The RTX 4080 and the RX 6800 XT are two of the most powerful GPUs in the Nvidia-and-AMD-dominated GPU industry today, packing enough punch to satisfy even the most demanding gamers and content creators. But what’s the difference between them? Does one have an edge over the other? And which one should you choose?
We’ll compare these two powerhouse GPUs side-by-side to help you decide which one to go for. So strap in, as it’s time to find out who comes out on top in this battle royale between the RTX 4080 vs RX 6800 XT.
RTX 4080 vs RX 6800 XT: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | RTX 4080 | RX 6800 XT |
|---|---|---|
| Graphics Processor | Nvidia Ada Lovelace 4nm | AMD Navi 21 XT 7nm |
| Shader Cores | 8704 | 4608 |
| VRAM | 16GB GDDR6X | 16GB GDDR6 |
| Texture Mapping Units | 304 | 288 |
| Bus Width | 256-bit | 256-bit |
| GPU & Boost Clock | 2200MHz / 2500MHz | 1825MHz / 2250MHz |
| Texture Rate | 761.5 GT/s | 648.0 GT/s |
| Floating-Point Performance | 33.75 TFLOPS | 20.74 TFLOPS |
| Power Consumption (TDP) | 320W | 300W |
| 4K Gaming Benchmarks against the RTX 3080 | 50% faster | 5% slower |
RTX 4080 vs RX 6800 XT: What’s the Difference?
Graphics Processor
Both cards are powered by top-of-the-line graphics processors, but the technologies that drive them are different. The 4080 is based on the Ada Lovelace architecture while the 6800 XT utilizes AMD’s RDNA 2 design.
The RTX 4080 is built on the AD103 graphics processor, which is a cutting-edge GPU designed specifically for gaming and other graphics-intensive applications.
- 16 GB of GDDR6X VRAM
- 2.51 GHz GPU clock speed
- PCI Express 4.0 support
- Great for AI work
- 9,728 NVIDIA CUDA Cores
With its advanced ray tracing capabilities, the RTX 4080 is capable of producing stunningly realistic visuals that can make gaming and video editing experiences truly immersive. The RTX 4080 also features DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) technology that can enhance the frame rates and image quality of games.
On the other hand, the RX 6800 XT uses the Navi 21 XT graphics processor. This GPU is designed by AMD, and like the AD103, it is optimized for gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks.
The RX 6800 XT also supports ray tracing, but it doesn’t have the DLSS technology that the RTX 4080 does (note that DLSS is Nvidia’s proprietary technology). Despite this, the RX 6800 XT is still a formidable graphics card that can deliver stunning visuals and excellent performance.
Shader Cores
The RTX 4080 comes with 9728 shader cores, powered by Nvidia CUDA technology. This graphics card has nearly double the number of shader cores compared to the RX 6800 XT, which translates to faster and more efficient graphics processing. The RTX 4080 has been optimized for ray tracing, making it capable of delivering realistic graphics with excellent detail, even in real-time.
On the other hand, the RX 6800 XT has 4608 shader units, which is still an impressive number, but it falls short of the RTX 4080. Therefore, the RTX 4080 is more powerful than the RX 6800 XT in this regard due to its significantly higher number of shader cores.
This makes it an excellent choice for gamers and professionals who demand top-notch graphics performance. However, the RX 6800 XT is still an outstanding graphics card that can handle most graphics-intensive tasks with ease.
TMUs
Texture Mapping Units (TMUs) are essential components of modern graphics cards that map textures onto 3D models to create realistic graphics. The more TMUs a graphics card has, the better it can handle texture-intensive applications and higher resolutions.
The RTX 4080 has 304 TMUs, while the RX 6800 XT has 288 TMUs. This means that the RTX 4080 has a significant advantage when it comes to texture mapping and high-resolution gaming. The extra TMUs in the RTX 4080 allow it to handle even the most demanding textures with ease, creating stunning graphics that are incredibly lifelike and immersive.
The RX 6800 XT is still a capable graphics card, and its 288 TMUs can handle most textures without any issues. However, if you’re looking to play games at higher resolutions or want the best possible graphical fidelity, the RTX 4080 is the way to go. Its additional TMUs will ensure that textures look sharp and detailed, even at resolutions of 4K or higher.
GPU and Boost Clock
Clock speeds are important for determining how fast a graphics card performs. GPU (base) clock speed is the frequency at which it operates under normal circumstances. The boost clock speed, on the other hand, is the maximum speed at which the GPU can operate under ideal conditions.
- 16GB GDDR6 video memory
- 256-bit memory interface
- DisplayPort x 3 (v1.4) / HDMI 2.1 x 1 output
- 7680 x 4320 maximum digital resolution
In terms of base clock speeds, the Radeon RX 6800 XT takes the lead with 2.0 GHz, while the RTX 4080 falls slightly behind at 1.8 GHz. However, the RTX 4080 beats the RX 6800 XT at boost clock speeds, with a boost clock speed of 2.5 GHz against the 6800’s 2.25 GHz.
The RTX 4080 can, thus, be expected to perform better in intensive tasks such as gaming or video rendering as such require higher base and boost clock speeds for better performance.
But clock speeds are just one aspect of a GPU’s performance, and it’s worth noting that the actual boost clock speeds achieved in practice can vary depending on factors such as power delivery and temperature.
So, while the RTX 4080 has a higher boost clock speed on paper, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will always perform faster than the RX 6800 XT in real-world applications.
Texture Rate
If you’re looking for a graphics card that can handle heavy-duty graphics rendering, then texture fill rate is a crucial factor to consider. The RTX 4080’s texture fill rate of 761.5 GTexel/s is a testament to its impressive performance in this regard.
This value represents how many texture elements the graphics card can process per second. The RX 4080’s high texture fill rate means it can handle multiple textures at a go, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking for fast graphical rendering.
The RX 6800 XT, meanwhile, has a texture fill rate of 648.0 GTexel/s. While this value is still impressive, it falls short of the RTX 4080’s capability.
Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that the texture fill rate (TFR) isn’t the only factor that determines a graphics card’s rendering performance. Other factors, such as bus width and TMUs, can also impact the final output.
Floating-Point Performance
With a higher floating-point performance of 33.75 teraflops, the RTX 4080 boasts a significant advantage over the RX 6800 XT’s 20.74 teraflops. The higher floating-point performance of the RTX 4080 is a major plus for those who need more power for tasks such as scientific simulations, deep learning, or complex 3D modeling.
Gamers would also benefit from this higher performance, as it will allow them to play the most demanding games at the highest settings with the smoothest frame rates. The RX 6800 XT, on the other hand, is a more affordable option for those who don’t really need as much power.
Power Consumption
While both the RTX 4080 and the RX 6800 XT offer excellent performance, there is a significant difference in power consumption. At 320 W TDP, the RTX 4080 consumes 20W more than the RX 6800 XT, which might not sound like much, but it can add up in the long run, especially if you use your system for extended periods.
A high-power consumption can result in increased heat generation, which could be a problem in a smaller case or when you’re trying to keep your system as cool and quiet as possible. Nonetheless, the RTX 4080’s higher power consumption comes with higher performance and more features, so you will want to consider that when making your purchase decision.
Gaming Performance
The RTX 4080 certainly packs the heaviest punch between the two when it comes to gaming. Specifically designed for gaming enthusiasts, it imparts a massive boost in performance compared to the Radeon RX 6800 XT. The RX 4080 generally outperforms the RX 6800 XT, especially at 1440p and 4K resolutions, where it really shines.
This is all thanks to its powerful hardware and excellent cooling system, which keeps the card running smoothly even when things get intense. In terms of pure benchmark numbers, the RTX 4080 scores around 50% higher than its predecessor, the RTX 3080 (which is 5% faster than the RX 6800 XT at 4K).
All in all, the RTX 4080 is an excellent choice for gamers who want the absolute best in performance, especially at higher resolutions.
Cost
The RTX 4080 is a high-end graphics card, and it typically comes with a higher price tag than the RX 6800 XT. With MSRP prices of $649 and $1199, respectively, you can expect to pay a few hundred dollars more today for the RTX 4080.
Of course, the RTX 4080 is designed for high-end gaming and professionals who demand the highest performance, and for them, the cost is justified. That said, for gamers who want to enjoy high-quality gaming without potentially burning a hole in their pocket, the RX 6800 XT could be a more reasonable choice.
It’s always good to weigh the performance vis-à-vis cost before making a decision, as both factors can significantly impact your overall experience and satisfaction.
RTX 4080 vs RX 6800 XT: 5 Must-Know Facts
- The RTX 4080 ‘s superior performance compared to the RX 6800 XT is attributable to its great specs, and the accompanying price tag may be worth the extra cost for pro gamers.
- The RXT 4080 was released in November 2022, while the RX 6800 XT debuted 2 years earlier in November 2022.
- The RX 6800 XT ships with no Tensor Cores, unlike the RTX 4080, meaning that it is not as well-suited for tasks that require AI and deep learning. The RX 6800 XT is more suitable for gaming, rendering, and other graphics-intensive tasks.
- The RTX 4080 has a base clock speed of 1.8 GHz and a boost clock speed of 2.25 GHz, whereas the RX 6800 XT has a base clock speed of 2.2 GHz and a boost clock speed of 2.5 GHz.
- According to various gaming benchmarks, the RTX 4080 generally (and unsurprisingly) outperforms the RX 6800 XT at higher resolutions, such as 1440p and 4K, where the CPU is not a bottleneck.
RTX 4080 vs RX 6800 XT: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Choose?
Although manufactured by different companies, the RTX 4080 and the RX 6800 XT are comparable high-end GPUs with unique differences. The RTX 4080 has a higher floating-point performance and texture fill rate, and it generally outperforms the RX 6800 XT at higher resolutions. In contrast, the RX 6800 XT has a slightly lower power consumption and is generally more affordable.
The RTX 4080 shines at higher resolutions as far as gaming goes, especially where the CPU is not a bottleneck, but the RX 6800 XT holds its own at 1080p resolutions. While the RTX 4080 is more expensive and consumes more power at 320W, it has a clear performance advantage in GPU benchmarks and is considered the better option for demanding gaming and creative workloads.
On the flip side, the RX 6800 XT is a great alternative for those on a budget who still want strong gaming performance. Rest assured that you would still get graphics processing juice from it that’s worth your bucks.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Philipp Katzenberger.
