AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT Graphics Card Review

AMD has released its newest range of Graphics Cards with their 6700 XT line-up. Aimed at 1440P gamer’s, the 6700 XT is said to take on the likes of the GTX 3070 from NVIDIA. AMD has been kind enough to send us one of their reference model cards for testing. The reference model will be a good starting point as not only will it allow us to test the performance of the 6700 XT VS that of the 3070, it will also let us compare other 6700 XT’s from AIB partners and see just how well it all does as a whole. The 6700 XT follows a similar design to those previous cards we have seen in the RX range, except the reference model only features two fans instead of the three fan models we have seen on the 6800 and 6900 series cards. Will the 6700 XT live up to the hype and be the new go-to 1440p card? Only one way to find out, let’s get this review started.

Title

Based on AMD’s 7nm technology, the RX 6700 XT brings 12GB of GDDR6 to the masses with their latest offering. Should you be able to find one, the suggested MSRP is $479 which for those of us in the U.K., will likely be around £479 at the time of launch. Some of the AIB partner cards are likely to cost a bit more and will probably range from $550-$600 or so give or take a few pennies depending on the exact model. The 6700 XT has 20 less compute units coming in at only 40 vs that of the 6800 XT but it has a higher game frequency of 2424MHz VS the 1815MHz of the 6800 XT so will be interesting to see how well it stacks up to its big brother.

For in-depth features and specifications, please visit the official AMD RADEON RX 6700 XT product page here.

A Closer Look

As mentioned, the 6700 XT looks similar to its bigger brothers except for the fact is only has two fans instead of three. You may also think that it looks like something out of Pokémon thanks to that lovely R logo that looks reminiscent of the Team Rocket logo. Aesthetics aside, the card actually does have a good bit of weight to it which will hopefully aid in the cooling and thermal dissipation when running at higher loads.

On what will be the main viewing point of the card for a lot of builds, there isn’t a whole lot going on and this bodes well for AIM. We have a nice red border going around the edge of the case and can see a nice RADEON logo that will light up when the card is in use. Through the middle of the card, we can see the fins from the heatsink, AMD has made sure to keep these black as to best fit in with the overall looks of the card. Aside from that, we only have a pair of power connectors that can be seen from this side.

We are going to need to a single 8-pin and single 6-pin power connectors from our power supply to make sure we can use this card. This shouldn’t be much of an issue as most power supplies of a respectful wattage will have both of these connectors. AMD have recommended a minimum PSU of 650w to power their 6700 XT reference card.

The other side of the card that will be facing the motherboard is all black. We can see a small cut-out in the heatsink fins to allow for a couple of wires to connect to the PCB.

The back of the case is fairly plain as well. However, one thing we can notice is that we can’t see the heatsink or fins at all from this angle. This is quite nice as a lot of the time this area of the card gets forgotten about as it’s never really the main point of view. We can also notice that AMD have switched from the Red/Black theme we have had on this card and now added in quite a bit of silver which looks nice and should help the card stand out a bit more.

The backplate continues the silver/black theme from the back of the card across the whole of the backplate. The four screws we can see in the middle are going to be what allow us to take the heatsink off of the card should we need to change the thermal paste or for any other reason really. We can also see some more screws around the edges that will allow us to remove the backplate.

For input connections, we have three DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC and a single HDMI 2.1 that can support monitors up to 4K120Hz.

How We Test

We continue to update our testing methods around once per year. As such, we re-test older hardware to reflect changes over time. These can be driver updates, Windows updates, game patches, and more; all of which have an impact on performance figures. Furthermore, we update our test bench to newer and more relevant hardware. This means that our new reviews aren’t always comparable to those of older reviews, so please compare the testing methodology on older reviews should you be trying to compare them with newer ones.

RED results indicate a new high-score.

Replicate Our Results

When it comes to our benchmarks in our reviews, the benchmarks are pretty self-explanatory and kept as simple as possible, although there are a few exceptions. Remember that your choice of a graphics card, CPU, the silicon lottery, and other factors can yield different numbers, and there’s always a margin for error when using any software.

Links are provided below, as well as the settings we use. We encourage you to not just look at how one product compares to any other, but how it compares to your own. If you’re looking to build a new system, you should benchmark your current PC using the benchmarks available to you. You should then look at the percentage improvement from your current hardware to the hardware tested here to give you a ballpark figure of how much of an upgrade this will provide you with.

Graphics Card Test System

Additional Hardware

• Killawatt style electricity usage meter wall plug
• Precision Gold N05CC Decibel meter

Gaming

To gauge performance levels which are easily reproduced time after time, by both ourselves and our readers, we now stick strictly to games default profiles. We now use the “High” profiles for all games or their respective equivalent at all resolutions. V-Sync is always disabled in our testing, as are FreeSync and G-Sync technologies or similar. Graphics card power usage is set to optimised or balance, and the system power mode set to High Performance within Windows and the available GPU driver software. Identical settings are used for all resolutions unless otherwise stated.

Games

• Watch Dogs Legion
• Dirt 5
• Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
• Godfall
• Shadow of the Tomb Raider
• Horizon Zero Dawn
• Final Fantasy XV
• Borderlands 3
• Metro Exodus
• Control
• FarCry New Dawn
• Ghost Recon Breakpoint
• Wolfenstein Youngblood

Resolutions

• 1080p (Full HD)
• 1440p (2K)
• 2160p (4K)
• 4320p (8K)

Some tests will also include features such as Nvidia DLSS and Ray Tracing. However, these will be clearly labelled and may only appear in reviews for graphics cards that support those features. 8K testing will only appear in reviews of flagship cards that we consider capable.

Software Used

• 3DMark Fire Strike (download)
  • Port Royal DXR
  • TimeSpy
  • TimeSpy Extreme
• Unigine Superposition (download)
  • 4K Optimised Benchmark
• HWMonitor (download)
• GPU-Z (download)
• MSI Afterburner (download)

Noise

Everyone has a reasonable noise level preference when it comes to components on a computer. Some can handle all fans at 100% load to keep temperatures down; some want an entirely silent computer. To accurately gauge the noise output of a graphics card, we position a Precision Gold N05CC one meter above our open-air test bench and take an average reading at idle and load. 

Power Consumption

We take power readings during the idle state with no background applications running. Then again at 50% completion of the Unigine Superposition benchmark, using the average as the final published result.

Temperatures

We take temperature readings after 10 minutes of desktop idle with no background programs running, then take the recorded maximum delivered from Unigine Superposition after a 4K optimised run, confirming the numbers are accurate with HWMonitor. Furthermore, the ambient temperature is always kept +/- 1c from 21c.

Synthetic Benchmarks

3DMark TimeSpy

3DMark TimeSpy Extreme

3DMark Port Royal (DXR)

Unigine Superposition 4K Optimised

Build a resistance from virtually anyone you see as you hack, infiltrate, and fight to take back a near-future London that is facing its downfall. Welcome to the Resistance. Recruit and play as anyone in the city. Everyone you see has a unique backstory, personality, and skill set.

Hack armed drones, deploy spider-bots and take down enemies using an Augmented Reality Cloak. Explore a massive urban open world featuring London’s many iconic landmarks and fun side activities. Take your recruits online and team up with your friends as you complete missions and challenging endgame content.

Available now on UPlay.

Watch Dogs Legion Performance

DIRT 5 is a fun, amplified, off-road racing experience created by Codemasters. Blaze a trail on routes across the world, covering gravel, ice, snow and sand, with a roster of cars ranging from rally icons to trucks, to GT heroes. With a star-studded Career, four-player split-screen, innovative online modes, livery editor and more new features, DIRT 5 is the next generation of extreme racing.

Available now on Steam.

Dirt 5 Performance

Become Eivor, a legendary Viking raider on a quest for glory. Explore England’s Dark Ages as you raid your enemies, grow your settlement, and build your political power.

• Lead epic Viking raids against Saxon fortresses throughout England.
• Dual-wield powerful weapons and relive the visceral fighting style of the Vikings.
• Challenge yourself with the most varied collection of enemies ever found in Assassin’s Creed.
• Shape the growth of your character with every choice you make and carve your path to glory.
• Explore a Dark Age open world, from the harsh shores of Norway to the beautiful kingdoms of England.
• Personalize your experience by growing your clan’s settlement.

Available now on UPlay.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Performance

Aperion is on the precipice of ruin. You are the last of the Valorian knights, god-like warriors able to equip Valorplates, legendary armor sets that transform wielders into unstoppable masters of melee combat. Tear through foes as you climb through the elemental realms and challenge the mad god, Macros who awaits you at the top. Ascend in Godfall, the first-of-its-kind, looter-slasher, melee action-RPG.

Available now on EPIC.

Godfall Performance

Experience Lara Croft’s defining moment as she becomes the Tomb Raider. In Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Lara must master a deadly jungle, overcome terrifying tombs, and persevere through her darkest hour. As she races to save the world from a Maya apocalypse, Lara will ultimately be forged into the Tomb Raider she is destined to be.

Available now on Steam.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider Performance

For the first time, players take control of Noctis’s greatest foe in this brand-new episode of FINAL FANTASY XV! Delve into the dark tale of scorned saviour Ardyn Lucis Caelum and unravel the secrets surrounding his mysterious past.

Available now on Steam.

Final Fantasy XV Performance

Experience Aloy’s entire legendary quest to unravel the mysteries of a world ruled by deadly Machines. An outcast from her tribe, the young hunter fights to uncover her past, discover her destiny… and stop a catastrophic threat to the future.

Unleash devastating, tactical attacks against unique Machines and rival tribes as you explore an open world teeming with wildlife and danger. Horizon Zero Dawn is a multi-award-winning action role-playing game – and this Complete Edition for PC includes the huge expansion The Frozen Wilds, featuring new lands, skills, weapons and Machines.

Available now on Steam.

Horizon Zero Dawn Performance

The original shooter-looter returns, packing bazillions of guns and a mayhem-fueled adventure! Blast through new worlds and enemies as one of four new Vault Hunters. Play solo or with friends to take on insane enemies, score loads of loot and save your home from the most ruthless cult leaders in the galaxy.

At the hard edge of the galaxy lies a group of planets ruthlessly exploited by militarized corporations. Brimming with loot and violence, this is your home—the Borderlands. Now, a crazed cult known as The Children of the Vault has emerged and is spreading like an interstellar plague. Play solo or co-op as one of four unique Vault Hunters, score loads of loot and save the galaxy from this fanatical threat.

Available now on Epic Games Store.

Borderlands 3 Performance

Metro Exodus is an epic, story-driven first-person shooter from 4A Games that blends deadly combat and stealth with exploration and survival horror in one of the most immersive game worlds ever created. Flee the shattered ruins of dead Moscow and embark on an epic, continent-spanning journey across post-apocalyptic Russia in the greatest Metro adventure yet.

Explore the Russian wilderness in vast, non-linear levels and follow a thrilling story-line inspired by the novels of Dmitry Glukhovsky that spans an entire year through spring, summer and autumn to the depths of nuclear winter.

Available now on Epic Game Store.

Metro Exodus Performance

A corruptive presence has invaded the Federal Bureau of Control…Only you have the power to stop it. The world is now your weapon in an epic fight to annihilate an ominous enemy through deep and unpredictable environments. Containment has failed, humanity is at stake. Will you regain control?

Winner of over 80 awards, Control is a visually stunning third-person action-adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Blending open-ended environments with the signature world-building and storytelling of renowned developer, Remedy Entertainment, Control presents an expansive and intensely gratifying gameplay experience.

Available now on Steam.

Control Performance

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint puts you in the boots of the Ghosts, an Elite US Special Operations Unit stranded behind enemy lines. This time there is no briefing. All contact has been lost with Auroa. This archipelago is home to Skell Technology, a high-tech company. You are sent there with your unit for a recon mission, but your helicopters are shot down: Skell Tech has fallen into the wrong hands. The Wolves, a lethal ex-US military unit gone rogue, have taken over the island.

Led by your ex-brother-in-arms, Colonel Cole D. Walker, they have reprogrammed Skell’s drones into killing machines and are ready to use them, no matter the casualties. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint is a military shooter set in a diverse, hostile, and mysterious open world that you can play entirely solo or in four-player co-op. Injured, without support, and hunted down by ex-Ghosts, you must fight to survive while lost in Auroa. Choose the right alliances and decide how to take down your toughest enemy.

Available now on UPLAY.

Ghost Recon: Breakpoint

Wolfenstein: Youngblood is the first modern co-op Wolfenstein adventure.

Nineteen years after the events of Wolfenstein II, BJ Blazkowicz has disappeared after a mission into Nazi-occupied Paris. Now, after years of training from their battle-hardened father, BJ’s twin daughters, Jess and Soph Blazkowicz, are forced into action.

Team up with a friend or play alone. Level up, explore, and complete missions to unlock new abilities, weapons, gadgets, cosmetics, and more to complement your playstyle and customize your appearance.

Wolfenstein: Youngblood features the most open-ended Wolfenstein experience to date. From a new base of operations located deep in the heart of the Paris catacombs, plan how and when to attack and dismantle the Nazi regime.

Available now on Steam.

Wolfenstein Youngblood Performance

Power Consumption

Temperatures

Acoustics

How Much Does It Cost?

We have no real idea! We have been told MSRP is set to be $479 but then we have also heard that this may be closer to $499 when it actually launches. The closer to the original MSRP the better though. However, does the price really matter if you can’t even find one to buy? Are retailers even going to honour MSRP There are so many variables included in the current pricing of GPUs, which we did go over in our GPU Stock Shortage Video. We will revisit the pricing on this card in about a weeks time once they have been out for a little while and update accordingly.

Overview

AMD has a great performing card on their hand with the RX 6700 XT. This GPU can easily handle gaming at 1080P and does a good job in most titles at 1440P. Control is the most demanding games we test at 1440P and the 6700 XT manages to stay over that glorious 60FPS mark. We saw an average of 71 FPS at 1440P in Control on this reference card which is still easily playable. However, if you want some more frames just switch to 1080P for an easy 100+ FPS. In Metro Exodus and Assassins Creed Valhalla we were pushing around 83 FPS on average at 1440P and in most other games, it was closer to the 100FPS mark. All in all, The 6700 XT can perform well at 1440P as advertised by AMD.

Should I Buy One?

If you can find one of these close to even $500 in the current market, it is a solid 1440P gaming GPU. Those looking to upgrade from something like the 5700 XT will be happy with the performance gain. We have seen anywhere from 20%-40% FPS gains over the 5700 XT depending on the title being tested. Throw in some SAM if all your hardware can support it for that little extra boost and it is a worthy upgrade over its predecessor.

SAM

We have tested SAM on our reference RX 6700 XT as the performance on all 6700 XT’s was quite similar. In most tests, we saw an 8-15% increase in FPS although in some games we saw 0 difference and this should be similar for all 6700 XT cards. In order to use SAM, you will need a 6xxx series GPU, 5xxx Series CPU and a B550/X570 with all the current updates for your system. We may revisit this in comparison to NVIDIA’s Resizable BAR in the future when it is more readily available.