The Radeon RX 6900 XT is AMD’s new flagship graphics card that is designed to deliver smooth 4K UHD gaming experience with raytracing enabled. As such, the Radeon RX 6900 XT can be classified as an enthusiast-class graphics card that goes toe to toe with other high-end graphics cards, such as the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090, or the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti. The Radeon RX 6900 XT is also one of the first AMD’s cards to rival NVIDIA’s flagship GPUs within the same generation, and is also one of the company’s first cards to feature support for raytracing.
Read more: The Best GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Graphics Cards in 2022
The Radeon RX 6900 XT features a Navi 21 XTX graphics chip based on RDNA 2.0 microarchitecture that packs a staggering 26,800 million transistors, and has a die size of 520 mm2. Compared to the AMD’s last-gen flagship GPU, the Radeon RX 5700 XT, this card features 160% more transistors, and offers 136% better FP32 compute performance. The Radeon RX 6900 XT comes with 5120 shading units, 80 compute units, and 80 raytracing cores. The card also features 16GB of GDDR6 VRAM, clocked at 16 Gbps. For the intercommunication with the CPU, the card uses PCIe 4.0 interface, as well as a 256-bit wide memory bus.
The base GPU clock speed of Radeon RX 6900 XT is 1825 MHz, while the boost clock speed is 2250 MHz. Overall, these are pretty high working frequencies for a GPU, which is another thing why this card is quite unique. The Radeon RX 6900 XT is also a quite power-hungry card, featuring a TDP of 300 W.
Speaking of its performance, the Radeon RX 6900 XT is around 50% faster than the last-gen Radeon RX 5700 XT, and around 7% slower than the current-gen NVIDIA RTX 3090. Overall, the Radeon RX 6900 XT is a direct competitor to both the GeForce RTX 3080, and RTX 3090, as is able to deliver smooth 60 FPS gaming experience at 4K resolution on ultra high settings. In titles such as Battlefield V, Metro Exodus and Gears 5, the card can deliver more than 80 FPS on average at 4K resolution, which is pretty impressive performance. At 1440p resolution, the Radeon RX 6900 XT is capable enough of running most games at more than 144 FPS on average, which makes it a perfect card for playing competitive online games at high refresh rates. Speaking of its raytracing performance, the Radeon RX 6900 XT is nowhere near the GeForce RTX 3090, but is on par with the NVIDIA’s last-gen GeForce RTX 2080.
Since AMD has discounted the production of the reference Radeon RX 6900 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:
PowerColor Radeon RX 6900 XT 16GB Red Devil Ultimate
Best Build Quality:
Sapphire Radeon RX 6900 XT 16GB TOXIC Air Cooled
Best Liquid Cooled:
Sapphire Radeon RX 6900 XT TOXIC Extreme Edition
Best Value:
XFX Radeon RX 6900 XT Speedster MERC319
Best Design:
Gigabyte AORUS Radeon RX 6900 XT XTREME WATERFORCE WB 16G
Best RGB Lighting:
ASRock Radeon RX 6900 XT Phantom Gaming D 16G OC
Best Overall: PowerColor Radeon RX 6900 XT 16GB Red Devil Ultimate
Boost Clock: 2425 MHz | Memory: 16GB GDDR6 | Length: 320 mm | Power Connectors: 3 x 8-pin | Outputs: 3 x DP, 1 x HDMI
- Slightly faster than the RTX 3090
- Intimidating aesthetics
- 14+2 power phases VRM design
- Efficient cooling solution
- RGB lighting
- Triple-slot design
- High power draw
If you are looking for a custom AIB variant of the Radeon RX 6900 XT that successfully balances good aesthetics, high boost clock speed, efficient cooling, and a reasonable price, then you’ll like the PowerColor Radeon RX 6900 XT 16GB Red Devil Ultimate. The RX 6900 XT Red Devil is equipped with a state-of-the-art PCB design utilizing a 14+2 power phases VRM with DrMOS, and high quality polymer capacitors. Thanks to these components, the RX 6900 XT Red Devil features a 7.8% higher boost clock speed than the reference model, and can easily be pushed up to 2500 MHz mark through overclocking.
The card also comes with a stylishly designed protective backplate, dual BIOS support, RGB lighting, and a triple-fan cooling solution that features 7 nickel plated copper heatpipes. Under full load, the card operates at temps of around 60°C, and produces around 34 dBA of noise. Performance-wise, the card is roughly on par with the GeForce RTX 3090 FE, and if overclocked to 2500 MHz, it is 5-6% faster than the current-gen NVIDIA flagship card. Overall, this is a fantastic enthusiast-class GPU which, however, does have some drawbacks. Firstly, its chunky triple-slot heatsink may not fit in all PC cases, and secondly, it requires a 900 W PSU to run properly.
Best Build Quality: Sapphire Radeon RX 6900 XT 16GB TOXIC Air Cooled
Boost Clock: 2425 MHz | Memory: 16GB GDDR6 | Length: 310 mm | Power Connectors: 2 x 8-pin + 1 x 6-pin | Outputs: 3 x DP, 1 x HDMI
- Top-notch build quality
- Great 4K gaming performance
- High boost clock speed
- Superb acoustics and thermals
- ARGB lighting
- Very big dimensions
- High retail price
Sapphire has been known for producing high-quality AMD Radeon graphics card for quite some time. The Radeon RX 6900 XT TOXIC Air Cooled continues to support this statement, as this is one of the best made custom RX 6900 XT cards currently available on the market. Contrary to popular belief, this card does not come with an XTXH chip (which has hotspot limit of 95°C), but with an XTX chip (which has hotspot of limit of 110°C), meaning it is much more forgiving in thermals. The card comes with a +175 MHz higher boost clock speed than the reference model, and features improved VRM design, K6.5 thermal pads, ARGB lighting, as well as Samsung’s memory modules.
The main advantages of the Sapphire RX 6900 XT TOXIC over other AIB variants of the RX 6900 XT are its superior build quality and fantastic air cooler. The card features an award winning TRI-X cooling system, consisting of three 100 mm hybrid fans running in an anticlockwise direction, as well as a modernized wave fin and V-shape fin heatsink design for improved cooling. Thanks to this high-end cooling solution, the card is able to run very quietly, without ever exceeding the 70°C temperature threshold.
Best Liquid Cooled: Sapphire Radeon RX 6900 XT TOXIC Extreme Edition
Boost Clock: 2730 MHz | Memory: 16GB GDDR6 | Length: 270 mm | Power Connectors: 2 x 8-pin + 1 x 6-pin | Outputs: 3 x DP, 1 x HDMI
- Outstanding heatsink design
- Overkill liquid cooling system
- Mind-blowing boost clock speed
- Faster than RTX 3090 at 1080p
- Runs cool and quiet
- Incredibly high power draw
- Extremely expensive
The Sapphire Radeon RX 6900 XT TOXIC Extreme Edition is without a doubt one of the fastest and the most expensive graphics card on the planet right now. Despite its ludicrously high price tag, the RX 6900 XT TOXIC Extreme Edition is still worth a purchase, due to the fact that it features state-of-the-art technology, and is able to offer unprecedented rendering performance. The card features a GPU boost clock speed of 2730 MHz, which is a whooping 21% higher compared to the reference model. It is also around 11% faster than the reference RX 6900 XT at 4K resolution, and around 3% faster than the GeForce RTX 3090 at 1080p resolution.
The RX 6900 XT TOXIC Extreme Edition features state-of-the-art TOXIC AIO liquid cooling system, which consists of internal heatsink with 100 mm fan, and external 360 mm radiator with three 120 mm fans. Such an overkill cooling solution helps the card run at temperatures lower than 65°C, and produce less than 36 dBA of noise, despite being extremely overclocked. The card also comes with stunning ARGB lighting, and thanks to its compact size, it can be fitted in smaller PC cases. Besides its very steep price, the biggest drawback of this outstanding graphics card is the fact that it consumes around 400 W of power, but if you strive to achieve excellence, then this is the card for you.
Best Value: XFX Radeon RX 6900 XT Speedster MERC319
Boost Clock: 2365 MHz | Memory: 16GB GDDR6 | Length: 340 mm | Power Connectors: 2 x 8-pin | Outputs: 2 x DP, 1 x HDMI, 1 x USB Type-C
- Sleek and minimalistic heatsink design
- Great 4K gaming performance
- Runs quiet under full load
- Cheaper than other RX 6900 XT models
- Very chunky and lengthy graphics card
- Modest overclocking potential
The XFX Radeon RX 6900 XT Speedster MERC319 is probably one of the least expensive, and the most affordable custom RX 6900 XT card that are currently available on the market. This, however, doesn’t mean you’ll be able to get it for MSRP price, but compared to other custom variants of the RX 6900 XT, it retails for several hundred dollars less. The RX 6900 XT MERC319 features a slightly increased boost clock speed of 2365 MHz, and it comes with two 8-pin connectors, which means it consumes less than 300 W of power, but also isn’t very well-suited for overclocking.
The RX 6900 XT MERC319 features an impressive-looking triple fan cooling solution consisting of aluminum plated copper heat pipes and 13 blade dual bearing fans. It also comes with a stylishly designed aluminum backplate and protruding LED light bar. Overall, the card features a very aesthetically pleasing heatsink design, but due to the fact that its PCB measures 340 mm in length, this card may not fit even in some full tower PC cases.
Best Design: Gigabyte AORUS Radeon RX 6900 XT XTREME WATERFORCE WB 16G
Boost Clock: 2525 MHz | Memory: 16GB GDDR6 | Length: 282 mm | Power Connectors: 3 x 8-pin | Outputs: 2 x DP, 2 x HDMI
- Futuristic water block design
- Compact dimensions
- Built-in leak detection technology
- Solid overclocking headroom
- Dual-slot design
- Limited supply
The Gigabyte AORUS Radeon RX 6900 XT XTREME WATERFORCE WB 16G is another liquid cooled card on our list of the best custom RX 6900 XT graphics cards. Despite its extremely long name, this is one of the shortest custom RX 6900 XT cards, as it measures 282 mm in length, and it features a standard dual-slot design. Besides being compact, the AORUS RX 6900 XT WATERFORCE also looks quite stunning, given the fact that it features a gorgeous transparent liquid cooling block.
The card features a patent-pending Gigabyte “Leak detection” technology, which includes built-in leak detection circuit that covers the entire water block and promptly alerts users by flashing light at the first sign of leak. It also features a heatsink with sunk-designed copper micro fins that shorten the heat conduction path from the GPU, so that the heat can be transferred to the water channel more efficiently. Since the card features AIO liquid cooling solution, it runs very quietly, and it can also boast with a very good overclocking potential given the fact that it features three 8-pin power connectors.
Best RGB Lighting: ASRock Radeon RX 6900 XT Phantom Gaming D 16G OC
Boost Clock: 2340 MHz | Memory: 16GB GDDR6 | Length: 330 mm | Power Connectors: 3 x 8-pin | Outputs: 3 x DP, 1 x HDMI
- High-quality PCB components
- Efficient cooling solution
- Reinforced metal frame
- Rich ARGB lighting
- ARGB pin-header
- Oversized heatsink
- Requires GPU bracket
Last but not least, there is the ASRock Radeon RX 6900 XT Phantom Gaming D 16G OC. It is another custom designed RX 6900 XT card with an unnecessarily long name, but with splendid features. The RX 6900 XT Phantom Gaming D features +90 MHz higher boost clock speed compared to the reference model, and it comes with ASRock’s premium 90A power chokes, and supreme 12K black Nichicon capacitors to withstand extreme overclocking operations, as well as heavy and continuous workloads. The card also features a triple-fan cooling solution with aluminum-based heatsink, and nickel-plated copper heat pipes.
Probably the coolest feature of this card is its ARGB LED lighting, which makes this card really stand out. The ASRock’s Polychrome SYNC system allows you to create unique color effects which you can switch on or off, and apply either to fans, or to the side LED strip. The LED lighting can also be synchronized with all ASRock motherboards, and there is also an ARGB pin-header on the card’s PCB, which allows you to connect additional devices and sync your RGB lighting across them. The card also comes with a reinforced metal frame which enhances the card’s structure even further, and prevents the PCB from being bent.
