New GPU Recommendations. ~600USD Range

[Alastair]

So I am currently in the market for a new GPU. My Vega 64 that has been shoving pixels into my eyes since 2019 has decided that it will force the matter of its retirement.

It looks like my budget will be in the 600USD range. But it seems like I am in a REALLY awkward time between GPU generations / releases.

I'm looking for 16GB VRAM so that already rules out alot of Nvidia offerings.

The two MAIN cards I am looking at right now is:

6950XT liquid devil. Cool factor and it's Pre blocked so it can just plumb right into my loop no questions asked. Main thing I would like to know are there xOC bios and things available to really push this card hard. I have a loop that can eat up a lot of watts so I really want to push this thing as hard as I can. I know RDNA 2 isn't as locked up as 3. So if I can really push it how would it compare to 7900GRE at its limits.


And 7900GRE. Newer architecture etc. But basically same performance as above.
And I know the 7900GRE is quite locked down. How does it compare to 6950XT when both are clocked near their theoretical limits. Does a 7900GRE hit Pre baked in limits before you actually max it out? And if so are there ways around that?

7900XT is an option if I can find a deal on one. Maybe used market. Same question with regards to limits and OC ability as the 7900GRE.


Option 4 grab a used 580 and just wait until New launches come?

[UltraMega]

What res/refresh rate are you targeting?

 

Are you in the US?

 

[Alastair]

55 minutes ago, UltraMega said:

What res/refresh rate are you targeting?

 

Are you in the US?

 

Not in the US. But I have access to Amazon. 

 

1440p ultra wide. 

[UltraMega]

I commented on your other thread. Have you looked into an RX6750/6800/6800XT? If you don't care about RT, those are great 1440p cards.

[Alastair]

2 hours ago, UltraMega said:

I commented on your other thread. Have you looked into an RX6750/6800/6800XT? If you don't care about RT, those are great 1440p cards.

I have. And I can find some good used 6800/XT and 6900XTs on the used market. I'm simply seeing what are the best options at the TOP of my budget because I have options that I am tempted by lower down. And since I a plumbing whatever I get into my loop any way (exception being Option 4 which is temp card until new releases) I'm more interested in the max budget option. Although I can block the lower options too it just might be pointless to put a block on them

[UltraMega]

7 hours ago, Alastair said:

I have. And I can find some good used 6800/XT and 6900XTs on the used market. I'm simply seeing what are the best options at the TOP of my budget because I have options that I am tempted by lower down. And since I a plumbing whatever I get into my loop any way (exception being Option 4 which is temp card until new releases) I'm more interested in the max budget option. Although I can block the lower options too it just might be pointless to put a block on them

Look around on ebay for a while, or maybe even the OCN marketplace. I see a good amount of water blocked GPUs on the used market, and on ebay they are usually cheaper because they're harder to sell. 

[Alastair]

I'll keep an eye open. Although there are some 6950 airs on amazon for good prices. Can just grab a bykski block for cheap and do it that way. 

 

On the 7900GRE side of things. Are they artificially limited? How hard can they be pushed of they go water. Or would one need. Something like an EVC2 to bypass the limits. 

[neurotix]

I can't help, but what's up Alastair? I remember talking to you a lot in the Vishera club on OCN way back in the day

[damric]

Well if you are going to water it, try and find RX 6950XT. The faster RAM chips do help. Many of the 6900XTs, like my own, can't really OC the RAM. But on the positive, you can cram as much power as you can cool through MPT, which I assume you will do since you are going under water and I've seen your Vega benches.

 

The 7000 series are very locked down and basically need an external hard mod to hook up to get anything out of them. Every 6000 series I tested OC'd like crazy with MPT, so very fun for me.

 

Honestly though I only use the MPT for benching. For gaming at 1440p ultra wide it's more than enough at stock. I've got a bykski block on mine and I like it better than the EK block I had on my Vega.

[Kaz]

I had a 7900xt, it's a very capable card.  I think the 7900 gre is in a great spot and most people will enjoy it.  Not as much fun to tinker with, ram seems to be capped at a certain point, but with performance like that, there's not as much motive to overclock.

 

I'm of the opinion water blocking graphcis cards only makes sense for the top end cards on the market.  The GPU  blocks are relatively expensive and don't have good resell value.  In most situations the money spent on a water block would have been better spent on a higher preforming chip.  2nd hand market could be worth it, depending on how cheap they want to sell the water block. 

 

If you can get a good deal on a water blocked GPU, it really comes down to how much time it takes to overclock and if you enjoy doing it. 

[Alastair]

7 hours ago, neurotix said:

I can't help, but what's up Alastair? I remember talking to you a lot in the Vishera club on OCN way back in the day

My Vega committed seppuku. Which I'm pretty bummed about. Except for the occasional game that was stretching the limit of its 8GB buffer it was still playing most of the games I play quite well. So I wasn't getting the itch to upgrade yet. But I think it just decided it was time. 

 

I guess now at least if I get a 7900GRE or a 6950XT either of those will stretch my 5800x3ds legs now 

[Slaughtahouse]

If new only, I’d save a few bucks and stick with the 7800 XT if you’re not in the US. Within budget, more SKUs readily available, better RT than RDNA2, normal power consumption, really avoiding the need for a block.

 

I’m not sure 7900 GRE / 7900 XT have a wide range of blocks vs 7900 XTX vs. 6900 XT / 6950 XT.

 

A used 6950 XT only if you really want to spend time tweaking it and need a block but I wouldn’t choose a card with a 100w more power consumption than a 7800 XT for maybe 10% more performance. Really depends on the deal IMO.

[Alastair]

Hmm. I'm hoping someone with a 7900XT with a waterblock will be able to chime in on how the 7900XT performs with a block. With the recent price drops it's brought it into the realm of feasibility for me 

 

Power is cheap where I am from so if I can pick up a cheap 6950Xt I'll still take the extra performance over the 7800Xt. 

[Slaughtahouse]

2 hours ago, Alastair said:

Hmm. I'm hoping someone with a 7900XT with a waterblock will be able to chime in on how the 7900XT performs with a block. With the recent price drops it's brought it into the realm of feasibility for me 

 

Power is cheap where I am from so if I can pick up a cheap 6950Xt I'll still take the extra performance over the 7800Xt. 

Validate that performance improvement against the games or software you intend to use.

 

Below are 5 links to the latest performance testing for 5 unique, AAA games that use the latest technology. In nearly all instances, 7800 XT = 6900 XT. 

 

https://www.techpowerup.com/review/silent-hill-2-fps-performance-benchmark/5.html

https://www.techpowerup.com/review/god-of-war-ragnarok-fps-performance-benchmark/5.html

https://www.techpowerup.com/review/warhammer-40k-space-marine-2-fps-performance-benchmark/5.html

https://www.techpowerup.com/review/star-wars-outlaws-fps-performance-benchmark/5.html

https://www.techpowerup.com/review/black-myth-wukong-fps-performance-benchmark/5.html

 

Power is one thing, heat and cost of a block is another. Hope this helps and watch out for deals. 7900 XT has been dropping to ~600 USD to levels recently but your mileage may vary wherever you live. I presume its more expensive. 

 

If 7900 XT binning is good, you have a card that has good power delivery like the Red Devil, XFX, or Sapphire Nitro, and you have a block, you can probably edge out 5% more performance. This is just recollection of what I recall from the owners thread on a different forum.  Those 3 vendors offered some of the best OC capabilities, especially with the XTX.