GeForce RTX 5090 vs Radeon RX 7700 XT

Winner:
GeForce RTX 5090
Main Difference:
Blackwell 32GB GDDR7 architecture versus RDNA 3 mid-range capacity and bandwidth
Page Summary:
GeForce RTX 5090 is the clear winner because its massive VRAM and Blackwell architecture provide a tier of performance for high-resolution gaming and AI work that the mid-range Radeon RX 7700 XT cannot match.
Last updated:
January 31, 2026

The Essentials

GeForce RTX 5090

MSRP:
$1,999
See Current Price
Spec Sheet:
Core Count:
21760
Thread Count:
Base Clock:
2017 MHz
Boost Clock:
2407 MHz
Integrated Graphics:
VRAM:
32.0 GB
L3 Cache:
32.0 GB
TDP:
575 W
Socket:
512 bit
Bus Width:
512 bit
Release Date:
2025-01-30
Gaming Scores:
(Higher is better)
Resolution
Rasterization
Ray Tracing
1080p
100
100
1440p
100
100
4K
100
100
Gaming and Productivity Scores:
(Higher is better)
Gaming
Productivity

Radeon RX 7700 XT

MSRP:
$399
See Current Price
Spec Sheet:
Core Count:
3456
Thread Count:
Base Clock:
1435 MHz
Boost Clock:
2544 MHz
Integrated Graphics:
VRAM:
12.0 GB
L3 Cache:
12.0 GB
TDP:
245 W
Socket:
192 bit
Bus Width:
192 bit
Release Date:
2023-08-25
Gaming Scores:
(Higher is better)
Resolution
Rasterization
Ray Tracing
1080p
49.8
41.8
1440p
42.4
32.4
4K
32.7
23.7
Gaming and Productivity Scores:
(Higher is better)
Gaming
Productivity
Note about scores:
We measure this card's performance against the absolute best GPU currently available. The numbers show the percentage of performance you get compared to the market leader at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K resolutions, with the leader at 100. These scores are aggregated from a wide range of different games to create a reliable average. However, keep in mind that performance in specific titles may deviate from this average depending on how that game is optimized.
Note about scores:
We measure this processor's performance against the absolute best CPU currently available. The numbers show the percentage of performance you get compared to the market leader in both gaming and workstation tasks, with the leader at 100. These scores are aggregated from a wide range of different games and applications to create a reliable average. However, keep in mind that performance in specific software may deviate from this average depending on how that program is optimized.

Performance Deep Dive

GeForce RTX 5090
Gaming Analysis:

The GeForce RTX 5090 represents a massive leap in headroom for high-resolution setups. It makes standard high-definition displays feel like an afterthought because it provides a level of power that allows for fluid motion across the most demanding environments. If you are playing on a top-tier display, this card manages to maintain crisp, stable movement while avoiding the jagged edges or hitching that can occur when hardware gets pushed to its limit. It serves as a flagship enthusiast choice that stays smooth even when the onscreen action becomes incredibly crowded and chaotic.

A massive 32GB VRAM buffer paired with a 512-bit bus effectively removes the limitations that lead to blurry textures or sudden stutters. While cards with smaller memory pools might experience hitches when loading expansive open worlds, the GDDR7 memory on this card moves data with enough speed and volume to handle ultra-quality assets without struggle. You can dial up every setting and expect the system to handle the workload without the memory pressure warnings that sometimes affect older high-end hardware.

  • Ray Tracing Performance: With 170 dedicated RT cores, the Blackwell 2.0 architecture handles complex lighting and sharp reflections with ease. It turns heavy path-traced scenes into a responsive experience where shadows and light behave naturally.
  • DLSS Support: This hardware makes use of advanced upscaling and frame generation to ensure that even the most brutal titles remain playable at high resolutions. It provides a significant boost to responsiveness when you want to maximize visual fidelity.
  • Thermal Management: Despite the high power requirements, the physical design is built to manage heat density effectively across the massive cooling array. The card is substantial and heavy, but it stays relatively cool and quiet during extended sessions compared to less efficient designs.
  • Memory Bandwidth: The move to a wider bus and newer memory standards means the card is rarely bottlenecked by data throughput. This ensures that assets load instantly and frames remain consistent even as you move between different environments in a game.

Fitting this card into a build requires a high-quality 1050W power supply and a case with significant internal clearance. It is a physically large component that will occupy a great deal of space and it usually justifies the use of a support bracket to protect your motherboard from its weight. This is a choice for those who want a system built around a single, massive core component that handles any modern title at the highest possible settings. Its launch MSRP of $1,999 reflects its position as a specialized piece of hardware for those who want to avoid any compromise in visual quality.

Radeon RX 7700 XT
Gaming Analysis:

The Radeon RX 7700 XT occupies a mid-range space where it handles high-fidelity textures and complex geometry without much trouble. At its target 1440p resolution, this card maintains smooth motion in sprawling open-world maps and avoids the blurring or visual compromises common with entry-level hardware. While it stays fluid in standard rasterized workloads, pushing the resolution to 4K causes a visible drop in responsiveness that makes modern titles feel sluggish.

The 12GB VRAM buffer provides a comfortable ceiling for high-quality texture packs. Where cards with less video memory might struggle with asset-popping or micro-stuttering, the 7700 XT has enough breathing room to keep settings high. It does not offer the same total freedom as flagship hardware with massive pools of memory, but it removes the need to constantly monitor your settings just to keep the gameplay stable.

  • Standard Gaming Performance: This card is exceptionally fast at 1080p and stays very strong at 1440p. It provides a reliable experience in both fast-paced competitive shooters and cinematic RPGs that rely on raw shading power.
  • Ray Tracing: The 54 dedicated Ray Tracing units represent a step forward for the architecture, but heavy lighting effects still tax the silicon heavily. At 1440p, enabling complex reflections and shadows often leads to a significant loss in fluid motion.
  • Memory and Bus Width: The 192-bit bus and GDDR6 memory create a stable path for data. This helps the card maintain a steady pace even when a scene becomes crowded with particle effects or numerous on-screen characters.
  • Upscaling Technology: Because native performance can dip when heavy lighting features are active, using FSR helps maintain a playable pace. This allows you to keep some visual flourishes active without the gameplay becoming a choppy mess.

This hardware serves the gamer who wants 1440p clarity without the steep investment of an enthusiast-tier card. It handles raw geometry and standard lighting with ease, even if it lacks the specialized muscle required for native, heavy Ray Tracing at high resolutions. If you focus on standard settings, the 7700 XT feels fast, responsive, and reliable for modern gaming.

GeForce RTX 5090
Productivity Analysis:

While the gaming capability of this hardware is undeniable, the true strength of the GeForce RTX 5090 lies in how it functions as a heavy duty tool for professionals and creators. Transitioning from entertainment to a high pressure production environment reveals that the real value of the flagship Blackwell 2.0 architecture is the massive 32GB pool of GDDR7 memory. This enormous buffer acts as a safety net for those working with complex 3D geometry or high resolution video timelines that would cause lesser hardware to struggle or require assets to be moved to slower system RAM. You can load massive texture sets and millions of polygons without the hesitation or technical limitations that typically disrupt a fluid creative process.

The 512-bit memory bus provides a wide path for data that prevents the system from feeling sluggish when scrubbing through high bitrate video or navigating dense architectural visualizations. Choosing this hardware is often a decision based on the reliability of the established CUDA ecosystem because professional deadlines rarely leave room for software compatibility issues. When running local large language models or utilizing tools for generative tasks, the fifth generation Tensor cores handle complex math with a level of speed that makes previous enthusiast hardware feel noticeably dated. It is a workstation grade component that happens to share a lineage with consumer products, making it a viable insurance policy against memory related errors during critical renders.

  • Enhanced Render Throughput: The 170 dedicated RT cores are designed for high speed viewport performance which means you get clean and accurate previews of lighting and shadows in seconds rather than waiting for long processing cycles.
  • Superior Data Bandwidth: With a memory bandwidth of 1790 GB/s, the card moves data with enough volume to ensure that texture heavy projects and 8K video files do not create a bottleneck during ingestion or playback.
  • Multi Engine Encoding: The presence of multiple dedicated hardware encoders allows for the simultaneous processing of high quality video exports and can significantly reduce the time spent waiting for a project to finish.
  • Advanced Compute Performance: The architecture provides massive tflops of processing power across its 21760 shading units which allows for rapid noise reduction and complex physics simulations that usually require server grade equipment.
  • Hardware Requirements: This is a heavy and power hungry component that demands a high quality 1050W power supply and a case with enough airflow to manage the heat generated during a marathon export or bake.

There is an unavoidable physical reality to using a card this powerful because it generates a significant amount of heat that can warm up a small office during intense workloads. Building a system around this GPU requires a commitment to a high quality infrastructure of power delivery and cooling to ensure the hardware remains stable under constant load. It represents a significant investment with an MSRP of $1,999, but for those whose income depends on render times and project stability, the cost is often justified by the hours saved and the frustration avoided. It remains a specialized piece of equipment for those who refuse to compromise on the speed or scale of their professional output.

Radeon RX 7700 XT
Productivity Analysis:

While this hardware is a strong contender for 1440p gaming, the Radeon RX 7700 XT moves into a different role when the software shifts to professional video editing and content creation. It occupies a pragmatic middle ground for creators who need a mix of raw throughput and stability without moving into the professional workstation price tiers. Because it offers high theoretical compute power, it handles standard rendering and timeline scrubbing with a level of speed that keeps the creative process moving. You will find that while it excels in general media tasks, some specialized 3D environments still favor different software optimizations.

The 12GB VRAM buffer serves as a reliable safety net for users moving beyond standard high-definition projects. This capacity is a noticeable step up for those who have previously hit the limits of 8GB cards when working with complex color grades or high-resolution overlays. This extra memory helps prevent the software from struggling during heavy exports or when managing multiple creative applications at the same time. While it does not provide the massive overhead required for elite-level architectural visualization, it offers the headroom necessary for a smooth freelance editing or graphic design workflow. You are essentially investing in the breathing room required to handle larger assets without constant system friction.

  • The 192-bit bus and 432 GB/s bandwidth ensure that moving through 4K footage feels snappy. This eliminates the sluggish response often felt when dragging a playhead across a dense timeline filled with effects.
  • For 3D artists, the 35.2 TFLOPS of standard compute power is quite high for this hardware tier. While software like Blender is seeing better support for the hardware through modern APIs, you may still find that certain specialized rendering plugins are more heavily optimized for competing architectures.
  • The inclusion of hardware AV1 encoding is a major benefit for anyone managing video archives or live broadcasts. This dedicated silicon takes the processing load off the CPU, which prevents the rest of your system from lagging while the video is being compressed or streamed.
  • AI-based tools in modern photo editing suites take advantage of the 70.3 TFLOPS of FP16 throughput. These calculations happen quickly enough that you can apply complex generative changes to a canvas without an intrusive wait for the progress bar to finish.

This hardware represents a specific value for the professional who prioritizes raw data throughput and video encoding capabilities. It functions as a workhorse that favors video-based tasks and high-resolution 2D design over the more specialized niches of 3D animation. You are choosing a card that offers more physical memory for its MSRP of $399, which provides a tangible benefit in memory-intensive applications. If your daily work involves heavy video timelines or large-scale digital painting, the 7700 XT is a reliable partner that stays efficient. It is a tool for the creator who knows where their specific hardware bottlenecks exist and wants to solve them with a healthy pool of video memory.

GeForce RTX 5090
Feature Analysis:

A staggering 575W TDP means this card functions much like a high output heater inside your case and it will aggressively saturate the air in any small room during a heavy rendering or gaming session. You are committing to a specific thermal infrastructure that necessitates a high airflow chassis with significant mesh spacing to prevent the heat from lingering around sensitive components. If you attempt to trap this hardware in a restricted glass box without sufficient exhaust, the system will likely struggle to maintain its peak clock speeds as internal temperatures climb. Physical integration is a demanding process that requires you to prioritize heat displacement over almost every other aesthetic consideration to ensure long term stability.

The power delivery requirements represent a significant logistical factor that requires careful planning before you begin the assembly. You should look toward a 1050W power supply to safely handle the electricity demands and ensure the system remains stable under the heavy transient loads common with flagship hardware. Using older cable adapters can lead to unnecessary clutter and potential connection issues, so a native 16-pin cable is the preferred method for supplying the massive amount of current this architecture requires. Modern building with such a power hungry flagship demands a level of electrical scrutiny and cable management that was rarely necessary in previous hardware generations.

  • Memory Headroom: The 32.0 GB GDDR7 buffer serves as the ultimate insurance policy against the memory overflows that cause sudden hitches in high resolution gaming or total crashes in complex 3D production suites.
  • Connection Integrity: Utilizing a single 16-pin power connector simplifies the cable path but requires careful routing to ensure the plug is fully seated and the cable is not bent too sharply near the shroud.
  • Interface Bandwidth: The native PCIe 5.0 x16 interface ensures you are utilizing the maximum data paths available on the newest enthusiast motherboards which can be helpful as textures and assets grow in size.
  • Physical Presence: This is a heavy and substantial component that occupies a significant amount of space, often requiring a dedicated support bracket to prevent the weight from putting stress on the motherboard slot.
  • Thermal Density: The Blackwell 2.0 architecture concentrates a massive amount of power into the silicon, making high static pressure fans a necessity for pushing air through the dense fin stacks of the cooler.

There is a reality to owning this class of hardware that involves managing the environment around the PC as much as the internal components. It is an unapologetic statement of overkill that provides a level of peace of mind for those who simply want to set every slider to the maximum and never worry about technical limitations again. While the $1,999 MSRP positions it as a significant investment, it functions as a workstation grade tool that eliminates the friction often found in high pressure creative or gaming environments. Success with a build of this scale depends entirely on the quality of the supporting parts and your willingness to provide the necessary airflow and power foundation it requires to operate at its full potential.

Radeon RX 7700 XT
Feature Analysis:

A typical TDP of 245W means this hardware pulls enough power that you should prioritize a high-quality 650W power supply to ensure the system remains stable during heavy load. While the baseline requirements might suggest less, providing that extra room helps the unit manage the rapid transitions between low-stress menus and the intensive processing required for complex rendering. Relying on a weak or aging power source with this card can lead to unexpected shutdowns when the silicon hits its peak draw. By pairing it with a reliable power unit, you ensure the internal components receive a consistent flow of energy without straining the capacitors or triggering safety cut-offs.

The installation process is straightforward because the architecture utilizes two standard 8-pin power connectors rather than the newer, more rigid adapters found on some enthusiast cards. This choice makes cable management simpler and means you likely will not need to buy specialized hardware just to get the card seated and powered. Because it runs through a full PCIe 4.0 x16 interface, the card maintains its full communication speed even if you happen to be using an older motherboard that only supports the previous generation. This physical stability makes it a dependable choice for a wide variety of system configurations, provided you have the airflow to manage the thermal output.

  • The 12GB VRAM capacity offers a significant amount of headroom for high-resolution textures at 1440p without the stuttering often seen on cards with smaller memory pools.
  • With a 245W heat profile, this hardware performs best in a case with a mesh front and active intake fans to prevent warm air from pooling around the internal sensors.
  • Standard 8-pin connectors provide a familiar and secure physical connection that lacks the stiffness or clearance issues associated with newer power standards.
  • The full PCIe 4.0 x16 lanes ensure that data travels at its maximum possible rate between the processor and the graphics hardware without any artificial bandwidth limitations.
  • Managing the thermal output of the RDNA 3.0 architecture requires a case that can effectively cycle air, as keeping the card in a cramped or poorly ventilated space will eventually lead to higher fan noise.

This hardware acts as a durable workhorse for users who want modern features without the complications of specialized power adapters or extreme case requirements. It demands respect for its power consumption, but it rewards that attention with a stable and consistent experience across long periods of use. As long as the cooling environment is sufficient to move the heat away from the core, the card remains a quiet and effective part of the build. It represents a practical approach to modern graphics that focuses on physical compatibility and reliable data throughput across his class of hardware.

GeForce RTX 5090
Full Tech Specs:
Feature Specification
Name GeForce RTX 5090
MSRP $1,999
Release Date 2025-01-30
Manufacturer NVIDIA
Memory Size 32 GB
Memory Type GDDR7
Memory Bus 512 bit
Memory Clock 1750 MHz
Memory Bandwidth 1790.0 GB/s
Base Clock 2017 MHz
Boost Clock 2407 MHz
Shading Units 21760
Ray Tracing Cores 170
TMUs 680
ROPs 176
Pixel Rate 423.6 GPixel/s
Texture Rate 1636.8 GTexel/s
Compute Power (FP16) 104.8 TFLOPS
Compute Power (FP32) 104.8 TFLOPS
Compute Power (FP64) 1.6 TFLOPS
Architecture Blackwell 2.0
Process Size 5 nm
Interface PCIe 5.0 x16
Power Connectors 1x 16-pin
TDP 575 W
Suggested PSU 1050 W
Radeon RX 7700 XT
Full Tech Specs:
Feature Specification
GPU Model Radeon RX 7700 XT
MSRP $399
Release Date 2023-08-25
Chipset Manufacturer AMD
Memory Size 12 GB
Memory Type GDDR6
Memory Bus 192 bit
Memory Clock 2250 MHz
Memory Bandwidth 432.0 GB/s
Base Clock 1435 MHz
Boost Clock 2544 MHz
Shading Units 3456
Ray Tracing Cores 54
TMUs 216
ROPs 96
Pixel Rate 244.2 GPixel/s
Texture Rate 549.5 GTexel/s
Compute Power (FP16) 70.3 TFLOPS
Compute Power (FP32) 35.2 TFLOPS
Compute Power (FP64) 1.1 TFLOPS
Architecture RDNA 3.0
Process Size 5 nm
Interface PCIe 4.0 x16
Power Connectors 2x 8-pin
TDP 245 W
Suggested PSU 650 W

Final Verdict

The GeForce RTX 5090 stands as a generational leap in hardware capability that fundamentally differs from the mid-range design of the Radeon RX 7700 XT. While the $1999 MSRP for the flagship makes it a heavy investment, the technical ceiling it reaches via the Blackwell 2.0 architecture is unmatched. The most significant shift involves the 32GB of GDDR7 memory on a massive 512-bit bus, which provides the bandwidth necessary to handle complex texture streaming and high-fidelity assets without stuttering or hitting a wall. This is a massive departure from the 12GB of GDDR6 found on the Radeon RX 7700 XT, which serves well for standard gaming but lacks the capacity for heavy 3D rendering or local AI model training.

  • Performance and Upscaling: The GeForce RTX 5090 utilizes advanced tensor cores for DLSS tech, allowing for smooth experiences in path-traced titles where lighting calculations usually crush standard hardware. The Radeon RX 7700 XT relies on its RDNA 3 cores, which handle rasterization quite well but fall behind when complex ray tracing becomes the focus.
  • Professional Utility: For creators, the dual Blackwell encoders and specialized shading units in the GeForce RTX 5090 offer a level of efficiency that the Radeon RX 7700 XT cannot touch. Having nearly triple the shading units means that export times and viewport responsiveness in professional suites are significantly improved.
  • Power Requirements: While the Radeon RX 7700 XT is relatively easy to integrate into existing builds, the GeForce RTX 5090 requires a high-wattage PSU and proper cooling due to its high power draw. This is the trade-off for having the most powerful consumer GPU ever built.

Buy GeForce RTX 5090 if you demand the absolute best performance for high-resolution gaming, professional 3D rendering, or large-scale AI workloads and have a power supply up to the task. Buy Radeon RX 7700 XT if you are looking for a capable mid-range card at the $399 MSRP that handles standard gaming without needing a flagship budget or massive power overhead.

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