New 16GB AMD Radeon Gaming GPU Launches with Unique Specs
In a move that has surprised many in the gaming community, AMD has launched the new Radeon RX 7700, a graphics card boasting a notable 16GB of VRAM. What sets this release apart is its reliance on the older RDNA 3 architecture, rather than the latest RDNA 4 technology. This choice raises questions about its performance relative to its predecessor, the Radeon RX 7700 XT, which features just 12GB of VRAM. AMD positions the RX 7700 as a suitable option for 1440p gaming, claiming that it can handle several current titles, including Hogwarts Legacy and Ghost of Tsushima, at over 60 frames per second (fps).
One of the standout games featured in AMD's marketing is Call of Duty Black Ops 6, where AMD boasts a performance of 71fps at 1440p on ultra settings. While this figure appears promising at first glance, it’s essential to note that the Radeon RX 9060 XT, another recent release from AMD, outperforms the RX 7700 with 76fps using the higher extreme preset at the same resolution. Thus, the RX 7700 will need to be attractively priced to compete effectively. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that while Black Ops 6 supports FSR 4—enhancing frame rates to 102fps on the Quality setting—the RX 7700 only officially supports FSR 3, which compromises image quality in fast-paced scenarios.
Technical specifications of the AMD Radeon RX 7700
| RX 7700 specifications | |
| Compute units | 40 |
| Stream processors | 2,560 |
| RT cores | 40 |
| AI cores | 80 |
| Infinity Cache | 40MB |
| VRAM | 16GB GDDR6 19.5Gbps |
| Memory interface | 256-bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 624GB/s |
| Total graphics power | 263W |
| Power connectors | 2 x 8-pin |
| Architecture | RDNA 3 |
The specifications of the Radeon RX 7700 create an intriguing blend of characteristics from both low-end and mid-range GPUs. Notably, the card offers a solid upgrade in memory compared to the standard Radeon RX 7700 XT. The RX 7700 features a wider 256-bit memory interface compared to the 192-bit interface of the 7700 XT, alongside an increase of 4GB more GDDR6 VRAM, bringing the total to 16GB.
Moreover, the memory speed is impressive, reaching up to 19.5Gbps, which surpasses the 18Gbps found in the standard 7700 XT. This enhancement results in a significant total memory bandwidth of 624GB/s, notably faster than the 432GB/s offered by the 7700 XT.
However, the rendering prowess of the RX 7700 lags behind its XT counterpart, featuring only 40 compute units corresponding to 2,560 stream processors. To put this into perspective, it sits squarely between the 2,048 stream processors of the Radeon RX 7600 XT and the 3,456 stream processors of the 7700 XT. While its memory capacity is impressive, the RX 7700 falls short in terms of GPU processing power.
Regarding ray tracing capabilities, the RX 7700 is equipped with 40 RT cores, a notable reduction from the 54 RT cores featured in the 7700 XT. Nevertheless, it surpasses the 32 RT cores found in the 7600 XT. Additionally, it incorporates 80 AI cores, although these are less advanced compared to the latest models in AMD’s GPU lineup. While the RDNA 3 architecture does not officially support FSR 4, some modders have discovered methods to enable this feature.
Estimated pricing for the AMD Radeon RX 7700
As of now, AMD has yet to disclose an official price for the Radeon RX 7700. This omission raises suspicions that the card may be intended primarily for OEMs and pre-built systems, limiting its availability for individual gamers looking to upgrade their own rigs. The RX 7700 faces stiff competition, particularly from Nvidia's 16GB GeForce RTX 5060 Ti and AMD's own Radeon RX 9060 XT. To remain competitive in this saturated market, AMD will need to price the RX 7700 attractively.
If you're contemplating an upgrade to your GPU, be sure to explore our comprehensive guide on the best graphics card, featuring detailed recommendations based on extensive benchmarking and reviews.
Are you considering the purchase of an AMD Radeon RX 7700 if the price is right? Join the conversation in our community Discord channel to share your thoughts.
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