The Best Radeon RX 6950 XT Graphics Cards in 2023

After numerous leaks and rumors, AMD has finally released its latest flagship graphics card – the Radeon RX 6950 XT. Designed to deliver ultimate 4K gaming experience, and boasting pretty impressive raytracing performance, the new Radeon RX 6950 XT can be classified as an enthusiast-class graphics card that can compete well with the likes of the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti and GeForce RTX 3090.

Read more: The Best 144 Hz Gaming Monitors Under $200 in 2023

Under the hood, the Radeon RX 6950 XT is actually a slightly upgraded Radeon RX 6900 XT. Both cards feature the same amount of VRAM (16GB), the same amount of shading units (5,120), and the same amount of raytracing cores (80). On paper, both cards seem to be nearly identical. Just like the older card, the new one also supports PCIe 4.0 x16 bus interface, and it comes with a 256-bit memory bus. The only major difference lies in the graphics chip. The Radeon RX 6900 XT features the Navi 21 XTX graphics chip, while the new Radeon RX 6950 XT comes with the Navi 21 KXTX chip.

Compared to the Radeon RX 6900 XT, the new Radeon RX 6950 XT sports a 100 MHz higher base clock, which is now clocked at 1,925 MHz. The boost clock has also been increased, and is now locked at 2,324 MHz. However, the biggest difference between the cards can be seen in the memory department, since the Radeon RX 6950 XT now comes with GDDR6 memory clocked at 18 Gbps, while its predecessor Radeon RX 6900 XT had it running at 16 Gbps.

Speaking of power consumption, the new Radeon RX 6950 XT is a power hog, but this isn’t too surprising given the fact that this is a flagship graphics card. The card’s maximum TDP is rated at 335 W, while the suggested power supply unit is rated at 700 W.

Speaking of its performance, the Radeon RX 6950 XT is around 6% faster than the Radeon RX 6900 XT. Now, this may not seem a lot, but in reality this is a pretty significant performance boost. The new Radeon RX 6950 XT is right on par with the GeForce RTX 3090, and can easily deliver more than 70 FPS on average in most AAA games at 4K resolution. For instance, the new Radeon RX 6950 XT is able to deliver around 83 FPS on ultra settings in Red Dead Redemption 2, as well as a whooping 98 FPS in Forza Horizon 5 at 4K resolution. At 1440p, this card can deliver more than 144 FPS in most games, making it thus perfect for serious 144 Hz gaming at 1440p resolution. When it comes to raytracing performance, the Radeon RX 6950 XT is right on par with the GeForce RTX 3070 Ti which isn’t too bad, but is still far behind its direct competitor – the GeForce RTX 3090.

Although AMD has produced a batch of reference Radeon RX 6950 XT cards, there is a very small amount of them, and the majority of the cards are being produced by different AIB partners. Since each variant features different cooling and GPU core clocks, 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: Sapphire Radeon RX 6950 XT NITRO+ PURE

Boost Clock: 2,435 MHz | Memory: 16GB GDDR6 | Length: 320 mm | Power Connectors: 2 x 8-pin + 1 x 6-pin | Outputs: 3 x DP, 1 x HDMI

View at Amazon View at Newegg

---

• Faster than the GeForce RTX 3090
• Stunning heatsink design
• High-performance quad-slot cooler
• Huge overclocking headroom
• ARGB lighting

• Huge dimensions
• High power consumption
• Expensive price

---

The Sapphire Radeon RX 6950 XT NITRO+ PURE is a new addition to Sapphire’s lineup that can boast with mind-blowing performance, and sexy white color theme. The card is extremely thick, since it features a quad-slot cooler, however, this compromise is well justified given its stellar cooling performance, and the ability to provide whisper-quiet experience while gaming in 4K at 60 FPS.

In our opinion, the Sapphire Radeon RX 6950 XT NITRO+ PULSE is one of the best, if not the best air-cooled RX 6950 XT cards. It features all new High TG Copper PCB combined with die-casted Frontplate Heatsink to ensure top-notch airflow and cooling performance. Its frame is made of aluminum-magnesium alloy and its three fans feature high-end angular velocity blades. The card also comes equipped with ARGB lighting, and there is also a physical switch which allows you toggle between OC and standard BIOS modes.

Speaking of overclocking, this card is a fantastic overclocker. You can easily increase its core clock from base 2,368 MHz up to 2,900 MHz, which is a whooping +500 MHz (20%) increase. Overclocking the memory to 19 Gbps is also fairly easy. Overall, this is an outstanding graphics card that can boast with stellar performance, stunning looks and amazing build quality. Its only flaws are its very high power consumption of 405 W, and a rather high price.

Best with Water Block: PowerColor Radeon RX 6950 XT Liquid Devil

Boost Clock: 2,513 MHz | Memory: 16GB GDDR6 | Length: 266 mm | Power Connectors: 3 x 8-pin | Outputs: 3 x DP, 1 x HDMI

If you are a big fan of extreme PC components and like to build custom liquid cooling loops, then you’ll love the PowerColor Radeon RX 6950 XT Liquid Devil. This is one of the most premium and the most powerful custom designed RX 6950 XT card currently available on the market. It features a custom water block designed by EK in cooperation with PowerColor to provide outstanding cooling performance, and it comes with overkill 14+2 power phase VRM design in order to support extreme overclocks.

The RX 6950 XT Liquid Devil is also one of the highest factory overclocked liquid cooled RX 6950 XT cards. It sports a boost clock speed of a whooping 2,513 MHz, and can easily hit clocks of up to 2,900 MHz with the right overclock settings. Another great feature of this card are its very compact dimensions. The RX 6950 XT Liquid Devil measures only 266 mm in length and features 2-slot design, meaning it can fit even in some mini-ITX cases. The biggest drawbacks of this fantastic piece of computer hardware are its high price and the fact that it requires a 1000 W power supply to be able to run.

Best Liquid Cooled: Sapphire Radeon RX 6950 XT TOXIC Limited Edition

Boost Clock: 2,532 MHz | Memory: 16GB GDDR6 | Length: 270 mm | Power Connectors: 2 x 8-pin + 1 x 6-pin | Outputs: 3 x DP, 1 x HDMI

View at Amazon View at Newegg

When it comes to raw shading performance, the Sapphire Radeon RX 6950 XT TOXIC Limited Edition is most certainly the fastest graphics card on the planet right now. Featuring a factory increased core clock of 2,532 MHz (8% higher than the reference model), as well as 19 Gbps memory clock in BIOS OC mode, the Radeon RX 6950 XT TOXIC Limited Edition is even faster than the mighty GeForce RTX 3090 Ti.

What Sapphire did with this card is a pure art. The RX 6950 XT TOXIC Limited Edition comes with a state-of-the-art TOXIC AIO liquid cooling system which includes a 360 mm radiator with three 120 mm fans, an integrated pump, a 270 mm heatsink with fine-tuned composite heatpipes, and a huge 100 mm blower fan. All of these contribute to the excellent cooling performance which keeps the card from hitting temps higher than 60°C, and producing more than 35 dBA of noise, even when overclocked.

It is also worth pointing out that the Sapphire RX 6950 XT TOXICE LE comes with quick connect fans that feature dual ball bearing design, physical BIOS switch, stylish metallic backplate, and stunning ARGB lighting. Performance-wise, the card can easily run games like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, God of War, and Red Dead Redemption 2 on ultra settings at more than 70 FPS in 4K. Besides its very high price, and a stupendously high power draw of 420 W, this card is quite simply a pure perfection.

Best Value: Gigabyte Radeon RX 6950 XT Gaming OC

Boost Clock: 2,310 MHz | Memory: 16GB GDDR6 | Length: 332 mm | Power Connectors: 3 x 8-pin | Outputs: 2 x DP, 2 x HDMI

View at Newegg

The Gigabyte Radeon RX 6950 XT Gaming OC is currently the most affordable custom designed RX 6950 XT card, as it costs $1,099, which is exactly the MSRP of the RX 6950 XT. Despite being the “cheapest” model, this card can boast with very good build quality, and it comes with a pretty efficient triple-fan cooling system which takes great care of keeping the card cool even under prolonged periods of stress.

In almost all benchmarks, the Gigabyte Radeon RX 6950 XT Gaming OC is faster than the GeForce RTX 3090 Ti and Radeon RX 6900 XT. The card can easily deliver more than 60 FPS on average in 4K resolution, and its raytracing performance is on par with the GeForce RTX 3070 Ti.

Thanks to its pretty efficient cooler, the card never hits temps above 70°C, and in performance mode generates audible, but tolerable 36 dBA. The card can also boast with a pretty good overclocking headroom, as its core clock can be easily lifted up to 2,800 MHz. Overall, this is a very good card that is able to offer great bang for the buck, provided you have enough money to buy it.

Best Factory Overclocked: ASRock Radeon RX 6950 XT OC Formula

Boost Clock: 2,495 MHz | Memory: 16GB GDDR6 | Length: 332 mm | Power Connectors: 3 x 8-pin | Outputs: 3 x DP, 1 x HDMI

View at Newegg

---

• High factory overclock
• Excellent overclocking potential
• Fantastic 1440p and 4K performance
• Unique heatsink design
• Physical RGB On/Off button

• Default fan profile too conservative
• Doesn’t support RGB sync via PCIe

---

If you don’t like to overclock graphics cards by yourself, and prefer to buy factory pre-overclocked cards, then you may like the ASRock Radeon RX 6950 XT OC Formula. This is the highest factory overclocked air-cooled custom designed RX 6950 XT card currently available on the market. It sports a boost clock of 2,495 MHz (+7%), and can boast with an impressive overclocking headroom, since it can easily hit speeds of up to 2,900 MHz.

The ASRock Radeon RX 6950 XT OC Formula features an elegantly designed triple-fan heatsink with subtly embedded RGB elements. Its default fan profile is far too conservative, meaning that the card’s temps quickly rise up to 80°C under full load, but this can be easily fixed by applying custom fan settings. It is also worth noting that this card runs very quiet, which is a big plus, and it comes with a dual BIOS support, and a physical RGB On/Off button. In short, this is one of the best custom designed RX 6950 XT, and we highly recommend getting one.

Lowest PSU Requirement: ASUS TUF Gaming Radeon RX 6950 XT OC

Boost Clock: 2,324 MHz | Memory: 16GB GDDR6 | Length: 320 mm | Power Connectors: 2 x 8-pin | Outputs: 3 x DP, 1 x HDMI

View at Newegg

---

• Requires two 8-pin connectors to run
• Cheaper than GeForce RTX 3090
• Reinforced metal frame
• Adjustable RGB lighting
• Free 1 month Adobe Creative Cloud

• High price

---

Almost all custom designed RX 6950 XT cards require three 8-pin power connectors to work properly, which can be an issue for many users who don’t have enough powerful PSUs. Fortunately, there is the ASUS TUF Gaming Radeon RX 6950 XT OC which only requires two 8-pin connectors to run. Although ASUS recommends pairing this GPU with a PSU of at least 1000 W, this card can in fact work perfectly fine with a PSU of 700 W.

With default clocks, the TUF Gaming RX 6950 XT OC consumes less than 335 W of power. The card can be easily overclocked, however, this will significantly increase its power consumption. For keeping it cool, there is the standard TUF triple-fan heatsink with axial-tech fan design, as well as an aluminum shroud, and a vented metal backplate. The card also features subtle RGB lighting, which can be customized via ASUS’ GPU Tweak II software. It’s also worth noting that the card comes bundled with free 1 month of Adobe Creative Cloud, which a nice addition.

Read more

• ZOTAC GeForce RTX 3090 Ti AMP Extreme Holo Review
• AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT vs. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090: Which Flagship GPU is Better?
• The Best Graphics Cards for Gaming in 2023: Top GPUs for Every Budget