Why NOT to buy Radeon 5700 XT… Yet – Our Review
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Get a $20 Off Perk on the Massdrop x Sennheiser PC37X Gaming Headset at dro.ps Save 10% at Ridge Wallets by using offer code LTTJULY at ridgewallet.com Two new Radeons compliment AMD’s simultaneous 3rd-gen Ryzen launch, but do they have the performance it takes to keep up with Nvidia’s RTX SUPER cards, or are they just hot air? Buy a Radeon RX 5700: On Amazon: geni.us On Newegg: lmg.gg Buy a Radeon RX 5700 XT: On Amazon: geni.us On Newegg: lmg.gg Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com Our Affiliates, Referral Programs, and Sponsors: linustechtips.com Get Private Internet Access today at geni.us Displate metal posters: lmg.gg Linus Tech Tips merchandise at lttstore.com Linus Tech Tips posters at crowdmade.com Our Test Benches on Amazon: amazon.com Our production gear: geni.us Twitter - twitter.com Facebook - @LinusTech Instagram - @linustech Twitch - twitch.tv Intro Screen Music Credit: Title: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro Screen Music Credit: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High youtube.com
The video provides a detailed review of AMD's RX 5700 and RX 5700 XT, placing them in direct competition with Nvidia's RTX lineup and highlighting how they fit into the midrange and high-end segments. The host explains the architectural shift to RDNA, noting the move to a 7 nm process, PCIe 4.0 support, and GDDR6 memory, all of which are aimed at improving efficiency and performance per dollar. He explains the different SKUs at launch, including the RX 5700 competing with the RTX 2060 and the RX 5700 XT facing the RTX 2070, with a limited anniversary edition offering a small clock boost. Throughout the discussion, the video emphasizes value and performance balance, acknowledging that while AMD delivers strong gaming performance in many titles, Nvidia’s software features and driver ecosystem still matter to some users. The host then delves into key new features, such as anti-lag, which reduces input lag by letting the CPU streamline frame delivery to the GPU, and the FidelityFX open source framework for post-processing enhancements. The review also covers AMD's new media engine and display stream compression, which enable high-resolution output, though real-world capture tests showed some discrepancies in recordings. Finally, the video weighs the practical pros and cons, noting that while the RX 5700 XT can outperform certain Nvidia cards in some tests and offer compelling value, early QA issues and potential thermal quirks temper the excitement, leaving room for future driver updates and potential price adjustments. The conclusion emphasizes that buying now is reasonable for many gamers seeking good value, but those chasing peak performance or rock-solid thermals may want to wait or consider alternatives, especially as Nvidia’s lineup shifts with the Super series. The host signs off by pointing to the broader ecosystem, including availability of the RX 5700 as a solid option, and teases future AMD refinements while recommending viewers weigh their needs before upgrading.
Topics · technology · hardware · gaming · reviews
Questions answered
- What is the main architectural upgrade AMD introduced with the RX 5700 series?
- The RX 5700 series uses RDNA, a seven-nanometer core design with native PCIe 4.0 support and GDDR6 memory, aiming to improve efficiency and performance per watt.
- What is the purpose of the Anti-Lag feature in these cards?
- Anti-Lag reduces input lag by allowing the CPU to schedule frame work to the GPU as needed, effectively minimizing latency between input and display.
- How does the RX 5700 XT compare to Nvidia’s RTX 2070 Super in this review?
- The RX 5700 XT is shown to compete well in many titles, occasionally surpassing the RTX 2070 Super, though results vary by game and workload.