Highlights
- The AMD 6900XT and Nvidia 3090 are two modern graphics cards from different companies. They can boost gaming performance, improve graphics, and even help mining cryptocurrency.
- However, both GPUs share similar features, so choosing between the two is quite difficult. If you’re unsure which one is right for you, keep reading.
- This article will compare the RX 6900 XT vs. RTX 3090 graphics cards and give our recommendation so that you can pick the best one for your needs.
Choosing the perfect GPU for your gaming needs can be a challenge. There are several factors to consider, such as compatibility with your PC, cooling requirements, power consumption, memory, readability, motherboard compatibility, and budget constraints.
The AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT and the GeForce RTX 3090 are two of the most powerful graphics cards on the market. They’re both vying for the title of best gaming GPU. These cards provide peak performance since they use the latest technology.
The question is, which one should you choose?
In this article, we’ll conduct a head-to-head comparison of the AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT and the GeForce RTX 3090, focusing on the following aspects:
- Key Specifications
- Features
- Performance
- Power and Efficiency
- Price
By the end of this post, you’ll have a better understanding of which GPU suits your needs perfectly.
Now let’s dive right in!
RX 6900 XT vs. RTX 3090: A Brief Overview
First, let’s briefly discuss the AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 graphics cards!
What’s AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT?
The AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT is a high-end desktop graphics processing unit (GPU) for gaming and professional applications.
It is built on the RDNA2 architecture and uses the Navi 21 chip, manufactured using 7nm technology. It can handle complex graphics and calculations with 80 compute units and 5,120 shader units.
The RX 6900 XT comes with 16 GB of VRAM (a type of memory) that helps store and process graphics data quickly. It also supports hardware-accelerated raytracing, which enhances visual effects and realism in games and applications.
Overall, the RX 6900XT delivers exceptional performance for 4K gaming and content creation.
What’s GeForce RTX 3090?
The GeForce RTX 3090 is a high-end desktop graphics card made by NVIDIA. It features a powerful GA102 chip with 10,496 shaders and 24 GB GDDR6X graphics memory.
With 10-20% higher gaming performance than the RTX 3080, it excels at resolutions above 4k. This GPU also supports 8k gaming.
However, it falls short regarding the maximum detail settings in 8k gaming. Despite its 350-watt power rating, the RTX 3090 maintains good power efficiency.
Generally speaking, the RTX 3090 offers top-tier gaming and rendering performance thanks to its powerful GPU, large memory capacity, and advanced features like real-time ray tracing.
AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT vs. GeForce RTX 3090: A Detailed Comparison (2023)
Now that we know a little about each graphic card let’s compare AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT vs. GeForce RTX 3090!
Key Specifications
| Radeon RX 6900 XT | GeForce RTX 3090 | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | AMD | NVIDIA |
| Dimensions | 267 x 120 x 50 mm | 313 x 138 x 50 mm |
| Base Clock | 2015 MHz | 1400 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 2250 MHz | 1700 MHz |
| CUDA Cores/Stream Processors | 5120 (Stream Processors) | 10496 (CUDA Cores) |
| V-RAM | 16GB | 24GB |
| Memory Speed | 16 Gbps | 16 Gbps |
| Memory Interface | 256-bit | 384-bit |
| Power Consumption | 700W | 800W |
| Required Minimum PSU | 850W | 650W |
Features
The GeForce RTX 3090 is a beast regarding memory and performance. It has a whopping 24 GB of GDDR6X memory, which means it can easily handle heavy-duty tasks. Its 384-bit bus width ensures smooth data transfer. To ensure optimal performance, it is recommended to have a 750W power supply unit (PSU) and a three-slot size.
With its advanced Ampere architecture, it delivers incredible visuals and has a total of 10,496 shaders and 328 textures. The base clock speed is 1400 MHz, but it can boost up to 1700 MHz. It has a mind-boggling 28.3B transistors.
Now, let’s talk about the Radeon RX 6900 XT. While it may not have as much memory as the RTX 3090, with 16 GB of GDDR6, it still packs a punch. Its 256-bit bus width ensures efficient data flow. You’ll need a 300W power supply unit (PSU) to run this card, and it takes up 2.5 slots in your system.
Powered by the RDNA 2 architecture, it offers a shader count of 5,120, which means you’ll experience smooth and detailed graphics. It can handle demanding tasks with 320 textures and 26.8 billion transistors. The boost clock reaches an impressive 2,250 MHz, and the clock speed is 2015 MHz.
Performance
Both cards are flagship models and deliver excellent results in gaming performance. They can handle games at high resolutions like 1440P and even 4K. But keep in mind that they can be expensive.
NVIDIA generally offers better frame rates. NVIDIA also outperforms AMD in DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) tracing. AMD uses FidelityFX Super Resolution, which is a competitor of DLSS. The difference in performance becomes more noticeable, especially when it comes to ray tracing. If you want to crank up your performance, it’s better to enable DLSS.
The Radeon RX 6900 XT has a feature called Rage Mode. It lets you easily enhance performance with a single click. You can adjust fan levels and power levels to your liking. It also has AMD Smart Access Memory, which helps improve performance. On the other hand, NVIDIA has resizable BAR support, which helps improve performance.
AMD has another cool feature called the Infinity Cache, which improves efficiency by using a small 256-bit memory bus. This cache also provides extra bandwidth, resulting in less delay when accessing memory and better overall performance.
NVIDIA has a special app called NVIDIA Broadcast, which comes with the RTX 3090. This app uses AI technology to enhance video and voice streams. It can change backgrounds, remove background noise, and even track movement for a better experience. NVIDIA has added these features, and the card runs at high TDP (Thermal Design Power).
Power and Efficiency
When we compare the GeForce RTX 3090 with the Radeon RX 6900 XT in terms of power and efficiency, NVIDIA comes out ahead of AMD. However, the GeForce RTX 3090 consumes 20% more power to deliver its best performance than its competitor, especially when not using ray tracing.
What makes AMD different from NVIDIA is its support for ray tracing, along with other features like mesh shaders and VRS (Variable Rate Shading). Also, the 6900 XT boasts a large 128 MB L3 Infinity Cache to increase efficiency even more.
Price
Pricing can vary depending on the region and availability. But the RTX 3090 is typically more expensive than the RX 6900 XT.
The GeForce RTX 3090 is positioned as NVIDIA’s flagship gaming GPU, and its price reflects that status. It was released in September 2020 with an official price of $1,499. However, on websites like Amazon and eBay, the price can go up to $2,000 depending on the supply-demand scenario.
On the other hand, the RX 6900 XT offers a compelling alternative at a slightly lower price. This makes it an excellent choice for gamers and content creators seeking high-end performance without paying the extremely high price of the RTX 3090.
With an official price of $999, it was launched in December 2020. However, due to its affordability, there may be times when it is out of stock, or the price goes up.
Conclusion
That detailed comparison of AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT vs. GeForce RTX 3090. Based on our comparison, the AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 are powerful graphics cards, but they may not be the best choice for every gamer.
If you already have a high-end gaming computer, upgrading to either of these cards is not a good idea.
These GPUs are perfectly suitable for those who don’t have a high-end gaming system and want to upgrade. Since they both have their strengths and weaknesses, your choice will ultimately depend on your needs, budget, and preferences.
We recommend the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090, especially if you want 8K gaming. It provides impressive performance and supports the demanding resolution of 8K.
But if you’re on a budget and want a graphics card that performs well in 4K gaming and content creation, the RX 6900 XT may be good for you.
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