Many people choose the most expensive graphics cards because they guarantee the best performance. That is not always the case, however. When comparing the RTX 4090 vs RX 6800, many factors come into play, such as memory size, bus width, boost clock, and so on.
Nvidia and AMD have long been market leaders in high-performance graphics cards. The Nvidia RTX 4090 vs AMD RX 6800 debate continues to this day. This begs the question, “What’s so special about these graphics cards?”
The RTX 4090 and RX 6800 are arguably the best graphics cards available. They are less expensive than comparable cards from other brands. If you only play 4K games, you’re in for a treat with both options.
During testing, both graphics cards performed admirably in a variety of games. This detailed RTX 4090 vs. RX 6800 comparison will help you understand the key differences between the two graphics cards.
RTX 4090 vs RX 6800: Side-by-Side Comparison
| RTX 4090 | RX 6800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Graphics Processor | Ada Lovelace | Navi 21 |
| Memory Type | GDDR6X | GDDR6 |
| Memory Size | 24 GB | 16 GB |
| Base Clock | 2235 MHz | 1825 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 2500 MHz | 2015 MHz |
| TMUs | 512 | 288 |
| TDP | 450 W | 300 W |
| GPU Cores | 16,334 CUDA cores | 4,608 stream processors |
| RT Cores | 144 | 72 |
| Bus Width | 384-bit | 256-bit |
| Price | $1,599 (at time of release) | $649.99 (at time of release) |
RTX 4090 vs RX 6800: 5 Must-Know Facts
As you can see, the RTX 4090 is clearly better than the RX 6800, both in terms of performance and specs. But before we pick a winner, let’s go over 5 things you need to know about the RTX 4090 and the RX 6800.
- The RTX 4090 is better than the RX 6800 at higher settings, whether the resolution is 1080p or 4K.
- The RTX 4090 consumes more power than the RX 6800, producing more heat and necessitating the use of a modern cooling system.
- Because the RTX 4090 has a faster base clock speed than its predecessor, you can expect smooth, lag-free gaming performance.
- The RTX 4090’s 512 TMUs ensure crisp, detailed image quality with perfect contrast and depth.
- The RTX 4090’s 384-bit bus width supports graphically demanding games and eliminates stuttering.
RTX 4090 vs RX 6800: What’s the Difference?
Both the RTX 4090 and the RX 6800 are great in their own right. But when you compare the two, you’ll see that their different architectures give them different kinds of performance. There is also a big difference in price between the two GPUs.
Which one is best? How are the specs of the RTX 4090 and the RX 6800 different? Let’s find out.
Gaming Performance
Before we talk about the specs, it’s important to talk about how the RTX 4090 and RX 6800 work in different games. Surprisingly, the Nvidia RTX 4090 was better at what it did than the AMD RX 6800.
In many tests, there was a big difference between how well the two GPUs worked. Since the RTX 4090 came out two years after its predecessor, it has performed very well in many settings, especially at 4K. (High Preset).
At this setting, the RTX 4090 will give you 279 fps while the RX 6800 will only give you 99 fps when playing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. In the same way, the 4090 plays Shadow of the Tomb Raider better than the 6800 with 186 fps. The fastest the 6800 can go is 73 fps.
The RX 6800 is not a bad graphics card just because of this. It works better in 2K resolution than the Nvidia RTX 3090, which was the model before this one. But the 4090 is much better than what came before it.
Simply put, the RTX 4090 beats the RX 6800 in every pre-set mode. Whether you play Assassin’s Creed Odyssey or Far Cry New Dawn in 1080p or 4K, the RTX 4090 will give you better fps performance.
Bus Width
The memory bus width of each GPU is very different from the other. With the Nvidia RTX 4090, you’ll get the best 384-bit bus width. This means that the processing speed is faster because the wide memory bus lets the data move through the GPU faster.
Not only that, but the wider memory bus also gives data more ways to flow without any blocks in the way. This gives the RTX 4090 the power to handle intense and graphically heavy games like a pro.
On the other hand, the AMD GPU only has a 256-bit memory bus. It might be enough for some gamers who play games that aren’t too hard, but it’s not enough for most people. This bus width makes processing speeds slower and causes occasional or frequent stutters, especially when running games with a lot of graphics.
So, in terms of bus width, we can again say that the RTX 4090 is a winner. This GPU is all you need to make a graphics card that works great even when the settings are high. There won’t be any stuttering or lagging, either.
The RX 6800 isn’t bad, of course. But in terms of memory bus width, it doesn’t even come close to the RTX 4090.
Time Speed
In this RTX 4090 vs. RX 6800 matchup, let’s talk about how fast each card runs. With a difference of 410 MHz, the 4090 once again falls behind the 6800. (0.41 GHz). The base clock speed of the first is 2235 MHZ (2.2 GHz), while that of the second is 1825 MHZ (1.8 GHz).
Both GPUs also have speeds that can be increased. The RTX 4090 has a boost clock speed of 2500 MHz (2.5 GHz), which is almost 500 MHz faster than its competitor. The RX 6800 only has a boost clock speed of 2015 MHz (2 GHz).
In plain English, this means that the RTX 4090 is more powerful and can handle more complicated games at very high speeds. Because of this, the GPU is perfect for playing games in 4K and other high settings. Better clock speed also shows that the 4090 works well and doesn’t lag.
Power Consumption
Power consumption is another important thing to look at when comparing the two GPUs. There is a big difference between how much power RTX 4090 and RX 6800 need. On the one hand, the 4090 has a thermal design power of 450 watts (TDP). On the other hand, the TDP of the 6800 is 300W.
The difference of 150 watts in TDP means that the RTX 4090 needs more power to run well. Because of this, this GPU makes more heat than its counterpart and needs a cooling system that works well.
So, the RTX 4090 is perfect for you if you’re a gamer who plays complex games on a gaming setup with a good cooling system and enough power. The RX 6800 is a different story. It will be a better choice for people who want a GPU that uses less power and heats up less.
see also; AMD Ryzen 5 3600 vs. 5 5600X: Upgrade or Not
Texture Mapping Units (TMUs)
When most gamers buy a graphics card, they don’t pay attention to the TMUs, but they are very important. The TMUs affect how well the graphics card can handle game scenes with specific textures. This includes taking care of shadows, brightness, contrast, and other visual effects.
There are 224 more TMUs on the RTX 4090 than on the RX 6800. The 4090 has 512 TMUs, while the 6800 only has 288. This means that the first can handle texture mapping jobs better than the second, such as special effects, 3D open realms, ray-tracing, and so on.
This huge difference in TMU has a big effect on how well games run. Higher TMUs mean better visual quality, more contrast between colors, no lag, and a smoother experience in different games. In simple terms, the RTX 4090 can make images look as close as possible to the real world in terms of detail, depth, and sharpness.
The 4090 can also do creative tasks like 3D modeling, video editing, and more because it has more TMUs. So, again, the RTX 4090 is the clear winner.
Outputs
The RTX 4090 and RX 6800 are very different in how they connect and how big they are. The first one only has two slots, while the second one has three. Because the 4090’s performance is better, it needs more hardware to support it. There are also three 1.4a DisplayPort outputs on the 4090. On the other hand, there are two DisplayPort 1.4a outputs on the 6800.
Both the RTX 4090 and the RX 6800 have one HDMI 2.1 port. This means that both GPUs can support a screen with a higher refresh rate and better resolution. The 6800 has two 8-pin connectors, while the 4090 only has one 16-pin connector.
Cost
The price of the RTX 4090 is $1,599, and the price of the RX 6800 is $649.99. Both GPUs are very different in this way. The high price of the 4090 is justified by how well it works. In the end, it has high-end specs because it is made with modern technology.
The RTX 4090 is the best choice for people who need high performance both at work and at home. But because it’s so expensive, it’s not right for everyone. If you’re worried about that, you can count on the RX 6800. It’s not too expensive and works very well.
When choosing a GPU, you should always think about your budget and what you want. So, you’ll be able to get the one that meets your needs and fits your budget.
RTX 4090 vs RX 6800: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Use?
The best graphics cards with unique specifications and performance levels are the RTX 4090 and RX 6800. The 4090, on the other hand, outperforms its counterpart in every category, including bus width, number of outputs, TMUs, and clock speed.
However, keep in mind that the RTX 4090 generates more heat as it consumes more power. Choose it if your gaming setup includes an advanced cooling system. That is the only way to keep the card’s performance for an extended period of time.
On the plus side, higher power consumption indicates that the GPU is high-performing and suitable for both professional and personal use. As a result, you may have seen content creators recommend the RTX 4090 graphics card.
When purchasing either of the two GPUs, cost is a major consideration. The RTX 4090 costs more than twice as much as the RX 6800, so choose wisely based on your budget. While the former is more expensive, it is justified given the graphics card’s advanced specifications.
So, make a list of your preferences and your budget and see which graphics card best fits them. Both GPUs are powerful, so you’ll be fine either way.
see also; AMD Ryzen 7000: Everything We Know About Zen 4 CPUs
FAQs
What are the RTX 4090 specs?
The RTX 4090 has 16,384 cores, 24 GB of memory, a 384-bit memory bus width, and a base clock speed of 2.2 GHz. Because it has 128 special cores, this graphics card is also great at tracing rays. The RTX 4090 also has 512 Tensor cores, 512 TMUs, and a clock speed of 2.5 GHz when the clock is sped up. This graphics card is one of the best because of these things.
Can the RX 6800 run 4K?
Yes, the RX 6800 does a great job with 4K. It offers impressive frames per second in 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. This graphics card costs the same as the RTX 3070, but it works much better than the RTX 3070.
Is the AMD Radeon RX 6800 worth it?
The AMD Radeon RX 6800 is a cheap graphics card that has the same specs as a high-end GPU. It has better frames per second in different settings, good color quality, and fast speed in both simple and complicated games. Even though it might not be the best choice, it is worth the price.
