Choosing the right graphics card can be a daunting task, especially when you’re stuck between two excellent contenders. The AMD RX 5700 XT and the NVIDIA RTX 2070 Super were both formidable mid-to-high-end options that offered compelling performance for gamers and content creators alike. While both have been succeeded by newer generations, they remain relevant on the used market and provide a significant performance boost for older systems.
Architectural Overview: A Look Under The Hood
Before diving into benchmarks and game performance, it’s important to understand the fundamental differences in architecture that define these two GPUs.
AMD RX 5700 XT: Navi’s Arrival
The RX 5700 XT is based on AMD’s Navi architecture, specifically the Navi 10 GPU. This marked a significant departure from AMD’s previous Vega architecture. Navi introduced the RDNA architecture, which focused on improved efficiency and performance per watt. Key features include redesigned Compute Units (CUs) optimized for gaming workloads, a multi-level cache hierarchy for reduced latency, and a streamlined graphics pipeline. The RX 5700 XT features 40 Compute Units, each containing 64 stream processors, totaling 2560 stream processors. It also includes 160 Texture Units and 64 Render Output Units (ROPs). The card is equipped with 8GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit memory interface.
NVIDIA RTX 2070 Super: Turing Refined
The RTX 2070 Super, on the other hand, is based on NVIDIA’s Turing architecture. Turing brought with it several key innovations, most notably the introduction of Ray Tracing cores (RT cores) and Tensor cores. RT cores are dedicated hardware units designed to accelerate real-time ray tracing, while Tensor cores are designed to accelerate AI-related tasks, such as Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS). The RTX 2070 Super features 2560 CUDA cores, 160 Texture Units, and 64 ROPs. It also boasts 320 Tensor Cores and 40 RT Cores. Like the RX 5700 XT, it comes with 8GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit memory interface. The “Super” designation indicates an enhanced version of the original RTX 2070, with increased core counts and improved clock speeds.
Performance Benchmarks: Gaming And Beyond
Let’s examine how these architectural differences translate into real-world performance across various gaming scenarios and other workloads.
Gaming Performance: Resolution And Settings
The RX 5700 XT and RTX 2070 Super generally trade blows in gaming performance, with the specific winner often depending on the game, resolution, and settings.
At 1080p resolution, both cards are capable of delivering excellent frame rates in most titles, often exceeding 100fps even at high or ultra settings. The differences between the two cards at this resolution are often negligible.
At 1440p resolution, the performance gap widens slightly. The RTX 2070 Super often holds a slight edge in many titles, providing a few extra frames per second on average. However, the RX 5700 XT remains highly competitive and delivers a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience.
At 4K resolution, both cards start to show their limitations, especially in graphically demanding titles. While both can achieve playable frame rates with adjusted settings, neither card is ideally suited for maxed-out 4K gaming. The RTX 2070 Super often maintains a more consistent lead at 4K, particularly in titles that benefit from NVIDIA’s driver optimizations.
Overall, the RTX 2070 Super generally offers a slight performance advantage in gaming, but the RX 5700 XT remains a close contender, particularly at lower resolutions.
Ray Tracing And DLSS: NVIDIA’s Ace In The Hole
One area where the RTX 2070 Super holds a clear advantage is in ray tracing and DLSS. The RX 5700 XT lacks dedicated hardware for ray tracing, meaning it relies on software-based ray tracing, which significantly impacts performance.
The RTX 2070 Super, with its dedicated RT cores, can handle ray tracing much more efficiently. While performance with ray tracing enabled is still demanding, the RTX 2070 Super offers a significantly better experience.
DLSS, another NVIDIA-exclusive technology, uses AI to upscale lower-resolution images to a higher resolution, improving performance without sacrificing visual quality. The RTX 2070 Super’s Tensor cores allow it to efficiently perform DLSS, providing a noticeable performance boost in supported games. The RX 5700 XT does not have an equivalent technology.
Ray tracing and DLSS are significant advantages for the RTX 2070 Super, making it a more appealing option for gamers interested in these features.
Performance In Productivity Applications
Beyond gaming, the RX 5700 XT and RTX 2070 Super also perform differently in productivity applications. Tasks such as video editing, 3D rendering, and content creation can benefit from GPU acceleration.
NVIDIA cards, including the RTX 2070 Super, often have an advantage in applications optimized for CUDA, NVIDIA’s parallel computing platform. Many professional applications, such as Adobe Premiere Pro and Blender, are optimized for CUDA, resulting in faster performance on NVIDIA GPUs.
The RX 5700 XT can still perform well in these applications, but it may not be as efficient as the RTX 2070 Super in CUDA-accelerated tasks. However, in applications that utilize OpenCL, a cross-platform API, the RX 5700 XT can often provide competitive performance.
The RTX 2070 Super generally offers better performance in CUDA-accelerated productivity applications, while the RX 5700 XT can be competitive in OpenCL-based tasks.
Power Consumption And Thermals: Efficiency Matters
Power consumption and thermal performance are important factors to consider when choosing a graphics card. A more efficient card can save you money on electricity bills and reduce the amount of heat generated in your system.
The RX 5700 XT, based on the Navi architecture, is generally more power-efficient than AMD’s previous Vega cards. However, it still tends to consume slightly more power than the RTX 2070 Super, particularly under heavy load.
The RTX 2070 Super benefits from NVIDIA’s Turing architecture, which is known for its excellent power efficiency. It typically consumes less power than the RX 5700 XT while delivering similar or slightly better performance.
Thermal performance can vary depending on the specific cooler design used by different manufacturers. However, in general, both the RX 5700 XT and RTX 2070 Super can run relatively cool with adequate cooling solutions.
The RTX 2070 Super generally offers better power efficiency than the RX 5700 XT, while thermal performance depends on the specific cooler design.
Pricing And Availability: The Value Proposition
When these cards were new, the RX 5700 XT was typically priced slightly lower than the RTX 2070 Super. This made the RX 5700 XT a more attractive option for budget-conscious gamers looking for excellent performance without breaking the bank.
However, the used market presents a different landscape. Prices fluctuate based on demand and availability. It’s crucial to compare prices and consider the overall value proposition before making a decision.
The RX 5700 XT was originally more affordable, but the used market dictates current pricing.
Conclusion: Making The Right Choice
Choosing between the RX 5700 XT and RTX 2070 Super depends on your specific needs and priorities.
If you prioritize gaming performance, especially at 1440p or 4K resolution, and are interested in ray tracing and DLSS, the RTX 2070 Super is a strong contender. It offers a slight performance advantage in many games and benefits from NVIDIA’s exclusive technologies.
If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option that still delivers excellent gaming performance, especially at 1080p or 1440p, the RX 5700 XT is a compelling choice. It provides a very competitive gaming experience and can save you some money.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual needs and budget. Consider the factors discussed in this article, weigh your priorities, and choose the card that best suits your needs. Researching current used market pricing is also crucial before making a decision.
What Were The Typical Performance Differences Between The RX 5700 XT And RTX 2070 Super?
Generally, the RTX 2070 Super held a slight performance advantage over the RX 5700 XT across most games at 1080p and 1440p resolutions. The difference wasn’t always significant, often falling within a few frames per second, but the 2070 Super tended to maintain a more consistent lead. Certain games, particularly those optimized for NVIDIA’s architecture or featuring ray tracing capabilities, saw the 2070 Super performing significantly better.
However, the RX 5700 XT often closed the gap or even surpassed the RTX 2070 Super in titles that favored AMD’s architecture or in situations where the AMD card’s slightly higher memory bandwidth provided an advantage. This variability meant that the ‘better’ card depended heavily on the specific game being played and the resolution used. Ultimately, the performance was quite competitive, making the decision more nuanced than a simple performance hierarchy.
Which Card Was Better For Ray Tracing And DLSS?
The RTX 2070 Super had a clear advantage regarding ray tracing and DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling). This is because the RX 5700 XT lacked dedicated hardware for ray tracing acceleration and a comparable technology to DLSS at the time of their head-to-head comparison. Ray tracing performance on the 5700 XT was significantly lower, often making the feature unplayable.
DLSS, an NVIDIA technology that uses AI to upscale lower-resolution images to higher resolutions with minimal visual quality loss, provided a substantial performance boost in supported games. AMD did not offer a similar technology until much later, meaning the RTX 2070 Super delivered a superior experience in games that leveraged these features.
What Was The Price Difference Between The RX 5700 XT And RTX 2070 Super?
At launch, the RX 5700 XT was generally priced lower than the RTX 2070 Super. This price difference was one of the key factors making the RX 5700 XT an attractive option, as it offered very competitive performance at a more affordable price point. The exact price varied based on specific models and retailers, but the 5700 XT was typically positioned to undercut the 2070 Super.
The price gap narrowed over time, especially as availability fluctuated and market dynamics changed. However, initially, the lower price of the RX 5700 XT made it a strong contender for gamers looking for the best performance per dollar. This price advantage played a significant role in influencing purchasing decisions.
Which Card Had Better Power Efficiency And Thermals?
The RTX 2070 Super generally exhibited slightly better power efficiency than the RX 5700 XT. While both cards required a decent power supply, the 2070 Super tended to consume less power under load, resulting in lower electricity bills and potentially less heat generation. This advantage wasn’t always significant, but it was consistently observed across multiple benchmarks.
Regarding thermals, the RX 5700 XT, particularly the reference model, had a reputation for running hotter and louder than the RTX 2070 Super. Custom-cooled versions of both cards improved thermal performance, but the reference 5700 XT often struggled to maintain optimal temperatures without significant fan noise. The 2070 Super, even in its reference design, often ran cooler and quieter.
Which Card Had More VRAM?
Both the RX 5700 XT and the RTX 2070 Super came equipped with 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM. This amount of memory was sufficient for gaming at 1080p and 1440p resolutions at the time of their release. The shared VRAM capacity eliminated any performance differences directly attributable to memory size.
The GDDR6 memory type provided similar bandwidth capabilities for both cards, further minimizing any differences based on memory specifications. While some games might have slightly favored one card over the other due to memory bandwidth optimizations, the 8GB capacity itself wasn’t a differentiating factor in their performance comparison.
Which Card Offered Better Driver Support And Stability?
Initially, the RX 5700 XT faced some challenges with driver stability and compatibility. Users reported experiencing crashes and other issues, particularly shortly after its launch. AMD worked to address these problems through subsequent driver updates, and the stability improved over time.
The RTX 2070 Super generally had a more stable and mature driver ecosystem at launch. NVIDIA has a long-standing reputation for reliable driver support, and the 2070 Super benefited from this. While NVIDIA drivers aren’t immune to issues, they were generally considered more stable than AMD’s drivers in the early days of the RX 5700 XT.
Which Card Should You Have Chosen In 2019?
The choice between the RX 5700 XT and the RTX 2070 Super in 2019 depended heavily on individual priorities. If budget was the primary concern and you primarily played games that favored AMD or didn’t utilize ray tracing or DLSS, the RX 5700 XT offered excellent value and competitive performance. Its lower price made it an attractive option for price-conscious gamers.
However, if you valued ray tracing and DLSS capabilities, or if you preferred the more consistent performance and mature driver support offered by NVIDIA, the RTX 2070 Super was the better choice. It came at a higher price point, but it provided a more premium experience, particularly in games that leveraged NVIDIA’s exclusive features. The decision ultimately boiled down to balancing performance, features, and budget.