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PowerColor Hellhound RX 7900 XT & XTX: Are They Worth It?

PowerColor Hellhound RX 7900 XT & XTX: Are They Worth It?

Each year, the world’s geeks can expect a new line of GPUs for their computers. However, each new GPU lineup has specifications to ensure they are compatible with a standard PC setup. You’ll need to purchase additional parts if a GPU isn’t compatible with your setup. So, ensuring specifications match your current build is crucial if building a PC on a budget.

PowerColor’s new Hellhound RX 7900 XT and Hellhound 7900 XTX GPUs are launching with three-fan stock coolers. While most high-end GPUs are moving from two to three fans on their stock cooler, this shift for PowerColor’s traditionally budget-friendly cards signals that the standard for GPU coolers is shifting to a three-fan configuration.

The information about the Hellhound RX 7900 XT and 7900 XTX comes primarily from the leaker momomo_us on Twitter. Momo’s feed is known for reliable data leaks from the computer component sector. For example, on 2 December 2022, Momo leaked some images of the upcoming RX 7900 XT and 7900 XTX cards from PowerColor.

These images showed both cards have three-fan coolers. Previously, the RX 7900 XTX’s specifications were released on PowerColor’s website. So, we already know the XTX would launch with three fans. But this leak indicates that the GPU won’t be the only one with a new look for PowerColor cards.

Since the Momo’s leak, the Hellhound RX 7900 XT’s specifications have been released on the PowerColor website, confirming fan count. Additionally, since the full specifications have been released, we can now thoroughly compare the XT and XTX versions of the card; the coolers aren’t the only impressive parts of these cards!

The cards are available for purchase from most electronics retailers like Newegg. Still, they might be hard to find since they’re extremely popular for their affordable prices!

What Is a GPU Cooler? Why Do I Care?

If you’re new to our readership, you might not know why GPU coolers are essential. Of course, the difference between GPU coolers gets starker when you go from three fans to one. It’s crucial to know the difference between two and three fans when purchasing a GPU cooler.

Like most computer parts, GPUs produce heat. Excess heat can damage the PCB, cause bottlenecking, and generally harm other computer components. When a computer component heats up, it can damage adjacent parts, leading to a whole world of “my wallet hurts” for you.

GPUs come with a “stock cooler,” a manufacturer-installed cooling system that allows you to use your new GPU out of the box. While stock coolers are rated to cool the GPU, they’re attached to; they’re not always the best or most efficient option.

The more powerful a GPU’s stock cooler is, the less likely the need to install additional cooling. Additionally, fans wear out and break down after use. With a two-fan card, the fans will need to be fixed or replaced if they break down. But a three-fan card can easily lose one fan without a noticeable drop in performance (except in highly high-intensity tasks.)

PowerColor Hellhound RX 7900 XT Specs

PowerColor Hellhound is an impressive card with sheer processing power. Right off the bat, it’s got 20 GB of DDR6 video RAM, putting it in the front running of video cards in terms of sheer RAM capacity.

The XT also features 5376 Streaming units for those who like to stream games on Twitch or other streaming services. However, these units can also be used for ray tracing, number crunching, and other general-purpose uses. The engine clock comes at a stock speed of 2000 MHz, and it’s possible to boost it up to 2400 MHz, giving ample room to play the loveliest games with the best graphics.

RX 7900 XT has a memory speed of 20.0 Gbps running on a 320-bit memory bus. So, this thing is pretty fast, even though it’s not at the absolute top-of-the-line Hellhound model. It also supports OpenGL 4.6 and DirectX 12. So, all those gorgeous Unreal Engine 5 games will be right at the tips of your fingers with this card.

The Hellhound RX 7900 XT requires at least a 750-watt power supply. That can be a big ask for budget computer builds, often floating in the 6500–700-watt range. So, ensure you have enough power to run this card before purchasing it.

This should not be an issue for higher-end builds, as most higher-end cards require 800+ watts of power even to get started, let alone run a high-end GPU with it.

Sapphire 21323-01-20G AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT Gaming Graphics Card with 20GB GDDR6, AMD RDNA 3
$1,224.45
  • Memory Size: 20 GB
  • Memory Interface: 320-bit DDR6
  • Form Factor: 3 slot, ATX
  • Output: 1 x HDMI, 2 x DisplayPort, 1 x USB-C
  • PCI-Express 4.0
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/11/2024 11:01 am GMT

PowerColor Hellhound RX 7900 XTX Specs

The PowerColor Hellhound RX 7900 XTX is the beefier “super-top-of-the-line” version of the 7900-series Hellhound card. It is notably bulkier than the XT version, and some differences exist regarding which systems to use. Hellhound RX 7900 XTX requires an 800-watt power supply, which could mean a power supply upgrade for many budget users. Because you might need to upgrade your power supply, it may be more efficient to buy an RX 7900 XT card and then overclock it rather than the XTX version. But if both cards require you to upgrade, you might as well go all-out, right?

Regarding its power, the RX 7900 XTX comes with 24 GB of DDR6 video ram, a nice upgrade from the XT version without being too excessive. With 24 GB of DDR6 VRAM, you likely won’t experience any lag or graphical errors while playing the most intensive games. This unit comes with a beefier set of streaming units, clocking in at 6144 units. So you’ll be set to get started with whatever tasks you want, no matter how intensive, for at least a few years.

The card’s engine clock is similar to the engine clock speed for the XT version. The XTX version of the card starts at 2300 MHz and can be boosted up to 2500 MHz. So, if you plan on overclocking your card, there isn’t much difference in engine clock speed. This card also features a 20.0 Gbps memory clock speed, but that’s on a 384-bit bus. So, the memory is slightly faster than the XT version.

Amazing Speed
PowerColor AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX
  • Video memory: 24GB GDDR6
  • Stream processor: 6144 Units
  • Clock speed: 2300MHz
  • Boost clock: Up to 2500MHz
  • Memory clock: 20Gbps
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How Do They Compare to Equivalent NVIDIA Cards?

One significant difference between the RX 7900 XT/XTX is their pricing. Equivalent NVIDIA cards start at around $2,000, double the PowerColor RX 7900 XTX and more than double the price of the XT.

Aside from that, these cards are nearly identical except for driver compatibility. Many of the equivalent NVIDIA cards also feature extra cores, such as Tensor Cores and Ray Tracing cores, making them a little more potent than the RX 7900 series. However, these cores may not be as appealing to the budget user due to their hefty price.

Overall, the PowerColor Hellhound 7900-series cards represent an excellent way to get into higher-quality parts without breaking the bank. Sure, you won’t get perfect Ray Tracing or a million Tensor Cores. Still, you’ll get an excellent entry-level card for high-end computing.

Where Can I Buy the RX 7900 XT/XTX?

We can’t promise you’ll soon lay your hand on the PowerColor Hellhound 7900-series card. At the time of writing this article, they were sold out at all major electronics retailers. Amazon is showing delivery dates of more than a month in the future.

However, you can add yourself to the waiting list for Newegg, Amazon, and other electronics retailers. You can also buy the card from a scalper if you can’t wait but be warned that these come at a premium of an extra $200–500.

Final Thoughts

Now that these gorgeous-looking cards are in the market, it’s time to get your hands on them and see how they improve your setup’s working order. Typical of brand-new cards, getting your hands on one won’t be easy due to a biting shortage. It’s worth it if you’re looking to upgrade your PC in 2023. These cards are some of the highest-end budget cards any serious gamer can get.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast is the memory clock on the 7900 XT and XTX?

Both cards come with a 20.0 Gbps memory clock speed.

How big is the memory bus on the 7900 XT and XTX?

The XT comes with a 320-bit memory bus. The XTX has a 384-bit memory bus.

When did the 7900 XT and XTX release?

December 13, 2022.

How many streaming units do the XT and XTX come with?

The XT comes with 5376 units. The XTX comes with 6144 units.

How much VRAM do the 7900 XT and XTX come with?

The XT comes with 20 GB of VRAM. The XTX comes with 24 GB of VRAM.

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