RTX 4070 Ti vs RX 7900 XTX: Is the Cheaper GPU Worth It?

Unsure of whether you should get the NVIDIA RTX 4070 Ti or the AMD RX 7900 XTX? In this guide, we’ve broken down the main advantages of both GPUs to help you determine which is best for your needs and budget.

This GPU generation is bittersweet. On the one hand, we have phenomenal performance gains compared to previous generations, especially when we factor in new tech like DLSS 3. But on the other hand, the worst of the chip shortage is over and we’re still stuck with astronomical GPU prices.

Many gamers hoped the RTX 4070 Ti would bring some semblance of normalcy back to the GPU market. But while the 4070 Ti is cheaper than all other current-gen GPUs, it’s still more expensive than we might have hoped.

This is why it makes sense to compare the 4070 Ti vs 7900 XTX, because when all the graphics card options are expensive, more expensive ones can still be alluring for those on a budget, providing they’re better value.

In other words, we should question whether the money saved by opting for a 4070 Ti is worth sacrificing the price-performance value of the 7900 XTX. We can only answer this by comparing the two GPUs’ specs and real-world results, so let’s dive in.

Buying Options

• Best RTX 4070 Ti Graphics Cards
• Best RX 7900 XTX Graphics Cards
• Best RTX 4070 Prebuilt Gaming PCs
• Best RTX 4070 Laptops

What is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti?

The RTX 4070 Ti is NVIDIA’s cheapest current-gen graphics card. It’s a high-end GPU that was released in January 2023 and is based on the company’s ‘Ada Lovelace’ architecture.

Originally, the 4070 Ti was going to be named an RTX 4080 12GB, but NVIDIA decided against this when gamers made it clear that they didn’t think it was powerful enough to justify calling it an RTX 4080 and giving it a 4080 price tag. So, they released it as a 4070 Ti for a lower cost, instead.

Although it’s currently the cheapest graphics card of this generation, it’s still expensive. NVIDIA intends for the 30-series to fill out the lower end of the GPU market for now, so the 4070 Ti remains a high-end card competing against other high-end cards, offering impressive performance even at 4K resolution.

What is the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX?

The RX 7900 XTX is AMD’s cheapest current-gen graphics card and is based on the company’s ‘RDNA 3’ architecture. It was released in December 2022 and, like the 4070 Ti, it’s a high-end card with a steep price tag to match—though it’s not as expensive as the RTX 4080 or RTX 4090.

The 7900 XTX is only a sliver behind the RTX 4080’s performance, and it costs $200 less than this card, making it one of the best graphics cards on the market. However, while it’s a stellar high-end card that beats the 4080 on the price front, it loses on the feature front because NVIDIA GPUs have better upscaling and ray tracing performance.

NVIDIA vs AMD Features

Current-gen NVIDIA and AMD GPUs offer similar features, but there are some differences.

First, the new features they have in common. Both the RTX 4070 Ti and 7900 XTX have:

• Improved AI hardware (Tensor Cores / AI Accelerators)
• Improved ray tracing hardware (RT Cores / Ray Accelerators)
• AV1 hardware encoding

Now, some NVIDIA-specific and AMD-specific features:

The NVIDIA card offers more features than the AMD card, but in practice, many AMD-compatible features are just as good as NVIDIA-specific ones.

DLSS 3 certainly outperforms FSR 2, but FSR 3 should come out sometime in 2023 and this tech should offer frame generation just like DLSS 3. We won’t know which is better until it’s released, though.

Read More: What is Input Lag & How Can You Fix/Test It?

NVIDIA Reflex reduces input latency more than any other technology, but it’s only implemented in some games. Plus, many gamers won’t need to use input lag reduction technologies in the first place, as any latency reduction is negligible on systems that are already fast.

Read More: G-Sync vs FreeSync: Which Adaptive Sync Tech is Better?

Finally, the 4070 Ti supports GSync on GSync monitors and the 7900 XTX doesn’t, but most modern GSync Compatible and FreeSync monitors’ VRR capabilities are just as good as GSync capabilities in practice.

7900 XTX vs 4070 Ti: Price Comparison

At MSRP, the AMD 7900 XTX costs $999 and the NVIDIA 4070 Ti costs $799. This means the 7900 XTX is $200 (25%) more expensive than the 4070 Ti.

In practice—and especially because there is no Founders Edition of the 4070 Ti—prices may vary from these MSRPs. Currently, you can pick up a 4070 Ti for between $799-$950 and a 7900 XTX for between $999-$1,200.

For the cheaper AIB models for these two cards, thankfully, you’re only looking at MSRP prices.

Alternative GPUs

For now, if you want a GPU that’s cheaper than the 4070 Ti, you’ll have to look to previous generation GPUs like the RTX 3080. You can pick up a 3080 for about $550, and it performs about 10-20% worse than the 4070 Ti but can still hold its own gaming at any resolution.

Sitting between the 4070 Ti and 7900 XTX is the RTX 7900 XT. This card performs about 5% better than the 4070 Ti, but the 7900 XTX performs about 10% better than it. Because the 7900 XTX performs significantly better than the 7900 XT, however—especially at 4K resolution—it’s probably worth spending the extra on the XTX.

Finally, you could opt for an RTX 4080. The 4080 performs about 5% better than the 7900 XTX at 1440p and 4K, and only slightly worse at 1080p. But it costs $200 more, which is probably too much for such a small performance gain. The 4080 is much better at ray tracing and upscaling, though, so if you want the best out of those technologies, it’s a good option.

Read More:

• 7900 XT vs 7900 XTX: Which AMD GPU is Better Value?
• RTX 4080 vs RX 7900 XTX: Which AMD or NVIDIA GPU is Better?

Graphics Card Specs

Probably the biggest difference between these two GPUs on paper is that the 7900 XTX has a much better memory configuration than the 4070 Ti.

The 7900 XTX has double the 4070 Ti’s video memory, and while GDDR6 VRAM is slower than GDDR6X VRAM, the 7900 XTX’s memory capacity and wider memory bus give it almost double the 4070 Ti’s bandwidth.

The 7900 XTX also has more ray tracing cores, but each of NVIDIA’s RT Cores performs better than each of AMD’s Ray Accelerators, so the real-world ray tracing performance difference between the two cards probably won’t be great.

Finally, we should note that the 7900 XTX supports DisplayPort 2.1, while the 4070 Ti only supports DisplayPort 1.4. This means the 7900 XTX can do 4K at 480Hz and 8K at 165Hz, but the 4070 Ti can only do 4K at 120Hz and 8K at 30Hz.

Dimensions

As we can see, the RTX 4070 Ti and RX 7900 XTX are similarly sized cards. The AMD GPU is a little shorter, making it easier to fit alongside other PCIe slots and CPU coolers, but the NVIIDA GPU is a little slimmer from the I/O plate on the left side to the tip on the right side.

GPU size depends on the model in question, though. This is especially relevant for the 4070 Ti because there’s no 4070 Ti FE. To be safe, always check the dimensions of your PC case and other components to see if a new GPU will fit.

Power Draw and Thermal Performance

The 7900 XTX has a TDP 70W higher than the 4070 Ti, meaning it’s a little more power hungry. Because of this, AMD recommends an 800W PSU to power it, while NVIDIA only recommends a 700W PSU for the 4070 Ti.

Also Read: The Best Power Supplies Right Now

Thermally, online tests show that the 4070 Ti stays cooler than the 7900 XTX. Both cards stay well below 70c while gaming, but the 4070 Ti stays closer to 60c and possibly even slightly below this.

At the start of 2023, AMD admitted that some 7900 XTX graphics cards were overheating because of problems with some reference-style coolers. But retailers started recalling the bad batches and refunding anyone with an affected card, and there has been little talk about it since, so it’s safe to assume this issue has probably been resolved.

4070 Ti vs 7900 XTX: Gaming Performance

We’ve presented average gaming benchmark results for all three mainstream resolutions, these results being averaged from multiple online reviews, such as those from PCGamer, TechSpot, and TechPowerUp.

Also Read: 1080p vs. 1440p vs. 4K: Which Resolution Is Best for Gaming?

The graphs show average framerates, and below these we’ve given you an average of each tested game’s percentage difference. The latter are more accurate, but both represent the difference between the two cards’ performances.

1080p Benchmarks

Framerates averaged from multiple online benchmarks.

On average, the 7900 XTX performs about 13.4% better than the 4070 Ti at 1080p.

At this resolution, both the RTX 4070 Ti and RX 7900 XTX should be more than enough for smooth frame rates, even on high refresh rate monitors.

Both should net well over 100fps on average even in modern triple-A titles on max settings. And both should average much more than this in less demanding competitive shooters, making either a brilliant choice for competitive 1080p gaming.

The 7900 XTX performs better than the 4070 Ti even at this resolution, but given that framerates are so high with both cards that it might be worth saving the extra $200 and opting for a 4070 Ti for gaming at 1080p. That is, unless you’re aiming for high framerates for (let’s say) a 240Hz monitor, because the 7900 XTX’s extra 20fps or 30fps might push you up to that 240fps threshold in some games.

1440p Benchmarks

Framerates averaged from multiple online benchmarks.

On average, the 7900 XTX performs about 15.4% better than the 4070 Ti at 1440p.

Both the 4070 Ti and 7900 XTX should be perfect for most gamers using a 1440p monitor. Both should run modern triple-A titles on max settings at above 100fps at this resolution.

Also Read: Is 1440P Worth it for Gaming?

The 7900 XTX, however, will be more likely to hit 120fps and 144fps thresholds in more games on max settings at 1440p. Some games, for example, might average only 120fps with a 4070 Ti but hit 145fps with a 7900 XTX.

Considering both cards cost so much to begin with, this (averaged) extra 20-30fps might make the 7900 XTX worth its higher price tag, because the difference between, say, 95fps and 125fps on a 120Hz monitor is definitely noticeable.

On the other hand, the 4070 Ti has DLSS 3, which can more than make up for these lower framerates in games that support it—even DLSS 2 should do so. If you don’t mind having to use DLSS to get those frames up then a 4070 Ti might make more sense for 1440p gaming, at least until FSR 3 comes out.

(Of course, FSR 2 is an option with the 7900 XTX, but, unlike the 4070 Ti, it doesn’t require upscaling as often as the 4070 Ti does to hit 120fps and 144fps at 1440p.)

4K Benchmarks

Framerates averaged from multiple online benchmarks.

On average, the 7900 XTX performs about 20.1% better than the 4070 Ti at 4K.

While the RTX 4070 Ti should perform well enough in most games at 4K, the 7900 XTX will give a smoother gameplay experience in many more games.

Also Read: Is 4K Worth it for Gaming? Why Most Gamers Don’t Need a 4K Monitor

While a $200 saving with the 4070 Ti is appealing, if you plan on gaming at 4K resolution it might make sense to opt for the more expensive 7900 XTX. The 20% average framerate increase it provides might mean the difference between, say, 55fps and 68fps in some games, which will be a noticeable difference.

Of course, this all depends on how often you’ll be gaming at 4K instead of lower resolutions, and which games you’ll be playing, not to mention what settings you’re comfortable with.

Both GPUs should average over 60fps in most games at this resolution, and in those games where the 4070 Ti struggles to achieve this, dropping your in-game settings below max should help. Plus, the magic of DLSS 3 can always combat lower framerates.

Ray Tracing and Upscaling

Score taken from PCGamer’s testing (1440p charts).

Based on PCGamer’s 3DMark Port Royal testing, the 7900 XTX does ray tracing about 1.3% better than the 4070 Ti at 1440p.

While the 7900 XTX has significantly more ray tracing cores than the 4070 Ti, each 7900 XTX ray tracing core doesn’t perform as well as a 4070 Ti ray tracing core, which is why these cards, in practice, do ray tracing about evenly.

Given this, opting for the 4070 Ti for ray tracing alone makes little sense. The RTX 4080, for example, would be a much better option if you really care about ray tracing, because it performs much better than either the 4070 Ti or 7900 XTX.

That being said, the 4070 Ti does ray tracing just as well as the top-end NVIDIA 30-series GPUs, so you’re not getting poor ray tracing performance from the 4070 Ti. It’s just nothing to write home about compared to the RTX 4080 and especially RTX 4090.

When it comes to upscaling, the 4070 Ti is a much better option than the 7900 XTX, for now. DLSS 3 outperforms FSR 2 by far and can make all the difference when gaming at 4K, for example. But AMD should release FSR 3 this year, so the 7900 XTX might fare better in this regard before too long.

Game Performance Summary

At 1080p, the 7900 XTX performs about 13.4% better than the 4070 Ti on average. But framerates are so high with both GPUs at this resolution that it’s difficult to recommend the AMD card over the NVIDIA one given its higher price tag.

At 1440p, the 7900 XTX performs about 15.4% better than the 4070 Ti on average. Both GPUs average well over 100fps, though, so a 4070 Ti is more than capable at this resolution. But for more demanding games on max settings, a 7900 XTX will more consistently make the most of a 120Hz or 144Hz monitor.

At 4K, the 7900 XTX performs about 20.1% better than the 4070 Ti on average. Both GPUs average over 60fps in most games on max settings, and even over 100fps in some. But the 20% framerate increase can make a lot of difference at these lower framerates, so the 7900 XTX is a much better contender for 4K gaming, unless you know you’ll be using DLSS 3.

More Performance Comparisons

• RTX 4090 vs RTX 4070 Ti
• RTX 4070 Ti vs RTX 4080
• RTX 4070 Ti vs RX 7900 XT
• RTX 4080 vs RX 7900 XTX
• RTX 4070 vs RTX 4070 Ti
• RTX 4070 vs RX 7900 XTX

Verdict: Should You Buy a 7900 XTX Instead of a 4070 Ti?

Whether you should opt for an RX 7900 XTX or RTX 4070 Ti depends on a few things.

First, it depends on what resolution you’ll be gaming at. If you’re gaming at 1080p, it makes little sense to opt for the 7900 XTX over the cheaper 4070 Ti, because framerates are very high for both GPUs at this resolution.

If you’re gaming at 1440p, then which one you should opt for depends on which games you’ll be playing, what settings you’ll be enabling, and what your refresh rate is. If you want to play the most demanding titles on max settings consistently at 120Hz or 144Hz, a 7900 XTX will be better. But if you’re playing at a lower refresh rate or playing slightly less demanding games, a 4070 Ti should be all you need.

If you’re gaming at 4K, going for a 7900 XTX is a better bet in almost all cases. It performs significantly better than the 4070 Ti at this resolution—probably due, in part, to its better memory configuration—and will guarantee 60fps in games that the 4070 Ti struggles to average 60fps in.

All this changes if you expect to use DLSS 3, though. If the games you play support DLSS 3 and if you’re keen on enabling it, the 4070 Ti should outperform the 7900 XTX at all these resolutions, even with FSR 2 enabled on the 7900 XTX. But this could be just a short-term win, considering FSR 3 is just around the corner.

Finally, it’s definitely worth considering the 7900 XTX’s superior memory configuration. Double the 4070 Ti’s VRAM is no joke, and it’s not as if it’s completely overkill, either. Some games already push the bounds of 12GB (which is the 4070 Ti’s memory capacity) when played at 4K, and it’s reasonable to assume games will only require more VRAM in the future.

All things considered, then, the 7900 XTX is a better value card. But there are definitely gaming use cases that would justify opting for the cheaper 4070 Ti instead—such as, for instance, if you’re gaming at 1080p, or only playing moderately demanding games at 1440p. For most gamers, though, the 7900 XTX’s $200 higher price tag will be justified.