Here’s a look at some of the best RX 7900 XTXs.
The AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX is one of the better value high-end GPUs right now. It’s a bit cheaper than the 4080 Super and provides a bit more raw performance than the 4070 Ti Super, only really losing to those two cards when it comes to upscaling and ray tracing performance.
There are a number of RX 7900 XTX graphics cards out there, though. Which one is the best option for you?
In this guide we’ve simplified things and given you the most relevant info to help compare the best of the current 7900 XTX line-up.
Quick Answer:
- XFX’s Speedster Merc 310 is our pick for the best value option
- The ASUS TUF Gaming OC is the top 7900 XTX for overclocking
- Sapphire’s NITRO+ offers the higher performance out-of-the-box
- PowerColor’s Hellhound is the most affordable 7900 XTX
- The ASRock AQUA OC is the best option for liquid cooling
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1. XFX Speedster Merc 310 RX 7900 XTX
Best Overall RX 7900 XTX
The XFX Speedster Merc 310 7900 XTX might not top any charts compared to others on this list, but where it shines is in its value. With a current going price of about $925, this card has all the rendering chops and cooling performance of some significantly more expensive models.
For starters, its boost clock speed is rated at 2615MHz, 115MHz higher than the reference 7900 XTX and almost as high as the most expensive models. This faster clock speed should net you some extra frames in most games, making its out-of-the-box performance well worth the price.
Second, while it’s not the quietest card on this list, it makes up for this slightly louder fan noise by staying cool. In fact, if you enable its Max Power BIOS, reviews show that it should stay cooler than any other air-cooled card on this list.
Finally, while it doesn’t match the TUF Gaming OC 7900 XTX, the Merc 310 is no slouch at overclocking. TechPowerUp was able to boost its clock speed to 3165MHz, a whopping 235MHz higher than the reference 7900 XTX.
This card offers better-than-average specs and performance and yet still somehow comes in significantly cheaper than other cards with similar out-of-the-box performance. All of this makes it a stellar all-rounder that most gamers will be happy with. Oh, and if you’re into minimalist designs, it looks great, too.
2. ASUS TUF Gaming RX 7900 XTX OC
Best RX 7900 XTX for Overclocking
As it turns out, pretty much every AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX should, theoretically, be great at overclocking. This is because they share a max power limit 15% higher than stock limits. And most have similar VRMs with 17x 70A power phases for a max current of 1,190A.
But subtle internal differences can make or break an overclocking experience, and the best way to find out a card’s capabilities is to see how far you can crank its GPU clock. TechPowerUp found they could get the TUF OC 7900 XTX’s average GPU clock speed up to 3199MHz, which is higher than any other they tested and led to better framerates than any other they tested.
This is strange because the TUF OC seemingly has a slightly lower default power limit than some other 7900 XTX models. But we can’t argue with empirical testing, so it seems like the TUF OC model is the best for overclocking.
What’s particularly impressive is that it’s currently retailing for about $1,199. And while it doesn’t have the greatest stock boost clock (2565MHz), it should still perform better than a reference 7900 XTX at stock settings, and it’s one of the quietest models available, too.
OCing a 7900 XTX might not be for everyone—it involves maxing the power limit, increasing memory clocks, and undervolting—but if you don’t mind such tinkering, the TUF OC 7900 XTX is a splendid choice.
3. Sapphire NITRO+ RX 7900 XTX
Best Performing RX 7900 XTX
We’ve seen which 7900 XTX has best value overall and which is best for overclocking, but what if you just want the best out-of-the-box gaming performance, at any cost? If that’s what you want, the Sapphire NITRO+ 7900 XTX has you covered.
According to online benchmarks, this beast of a card outperforms its rivals at stock settings thanks to its 2680MHz boost clock, 180MHz higher than the reference 7900 XTX. It does this while remaining relatively cool and quiet, too, especially if you enable its second BIOS.
Of course, for such performance, there must be drawbacks. One drawback is that this card draws more power than others—nearly 100W more than the reference card, and 30-40W more than the TUF OC and Merc 310.
A second drawback is its price. For such a powerful graphics card, you’re currently looking at spending about $1,030, which places it close to RTX 4080 Super territory. If prices drop, however, this card will be very alluring for anyone who isn’t satisfied with second-best performance and who doesn’t want to tinker with clock speeds and power limits.
4. PowerColor Hellhound RX 7900 XTX
Cheapest RX 7900 XTX
PowerColor’s Hellhound RX 7900 XTX offers a rare sight these days: an AIB GPU going for a reference card’s MSRP. Although it might be hard to find in stock, this AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX has recently been listed in the low $900s.
This Hellhound model is pretty similar to the MBA 7900 XTX, except it comes with a modest factory overclock of 2332MHz on the game clock and 2525MHz on the boost clock (32MHz and 25MHz more than the reference model, respectively). This should give you an extra frame or two in most games—which isn’t much, but it’s better than nothing for the same price.
Another reason to opt for this model over the reference one is if you’re a fan of RGB lighting. The PowerColor Hellhound RX 7900 XTX comes with fans and a backplate that can light up in either “amethyst purple” or “ice blue”. Unfortunately, to switch between colors (or turn the lighting off entirely) you have to toggle a physical switch on the card.
Ultimately, whether one opts for this card or the reference one will probably depend on your aesthetic tastes. The two cards are too similar in terms of temperature and performance for these things to be the deciding factor.
5. ASRock RX 7900 XTX AQUA OC
Best RX 7900 XTX for Liquid Cooling
There aren’t too many options for liquid cooled GPUs, and this ASRock model is one of the only water cooled 7900 XTX options on the market. PowerColor has announced its Liquid Devil water cooled option, but there’s little information released about it.
Also Read: Liquid Cooling vs. Air Cooling: Which Style CPU Cooler is Best?
The main benefit of the ASRock RX 7900 XTX AQUA OC is, of course, its thermal performance. When its pre-installed water block is hooked up to a cooling loop, this card should have lower temperatures than air-cooled models, probably running well below 50c while gaming. And, depending on the loop setup, it should do this very quietly.
Because this GPU can be kept cool, ASRock has given it an impressive 2680MHz boost clock, which is the same as the Sapphire NITRO+ model, our pick for the best-performing AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX. This means that it’ll likely not only do great at overclocking but should also run very fast out-of-the-box, too.
Its current going price, however, is a deceptive $1,050. I say ‘deceptive’ because it seems cheap, but it doesn’t come with an AIO radiator. Instead, you’ll have to fit this into an existing custom loop, connecting the loop to the water block’s liquid-in and liquid-out ports. If you don’t already have a custom loop installed, this could be an expensive graphics card to get running.
It might be worth it, though, and not just because of its boost clock and low temps. On top of these benefits, its water block looks stunning, with a transparent front plate and polychrome, sync-able lighting. That alone is enough to make anyone consider setting up a custom loop.
RX 7900 XT Alternatives
As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, the closest comps to the RX 7900 XTX are the RTX 4080 Super and the RTX 4070 Ti Super. The 7900 XTX can hold its own against the more expensive RTX 4080 Super, and it exceeds the performance of the cheaper RTX 4070 Ti Super, however both NVIDIA GPUs will offer perks like better raytracing performance and the better upscaling technology.
If you wanted to save some money, options like the RX 7900 XTX, RX 7800 XTX, and RTX 4070 would be worth considering.
And, if you’re looking for even more performance, the only real significant jump up in GPU performance would be the RTX 4090.
