Question I'm considering an upgrade - - - - need input ?

[Anomaly_76]

Quick and dirty, I have a 5900X / RTX3060ti rig that generally does well even at 4k, but is much better at 1440p. However, the Asus KO card has minor annoyances (mostly the default unicorn-puke rainbow RGB), and a barter deal with a friend to build a gaming desktop for his kid (who would love the 3060ti), affords the opportunity to upgrade.

I now run three boot M.2s with W10 / Mint Cinnamon / Tuxedo, (mostly using Mint Cinnamon), and since it's oft said that Linux does better with AMD GPUs, I'd ordered a Corsair 1000W PSU and RX 7900 XTX. Since they've not yet shipped and various reviews of these cards reveal somewhat concerning details, I thought I'd do a bit more recon.

If I'm going to upgrade, I'd like smooth 4k gaming, I am pretty much disabled and use my PC from bed, with a 75" Hisense A6 that pretty much limits my FPS to 60 or so. So the obvious question, is the RX 7900 XTX worth it for this? Sources indicate a 2080ti or 6700XT might seem much better bang for the buck (if I can find one), but will either do 60 FPS at 4k?

Or are there other better bang for the buck options that I am not aware of?

 

[triplex1]

Quick and dirty, I have a 5900X / RTX3060ti rig that generally does well even at 4k, but is much better at 1440p. However, the Asus KO card has minor annoyances (mostly the default unicorn-puke rainbow RGB), and a barter deal with a friend to build a gaming desktop for his kid (who would love the 3060ti), affords the opportunity to upgrade.

I now run three boot M.2s with W10 / Mint Cinnamon / Tuxedo, (mostly using Mint Cinnamon), and since it's oft said that Linux does better with AMD GPUs, I'd ordered a Corsair 1000W PSU and RX 7900 XTX. Since they've not yet shipped and various reviews of these cards reveal somewhat concerning details, I thought I'd do a bit more recon.

If I'm going to upgrade, I'd like smooth 4k gaming, I am pretty much disabled and use my PC from bed, with a 75" Hisense A6 that pretty much limits my FPS to 60 or so. So the obvious question, is the RX 7900 XTX worth it for this? Sources indicate a 2080ti or 6700XT might seem much better bang for the buck (if I can find one), but will either do 60 FPS at 4k?

Or are there other better bang for the buck options that I am not aware of?

You would be a joy and a suggestion from me
https://www.corsair.com/us/en/p/psu...onVaqSbInaddddXz9gn-6r6vJDDXrpc6llHFYZ20XhYq5

ASRock Radeon RX 7900 XTX Taichi White 24GB OC

<b>Clock: GPU / Memory</b>, Boost Clock<span style=color:red;>*</span><span style=color:red;>*</span>: Up to 2680 MHz / 20 Gbps, Game Clock<span style=color:red;>*</span>: 2510 MHz / 20 Gbps<br /><b>Key Specifications</b>, AMD Radeon™ RX 7900 XTX GPU, 24GB GDDR6 on 384-Bit Memory Bus, 96 AMD...

www.asrock.com

 

[Anomaly_76]

You would be a joy

Explain? I'm guessing this was a voice-to-text flub. I'm concerned mainly that I'll just be paying more for FPS my display can't handle, and that the 7900 XTX might not deliver better (if even comparable) detail to a 3090. Sources also say the 7900 XTX has an insane power draw at idle.

 

[ohio_buckeye]

One thing to consider is you may want a more powerful card as games always get more demanding.

 

[triplex1]

Explain? I'm guessing this was a voice-to-text flub. I'm concerned mainly that I'll just be paying more for FPS my display can't handle, and that the 7900 XTX might not deliver better (if even comparable) detail to a 3090. Sources also say the 7900 XTX has an insane power draw at idle.

You've 75" Hisense A6
As the inches get bigger, don't expect to get better image quality and data throughput from a smaller card, regardless of the frame rate.
You will always have 60 enabled in game mode plus.

 

[Anomaly_76]

One thing to consider is you may want more card as games always get more demanding.

You've 75" Hisense A6
As the inches get bigger, don't expect to get better image quality and data throughput from a smaller card, regardless of the frame rate.
You will always have 60 enabled in game mode plus.

All true. However, I've seen a couple videos showing the 7900 XTX may or may not always have at least the same detail as a 3080 or 3090, both of which I've found a bit cheaper used (which, of course, is always a gamble). And @triplex1 makes a good point. A bigger display needs higher resolution to make the most of it.

However, JayzTwoCents did a vid on a XTX showing that optimizing the XTX for improved VRAM / core clock speed stability more or less detunes the XTX to an XT, thus making the XT make more sense from that standpoint.

The same listing offers the XFX Merc RX 7900XT for $309 less than the XFX Merc RX 7900 XTX I originallly ordered, but with 20 GB VRAM instead of the XTX's 24. Also, the XTX price has decreased since ordering, so I'll likely cancel and reorder at the lower price anyway.

So with all that in mind, would the XT really be the better deal?

 

[triplex1]

I put Taichi a lot earlier, it's a very strong card, and a card that I liked and is at a much better price is
PULSE AMD Radeon™ RX 7900 XT 20GB

The XFX are good and strong but not reliable over time and for resale, I always prefer Sapphire.

 

[Anomaly_76]

I put Taichi a lot earlier, it's a very strong card, and a card that I liked and is at a much better price is
PULSE AMD Radeon™ RX 7900 XT 20GB

The XFX are good and strong but not reliable over time and for resale, I always prefer Sapphire.

Yeah, I think now that's what you were getting at with showing the Taichi, but I prefer a black mono look without RGB. However, the Pulse seems to check off all my boxes, and I've found one for quite a bit less, but would the 4GB VRAM difference be an issue in certain scenarios (not necessarily my own)?

 

[triplex1]

The same Taichi also comes in black.
You disable the LEDs.

 

[Anomaly_76]

The same Taichi also comes in black.
You disable the LEDs.

Schweet. Just cancelled the XFX Merc and ordered the Sapphire Pulse. Even with a 4-year protection plan (Sapphire warranty info seems sketchy), still saved $300 over the XFX and it will be here a lot sooner to boot. Thanks so much for the recommendation.

So, is JayzTwoCents correct about optimizing XTX core / memory speeds essentially detuning the XTX to an XT?

 

[triplex1]

That's right, the Pulse are good and powerful cards and will do the job you want in 4k.

 

[Anomaly_76]

That's right, the Pulse are good and powerful cards and will do the job you want in 4k.

So, as it happens, the Amazon order I placed for the Sapphire was through NewEgg, who canceled the order this evening because they sold out at a lower price on their own website. Needless to say, I spent about an hour voicing my displeasure to Amazon. 😡

There's a Nitro 7900XT through a third-party (for $1300?!!), and Amazon told me they have a Sapphire Nitro 7600XT for $509, but I'm not sure it's an upgrade from the 3060ti.

Local Craigslist listings show an EVGA RTX2070 Super for $180, an EVGA RTX3080ti FTW3 for $420 and a Gigabyte RTX3060ti for $225 within 2 hours drive of me. No comparable AMD cards.

I don't really HAVE to do anything as I have a pair of GTX1650s, a slot-powered Asus Phoenix OC, the other an Asus Tuf Gaming Super 4GB OC. I am NOT, however, going to disappoint my friend or his kid, even if he doesn't know what's coming.

So now what?

 

[triplex1]

So, as it happens, the Amazon order I placed for the Sapphire was through NewEgg, who canceled the order this evening because they sold out at a lower price on their own website. Needless to say, I spent about an hour voicing my displeasure to Amazon. 😡

There's a Nitro 7900XT through a third-party (for $1300?!!), and Amazon told me they have a Sapphire Nitro 7600XT for $509, but I'm not sure it's an upgrade from the 3060ti.

Local Craigslist listings show an EVGA RTX2070 Super for $180, an EVGA RTX3080ti FTW3 for $420 and a Gigabyte RTX3060ti for $225 within 2 hours drive of me. No comparable AMD cards.

I don't really HAVE to do anything as I have a pair of GTX1650s, a slot-powered Asus Phoenix OC, the other an Asus Tuf Gaming Super 4GB OC. I am NOT, however, going to disappoint my friend or his kid, even if he doesn't know what's coming.

So now what?

https://www.amazon.com/XFX-Speedste...33875853&sprefix=nitro+7900xt+,aps,234&sr=8-1

 

[triplex1]

https://www.newegg.com/xfx-speedster-rx-79tmercw9-amd-radeon-rx-7700-xt-20gb-gddr6/p/N82E16814150898

 

[Anomaly_76]

@triplex1 I got an email earlier you were asking where I was looking on CL... I am in Central Virginia, but am willing to drive an hour or two for the right deal. I'm DM'ing you the links I found.

 

[Syntaximus]

Maybe wait a bit? The 8800XT should be launching next month.

No idea if it will actually match the 7900XTX in performance as AMD claims, but it will cost less.
It should also have a lower TDP and improved RT if you care about that.

If nothing else, you'll be able to make a more informed decision then.

 

[Anomaly_76]

Maybe wait a bit? The 8800XT should be launching next month.

No idea if it will actually match the 7900XTX in performance as AMD claims, but it will cost less.
It should also have a lower TDP and improved RT if you care about that.

If nothing else, you'll be able to make a more informed decision then.

I was kinda thinking the same thing. The two links posted earlier were for white-themed cards, which I prefer a black motif, and one of them was NewEgg, whom I no longer trust.

For the time being, I suppose I could slip one of my 1650s in my 5900X rig, so as not to welch on what I said I'd do. But I am furious with NewEgg for what they pulled.

 

[Syntaximus]

Just my 2c, but I'd wait to get something I really wanted, regardless of it being current / next-gen.
That being said you should have less issues with finding something you want once stock is flush w/ new cards.

 

[Anomaly_76]

Just my 2c, but I'd wait to get something I really wanted, regardless of it being current / next-gen.
That being said you should have less issues with finding something you want once stock is flush w/ new cards.

While I originally was thinking the same thing, this comparison shows the 6900 XT can deliver sufficient FPS at 4K for my 60hz 75" Hisense. Now that I think about it, with that display, I need 4k detail and resolution rather than insane FPS, so I found a Sapphire Nitro Edition 6900 XT for under $825, about $1000 with a 4-year protection plan. Only one left, so I grabbed it. Seems worth it to me, but curious about others' opinions given the circumstances.

 

[Syntaximus]

Are you in the US? That pricing is way high if you are, 7800XTs can be had under $500.
The 8800XT is supposed to be somewhere between $500-600 as well.

 

[Anomaly_76]

Are you in the US? That pricing is way high if you are, 7800XTs can be had under $500.
The 8800XT is supposed to be somewhere between $500-600 as well.

Maybe, but I looked at a PowerColor HellHound 7900XT, and they weren't any cheaper.

In fact, everything I see tells me the 7800XT is better suited for 1080p-1440p rather than 4k. Several threads say the ray-tracing is wonky at 1440p, and subpar at 4k, if it can even do it. I can do 1440p now with the 3060ti, and there's one available within 2 hrs drive for $225.

I might get a somewhat better deal on a 7900XT after the 8800XT drops, but I'm not counting on that. Prices haven't really dropped on the 3080 / 3090 or the 6800 / 6900s since the 7000s and 4000s came out.

I'm also hearing that Sapphire are the more reliable ones to go with, and this one is a Nitro series, which is much better suited to overclocking than a Pulse series or other brand. Best I can do for the moment. Sure, I'm on a fixed budget, but I also see no point in paying half-price for something that probably isn't going to cut it at 4k.

However, if you have any input as to why my thinking is flawed, I'm all ears.

 

[Syntaximus]

RT isn't a strong-suit of AMD cards current and past-gen.
The 8800XT will get a nice bump if the claims are legit, but again you'd need to wait a month or so to find out.

If RT is a priority for you then Nvidia's 5000 series (5090, 5080, 5070 Ti) are also coming Q1 2025.
Those will have better performance in that dept than whatever AMD puts up, but at a price premium.

 

[Anomaly_76]

RT isn't a strong-suit of AMD cards current and past-gen.
The 8800XT will get a nice bump if the claims are legit, but again you'd need to wait a month or so to find out.

If RT is a priority for you then Nvidia's 5000 series (5090, 5080, 5070 Ti) are also coming Q1 2025.
Those will have better performance in that dept than whatever AMD puts up, but at a price premium.

It's probably not as big a thing with the games I play (mostly driving simulators), but I don't want to upgrade again for a good long time, as this upgrade was not really planned. Aside from that, you never know what updates are coming down the pike, and you also never know what new games might come out that I would like, that might dig into that aspect. I don't see finding another 7900 (XT or XTX) for the same price, even after the 8800s release. Not sure the 8800s are going to be that cheap either.

 

[theo88]

Maybe wait a bit? The 8800XT should be launching next month.

No idea if it will actually match the 7900XTX in performance as AMD claims, but it will cost less.
It should also have a lower TDP and improved RT if you care about that.

If nothing else, you'll be able to make a more informed decision then.

My though exactly, that's what I'm currently waiting to check out.

 

[triplex1]

Maybe wait a bit? The 8800XT should be launching next month.

The new cards will be worse than the ones that exist now.