AMD RX 7700 XT vs Nvidia RTX 4080 comparison – value or power?

AMD RX 7700 XT vs Nvidia RTX 4080 comparison – value or power?
Rosa Fryer Updated on by

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We’re bringing you our RX 7700 XT vs RTX 4080 comparison to help you pick your next gaming graphics card.

With the release of the RX 7700 XT, it’s time to take a closer look at AMD’s new entry to the RX 7000-series line-up. Aimed for 1440p gaming at high framerates, AMD also released Hyper-RX and the latest FSR with the RX 7700 XT, which gives it even more performance. If you’re looking to buy the RX 7700 XT, we have got your back.

The RTX 4080 was released back in late 2022, and it has disrupted the gaming industry with its excellent 1440p and 4K performance. The card is a great choice for gamers looking for a high-end experience without dropping big bucks on the RTX 4090. Make sure you know all about the best RTX 4080 graphics cards before you make your purchase.

Which one should you go for? The infamous RTX 4080 or the newly announced RX 7700 XT?

RX 7700 XT vs RTX 4080 comparison – architecture

Architecture is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing between two graphics cards. That’s because it tells us about the performance, efficiency, and how well the cards will stand the test of time.

The RX 7700 XT is based on the RDNA 3.0 architecture. Compared to RDNA 2, RDNA 3 is a big improvement across all aspects. First up, RDNA 3 is the first GPU architecture to bring chiplet design to the market. Plus, it is also AMD’s first time with TSMC’s 5nm process node. As a result, you get up to 50% more power efficiency with RDNA 3 cards than their RDNA 2 predecessors.

The RTX 4080 is built using the Ada Lovelace architecture. Nvidia was previously using Samsung’s 8nm process node with Ampere. However, Team Green also shifted to TSMC’s 5nm with Ada Lovelace. Therefore, AMD is not alone when it comes to improved power efficiency. Nvidia also introduced 4th gen Tensor cores, which are used in their latest DLSS technology. DLSS is used to upscale the resolution and predict the next frame. This way, you get to play at 1440p or 4K resolutions while getting very high framerates.

When it comes to architecture, both RDNA 3 and Ada Lovelace run neck-to-neck. However, if we factor DLSS into the equation, Ada Lovelace comes out on top. Sure, RDNA 3 has FSR that achieves pretty much the same result. However, DLSS’s performance is still unmatched.

RX 7700 XT vs RTX 4080 comparison – specs comparison

SpecsRX 7700 XT RTX 4080
GPU ArchitectureRDNA 3.0Ada Lovelace 
Cores34569728
Base clock1900 MHz2210 MHz
Boost clock2544 MHz2510 MHz
Die Size346 mm²379 mm²
Memory12 GB GDDR616 GB GDDR6X
Bandwidth432 GB/s716.8 GB/s
TGP245 W320 W

When it comes to performance on paper, the RTX 4080 is dominating the RX 7700 XT in every aspect. The card has 9278 cores, which is almost thrice what RX 7700 XT offers. It also has a higher base speed with a negligibly lower boost speed. As for VRAM, the RTX 4080 offers 4 GB extra memory with GDDR6X instead of GDDR6, which is marginally better.

The only win the RX 7700 XT gets here is that its rated power consumption is 75 W lower than the RTX 4080. However, given how much performance the RTX 4080 has to offer, this difference in TGP does not matter a lot.

In short, the RTX 4080 is better than the RX 7700 XT in specifications. So, how much is it better in performance?

RX 7700 XT vs RTX 4080 comparison – performance

Given the RX 7700 XT’s target at 1440p gamers, we know the card will face zero issues running AAA titles at 1440p. Not only that but the RX 7700 XT also gives you playable FPS at 4K resolution as well. It is the perfect mid-range gaming solution.

The RTX 4080, on the other hand, is a completely different league. The card runs 4K games like the RX 7700 XT runs 1440p games. No matter which game you throw at it, the RTX 4080 will run it with the max possible settings like it’s no big deal. Plus, since you get 16 GB GDDR6X VRAM with it, you can also run GPU-intensive productivity tasks.

Another aspect where the RTX 4080 shines is ray tracing. The card is one of the best GPUs for ray tracing. It can handle RT with high resolution so well that you will want to keep it turned on in every RT-supported game. Just make sure you have the best CPU, the best motherboard, and the best PSU to go with the RTX 4080 for the perfect gaming experience.

In short, if you just want high performance, then the RTX 4080 should be your choice. It is miles ahead of the RX 7700 XT in every way.

RX 7700 XT vs RTX 4080 comparison – price comparison

You also need to consider the pricing to make sure your desired GPU falls within your budget. Well, the RX 7700 XT comes with a $450 MSRP. This is pretty decent pricing, considering the performance. You should be able to purchase its premium variants for around $470.

Where to buy RX 7700 XT:

The RTX 4080 was launched with a $1200 MSRP. These are some really big bucks, especially when compared to the RX 7700 XT. Right now, you can get the RTX 4080 for as low as $1120, with high-end variants nearing $1400. 

Overall, the RTX 4080 costs more than 2x the price of the RX 7700 XT, which is understandable because it also offers significantly more performance. However, as far as pricing goes, the RX 7700 XT is better.

RX 7700 XT vs RTX 4080 comparison – final word

All in all, if you’re on a budget but want a solid 1440p graphics card that should have no issue running your favorite games, then the RX 7700 XT should be your go-to option. On the other hand, if you have a good budget and want a high-end graphics card that offers jaw-dropping 1440p performance with excellent 4K framerates, then the RTX 4080 is perfect for the job.