Few folks have been asking me final week, “Hey Steve, what did you do over the easter break?” and I instructed them “you already know, simply relaxed.” And that is kind of true, however the actual reality is I benchmarked the Radeon RX 7900 GRE and GeForce RTX 4070 Tremendous throughout 58 completely different sport configurations.
In that course of, the concept was to take an in-depth have a look at rasterization, ray tracing, and upscaling efficiency. In order you possibly can think about, there is a shipload of knowledge to go over…
For this check we have used graphics card fashions promoting on the MSRP. Representing the Radeon 7900 GRE is Gigabyte’s Gaming OC which might be had for $550 proper now. Then for the RTX 4070 Tremendous we’ve Gigabyte’s Eagle OC. This mannequin is obtainable for $600.
Nvidia is asking simply shy of a ten% premium right here, so will probably be attention-grabbing to see if the GeForce GPU is value the additional money. For benchmarking we’re utilizing our Ryzen 7 7800X3D check system with 32GB of DDR5-6000 CL30 reminiscence on the Gigabyte X670E Aorus Grasp, utilizing the most recent BIOS revision.
(A Ton of) Gaming Benchmarks
First up, we’ve a fast have a look at Rainbow Six Siege utilizing aggressive kind high quality settings with the medium preset. Right here, the 4070 Tremendous and 7900 GRE are neck-and-neck, delivering an identical efficiency in any respect three examined resolutions. General, the efficiency is nice; there’s simply no clear winner right here.
Subsequent, we look at Counter-Strike 2, once more examined with extra aggressive high quality settings. At 1080p, the outcomes are CPU restricted utilizing the 7800X3D, however at 1440p, the 7900 GRE pulls forward by a major 20% margin, as seen when evaluating the common body charge. Then, at 4K, that margin barely extends to 22%, with the GRE averaging 283 fps.
One of many latest video games on this in depth benchmark is Helldivers 2. For this title, we’re utilizing the extremely preset, as this is not a aggressive shooter, and we consider players right here would admire increased high quality visuals.
At 1080p, the 2 GPUs have been evenly matched. Then at 1440p we are able to see the RTX 4070 Tremendous takes off with a giant 25% efficiency benefit, and an enormous 34% sooner at 4K, making the GeForce GPU the best choice for this title indubitably.
Shifting on to Starfield, we discover extra aggressive outcomes right here. The GeForce GPU was simply 7% sooner at 1080p, with comparable outcomes seen at 1440p, after which an identical efficiency at 4K. These outcomes are promising for the 7900 GRE as they counsel it being the higher worth product, however after all, there’s way more to look at.
Subsequent, we talk about Name of Responsibility Warzone, with but extra aggressive outcomes. The 4070 Tremendous managed to edge out the GRE at 1080p, however past that, efficiency was practically an identical.
Nonetheless, after we allow upscaling with DLSS for the GeForce GPU set to the standard mode, and FSR for the Radeon GPU, additionally set to the standard mode, the 4070 Tremendous features a slight efficiency benefit. At 1080p, the 4070 Tremendous was 8% sooner, 9% sooner at 1440p, and 11% sooner at 4K. These margins will not be huge, however with upscaling enabled, the GeForce GPU does have a efficiency and probably visible high quality benefit.
Subsequent, we flip to Fortnite, beginning with the extra aggressive kind high quality settings through the use of the medium preset. Only a few % separate the GRE and 4070 Tremendous at 1080p and 1440p, with the Radeon GPU barely sooner when evaluating the common body charge, whereas the 4070 Tremendous had the sting for 1% lows. Then, on the 4K decision, we’re taking a look at comparable efficiency.
But when we allow the epic high quality settings utilizing the DirectX 12 mode, the 4070 Tremendous pulls forward, providing a powerful 20% efficiency acquire at 1080p after which an 11% increase at 1440p, earlier than the outcomes develop into practically an identical at 4K.
Then, fairly surprisingly, after we allow {hardware} ray tracing, the outcomes develop into very aggressive in any respect three resolutions.
Remnant II appears to carry out finest with the 7900 GRE, although the margins aren’t substantial, with a mere 7% efficiency benefit at 1080p, 12% at 1440p, and 11% at 4K. The additional frames at 1440p and 4K will likely be noticeable, making this a major win for the GRE.
Nonetheless, enabling upscaling adjustments the situation, and now efficiency may be very comparable at 1440p and 4K, with a really slight benefit shifting in direction of the 4070 Tremendous. The GeForce GPU was additionally 11% sooner at 1080p, although upscaling does not work practically as properly at this decision, particularly when in comparison with its effectiveness at 1440p, and notably at 4K.
Horizon Forbidden West presents some combined outcomes for us. At 1080p, the 4070 Tremendous delivered 13% extra frames than the 7900 GRE, with a median of 117 fps. That margin was diminished to eight% at 1440p earlier than flipping in favor of the GRE at 4K, handing it a small 7% win.
As soon as once more, enabling upscaling advantages the 4070 Tremendous and its restricted reminiscence bandwidth extra, and now the GeForce GPU is seen to be 9% sooner at 1080p and 1440p, with an 11% benefit at 4K. Basically, the 4070 Tremendous noticed a 38% uplift with upscaling enabled, whereas the 7900 GRE noticed only a 16% increase.
Shifting on to The Final of Us Half I, we discover comparatively aggressive efficiency in any respect three examined resolutions because the 4070 Tremendous was simply 8% sooner at 1080p, 5% sooner at 1440p, after which 4% slower at 4K.
Once more, enabling upscaling does additional profit Nvidia on this matchup, because the 4070 Tremendous is now 14% sooner at 1080p, 8% sooner at 1440p, and 4K. So, the margins on the increased resolutions will not be huge, however they’re improved for Nvidia in comparison with the native efficiency.
Baldur’s Gate 3 gives us with aggressive outcomes, particularly at 1080p and 4K, because the margin at 1440p prolonged to eight%. It is possible the 7900 GRE might supply larger efficiency at 1080p as properly, had it not been restricted by CPU efficiency.
Nonetheless, if we allow upscaling, it is truly the 4070 Tremendous that performs finest at 1080p, although we’re nonetheless clearly CPU restricted right here, as evidenced by the truth that the 1080p and 1440p body charges are very comparable. Then, at 4K, efficiency is an identical, so there is not any actual winner on this title.
Subsequent, we’ve Avatar, which allows some degree of ray tracing by default. Even so, the 7900 GRE does exceptionally properly right here, simply nudging out the 4070 Tremendous by a 4% margin at 1080p, 13% at 1440p, and a moderately substantial 26% margin at 4K.
Enabling upscaling does not change a lot; the 4070 Tremendous finally ends up being a mere 3% sooner at 1080p, however past that, the 7900 GRE regains the lead at 1440p, providing 10% extra efficiency and 16% extra at 4K.
In Murderer’s Creed Mirage, the GeForce GPU holds a minor efficiency benefit, delivering round 8% extra frames. The distinction might be not vital sufficient to be noticeable, even on the 4K decision.
Enabling upscaling does not change the state of affairs considerably. Each GPUs encounter a tough CPU restrict at 1080p, whereas the 4070 Tremendous is quicker at 1440p and 4K, by as much as a 9% margin, which is once more not substantial.
We’re now analyzing the rasterization and ray tracing efficiency in a number of titles, beginning with The Callisto Protocol. Right here, the 7900 GRE holds a efficiency benefit, delivering 9% higher efficiency at 1080p, 12% at 1440p, and seven% at 4K.
When ray tracing is enabled, each GPUs ship comparable efficiency, which is sudden. The distinction is not more than 3 fps at 1080p and 1440p, whereas the GRE was 14% sooner at 4K. Nonetheless, efficiency for each GPUs wasn’t stellar on this situation.
The outcomes for Resident Evil 4, utilizing the prioritize graphics high quality preset, are very shut, leaving little else to debate.
As anticipated, enabling ray tracing provides the 4070 Tremendous an edge, at the least at 1080p and 1440p. The numerous distinction is simply at 1080p, the place the GeForce GPU is 16% sooner. Nonetheless, by 1440p, that margin decreases to only 4% earlier than reversing at 4K, the place the 7900 GRE was 11% sooner. It is value noting that the RT results on this title will not be notably spectacular, a sentiment relevant to most video games at present supporting the expertise.
Far Cry 6 does not pose a major problem to those fashionable GPUs, even at 4K, the place body charges exceed 60 fps. The 7900 GRE is as much as 7% sooner, which is not a substantial margin. Given the sturdy total efficiency, the distinction between the 2 merchandise is unlikely to be noticeable.
Even with ray tracing enabled, efficiency stays wonderful, and once more, the 7900 GRE manages to outperform the 4070 Tremendous at 4K.
Shifting on to Ratchet & Clank: Rift Aside amongst different titles, examined for rasterization, ray tracing, and ray tracing with upscaling. For rasterization outcomes utilizing the very excessive preset, at 1080p, the 4070 Tremendous is 13% sooner, 14% sooner at 1440p, after which 7% slower at 4K. Thus, the Radeon GPU usually reveals extra energy at 4K.
Nonetheless, AMD struggles with ray tracing efficiency on this title, as demonstrated by the 4070 Tremendous considerably outperforming the 7900 GRE, with nearly 80% larger efficiency at 1080p and 74% at 1440p. The outcomes even out at 4K, although neither GPU delivers acceptable efficiency, rendering these outcomes considerably moot.
Enabling upscaling permits the 7900 GRE to attain respectable efficiency at 1440p, with a median of 56 fps. Whereas not excellent, it is definitely ample for many gamers to get pleasure from. However, the 4070 Tremendous nonetheless gives a considerable 36% efficiency enhance, with a way more optimized 76 fps on common.
In Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, utilizing the ‘epic’ high quality preset provides the Radeon GPU a really slight efficiency benefit, although it proves to be too demanding for 4K gaming.
On this case, enabling ray tracing does not considerably influence efficiency, besides, the outcomes at 1440p are acceptable, with minimal variations.
Ideally, when utilizing ray tracing, you may wish to allow upscaling, which grants the 7900 GRE a considerable efficiency benefit at 1080p and 1440p, whereas body charges at 4K are comparable. After all, FSR picture high quality won’t be as excessive as DLSS at these decrease resolutions, however for these prioritizing upscaling outcomes, this can be a subjective concern that have to be accepted.
F1 23, examined utilizing the ‘excessive preset’ for rasterization outcomes, sees the 7900 GRE dominating, delivering 24% larger efficiency at 1080p, 27% at 1440p, and 23% at 4K.
Then, enabling the ‘extremely excessive preset,’ which prompts ray tracing, ends in practically an identical efficiency between the GPUs. Importantly, body charges are greater than halved for what’s perceived as a particularly minor visible improve, suggesting that RT results will not be worthwhile on this title.
As soon as extra, ray tracing tremendously advantages from upscaling. With high quality upscaling modes enabled, the Radeon GPU turns into fairly dominant, providing as much as 17% higher efficiency.
Shifting to Forza Motorsport and beginning with rasterization outcomes, the GeForce GPU leads, at the least at 1080p and 1440p, the place it is as much as 9% sooner. Nonetheless, the margin at 4K is negligible, with the 4070 Tremendous simply 4% sooner.
Enabling ray tracing provides the 4070 Tremendous a bonus, permitting it to render 12% extra frames at 1080p, 15% extra at 1440p, and 11% extra at 4K.
As beforehand found, though Forza Motorsport helps FSR, it is non-functional, a major frustration since sport homeowners have reported this concern for months with out decision. Consequently, the 4070 Tremendous is now 16% sooner at 1080p, 21% sooner at 1440p, and 20% sooner at 4K.
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is well-optimized for each AMD and Nvidia GPUs, leading to comparable efficiency utilizing the ultra-quality preset. Each GPUs ship acceptable efficiency at 1440p, however 4K possible necessitates high quality setting changes.
With the Ray Tracing Extremely preset enabled, efficiency is poor with the 4070 Tremendous and downright horrible for the 7900 GRE, which might solely obtain 38 fps at 1080p, making the GeForce GPU 61% sooner.
As typical, upscaling is critical, with FSR enabling the 7900 GRE to achieve a median of 61 fps at 1080p, making the 4070 Tremendous 66% sooner. The GeForce GPU additionally achieves 68 fps at 1440p, making it 55% sooner, which is a good efficiency.
Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered, one other well-optimized title, noticed each GPUs max out the 7800X3D at 1080p. At 1440p, the GRE took a 9% lead, after which simply 5% at 4K. Efficiency in any respect three examined resolutions was wonderful.
Even with ray tracing enabled, efficiency remained wonderful and extremely aggressive, with practically an identical outcomes at 1440p and 4K. The sport was completely pleasant at 4K with simply over 80 fps.
With upscaling enabled, which appears pointless for these GPUs at 1080p and 1440p, efficiency stays aggressive. Each merchandise achieved the identical 111 fps at 4K, indicating wonderful total efficiency on this title.
Dying Mild 2, when utilizing the high-quality preset, confirmed comparable efficiency between each GPUs. The 7900 GRE provided barely higher 1% lows, however total, the expertise was comparable.
Enabling ray tracing favored the 4070 Tremendous, which delivered 12% larger efficiency at 1080p, 14% at 1440p, and 18% at 4K. Whereas body charges at 1440p and 1080p have been acceptable, the Radeon GPU offered a superb expertise.
With upscaling enabled, 60 fps or extra at 4K is achievable. Though the 4070 Tremendous was 11% sooner right here, enjoying with the 7900 GRE remained a viable choice.
In Hogwarts Legacy, outcomes have been very comparable at 1080p and 1440p. The 4070 Tremendous delivered higher 1% lows at 1080p, however the 7900 GRE confirmed barely extra energy at 4K.
Enabling ray tracing negatively impacted the 7900 GRE on this title, and whereas the GeForce GPU was sooner, the benefit was solely about 5% at 1080p and 10% at 1440p. Efficiency at 4K was problematic for each fashions.
Upscaling considerably aids 4K efficiency, besides, the body time efficiency was poor, resulting in a suboptimal expertise. At 1080p and 1440p, each GPUs have been CPU restricted to round 70 fps.
Placing It All Collectively: Rasterization Efficiency
Now, it is time to evaluation the common outcomes, beginning with the rasterization benchmarks, which cowl 25 video games. At 1080p, the Radeon 7900 GRE was a match for the 4070 Tremendous.
The Radeon GRE excelled in F1 23, whereas it lagged by double digits in Horizon Forbidden West, Ratchet & Clank, Helldivers 2, and Fortnite utilizing the Epic high quality settings.
At 1440p, the 7900 GRE was 2% sooner on common, so as soon as once more, the efficiency total was evenly matched. The Radeon GPU carried out notably properly in F1 23, but in addition stood out in Counter-Strike 2 with a 20% margin.
On the 4K decision, the GRE was 5% sooner on common, with Helldivers 2 being the one sport the place it confirmed a weaker efficiency. Other than that, the Radeon GPU was dominant at this increased decision.
Placing It All Collectively: Upscaling vs. No Upscaling Efficiency
A fast have a look at the rasterization outcomes with upscaling reveals that the GRE was 7% slower on common at 1080p, although this comparability includes a smaller choice of video games.
Apparently, with out upscaling, inside the identical choice of video games, the GRE was simply 3% slower, indicating that the RTX 4070 fared higher at 1080p with upscaling enabled.
At 1440p with upscaling, the GRE was simply 3% slower on common, indicating carefully matched outcomes.
Nonetheless, with out upscaling, in the identical set of video games at 1440p, the GRE was truly 2% sooner, suggesting that the GeForce GPU advantages extra from upscaling.
At 4K, the GRE was once more 3% slower, paradoxically reaching its solely win in Avatar.
This contrasts with the 6% benefit it could have had with out upscaling.
Placing It All Collectively: Ray Tracing Efficiency
Now, let’s try the ray tracing outcomes, beginning with 1080p. On common, the Radeon 7900 GRE was 14% slower, with vital disparities on a per-game foundation. All main benefits have been in favor of the RTX 4070 Tremendous, notably in Cyberpunk, Ratchet & Clank, and Alan Wake 2.
The one different sport the place the RT results appear vital is Fortnite, although its aggressive nature usually favors decrease high quality settings for optimum efficiency. Many of those video games, together with F1 23 and Resident Evil 4 as notable examples, present minimal visible distinction with ray tracing enabled, primarily affecting the body charge. This development is frequent throughout most ray tracing-supported video games, with few exceptions demonstrating a considerable enchancment.
Advancing to 1440p, the 7900 GRE was 13% slower on common. The important thing titles the place the Radeon GPU considerably underperformed have been Ratchet & Clank, Cyberpunk, and Alan Wake 2, which have been solely viable at 1080p with out upscaling.
At 4K, with ray tracing enabled, few video games achieved acceptable body charges, with Hogwarts Legacy, Alan Wake 2, and Cyberpunk 2077 being poor examples. The GRE was 9% slower total, however given the commonly low body charges, this comparability is considerably irrelevant.
With upscaling enabled for ray tracing information, the 7900 GRE was 14% slower on common at 1080p. In a number of circumstances, it was slower by a 20% margin, and in three situations, the hole widened to 40%.
At 1440p, the GRE was 12% slower on common. For a lot of of those titles, efficiency, even with upscaling, was unsatisfactory on the Radeon GPU.
On the 4K decision, ray tracing efficiency, even with upscaling, was not viable. For instance, the 4070 Tremendous averaged simply 35 fps in Cyberpunk, 21 fps in Alan Wake 2, and 41 fps in Ratchet & Clank.
What We Discovered: Ray Tracing, Future Proofing, and Efficiency Implications
That was a variety of information, and we might be certain we misplaced a couple of of you alongside the way in which, however those that made it right here with or with out skipping thus far utilizing the article index, properly performed. Now the query is, which one among these GPUs do you have to purchase, and why?
Beginning with rasterization, total efficiency was a lot the identical at 1080p and 1440p between these two GPUs, with a 6% benefit going the way in which of the Radeon 7900 GRE at 4K, which is good contemplating it is 9% cheaper and packs some further VRAM.
So if you happen to primarily care about raster efficiency and the GRE stands up properly within the video games you are at present enjoying, it could be the higher worth choice. That mentioned, complicating issues barely is upscaling and if you happen to’re liable to using upscaling then the 4070 Tremendous will shut in on the GRE, and may accomplish that with barely higher visuals based mostly on our current investigations into DLSS vs. FSR picture high quality.
Then, there’s ray tracing and our opinions right here have not modified for the reason that introduction of the present technology GPUs. That’s, if you happen to care about ray tracing efficiency, you are finest off ignoring Radeon GPUs. However opinions apart, the GeForce RTX 4070 Tremendous was clearly superior in titles which can be identified to finest showcase the expertise, akin to Alan Wake 2 and Cyberpunk.
Within the case of the RTX 4070 Tremendous, with the intention to play these titles at 1440p utilizing ray tracing you’ll require upscaling and even then efficiency is not all the time nice.
Alan Wake 2, for instance, performed at simply 42 fps, which you might argue is sufficient for that title, but it surely nonetheless felt a bit janky to us. Cyberpunk was a lot better at 68 fps, definitely not wonderful, and I might personally moderately play with the ray tracing results dialed down for north of 100 fps, however if you happen to’re a “single participant visible buff” then it is perhaps effective. Ratchet & Clank was fairly good at 76 fps, and we would say for that specific title that is a superb body charge.
Outdoors of these titles, we’re undecided what number of different ray tracing enabled video games there are the place it is value utilizing it. We might want to speculate a while into an business broad investigation to find out simply what number of titles truly supply worthwhile ray tracing results. The listing of ray tracing supported video games is very large, however in our expertise it could look like 80% or so of these titles simply should not hassle providing the choice, as all it does is smash your body charge with no actual noticeable visible enchancment.
However perhaps we’re incorrect right here, and for this reason we wish to spend a superb period of time this yr analyzing what’s on supply. As a aspect be aware, we regularly comply with readers commenting that they’d buy the GeForce GPU as its ray tracing help makes it extra future-proof, however that is merely not true. As an alternative, purchase the RTX 4070 Tremendous to play what’s on supply now, not what is perhaps on supply in a couple of years, as a result of likelihood is it will not be highly effective sufficient to play these titles with any vital diploma of RT results enabled.
For instance, the usefulness of an RTX 2060 Tremendous in in the present day’s finest RT titles is questionable and whereas there are these that can argue that with the fitting settings it really works, there is not any denying it is a extremely compromised expertise, and you have to be fairly snug with 30 fps gaming.
So how a lot worth players ought to place on ray tracing, even in the present day, 5 years after the discharge of the GeForce 20 collection, is difficult to say, and we predict that is an issue. However to simplify the problem, if ray tracing help is necessary to you, purchase a GeForce GPU.
The one different noteworthy consideration on this matchup is VRAM capability, the GeForce RTX 4070 Tremendous comes with simply 12GB for $600 which is weak. At minimal it ought to have been armed with 16 GB just like the 7900 GRE. However how necessary this will likely be transferring ahead is troublesome to gauge, it is more likely to develop into an element if you happen to’re shopping for in the present day within the hope of protecting it for the subsequent 3-4 years.
As a aspect be aware, if you happen to care about energy consumption, the RTX 4070 Tremendous is mostly extra energy environment friendly, decreasing complete system utilization by as a lot as 50 watts when gaming, which was a 13% energy saving in our check system when enjoying Spider-Man, although the GRE was additionally 9% sooner. That mentioned, it additionally elevated complete system energy utilization by 11% in Hitman 3 and was 8% slower, so the GeForce GPU is definitely extra energy environment friendly, it is simply not a major think about our opinion.
After all, you possibly can tinker with each fashions, both overclocking or undervolting, and in our expertise the 7900 GRE responds the very best to both methodology. So if you’re going to fine-tune your graphics card, you would possibly discover much more worth with the Radeon GPU.
Lastly, we should always in all probability simply contact on body technology, as we did not check this in the present day, and it is our opinion that it does not belong on benchmark graphs. It is a body smoothing expertise, not an FPS boosting expertise – it has been poorly marketed by Nvidia and AMD to mislead players. Each corporations now help body technology, we consider Nvidia provides the superior model at current, so that’s to say Nvidia at present has the very best body smoothing expertise.
On the finish of the day, the Radeon 7900 GRE is not tremendous compelling for simply $50 off, it is an 8% low cost for comparable raster efficiency, a lot worse RT efficiency within the titles the place we predict it counts, inferior upscaling expertise, and weaker energy effectivity. The one actual ticks aside from the $50 low cost are the marginally higher 4K outcomes and the additional 4GB of VRAM.
However you might go both means, and AMD’s market share does not put them able the place they’ll afford for potential patrons to only go together with the favored choice.
Buying Shortcuts:
- AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE on Amazon
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Tremendous on Amazon
- AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT on Amazon
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Tremendous on Amazon
- AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT on Amazon
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Tremendous on Amazon
- AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX on Amazon