RX 7900 XTX vs RTX 5080: Which Should You Buy?
Head-to-head on performance, VRAM, power and value for 2026.
Quick Summary · TL;DR
On our relative performance index the RTX 5080 leads the RX 7900 XTX by about 8% — a moderate gap. The RX 7900 XTX has more VRAM (24GB vs 16GB), which helps at high resolutions and in VRAM-hungry titles. The RTX 5080 adds NVIDIA DLSS and stronger ray tracing, while the RX 7900 XTX typically leans on raw rasterisation value.
| RX 7900 XTX | RTX 5080 | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance index | 80/100 | 86/100 |
| VRAM | 24GB | 16GB |
| Board power (TBP) | 355W | 360W |
| Maker PSU guidance | 800W | 850W |
| Our starting PSU class | 850W | 850W |
| Power connector | dual 8-pin | 16-pin 12V-2x6 |
| Generation | RX 7000 | RTX 50 |
Relative gaming index — an estimate of typical performance. Real-world gaps vary by game, resolution and settings.
Which should you buy?
Buy the RTX 5080 if you want the higher frame rate and can find it at a fair price. Choose the RX 7900 XTX if it is clearly cheaper and its 16GB+ of VRAM and features cover your target resolution. For ray tracing and DLSS, the NVIDIA option has the edge; for raw rasterisation per dollar, the alternative often wins.
Power planning: RX 7900 XTX PSU · RTX 5080 PSU.
RX 7900 XTX vs RTX 5080 at each resolution
| Resolution | RX 7900 XTX | RTX 5080 |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p | Excellent | Excellent |
| 1440p | Excellent | Excellent |
| 4K | Great (6 short of Excellent) | Excellent |
The 6-point gap (80 vs 86) changes the verdict at 4K: that is where the RTX 5080 earns its place. At 1080p and 1440p both get the same rating, so paying for the faster card buys headroom rather than a different experience there. The RX 7900 XTX also carries 8GB more memory (24GB vs 16GB).
Power, PSU and efficiency
Reference board power is 355W for the RX 7900 XTX and 360W for the RTX 5080, a 5W difference. Per 100W that works out to 22.5 index points for the RX 7900 XTX and 23.9 for the RTX 5080, so the RTX 5080 does more per watt. An existing 800W supply meets the maker guidance for the RX 7900 XTX but not for the RTX 5080 (850W). Only the RTX 5080 is a current-generation card; the other is mostly found as remaining or used stock. Full sizing: RX 7900 XTX PSU · RTX 5080 PSU.
Ratings use the same index lines as our GPU resolution pages; the index is an editorial tier summary, not a benchmark. PSU figures are the makers’ reference guidance reviewed 12 September 2026.
Sources & verification
- AMD Radeon desktop graphics specifications
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series specifications
- SpecsCalc calculation methodology and limitations
Relative indices summarize broad gaming tiers and are not a substitute for game-by-game benchmark averages. Price and driver updates can change the buying recommendation. Last reviewed September 19, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is the RX 7900 XTX better than the RTX 5080?
On our relative index the RTX 5080 is about 8% ahead of the RX 7900 XTX. The RX 7900 XTX has more VRAM (24GB vs 16GB), which helps at high resolutions and in VRAM-hungry titles. The smaller the gap, the more other factors like price, VRAM and features should decide it.
Which is better value, the RX 7900 XTX or the RTX 5080?
Value depends on the price you can find each at. The slower card is usually the smart buy if it is meaningfully cheaper, unless you need the extra VRAM or features of the faster one.
Do the RX 7900 XTX and RTX 5080 need different power supplies?
The RX 7900 XTX's maker lists a 800W supply and the RTX 5080's lists 850W; our starting classes are 850W and 850W. If you might move to the RTX 5080 later, size for its 850W now. The RTX 5080 can also take a PCIe Gen 5 (12V-2x6) cable; see the connector guide.
Make sure your CPU can keep up with either card using the Bottleneck Estimator, or compare more cards in the GPU comparison hub.