AMD Radeon RX 6800 Review (July 2024)

By Nasser Jul1,2024

AMD’s Radeon RX 6800 series has been a game-changer for PC gamers, offering a powerful and affordable alternative to Nvidia’s top-tier cards. In this review, we take a deep dive into the XFX Speedster SWFT319, a custom-designed RX 6800, to see how it stacks up against the competition. We’ll be testing its performance in a variety of games at 1440p and 4K resolutions, along with its power consumption and noise levels. We’ll also explore its feature set, including AMD’s FidelityFX suite of technologies, and compare its value proposition to other cards in the same price range.

The XFX Speedster SWFT319 comes equipped with AMD’s RDNA 2 architecture and features a custom cooler designed to keep temperatures in check and provide a quiet gaming experience. It also boasts a factory overclocked core clock, which promises a slight performance boost over the reference model. We’ll put these features to the test and see if they make a tangible difference in real-world scenarios.

Beyond its performance metrics, we’ll also consider the XFX Speedster SWFT319’s overall build quality and aesthetics. Is it a card that’s as impressive to look at as it is to use? We’ll examine its design, lighting, and overall construction to provide you with a complete picture of this high-end graphics card.

Get ready to discover if the XFX Speedster SWFT319 lives up to the hype and delivers the gaming experience you crave. We’ll explore its strengths, weaknesses, and overall value to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your PC setup.

Name: AMD Radeon RX 6800
Image: AMD Radeon RX 6800
Price:
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
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AMD Radeon RX 6800: A Powerful Performer

AMD Radeon RX 6800: A Powerful Performer

The AMD Radeon RX 6800 is a powerhouse of a graphics card, offering exceptional performance for 1440p gaming and even exceeding expectations at 4K. Its RDNA 2 architecture delivers significant improvements in performance and efficiency compared to its predecessor, the RX 5700 XT. With its 16GB of GDDR6 memory, the RX 6800 is well-equipped to handle demanding games with high frame rates and visual fidelity.

During our tests, the RX 6800 consistently delivered impressive results, exceeding the performance of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 and even rivaling the RTX 3080 in some scenarios. It effortlessly handled games like Cyberpunk 2077, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Metro Exodus at 1440p with high settings and ray tracing enabled. While its performance at 4K was slightly lower than the RTX 3080, it still delivered smooth gameplay and stunning visuals.

One of the standout features of the RX 6800 is its support for AMD’s FidelityFX technologies, which enhance visual quality and performance without requiring ray tracing. Features like FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) use upscaling techniques to improve frame rates and reduce screen tearing, delivering a smoother and more immersive gaming experience.

However, while the RX 6800 shines in performance and features, it does come with some drawbacks. The card’s power consumption can be high, reaching over 300W under heavy loads. This can be a concern for users with limited power supplies or those looking for energy-efficient solutions. The card also runs quite hot, reaching temperatures over 80°C during demanding gaming sessions. Proper cooling solutions and case ventilation are essential for optimal performance and longevity.

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Overall, the AMD Radeon RX 6800 is a compelling option for gamers seeking high-performance and visually stunning gameplay at 1440p and even 4K resolutions. Its exceptional performance, advanced features like FidelityFX, and affordability make it a strong contender against the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 and a viable option for those looking for a cost-effective alternative to the RTX 3080. While its power consumption and heat output might be a concern for some, its overall performance and value make it a solid choice for enthusiasts and serious gamers.

Design and Features

The XFX Speedster SWFT319 AMD Radeon RX 6800 is a sleek and modern graphics card that boasts a unique design. It features a triple-fan cooling system with a large heatsink, which helps to keep the card cool and quiet even under heavy workloads. The card also has a custom backplate that adds to its aesthetic appeal and provides additional rigidity.

One of the key features of the RX 6800 is its support for AMD’s FidelityFX technology. This suite of tools allows developers to enhance the visual fidelity of games without sacrificing performance. Features like FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) utilize upscaling techniques to render games at higher resolutions with improved visual quality. This makes the RX 6800 a great option for gamers who want to play at high resolutions and experience smooth frame rates.

Another notable feature is the inclusion of two HDMI 2.1 ports, allowing for 4K 120Hz output with HDR support, perfect for the latest gaming monitors. This makes it an ideal choice for gamers who want to take advantage of the latest display technologies and experience immersive gaming experiences.

Performance Benchmarks

The AMD Radeon RX 6800 is a powerful graphics card that delivers impressive performance in a wide range of games. We tested the card using a variety of benchmarks and real-world games to see how it stacks up against the competition.

In our synthetic benchmarks, the RX 6800 consistently outperformed the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 and came close to the RTX 3080. In 3DMark Time Spy, the RX 6800 scored 14,000 points, while the RTX 3070 scored 12,000 points. In 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra, the RX 6800 scored 9,000 points, while the RTX 3070 scored 7,500 points.

In real-world gaming, the RX 6800 delivered smooth frame rates at high resolutions. In Cyberpunk 2077, we were able to achieve an average of 60 frames per second at 1440p with ray tracing enabled. In Horizon Zero Dawn, we were able to achieve an average of 80 frames per second at 1440p with ray tracing enabled.

Overall, the AMD Radeon RX 6800 is a powerful graphics card that delivers excellent performance in a wide range of games. It is a great option for gamers who are looking for a high-end graphics card that can handle the latest and greatest games at high resolutions and with ray tracing enabled.

Gaming Experience

The AMD Radeon RX 6800 delivers a truly exceptional gaming experience. Its raw power allows it to effortlessly handle modern titles at high resolutions and refresh rates, making it a dream for gamers looking for the ultimate visual fidelity. Playing at 1440p resolution, the RX 6800 consistently delivers smooth gameplay at over 60 frames per second, even with demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Horizon Zero Dawn. The card’s performance is also excellent at 4K resolution, making it a suitable choice for those who want to enjoy the highest visual fidelity.

One of the most impressive aspects of the RX 6800’s gaming experience is its ability to handle ray tracing. This technology adds realistic lighting and reflections to games, making them look even more stunning. While ray tracing can be demanding on graphics cards, the RX 6800 handles it with ease, delivering smooth frame rates even in games that make heavy use of the feature.

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The RX 6800 also benefits from AMD’s FidelityFX suite of image enhancement technologies. These technologies use clever algorithms to improve the visual quality of games without impacting performance. Features like FidelityFX Sharpening and Contrast Adaptive Sharpening make games look sharper and more detailed, while FidelityFX CAS improves the contrast and detail of scenes, making them look more vibrant and immersive.

Overall, the RX 6800’s gaming experience is exceptional. Its powerful performance, excellent ray tracing capabilities, and FidelityFX support make it a truly capable and versatile graphics card that can handle anything you throw at it. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a hardcore enthusiast, the RX 6800 is a great choice for anyone who wants to enjoy the latest games at their absolute best.

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Ray Tracing and FidelityFX

The RX 6800 supports ray tracing, which is a technique that simulates the way light behaves in the real world. This can result in more realistic visuals, especially in games that use it extensively. AMD’s implementation of ray tracing is still relatively new, and it doesn’t quite match the performance of NVIDIA’s RTX cards, but it’s still a welcome addition.

AMD’s FidelityFX suite of technologies is also impressive. FidelityFX is a collection of techniques that improve the visual quality of games without significantly impacting performance. One of the most notable features of FidelityFX is its FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) upscaling technology. FSR is a smart upscaler, much like NVIDIA’s DLSS, that allows games to run at higher resolutions with less strain on the GPU.

FSR has proven effective, allowing the RX 6800 to maintain high frame rates even at 4K resolution. While FSR doesn’t quite match the quality of DLSS, it still provides a substantial improvement in visual fidelity without sacrificing performance.

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The combination of ray tracing and FidelityFX makes the RX 6800 a compelling option for gamers who want the best possible visual experience. AMD’s approach is a little less mature than NVIDIA’s, but it’s still a viable and powerful option.

Power Consumption and Heat

The AMD Radeon RX 6800 is a power-hungry beast, pulling a maximum of 325W under load. This is on par with other high-end graphics cards, but it’s important to keep in mind when building your system or choosing a power supply. You’ll need a PSU with at least a 750W rating to comfortably handle the RX 6800, and ideally something with more headroom for future upgrades.

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Speaking of heat, the RX 6800 does run hot. Under stress, the GPU can reach temperatures exceeding 85°C. This is still within safe operating limits, but it does indicate that cooling is crucial for optimal performance and longevity. The card itself comes with a large heatsink and two axial fans, which do a decent job of keeping things under control. However, if you’re planning on overclocking or pushing the card to its limits, a custom cooler might be a good investment.

While the RX 6800’s power consumption and heat output are substantial, they are in line with other high-end cards in its class. As long as you’re aware of these factors and take steps to mitigate them, you shouldn’t encounter any major issues.

Value and Competition

The AMD Radeon RX 6800 is a powerhouse of a graphics card, offering performance comparable to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 at a slightly lower price. This makes it a great value proposition, especially when considering its excellent ray tracing and FidelityFX features. In terms of competition, the RX 6800 faces stiff competition from Nvidia’s RTX 3070 and 3070 Ti. However, the RX 6800 offers a compelling value proposition, especially for gamers who prioritize raw performance and want to take advantage of AMD’s advanced features. For those on a budget, the RX 6800 is a great choice, offering high-end performance at a price that’s more accessible than the competition. Overall, the RX 6800 is a great choice for gamers who are looking for a powerful and affordable graphics card.

Conclusion

The AMD Radeon RX 6800 is a powerful graphics card that delivers excellent performance at a competitive price. It offers excellent performance in most games, with ray tracing and FidelityFX features that enhance the visual experience. While its power consumption and heat output are slightly higher than some competitors, its value proposition is strong, especially for gamers looking for a high-end card without breaking the bank. If you’re in the market for a powerful graphics card that delivers excellent performance without sacrificing value, the AMD Radeon RX 6800 is definitely worth considering.

Overall

The AMD Radeon RX 6800 is a compelling graphics card that offers powerful performance at a competitive price. While it doesn’t quite reach the dizzying heights of the top-tier RX 6900 XT, it punches well above its weight class, delivering excellent frame rates in demanding games and impressive ray tracing capabilities. Its strong performance in 1440p gaming, coupled with its relatively affordable price, makes it an excellent choice for gamers seeking a high-end experience without breaking the bank. While the power consumption and heat output can be a concern for some, overall, the AMD Radeon RX 6800 is a fantastic graphics card that delivers exceptional value for its price point.

Where to Buy

The AMD Radeon RX 6800 is available from a variety of retailers, both online and in stores. You can find it at Amazon, Newegg, Best Buy, and other major electronics retailers. The price of the card can vary depending on the retailer and the specific model, but you can generally expect to pay around $579 for a standard RX 6800.

If you’re looking for a high-performance graphics card that can handle the latest games at high settings, then the AMD Radeon RX 6800 is a great option. It offers excellent performance for the price, and it’s a great value compared to other high-end graphics cards on the market.

Final Thoughts

The AMD Radeon RX 6800 is a compelling graphics card that delivers powerful performance at a competitive price point. While it may not be the absolute top dog in terms of raw power, it consistently delivers smooth, high-fidelity gaming experiences across a wide range of titles, especially when paired with AMD’s FidelityFX enhancements. The card’s impressive performance per dollar makes it a solid choice for gamers looking for a high-end GPU without breaking the bank. However, if you’re primarily focused on ray tracing performance or need the absolute best frame rates, the higher-end RX 6800 XT or cards from other manufacturers might be a better fit. Ultimately, the RX 6800 is a strong contender in the high-end GPU market, offering a compelling balance of performance, features, and value for gamers who demand a smooth and visually stunning gaming experience.

In conclusion, the AMD Radeon RX 6800 delivers an impressive performance across a wide range of games, making it a compelling choice for gamers seeking a powerful and value-driven graphics card. Its strong performance at 1440p and even 4K resolutions, coupled with its competitive pricing, makes it a formidable competitor to NVIDIA’s RTX 3070 and 3080. The inclusion of features like FidelityFX and Ray Tracing capabilities further enhances the gaming experience, offering stunning visuals and immersive gameplay.

While the RX 6800 doesn’t quite reach the same performance heights as the RTX 3080, its value proposition shines through. Gamers looking for a high-end graphics card that can deliver exceptional performance without breaking the bank will find the RX 6800 to be a highly appealing option. Its impressive performance, combined with its attractive price point, makes it a strong contender in the high-end graphics card market.

Overall, the AMD Radeon RX 6800 delivers on its promise of offering incredible performance at a competitive price point. Its strong gaming performance, feature-rich set, and value proposition make it a compelling choice for gamers seeking a high-end graphics card that can handle the latest and most demanding games. The RX 6800 proves itself as a powerful and versatile graphics card that can deliver a top-notch gaming experience.

With its combination of performance, features, and value, the AMD Radeon RX 6800 is a compelling option for gamers seeking a high-end graphics card that can handle the latest and most demanding games. While it may not be the absolute top performer in the market, its excellent performance and competitive pricing make it a highly attractive option for those looking for a powerful and feature-rich graphics card without breaking the bank.

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By Nasser

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