Which RX 7900 XTX to BUY and AVOID?! | 15 Cards Compared! Asus, Asrock, Sapphire, Powercolor, XFX

Summary

This RX 7900 XTX buying guide provides an in-depth comparison of various models, focusing on their coolers, VRMs, and power limits. It explains the power-limiting mechanisms on AMD cards, highlighting differences between Nvidia's and AMD's methods. The guide also covers cooling performance, where most RX 7900 XTX cards excel with large, efficient coolers, but some models like the XFX Merc are less impressive. The tier list ranks cards based on power limits and cooling design, emphasizing that all models are well-built. In the end, the guide reassures buyers that picking any high-quality RX 7900 XTX card will meet expectations, with a slight edge to the ASRock Aqua for enthusiasts.

Takeaways

• 😀 AMD RX 7900 XTX cards are generally well-built, with similar VRM configurations and power limits, making cooling and VRMs less of a deciding factor between models.
• 😀 Cooling design is crucial for the RX 7900 XTX cards, with the better coolers offering quieter and cooler operation, but VRM differences are mostly negligible for most users.
• 😀 The reference RX 7900 XTX features a 17-phase, 70 amp VRM, which is more than sufficient for the Navi 31 GPU; only a few models like ASRock use slightly upgraded VRMs.
• 😀 Power limits on AMD cards, including the RX 7900 XTX, are hard-capped with a 15% increase from the default setting, which cannot be easily bypassed without hardware modifications.
• 😀 Unlike Nvidia cards, AMD's power limit is controlled via the VRM and is harder to modify, making higher power limits important for enthusiasts who plan to overclock.
• 😀 Overclocking enthusiasts may benefit from cards like the ASRock Aqua, which offers an extreme V-BIOS, allowing for higher power limits and more headroom for overclocking.
• 😀 The cooling performance across all RX 7900 XTX cards is quite similar, with all models keeping GPU temperatures under 60°C and hotspot temperatures rarely exceeding 80°C under load.
• 😀 Some early reference RX 7900 XTX cards had issues with their vapor chambers, leading to excessively high hotspot temperatures—affected users should return their cards to AMD for recall.
• 😀 In terms of noise, performance modes that push higher power limits tend to generate more fan noise, while some cards like the Sapphire Nitro trade quieter operation for higher temperatures.
• 😀 The ASRock Tai Chi model stands out for its excellent cooling performance, high power limits, and quiet operation, making it the top choice for those looking for balanced performance.
• 😀 There is no significant quality discrepancy between AMD's RX 7900 XTX cards; they all feature high-quality construction, unlike some budget Nvidia cards that cut corners to remain affordable.
• 😀 The RX 7900 XTX cards are well-suited for users looking for premium cooling and power delivery, and the choice mainly comes down to preferred cooling design and power limit adjustments.

Q & A

What is the main factor to consider when buying an RX 7900 XTX card?

The most important factors are the cooler design, VRM quality, and power limits. A better cooler will result in lower temperatures and quieter operation, while the VRM design ensures the card can handle power demands, especially when overclocking.

How does the VRM design affect the performance of the RX 7900 XTX?

The RX 7900 XTX typically uses a 17-phase VRM for the GPU core, which is powerful enough to handle the GPU’s power needs. The VRM plays a key role in maintaining stable performance, especially when overclocking, but most models use similar VRM designs, so this isn't a major factor for performance differences.

What is the difference between AMD’s and Nvidia’s power limit systems?

AMD uses a package power tracking (PPT) system where power consumption is monitored by the VRM controller, while Nvidia uses a hard cap that measures the power consumption of the entire card. This makes AMD’s power limits harder to modify without technical intervention, unlike Nvidia cards where you can easily bypass power limits.

What issues did the early AMD reference cards face with cooling?

Early AMD reference RX 7900 XTX cards had a vapor chamber issue, causing hotspot temperatures to exceed 100°C. AMD is offering a recall for affected cards, and users experiencing this issue should return the card for a replacement.

Which RX 7900 XTX card has the highest power limit?

The ASRock Aqua features an extreme VBIOS update that allows for a higher default power limit (480W PPT), which is ideal for enthusiasts looking to push their RX 7900 XTX to its maximum potential.

Can the power limit on the ASRock Aqua be modified for other RX 7900 XTX models?

Yes, it’s possible to flash the ASRock Aqua VBIOS to other cards using an SPI programmer and the Aqua VBIOS updater. However, this process is not easy and requires hardware modifications, which makes it unsuitable for most users.

What is the impact of the cooling solution on noise levels?

Cooling solutions with larger fans and better designs generally result in quieter operation. For example, cards like the **Sapphire Nitro** and **ASUS TUF** prioritize low noise, while others like the **XFX Merc** may generate more noise due to less optimized cooling designs.

How does the cooling performance compare between different RX 7900 XTX models?

Most RX 7900 XTX models perform similarly in terms of cooling, keeping GPU temperatures under 60°C. However, some models like the **ASRock Tai Chi** offer superior cooling while remaining quieter, while others like the **XFX Merc** are louder with slightly higher temperatures.

What is the advantage of choosing a higher-tier RX 7900 XTX model?

Higher-tier models generally offer better cooling performance, higher power limits, and quieter operation. Choosing one of these models ensures optimal performance, especially if you plan to overclock, without compromising on noise or thermal management.

Are there any RX 7900 XTX cards that should be avoided?

Aside from the early AMD reference cards that suffered from vapor chamber issues, there aren’t any majorly problematic RX 7900 XTX models. However, some models, like the **XFX Merc**, are less optimized for cooling despite their large size, so they may not be the best choice for users prioritizing low noise and efficient cooling.