Ray Tracing Performance
We are going to focus on Ray Tracing 1440p gameplay performance with both video cards. We will include DLSS and FSR performance on the same graph in the games that are supported. We will use DLSS on NVIDIA GPUs and FSR on AMD GPUs. For video card comparisons we are using an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 Ti Founders Edition Overclocked and a SAPPHIRE NITRO+ AMD Radeon RX 6950 XT PURE Overclocked video card.
Dying Light 2
Dying Light 2 was released in February 2022 on the PC and uses Techland’s C-Engine. The game supports Ray Tracing, DLSS, and FSR. This game supports Ray Tracing environmental effects including Ray Traced Soft Shadows, Ray Traced Ambient Occlusion, Ray Traced Global Illumination, and Ray Traced Reflections. We utilize the built-in preset option to set “HIGH QUALITY RAYTRACING” which enables the games highest graphics settings plus the environmental effects explained above at the highest values. The game is run in DX12 Ultimate mode with ASYNC Compute turned on. For our benchmark, we are using a custom manual run-through at the end of the game hopping between rooftops, as well as free-roaming on the ground city level, as well as a forested area, in the daylight.
In Dying Light 2 we are running at 1440p but we have turned on the highest level of Ray Tracing with all the options enabled. This definitely takes a toll on performance, and right away we can see the Ray Tracing advantage GeForce RTX currently has. The Overclocked GeForce RTX 3090 Ti FE is 63% faster than the Overclocked Radeon RX 6950 XT in Ray Tracing performance. The GeForce RTX 3090 Ti FE Overclocked is playable, while the Radeon RX 6950 XT Overclocked is not playable without upscaling.
When we enable upscaling, the Overclocked Radeon RX 6950 XT does become playable, just barely, with FSR it gains 47% more performance. However, with the Overclocked GeForce RTX 3090 Ti FE already starting at a high FPS, turning on DLSS takes it to almost 100FPS, which is just incredible, an increase of 52%.
Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 was released in December of 2020 and uses the REDengine 4. We have the game patched to version 1.52 and perform a long manual run-through driving in the game’s open world. We test using the Graphics Preset option to set graphics settings. We use the Ray Tracing Graphics Preset of either: “Ray Tracing: Low”, or “Ray Tracing: Medium” or “Ray Tracing: Ultra” as indicated. This game supports DLSS and FSR.
In Cyberpunk 2077 we are running at 1440p with “Ultra” Ray Tracing enabled. Only the Overclocked GeForce RTX 3090 Ti FE is on the border of being playable, the Overclocked Radeon RX 6950 XT certainly is not, even with FSR enabled. The Overclocked GeForce RTX 3090 Ti FE is 66% faster than the Overclocked Radeon RX 6950 XT, again showing the Ray Tracing advantage. When we turn on DLSS the Overclocked GeForce RTX 3090 Ti FE improves by 52% up to 81FPS and is very enjoyable. However, even with FSR it only takes the Overclocked Radeon RX 6950 XT up to 48FPS and it just isn’t as playable.
Watch Dogs Legion
Watch Dogs Legion was released on the PC in October of 2020 and uses the Disrupt game engine. We utilize the built-in benchmark for testing. We have the HD Texture pack installed and enabled for testing. We use the built-in graphics preset of “Ultra” for testing. We utilize the “Ultra” preset quality option for Ray Tracing. This game supports DLSS upscaling.
In Watch Dogs Legion we are running at 1440p and with “Ultra” Ray Tracing. In this game the Overclocked GeForce RTX 3090 Ti FE is 29% faster than the Overclocked Radeon RX 6950 XT. However, even though it is much faster, the Overclocked Radeon RX 6950 XT is in the realm of being playable. The Overclocked GeForce RTX 3090 Ti FE though is more playable, and with DLSS cannot be matched.
Metro Exodus Enhanced
Metro Exodus Enhanced is being run with Shading Quality at “Extreme” and Ray Tracing at “Ultra.” This is a demanding game, that heavily focuses on Ray Tracing utilization, including Global Illumination. We are utilizing the built-in benchmark.
In Metro Exodus Enhanced we are playing at 1440p with the highest quality settings and Ray Tracing. The GeForce RTX 3090 Ti FE Overclocked is 26% faster than the Radeon RX 6950 XT Overclocked. That said, the Overclocked Radeon RX 6950 XT is playable, it’s just that the RTX 3090 Ti FE OC offers much more, especially with DLSS.
Discussion (5 replies)
Join Discussion →Great article, but I'm picky. I'd like to see RT 4k benches with DLSS/FSR. I'm willing to bet the 3090Ti can get close to 60fps or even better.
Probably, but with respect to the title of the article - you have two cards, one costs almost twice what the other does (at least at the time of printing, the price has since been adjusted, it's still 50% higher after the price cut). Thinking about it in those terms, and the numbers suddenly look a lot different.
And that is why I ended my review with this final paragraph under Final Points.
When it comes down to raw performance, with both video cards performing very well when overclocked the key factor will come down to what is available, and how much they will cost. Right now prices are falling, and you can actually buy these video cards at MSRP, or even below. Since that is the case, whichever one you can find for the cheaper price is probably your best bet and best value for right now, and with the raw MSRP difference between them, it could end up being the Radeon RX 6950 XT. It offers amazing raw performance for the price compared to the higher MSRP on the RTX 3090 Ti and has the most overclocking headroom.
As of today the RX 6950 XT is about $1,100 and the RTX 3090 Ti around $1,500. It's up to you to justify the price for the extra RT performance. But then again $1500/$1100 seems like a steal when you consider these cards were going for almost twice the price just a few days ago.
BTW where are the non-oc results for comparison? Yes I'm picky... (and lazy as I know I can just look at the cards reviews) :LOL: :p