The Radeon RX 6800 XT is AMD’s high-end graphics card that was first launched on October 28th, 2020. Just like the Radeon RX 6900 XT, the RX 6800 XT also features the “Big Navi” graphics chip, although just binned and somewhat weakened. This means that the RX 6800 XT is designed to deliver enthusiast-class graphics performance, and provide smooth gaming experience at 1440p and 4K resolutions. The card also features ray-tracing capabilities, which makes it an interesting alternative for users who don’t like using NVIDIA’s graphics cards.
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The Radeon RX 6800 XT features a slightly modified Navi 21 XT graphics chip that was built on TSMC’s 7 nm manufacturing process. The chip packs 26,8 million transistors, and features 4,608 shading units, 72 compute units, and 72 raytracing cores. Just like the RX 6900 XT’s chip, this one also has a die size of of 520 mm2. Compared to the Radeon VII, the new Radeon RX 6800 XT is 45% faster, and only 9% slower than the Radeon RX 6900 XT. The card also features 16GB of GDDR6 VRAM, clocked at 16 Gbps. Interface-wise, the card supports PCIe 4.0 interface, and utilizes a 256-bit memory bus which allows it to achieve maximum memory bandwidth of 512 GB/s.
The reference Radeon RX 6800 XT features a GPU clock speed of 1,825 MHz, and a boost clock of 2,250 MHz. Just like the RX 6900 XT, this card also features unusually high core clocks, which make this card particularly unique. The Radeon RX 6800 XT is also a very power-hungry graphics card, as it features a TDP of 300 W, and requires a 700 W power supply unit.
Performance-wise, the Radeon RX 6800 XT is an incredibly powerful graphics card. In 3DMark: Time Spy benchmark the card is able to score around 16,300 points, which is almost 3,700 points better than the GeForce RTX 2080 Ti, and only 600 points worse than Radeon the RX 6900 XT. Overall, the card is on par with the NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 3080 Ti, however, its ray-tracing performance is more similar to the RTX 2080 Ti. In games such as Battlefield V, Far Cry New Dawn, and Call of Duty: Warzone, the card can easily deliver steady 100 FPS on ultra settings at 4K resolution. Even in more demanding games, such as Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Metro Exodus and Red Dead Redemption 2, the card can render 60 FPS on average at 4K resolution, which means it’s perfectly fine for serious 4K gaming, as well as competitive 1440p high refresh rate gaming.
When it comes to mining, the Radeon RX 6800 XT doesn’t perform as good as it’s NVIDIA counterparts, however, the card is still able to deliver pretty good mining performance. At stock settings, the card is able to deliver 64 MH/s hashrate on Ethash algorithm with a power consumption of 150 W. However, with proper overclock settings the card’s power consumption can be lowered to only 108 W, which makes the card much more efficient for mining.
Since AMD has terminated the production of the reference Radeon RX 6800 XT model, this card is only available in different AIB variants. Each variant, however, features different cooling and GPU clock speeds, so we have compiled a list of the best aftermarket models in order to help you pick the right card. Scroll down to see more.
Best Overall:
ASRock Radeon RX 6800 XT Phantom Gaming D 16G OC
Most Silent:
Gigabyte AORUS Radeon RX 6800 XT MASTER TYPE C 16G
Best Liquid Cooled:
ASUS Radeon RX 6800 XT ROG Strix LC OC
Best Value:
Gigabyte Radeon RX 6800 XT Gaming OC
Best Design:
Yeston Radeon RX 6800 XT Sakura Hitomi
Honorable Mention:
ASUS TUF Gaming Radeon RX 6800 XT OC
Best Overall: ASRock Radeon RX 6800 XT Phantom Gaming D 16G OC
Boost Clock: 2310 MHz | Memory: 16GB GDDR6 | Power Connectors: 3 x 8-pin | Outputs: 3 x DP, 1 x HDMI
The Radeon RX 6800 XT Phantom Gaming D is ASRock’s flagship card for the Navi 21 generation which can boast with an impressive build quality and strong shading performance. Featuring a large 2.5-slot, triple-fan cooler, the RX 6800 XT Phantom Gaming D is able to run cool for prolonged periods of stress, and at whisper quiet noise levels of only 30 dBA. It’s also worth mentioning that the card comes equipped with high-quality PCB components, including premium 90A power chokes for improved Vcore voltage.
The RX 6800 XT Phantom Gaming D features 2.7% higher GPU boost clock than the reference model, however, with overclocking, the GPU core clock can be easily pushed up to 2.5 GHz mark, thus delivering up to 5% additional performance. The card is also equipped with adjustable RGB lighting, physical LED switch, reinforced metallic backplate, and dual 0 dB fans. Overall, this is a well-made, powerful 4K graphics card that goes toe-to-toe with the likes of GeForce RTX 3080.
Most Silent: Gigabyte AORUS Radeon RX 6800 XT MASTER TYPE C 16G
Boost Clock: 2310 MHz | Memory: 16GB GDDR6 | Power Connectors: 2 x 8-pin | Outputs: 2 x DP, 1 x HDMI, 1 x USB Type-C
The Gigabyte AORUS Radeon RX 6800 XT MASTER TYPE C 16G is a very expensive graphics card with an incredibly long name. However, despite its high price tag and weird label, there is simply no other card on the market that can compare with it in terms of cooling performance. The RX 6800 XT MASTER runs impressively cool thanks to its triple-fan cooling system that features two 115 mm fans, and one 100 mm fan with unique wind claw design. The card also features a large copper plate and composite heat pipes extending throughout the whole length of the PCB, thus allowing the card to run below 55°C, and generating less than 30 dBA of noise, even after prolonged periods of continuous stress.
But besides featuring impressively efficient air cooling solution, this card also comes with some other interesting features. One of these features is the built-in LCD monitor on its side which allows you to display texts, pictures, and even GIFs. There is also a very nicely integrated RGB lighting, as well as stylishly design backplate that also contributes to card’s cooling. Performance-wise, 4K gaming with this graphics card feels very smooth, and if you want to overclock the card you can expect to easily reach 2.5 GHz GPU core clock without too much hassle.
Best Liquid Cooled: ASUS Radeon RX 6800 XT ROG Strix LC OC
Boost Clock: 2360 MHz | Memory: 16GB GDDR6 | Power Connectors: 2 x 8-pin | Outputs: 2 x DP, 1 x HDMI, 1 x USB Type-C
- Mind-blowing overclocking potential
- Faster than the RTX 3080 Ti at 4K
- Compact dimensions
- Premium PCB components
- Rich RGB lighting
- Selling at double the MSRP
- Radiator installation could prove difficult for inexperienced users
If you hate installing water blocks on your graphics cards, and find the process of building custom liquid cooling loops exhausting, then ASUS got you covered. The new all-in-one Radeon RX 6800 XT ROG Strix LC OC comes with an integrated AIO liquid cooling system, which not only looks great, but it also enhances card’s performance by allowing it to operate at speeds much higher than the reference model. To be honest, the RX 6800 XT is hellishly expensive, but if you are in for serious overclocking, and want the best of the best, then this is the card for you.
The ASUS Radeon RX 6800 XT ROG Strix LC OC features a 5% higher boost clock of 2,360 MHz, which may seem a little bit underwhelming given its powerful cooling solution. However, the card really shines when being overclocked, as it can easily reach boost clock of 2,800 MHz, thus delivering 18% higher performance. The 240 mm AIO radiator takes great care of cooling this card, allowing it to operate at temperatures below 75°C when being maximally overclocked, and generating tolerable 37 dBA of noise under full load. It’s also worth saying that the card measures only 10.9 inches in length, meaning it can easily fit in most PC cases. Overall, the ASUS RX 6800 XT ROG Strix LC OC is a remarkable enthusiast-tier graphics card which is able to deliver top-level performance for a very high price.
Best Value: Gigabyte Radeon RX 6800 XT Gaming OC
Boost Clock: 2285 MHz | Memory: 16GB GDDR6 | Power Connectors: 2 x 8-pin | Outputs: 2 x DP, 2 x HDMI
The Gigabyte Radeon RX 6800 XT Gaming OC is the least expensive AIB variant of the Radeon RX 6800 XT GPU. It is around $500 cheaper than the ASUS RX 6800 XT ROG Strix LC OC, meaning it allows you to save a lot of money on other PC components (if you are building a new rig). Performance-wise, the Gigabyte RX 6800 XT Gaming OC is a legit RX 6800 XT graphics card, since it is able to provide smooth 4K gaming experience, and it comes with a 1.6% higher boost clock, which is a nice addition.
Compared to other AIB variants of the RX 6800 XT, the Gigabyte RX 6800 XT Gaming OC features very modest RGB lighting, and has no USB Type-C connector. However, under the hood this is a pretty well-made graphics card. It features a huge triple-fan cooling solutions, which allows its user to perform some serious overclocks, and it also comes with metallic protection back plate, and dual BIOS switch. In short, the Gigabyte RX 6800 XT Gaming OC is a surprisingly good graphics card, which can easily compete with ASUS’, Sapphire’s, and PowerColor’s offerings, while costing significantly less.
Best Design: Yeston Radeon RX 6800 XT Sakura Hitomi
Boost Clock: 2250 MHz | Memory: 16GB GDDR6 | Power Connectors: 2 x 8-pin | Outputs: 2 x DP, 1 x HDMI, 1 x USB Type-C
You can say whatever you want about it, but there is no doubt that the Yeston Radeon RX 6800 XT Sakura Hitomi is a pretty cool looking graphics card. Featuring a custom designed heatsink, as well as a full cover backplate with a graphic printed on it, the Yeston RX 6800 XT can surely boast with stunning anime-inspired aesthetics. Despite being produced by Chinese manufacturer Yeston, this is still a proper RX 6800 XT graphics card, which not only performs well, but it also comes with a premium price.
Under the hood, the Yeston RX 6800 XT hides a full-sized Navi 21 XT graphics chip featuring a boost clock of 2,250 MHz (which is same as on reference RX 6800 XT). The card’s cooling solution features three fans with unique leaf petal design, and the heatsink itself is 2.5 slots thick. The card’s PCB is much shorter than the cooler itself, meaning that only two of its fans are mounted right on top of the board. Unfortunately, the power connecters on this card are located centrally, which is not the most convenient place for good cable management. The card also features nice-looking RGB lighting which can be controlled via motherboard RGB controller.
Honorable Mention: ASUS TUF Gaming Radeon RX 6800 XT OC
Boost Clock: 2340 MHz | Memory: 16GB GDDR6 | Power Connectors: 2 x 8-pin | Outputs: 3 x DP, 1 x HDMI
Visually, the ASUS TUF Gaming Radeon RX 6800 XT OC is a beast of graphics cards. Measuring 320 mm long and 58 mm high, as well as weighing 1.72 kilograms, this graphics card is very bulky, but despite its large dimensions it looks quite impressive. Design-wise, it is very similar to the ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 3080, and it’s worth mentioning that all of its parts are made of metal, except the fans. In short, this is a premium graphics cards, and it’s no surprise it comes with some premium features, such as axial-tech fan design, dual ball fan bearings, vented backplate, and extended nickel-plated copper base.
But besides featuring very clean and impressive design, under its shroud, the TUF Gaming RX 6800 XT OC hides a Navi 21 XT chip clocked at 2,340 MHz (boost speed). Under full load and during heavy 4K gaming, the card operates at temperature of around 65°C, and produces 32 dBA of noise, which is audible but tolerable. Speaking of overclocking, the card can easily reach stable overclock at 2.66 GHz mark, thus delivering up to 7.5% better performance than with stock settings. Overall, the ASUS TUF RX 6800 XT OC is a well-made premium graphics card, which may be most appealing to users who prefer to go with well-known brands when it comes to buying a custom RX 6800 XT GPU.
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