GeForce RTX 3090 vs Radeon RX 6950 XT
GeForce RTX 3090
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Radeon RX 6950 XT
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Performance Spectrum - GPU
About G3D Mark
G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar GeForce RTX 3090
Performance Per Dollar Radeon RX 6950 XT
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon RX 6950 XT is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 5.6% higher G3D Mark score. However, the GeForce RTX 3090 offers more VRAM, which may be beneficial for texture-heavy scenarios at higher resolutions.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3090 | Radeon RX 6950 XT |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-5.6%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+5.6%) |
| Longevity | 🔮Strong Longevity (Ampere (2020−2025) / 8nm) | 🔮Strong Longevity (RDNA 2.0 (2020−2025) / 7nm) |
| Ecosystem | ✨ DLSS 2 Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | 🎮 High Capacity (24 GB) | 🎮 High Capacity (16 GB) |
| Efficiency | Normal Efficiency | Normal Efficiency |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (312mm) | Standard Size (267mm) |
💎 Value Proposition
The Radeon RX 6950 XT offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. Priced at $850 versus $900 for the GeForce RTX 3090, it costs 6% less. While it maintains competitive performance, this results in a 11.8% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | GeForce RTX 3090 | Radeon RX 6950 XT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+11.8%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($900) | ✅More affordable ($850) |
Performance Check
Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.
Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of GeForce RTX 3090 and Radeon RX 6950 XT
GeForce RTX 3090
The GeForce RTX 3090 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in September 1 2020. It features the Ampere architecture. The core clock ranges from 1395 MHz to 1695 MHz. It has 10496 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 350W. Manufactured using 8 nm process technology. It features 82 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 26,594 points. Launch price was $1,499.
Radeon RX 6950 XT
The Radeon RX 6950 XT is manufactured by AMD. It was released in May 10 2022. It features the RDNA 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1925 MHz to 2324 MHz. It has 5120 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 335W. Manufactured using 7 nm process technology. It features 80 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 28,076 points. Launch price was $1,099.
Graphics Performance
In G3D Mark, the GeForce RTX 3090 scores 26,594 versus the Radeon RX 6950 XT's 28,076 — the Radeon RX 6950 XT leads by 5.6%. The GeForce RTX 3090 is built on Ampere while the Radeon RX 6950 XT uses RDNA 2.0, both on 8 nm vs 7 nm. Shader units: 10,496 (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 5,120 (Radeon RX 6950 XT). Raw compute: 35.58 TFLOPS (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 23.8 TFLOPS (Radeon RX 6950 XT). Boost clocks: 1695 MHz vs 2324 MHz. Ray tracing: 82 RT cores (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 80 (Radeon RX 6950 XT) with 328 Tensor cores.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3090 | Radeon RX 6950 XT |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 26,594 | 28,076+6% |
| Architecture | Ampere | RDNA 2.0 |
| Process Node | 8 nm | 7 nm |
| Shading Units | 10496+105% | 5120 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 35.58 TFLOPS+49% | 23.8 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1695 MHz | 2324 MHz+37% |
| ROPs | 112 | 128+14% |
| TMUs | 328+3% | 320 |
| L1 Cache | 10.3 MB+930% | 1 MB |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB+50% | 4 MB |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 82+3% | 80 |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
A critical advantage for the Radeon RX 6950 XT is support for FSR 3 / AFMF. This allows it to generate entire frames using AI/Algorithms, essentially doubling the frame rate in CPU-bound scenarios or heavy ray-tracing titles. The GeForce RTX 3090 lacks specific hardware/driver support for this native frame generation tier.The GeForce RTX 3090 gives access to NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), widely regarding as the superior upscaling method for image quality. The Radeon RX 6950 XT relies on FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), which is capable but generally slightly noisier than DLSS in motion.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3090 | Radeon RX 6950 XT |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | DLSS 2.0 | FSR 3 (Native) |
| Frame Generation | FSR 3 / AFMF (Compatible) | FSR 3 / AFMF (Driver) |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | NVIDIA Reflex | AMD Anti-Lag |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The GeForce RTX 3090 comes with 24 GB of VRAM, while the Radeon RX 6950 XT has 16 GB. The GeForce RTX 3090 offers 50% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Memory bandwidth: 936 GB/s (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 576 GB/s (Radeon RX 6950 XT) — a 62.5% advantage for the GeForce RTX 3090. Bus width: 384-bit vs 256-bit. L2 Cache: 6 MB (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 4 MB (Radeon RX 6950 XT) — the GeForce RTX 3090 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3090 | Radeon RX 6950 XT |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 24 GB+50% | 16 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6X | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 936 GB/s+63% | 576 GB/s |
| Bus Width | 384-bit+50% | 256-bit |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB+50% | 4 MB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 12 Ultimate (Radeon RX 6950 XT). Vulkan: 1.4 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3090 | Radeon RX 6950 XT |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 12 Ultimate | 12 Ultimate |
| Vulkan | 1.4+8% | 1.3 |
| OpenGL | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Max Displays | 4 | 4 |
Media & Encoding
Hardware encoder: NVENC 7th gen (GeForce RTX 3090) vs RDNA 2 (Radeon RX 6950 XT). Decoder: NVDEC 5th gen vs RDNA 2. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 (GeForce RTX 3090) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 decode (Radeon RX 6950 XT).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3090 | Radeon RX 6950 XT |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | NVENC 7th gen | RDNA 2 |
| Decoder | NVDEC 5th gen | RDNA 2 |
| Codecs | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 | H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1 decode |
Power & Dimensions
The GeForce RTX 3090 draws 350W versus the Radeon RX 6950 XT's 335W — a 4.4% difference. The Radeon RX 6950 XT is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 750W (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 850W (Radeon RX 6950 XT). Power connectors: 2x 8-pin vs 2x 8-pin. Card length: 312mm vs 267mm, occupying 3 vs 3 slots. Typical load temperature: 85°C vs 83°C.
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3090 | Radeon RX 6950 XT |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 350W | 335W-4% |
| Recommended PSU | 750W-12% | 850W |
| Power Connector | 2x 8-pin | 2x 8-pin |
| Length | 312mm | 267mm |
| Height | 140mm | 120mm |
| Slots | 3 | 3 |
| Temp (Load) | 85°C | 83°C-2% |
| Perf/Watt | 76.0 | 83.8+10% |
Value Analysis
The GeForce RTX 3090 launched at $1499 MSRP and currently averages $900, while the Radeon RX 6950 XT launched at $1099 and now averages $850. The Radeon RX 6950 XT costs 5.6% less ($50 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 29.5 (GeForce RTX 3090) vs 33.0 (Radeon RX 6950 XT) — the Radeon RX 6950 XT offers 11.9% better value. The Radeon RX 6950 XT is the newer GPU (2022 vs 2020).
| Feature | GeForce RTX 3090 | Radeon RX 6950 XT |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1499 | $1099-27% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $900 | $850-6% |
| Performance per Dollar | 29.5 | 33.0+12% |
| Codename | GA102 | Navi 21 |
| Release | September 1 2020 | May 10 2022 |
| Ranking | #37 | #25 |
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