Radeon RX 6900 XT vs RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU

AMD

Radeon RX 6900 XT

2020Core: 1825 MHzBoost: 2250 MHz
RX family
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VS
NVIDIA

RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU

2023Core: 975 MHzBoost: 1500 MHz
RTX family
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Radeon RX 6900 XT vs RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU Performance Spectrum

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.

Radeon RX 6900 XT vs RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with Ryzen 7 9800X3D to isolate GPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Radeon RX 6900 XT vs RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each GPU makes more sense in practice: raw FPS, VRAM, features, power draw, pricing, and long-term headroom.

Radeon RX 6900 XT

2020

Why buy it

  • 25.8% more average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Delivers 100+% more G3D Mark for each dollar spent, at 26.8 vs 0 G3D/$ ($999 MSRP vs Unknown MSRP).
  • Access to a newer frame-generation stack with FSR Frame Generation + AFMF (2023).
  • 33.3% more VRAM for high-resolution textures and newer games (16 GB vs 12 GB).

Trade-offs

  • RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU is the safer long-term pick here because the hardware is newer and the feature stack is stronger.
  • 160.9% higher power demand at 300W vs 115W.
  • 154.3% longer card at 267mm vs 105mm.

RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU

2023

Why buy it

  • Better long-term bet: Ada Lovelace (2022−2024) on 5nm gives it a newer hardware base for upcoming games.
  • Draws 115W instead of 300W, a 185W reduction.
  • Measures 105mm instead of 267mm, a 162mm shorter card that is more SFF-friendly.

Trade-offs

  • Lower average FPS than Radeon RX 6900 XT across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data.
  • Less VRAM, with 12 GB vs 16 GB for high-resolution textures and newer games.
  • No equivalent frame-generation stack like FSR Frame Generation + AFMF (2023).
  • Lower G3D Mark per dollar, at 0 vs 26.8 G3D/$ (Unknown MSRP vs $999 MSRP).

Quick Answers

Which GPU is faster for gaming right now?
Radeon RX 6900 XT is the faster gaming card right now. In our data, it leads by 25.8% in average FPS across 50 tracked games in our benchmark data and by 5.8% in PassMark G3D (26,729 vs 25,267), so the answer here is pretty clean.
Which GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond?
RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU is the safer long-term pick for 2026 and beyond. The case is simple: a 5nm process instead of 7nm and a newer 2023 generation instead of 2020. That makes it the less risky pick as game demands keep moving.
Which GPU is the better buy today?
Radeon RX 6900 XT makes the most sense today based on the pricing and value data we have for this matchup. If you are mainly targeting 1080p and strong 1440p, Radeon RX 6900 XT is the easier value choice. If you care more about 1080p and strong 1440p headroom, RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU has the stronger long-term case.

Radeon RX 6900 XT vs RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

AMD

Radeon RX 6900 XT

The Radeon RX 6900 XT is manufactured by AMD. It was released in October 28 2020. It features the RDNA 2.0 architecture. The core clock ranges from 1825 MHz to 2250 MHz. It has 5120 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 300W. Manufactured using 7 nm process technology. It features 80 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 26,729 points. Launch price was $999.

NVIDIA

RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU

The RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in March 21 2023. It features the Ada Lovelace architecture. The core clock ranges from 975 MHz to 1500 MHz. It has 5120 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 115W. Manufactured using 5 nm process technology. It features 40 dedicated ray tracing cores for enhanced lighting effects. G3D Mark benchmark score: 25,267 points.

Graphics Performance

In G3D Mark, the Radeon RX 6900 XT scores 26,729 versus the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU's 25,267 — the Radeon RX 6900 XT leads by 5.8%. The Radeon RX 6900 XT is built on RDNA 2.0 while the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU uses Ada Lovelace, both on 7 nm vs 5 nm. Shader units: 5,120 (Radeon RX 6900 XT) vs 5,120 (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU). Raw compute: 23.04 TFLOPS (Radeon RX 6900 XT) vs 15.82 TFLOPS (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU). Boost clocks: 2250 MHz vs 1500 MHz. Ray tracing: 80 RT cores (Radeon RX 6900 XT) vs 40 (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU) vs 160.

FeatureRadeon RX 6900 XTRTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
G3D Mark Score
26,729+6%
25,267
Architecture
RDNA 2.0
Ada Lovelace
Process Node
7 nm
5 nm
Shading Units
5120
5120
Compute (TFLOPS)
23.04 TFLOPS+46%
15.82 TFLOPS
Boost Clock
2250 MHz+50%
1500 MHz
ROPs
128+100%
64
TMUs
320+100%
160
L1 Cache
1 MB
5 MB+400%
L2 Cache
4 MB
48 MB+1100%
Ray Tracing Cores
80+100%
40

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

The clearest feature edge for the Radeon RX 6900 XT is support for FSR Frame Generation + AFMF. In games that support it, that can smooth out motion and lift perceived FPS. The RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU does not have comparable native support in the same tier.The RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU gets NVIDIA DLSS, which still tends to look cleaner in motion. The Radeon RX 6900 XT leans on FSR, which is flexible and widely supported, but usually a bit rougher at the same settings.

FeatureRadeon RX 6900 XTRTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
Upscaling Tech
FSR 3
Upscaling support
Frame Generation
FSR Frame Generation + AFMF
Not Supported
Ray Reconstruction
No
No
Low Latency
AMD Anti-Lag
NVIDIA Reflex
💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The Radeon RX 6900 XT has 16 GB of VRAM, while the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU carries 12 GB. Radeon RX 6900 XT gives you 33.3% more memory capacity, which matters more once you move into heavier textures, mods, or higher resolutions. Memory bandwidth: 512 GB/s (Radeon RX 6900 XT) vs 432 GB/s (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU) — a 18.5% advantage for the Radeon RX 6900 XT. Memory bus width is 256-bit on the Radeon RX 6900 XT and 192-bit on the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU. L2 Cache: 4 MB (Radeon RX 6900 XT) vs 48 MB (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU) — the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.

FeatureRadeon RX 6900 XTRTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
VRAM Capacity
16 GB+33%
12 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR6
Memory Bandwidth
512 GB/s+19%
432 GB/s
Bus Width
256-bit+33%
192-bit
L2 Cache
4 MB
48 MB+1100%
🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12 Ultimate (Radeon RX 6900 XT) vs 12 Ultimate (12_2) (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU). Vulkan: 1.3 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.6 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

FeatureRadeon RX 6900 XTRTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
DirectX
12 Ultimate
12 Ultimate (12_2)
Vulkan
1.3
1.3
OpenGL
4.6
4.6
Max Displays
4
4
🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: VCN 3.0 (Radeon RX 6900 XT) vs NVENC 8th Gen (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU). Decoder: VCN 3.0 vs NVDEC 5th Gen. Supported codecs: H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9 (Radeon RX 6900 XT) vs H.264,H.265,AV1 (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU).

FeatureRadeon RX 6900 XTRTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
Encoder
VCN 3.0
NVENC 8th Gen
Decoder
VCN 3.0
NVDEC 5th Gen
Codecs
H.264,H.265/HEVC,AV1,VP9
H.264,H.265,AV1
🔌

Power & Dimensions

The Radeon RX 6900 XT draws 300W versus the RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU's 115W — a 89.2% difference. The RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 850W (Radeon RX 6900 XT) vs 650W (RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU). Power connectors: 2x 8-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 267mm vs 105mm, occupying 2.5 vs 0 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 85.

FeatureRadeon RX 6900 XTRTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
TDP
300W
115W-62%
Recommended PSU
850W
650W-24%
Power Connector
2x 8-pin
PCIe-powered
Length
267mm
105mm
Height
120mm
82mm
Slots
2.5
0-100%
Temp (Load)
80°C-6%
85
Perf/Watt
89.1
219.7+147%
💰

Value Analysis

The newer card here is RTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU (2023 vs 2020).

FeatureRadeon RX 6900 XTRTX 3500 Ada Generation Embedded GPU
MSRP
$999
Codename
Navi 21
AD104
Release
October 28 2020
March 21 2023
Ranking
#35
#81

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