In an unexpected turn of events, the AMD RX 7900 XTX graphics card has shown the capability to match the performance of Nvidia’s flagship GPU, the GeForce RTX 4090. However, achieving this level of performance comes at a steep price that may deter many potential buyers.
By removing the power limiter on the RX 7900 XTX, users have been able to achieve similar performance to the RTX 4090 in 3DMark10 benchmarks, reaching a high clock speed of 3.33GHz. Notably, the graphics card scored an impressive 18,335 points in 3DMark Time Spy Extreme, surpassing the RTX 4090’s recorded score of 16,654 by PC Gamer.
To accomplish this feat, a Reddit user named Jedi95 utilized a mod that manipulated the VRM controller to report false power consumption figures to the GPU, bypassing AMD’s built-in power limitations. However, this extreme overclocking required an enormous power draw of nearly 700W.
Jedi95 outlined the elaborate system setup necessary to prevent overheating, which included a custom water-cooling solution, low coolant temperatures, and ample ventilation. Yet, the costs associated with the excessive power consumption, combined with the high price of the RX 7900 XTX GPU itself and the cooling setup required for such overclocking, make this approach unattainable for most buyers.
Beyond the financial implications, there are substantial risks associated with pushing the RX 7900 XTX to its limits. Reports have emerged of an issue with the graphics card’s vapor chamber, leading to excessively high hotspot temperatures exceeding 110°C. Although not a widespread problem, it remains a significant concern, as confirmed by overclocking expert Der8auer and other users’ experiences.
While the RX 7900 XTX demonstrates its potential for exceptional performance, it is important to acknowledge the inherent dangers involved in subjecting the card to such extreme power demands, especially considering the possibility of vapor chamber malfunctions. Therefore, individuals seeking the performance level of an RTX 4090 are advised to opt for Nvidia’s GPU, which is optimized for such capabilities out of the box. Despite the price difference, prioritizing safety and avoiding potential risks of damaging hardware or causing fire hazards is paramount.
