Umpteenth graphics card question - AMD 7900xtx or RTX 5080

[AlpineGTA]

I recently had the chance to try a 5070ti in my PC and although there was some small improvement over my current AMD 6900XT, I wasn't really that impressed with the difference, I was expecting more really. The 6900XT still actually does a pretty good job in VR. However, it is starting to struggle with the newer maps and modules, with their extra detail and complexity, so I was thinking to upgrade.

So I was thinking it'll be better to pay the extra to upgrade to a 5080, to really see a worthwhile improvement in performance or visuals.

But then I noticed that my local Microcenter is actually still selling the AMD 7900XTX for $799.99 (or better still, they have it for $719.96 open box). This seems a really good price for 24GB RAM vs still only 16GB RAM on the 5080. And at the time of writing the least expensive 5080 on Amazon is $979.99.

I know everyone will say that the 5080 is the obvious choice over AMD for VR, but will the pure performance of the 7900XTX (I'm not interested in using any reprojection or smoothing, such as DLSS or DLAA - I don't like it) really be much worse when it has 24GB RAM?

If I'm not using DLSS or DLAA etc. - I tried it on the 5070ti and preferred it off - isn't having 24GB RAM more appealing for DCS? 

[The_Nephilim]

well probally won't matter much your CPU is a bit on the weaker side for that much GPU on either.. but if you want to try the amd you may need a newer cpu as well.. you may just end up being CPU bound..

 

and besides Google says that amd is a 4080 equivelent.. so probally better with a 5080 unless you use a Pimax Crystal? 16GB should be plenty and 24 is probally overkill..

Edited Wednesday at 11:48 PM by The_Nephilim

[sleighzy]

Nvidia cards also have superior, and higher quality, encoders than AMD cards. This is most important for the low latency required for VR.

[LucShep]

The RX 7900 XTX 24GB is basically same performance as the newer RX 9070 XT 16GB, but the latter provides better solutions (FSR4, better RT), better power consumption, better temps, and better support (being the most recent launch, it certainly gets the most focus for AMD Drivers).

The VRAM is really the only reason to get an RX7900XTX. But then it's getting long in the tooth, it sure won't be impressive now.
The $799.99 price is okay but not all that amazing for it in the current day. The thing is, that's complicated to judge if, for some reason, this is really what you want...

The RTX 5070Ti 16GB will perform better than those two for DCS VR.  I'm unsure of what made you unimpressed with the RTX 5070Ti but it's over 35% faster (at 4K res.) than your RX 6900XT on pure rasterization averages, so not even counting superior and newer solutions (DLSS, RT, encoders, etc) and noticeably better VR behaviour.

The problem of VRAM consumption is a very old discussion in DCS, and it's up to ED and third parties to solve it.
Forcing people to get stupid expensive GPUs just to address VRAM concerns has been a bit of a meme for DCS VR, but I'm sure that is not their intended scenario.
 

 

The common conclusion is that the GPU market and the prices have been, still are, and probably will remain FUBAR.
Honestly, I think there's little to no point in getting anything faster than an RX 9070XT 16GB (if preference is AMD) or RTX 5070Ti 16GB (if preference is Nvidia).

And why?
... the mentioned RTX5080 16GB is just too expensive for the somewhat minor improvement in performance that it brings over those two.
... the awaited "RTX 50 Super" series, which bring 24GB versions for the RTX 5070Ti and RTX 5080, has been postponed - rumour puts it at 2nd to 3rd quarter 2026 (we'll see).
... the RTX 5090 32GB is just a completely different discussion - no offense to those who buy/bought them - because it's just silly, hilarious really.
... the RTX 4090 24GB, which was so criticized, ironically became "the last great Nvidia release" - no longer available (those owning one should keep it as long as possible). 

If this is about using it for DCS VR, then it's definitely Nvidia (not even a contest).
It that's the use case, if upgrading from an RX 6900XT, my vote goes to the RTX 5070Ti. Or maybe a used RTX 3090/Ti 24GB if at $600 or less.
 

Edited yesterday at 12:25 AM by LucShep

[ChariotOfFLAME]

I had a 3090ti 24GB. The frame times are not great these days and OP will run into the same issues they are today. Stick to 40 series or higher imho

[Maddaawg]

I really think your CPU is a bottleneck that will only increase with a GPU upgrade. Since RAM prices are on the way up, either upgrade to a CPU/MB that still uses DDR4 or very quickly move on DDR5 system. Prices are up, and they will keep heading up.

You can use your DDR4 in Intel 13 and 14th gen and also AMD 5800x3d.

After that, then worry about a GPU because its never ending.