Upgrade from AMD 5700XT

[AlpineGTA]

I'm currently using a Sapphire 5700XT Pulse, which I think is an excellent card and I'm thinking of upgrading to a Sapphire 6700XT (Pulse or Nitro).

Firstly, I just want to start by saying, I'm aware that just getting the best of everything you can - CPU, GPU, RAM etc. is generally the best way to go as far as getting the best VR performance is concerned. However, for the time being I'm just debating upgrading my graphics card and even though prices have come down a lot, I don't want to spend a grand or more on a 6800XT or 6900XT etc.

So, I'm thinking of upgrading just a step up, from a 5700XT to a 6700XT, specifically a Sapphire Pulse or Nitro and I'm wondering, is there anyone else who has made this specific upgrade from a 5700Xt to a 6700XT and was there any noticeable improvement in VR performance? If not, I'll probably just stick with my 5700XT and wait until (maybe) the higher end cards come down in price even further.

According to online GPU reviews there is a noticeably useful jump in FPS performance from a 5700XT to 6700XT, at least for 2D games, but I wonder if the same is true for VR performance. I really wish review sites would also include some VR games in their benchmark tests. I know they're unlikely to review anything as niche as DCS but some kind of indication would be useful.

 

[nikoel]

27 minutes ago, AlpineGTA said:

I'm currently using a Sapphire 5700XT Pulse, which I think is an excellent card and I'm thinking of upgrading to a Sapphire 6700XT (Pulse or Nitro).

Firstly, I just want to start by saying, I'm aware that just getting the best of everything you can - CPU, GPU, RAM etc. is generally the best way to go as far as getting the best VR performance is concerned. However, for the time being I'm just debating upgrading my graphics card and even though prices have come down a lot, I don't want to spend a grand or more on a 6800XT or 6900XT etc.

So, I'm thinking of upgrading just a step up, from a 5700XT to a 6700XT, specifically a Sapphire Pulse or Nitro and I'm wondering, is there anyone else who has made this specific upgrade from a 5700Xt to a 6700XT and was there any noticeable improvement in VR performance? If not, I'll probably just stick with my 5700XT and wait until (maybe) the higher end cards come down in price even further.

According to online GPU reviews there is a noticeably useful jump in FPS performance from a 5700XT to 6700XT, at least for 2D games, but I wonder if the same is true for VR performance. I really wish review sites would also include some VR games in their benchmark tests. I know they're unlikely to review anything as niche as DCS but some kind of indication would be useful.

 

On average you will upgrading to a 2080ti level of performance. 6700XT slots somewhere between 3060ti and a 3070 on average - so you might want to look at pricing in your region for all of those cards

Lastly, you have waited this long. At the end of the year we will have 7000 series and 4000 series respectively. Unless you have to upgrade, right now is possibly a very meh time to do it. **In theory** You either will be able to purchase the same card for a lot less or something that is equivalent in tier but 50% faster by the end of year

Edited May 12, 2022 by nikoel

[DeltaMike]

Memory bandwidth is quite a bit better on the 3070, and there's a lot more experience to draw from when you're setting it up. That said it depends on your headset, even 3070 is marginal for G2 for example. 

[AlpineGTA]

Thanks, I know it might be a bit against the grain, but I'd rather stick with AMD. I think they offer better value. 3070s's are around $750/$800 range at the moment vs around $550 for a 6700XT.

I'm using a Quest 2, for reference.

[AlpineGTA]

25 minutes ago, nikoel said:

 

Lastly, you have waited this long. At the end of the year we will have 7000 series and 4000 series respectively. Unless you have to upgrade, right now is possibly a very meh time to do it. **In theory** You either will be able to purchase the same card for a lot less or something that is equivalent in tier but 50% faster by the end of year

 

Yes, good point, I agree, I had the same thought, but I was also just curious if anyone knew or had experience of the difference in performance of the two AMD cards. If it's noticeably greater, then the flipside is maybe I don't need to wait for an even higher spec card. It could still be worth waiting for the (hopefully) even lower prices though.

[schmiefel]

Waiting for lower prices or more bang for the same bucks could be a dead end.

I went from a very good 5700XT to a 6900XTXH when prices startet dropping significantly here in Germany - that was in early February and I thought it would just be a momentary price reduction. Meanwhile prices have rather reached the MSRP and may drop a bit more ... But it's a kind of playing Roulette waiting for price drops. The more as no one could really see what kind of performance-price-range we'll get with the next versions. Plus: it's very possible that one needs a brand new system to get the most out of them, as rumors not only set expectations for the need of very powerful powersupplies but also PCI-E 5 could become a thing at least for the more higher end ones.

Concerning the performance increase: I only have a RiftS but with that I could increase almost everything (besides shadows) up to maximum with the 6900XT. A 6800XT should be not much worse. If the 6700XT could be a significant step is out of my knowledge and I am not sure if it's worth the money if prices won't drop much more below MSRP. Just check the price difference from the better ones. For the NV GPUs I think prices are still much to high at least compared to what good AMD custom cards deliver (and I am not a kind of a AMD fanboy, but comparing the 6800XT/6900XT to the 3080/3080ti or even the 3090 those cards are a good amount more expensive and 6800XT to 6900XT play easily in the same ballpark.) The only thing others already mentioned: esp. for VR NVs drivers and software seem to be still a little better and it offers more options to improve things.

Edited May 12, 2022 by schmiefel
Typo fixed

[DeltaMike]

42 minutes ago, AlpineGTA said:

Thanks, I know it might be a bit against the grain, but I'd rather stick with AMD. I think they offer better value. 3070s's are around $750/$800 range at the moment vs around $550 for a 6700XT.

I'm using a Quest 2, for reference.

apples and oranges. there's a big step up in memory bandwidth between 6700xt and 6800xt.  Neither one is directly comparable to 3070, which probably slots in between

That said, 6700xt may be ok for Q2.  I'd hit gamers-by-night up for advice, he recommends the 6700xt as a good choice, see if he has any experience/numbers. 

Agree, that price is pretty durn attractive

Edited May 12, 2022 by DeltaMike

[Svsmokey]

The 6750xt is similarly priced , and offers a 12-1/2 % boost in memory throughput , helpful to vr .