe the next generation of cards, end of the day if you have a decent rig your not in need to upgrade and certainly not every generation on any part of your PC.
if you say you have something on the way like a DLSS alternative but its no where near good enough, or generations away, your stocks will take a hit for sure.
Never give away new material you are working on, until you sure as hell know it is good or will work. If they release a DLSS in 6months time, they can easily say "we didnt think it was needed but since you all wanted it, here you go. Didnt take much effort for us to make it" even though its probably been in development for 1.5years.
Never give away new material you are working on, until you sure as hell know it is good or will work. If they release a DLSS in 6months time, they can easily say "we didnt think it was needed but since you all wanted it, here you go. Didnt take much effort for us to make it" even though its probably been in development for 1.5years.
NeverBackDown
AMD Enthusiast
Am I the only one not impressed by all the new tech this year? No? Just me? Ok 
Even if I was not like I could buy them anyway. Scalpers are seemingly getting worse and worse into more things.
Even if I was not like I could buy them anyway. Scalpers are seemingly getting worse and worse into more things.
KingNosser
Well-known member
This they are not going to put themselves into a hole they can't get out of so no need to talk about it until it's ready, but i feel that the version they are working on to compete with dlss is going to work differently and be system wide without the need for AI to work it's magic but just be a good upscaler.
In terms of normal rasterization the amd cards are very very good for sure do just as well in many cases as nvidia and the 6800 really is way ahead of the 3070 in that aspect.
The other part i feel that it's early days, DX12 Ultimate and Direct ML features are not implemented in windows yet least not that i'm aware of and these newer DX12 features could actually make some headway thou only time will tell but i feel these cards will improve with age and not so far into the future tbh.
These are far from bad cards, I'll get a 6800XT and take a punt on that for a few generations and be happy with it, but longer term Nvidia are going to need to do more as amd are going in a good direction now a gen or two from now the shoe could very much be on the other foot.
Edit: After reading a few reviews for comparison I came across info that they intend to use AI for their super resolution and that it will use Microsoft Azure servers so it seems i was wrong in my thinking.
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AlienALX
Well-known member
They are doing the opposite though; slagging it off. Saying it's not full render res etc. That is not the correct answer, IMO. I understand about not wanting to make a promise you can't keep, but to go the other way and dismiss it is worse.
That's a really bad idea. Most of Nvidia's features are useless to me. I do want to try RTX voice though at some stage, but I don't have screaming kids or what not so it's not critical. RT? take or leave. I will get back to you when CBP releases (if it releases).
However, DLSS? is game changing. Sure, the (silly, IMO) purists are saying they won't use it because it lowers quality (which IMO is silly because I'm chuffed if I can tell the difference apart from the image, when done correctly, looking sharper and clearer (and thus better to me).
If you run your games without it then IMO you are a masochist and like punishing yourself. Who would kick an enormous performance increase out of bed?
KingNosser
Well-known member
Well I use RTX voice on my 970's
Basically it's good cuts out typing sounds of my keyboard when chatting and such when gaming it's a good feature.
DLSS thou has it's use at 4k but otherwise to me I don't see that it's needed at 1440p
The green screen tech is more intresting to me, but i don't plan streaming again atm.
With the way things are going to be stock wise it'll be a while for most of us but hopefully early next year things will improve.
The one thing I can really agree with you thou Alien is there isn't a worth while upgrade for you least not one that makes logical sense and tbh even next gen would be too soon in my viewpoint to upgrade.
Where as peeps like me on nearly 7 year old GPU's we are in need of an upgrade
I'd expect whomever wrote that press response either got a bonus or got into trouble or maybe both
Basically it's good cuts out typing sounds of my keyboard when chatting and such when gaming it's a good feature.
DLSS thou has it's use at 4k but otherwise to me I don't see that it's needed at 1440p
The green screen tech is more intresting to me, but i don't plan streaming again atm.
With the way things are going to be stock wise it'll be a while for most of us but hopefully early next year things will improve.
The one thing I can really agree with you thou Alien is there isn't a worth while upgrade for you least not one that makes logical sense and tbh even next gen would be too soon in my viewpoint to upgrade.
Where as peeps like me on nearly 7 year old GPU's we are in need of an upgrade
I'd expect whomever wrote that press response either got a bonus or got into trouble or maybe both
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AlienALX
Well-known member
Yeah actually the guys were complaining about that last night LOL. My keyboard is hella noisy, and I have a desk mic.
I must get that running. It's OK in gaming, but there are five of us so one has to sit out and when it is my turn I hammer away doing emails and forums.
DLSS is not as useful at 1440p, unless you are ray tracing. All it will take is one kick ass RT game which IMO we don't yet have (they are not great games tbh) and that will turn on its head. Like, if Cyberpunk is as good as Witcher III and RT is noticeable? yeah, that's gonna burn AMD hard. And with RT on at 1440p you absolutely do want DLSS, especially if it's been done correctly. It will make what is unplayable before totally playable.
I bought my Tis for 1440p. However, I know how much RT hits when you start piling it on. So even at that res DLSS is a massive relief.
I must get that running. It's OK in gaming, but there are five of us so one has to sit out and when it is my turn I hammer away doing emails and forums.
DLSS is not as useful at 1440p, unless you are ray tracing. All it will take is one kick ass RT game which IMO we don't yet have (they are not great games tbh) and that will turn on its head. Like, if Cyberpunk is as good as Witcher III and RT is noticeable? yeah, that's gonna burn AMD hard. And with RT on at 1440p you absolutely do want DLSS, especially if it's been done correctly. It will make what is unplayable before totally playable.
I bought my Tis for 1440p. However, I know how much RT hits when you start piling it on. So even at that res DLSS is a massive relief.
KingNosser
Well-known member
Once tech improves and it's full pathtraced it'll be a whole other ball game, raytracing atm is a stepping stone to true path traced games, that will blow peoples minds.
Most of the RT I see is lighting and such, but cyberpunk is very much about lighting and mood it looks really good even on an xbox one or Series X so with some added touches it does look very nice.
For me the 1080p raytracing on the 6800XT will do it pretty well really higher than that then yep tinkering resolution wise would very much be needed in cyberpunk, it's not that it'll be a good raytracing game it'll be a really good game even without them features.
Control seems to be the real killer on the cards atm, but if you look at the 1080p numbers it's not bad at all, thou i'm no high fps type person or resolution im old enough that it doesn't matter to me cause games look really good to me compared to the Atari 2600 I started on lol
thing is the raytracing on a 6800/XT is very comparable to a 2080ti and even with DLSS given the right game even the 2080ti is going to struggle at some stage just as badly.
I still feel it's a generation away maybe 2 before it dominates every game other than what was already out, full path tracing thou i'd still say that is 10 years away myself.
I've watched far to many reviews, but seen plenty of rasterization performance from the 6800XT that it beats the 3090 often at times and only really loses out at 4k and even then it's not by much, until you turn on raytracing these cards really do well.
Most of the RT I see is lighting and such, but cyberpunk is very much about lighting and mood it looks really good even on an xbox one or Series X so with some added touches it does look very nice.
For me the 1080p raytracing on the 6800XT will do it pretty well really higher than that then yep tinkering resolution wise would very much be needed in cyberpunk, it's not that it'll be a good raytracing game it'll be a really good game even without them features.
Control seems to be the real killer on the cards atm, but if you look at the 1080p numbers it's not bad at all, thou i'm no high fps type person or resolution im old enough that it doesn't matter to me cause games look really good to me compared to the Atari 2600 I started on lol
thing is the raytracing on a 6800/XT is very comparable to a 2080ti and even with DLSS given the right game even the 2080ti is going to struggle at some stage just as badly.
I still feel it's a generation away maybe 2 before it dominates every game other than what was already out, full path tracing thou i'd still say that is 10 years away myself.
I've watched far to many reviews, but seen plenty of rasterization performance from the 6800XT that it beats the 3090 often at times and only really loses out at 4k and even then it's not by much, until you turn on raytracing these cards really do well.
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