Gameplay Performance
We are going to focus on 1440p gameplay performance with the AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT. 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. Ray Tracing performance will be shown on a separate page.
When comparing video cards in this review, we are using an AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, Radeon RX 6800, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Founders Edition. Keep in mind launch prices by MSRP for comparison, the Radeon RX 6800 XT launched at $649, the Radeon RX 6800 launched at $579, and the GeForce RTX 4070 FE launched at $599. The Radeon RX 7800 XT has a launch MSRP of $499.
Returnal
Returnal was launched on the PC in February of 2023 and is based on Unreal Engine 4. The game supports real-time ray tracing effects, particle systems, and volumetric rendering. We utilize the graphics preset to set EPIC graphics settings with unlocked framerate, and everything is enabled except ray tracing, we have screen-space reflections on. We use the built-in benchmark.
In Returnal, we are playing at 1440p with EPIC settings, and the AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT offers a more than playable gameplay experience at over 100FPS. The game runs smoothly and is enjoyable. In performance, the Radeon RX 7800 XT is 2% faster than the Radeon RX 6800 XT (but keep in mind that by MSRP it is $150 less), so keep its price point in mind and compare by what is also $499 today. The Radeon RX 7800 XT is 13% faster than the GeForce RTX 4070, at the same price point, and also has more VRAM. Compared to the Radeon RX 6800 the Radeon RX 7800 XT is 20% faster. FSR can also boost performance and brings that up to 140FPS, which is again on par with the Radeon RX 6800 XT in performance.
Forspoken
Forspoken was released on January 24th, 2023, on the PC and uses the Luminous Engine. The game supports all upscaling methods and Ray Tracing. We are going to customize the settings and enable the highest graphics settings, including Ultra High Texture Memory. We use the built-in benchmark.
In Forspoken, we are running at the highest possible settings at 1440p and the Radeon RX 7800 XT is very playable at almost 90FPS, the game runs smoothly. The Radeon RX 7800 XT is 6% faster than the Radeon RX 6800 XT here, so wider than Returnal was. The Radeon RX 7800 XT is only 2% faster than the GeForce RTX 4070 though, so they are practically the same performance. Compared to the Radeon RX 6800 the Radeon RX 7800 XT is 20% faster.
The Callisto Protocol
The Callisto Protocol was released in December of 2022 on the PC and is based on Unreal Engine 4. We run the game in DX12 mode with unlimited framerate, and all graphics settings enabled and at the highest graphics settings. This game supports ray tracing, and FSR upscaling only, we use FSR2 for testing. We use the built-in benchmark.
The Callisto Protocol sort of bucks the trend for the performance wins of the Radeon RX 7800 XT. In this game, it is beaten by both the Radeon RX 6800 XT and GeForce RTX 4070 in performance. The Radeon RX 7800 XT is actually 5% slower than the Radeon RX 6800 XT in this game, and 3% slower than the GeForce RTX 4070. We double and triple-checked these results, including a full driver uninstall, reset, and re-install just to be sure. While the Radeon RX 7800 XT is technically slower, it still offers playable performance at 88FPS at 1440p here, which is nothing to scoff at. It is 18% faster than the Radeon RX 6800.
Call of Duty Modern Warfare II
Call of Duty Modern Warfare II was released on October 27, 2022, on the PC and uses the IW 9.0 gaming engine. The game supports all upscaling methods, and we use the highest quality option of each. We customize every graphics setting to the maximum value for the best image quality and enable everything. We use the built-in benchmark.
Call of Duty Modern Warfare II shows things in a completely different light. In this game, the Radeon RX 7800 XT does miles better than even the Radeon RX 6800 XT, offering 15% more performance over the RX 6800 XT. Compared to the GeForce RTX 4070 the Radeon RX 7800 XT is a whopping 29% faster. Compared to the Radeon RX 6800 it is 38% faster. For whatever reason, the Radeon RX 7800 XT is the best card for this game.
Chernobylite Enhanced Edition
Chernobylite, based on Unreal Engine 4, was released on the PC in 2021, but the Enhanced Edition update for the game was released in April 2022. The Enhanced Edition provides a visual overhaul of the game with better textures, plus introduces tessellation and ray tracing features. It features raytraced reflections, raytraced translucency, raytraced caustics, and raytraced dynamic diffuse global illumination. It supports upscaling, and we use the highest quality. We use the built-in benchmark.
Chernobylite Enhanced Edition is much like The Callisto Protocol, the Radeon RX 7800 XT dips below the GeForce RTX 4070 and Radeon RX 6800 XT in performance, though it is super close to the Radeon RX 6800 XT. The Radeon RX 7800 XT is 15% slower than the GeForce RTX 4070, though both offer above 100FPS performance for smooth gameplay. The Radeon RX 7800 XT is 2% slower than the Radeon RX 6800 XT but 15% faster than the Radeon RX 6800. The GeForce RTX 4070 also runs away with a huge performance win using DLSS in this game at 176FPS at 1440p.
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 FSR2. We use the built-in preset to set “HIGH QUALITY” which sets the highest game graphics, without Ray Tracing. We manually enable DX12 and ASYNC Compute. We use the built-in benchmark.
In Dying Light 2 the Radeon RX 7800 is faster than the GeForce RTX 4070, but only by a slight 3%, which is practically the same performance. The Radeon RX 6800 XT is actually faster than the Radeon RX 7800 XT here, the Radeon RX 7800 XT is 5% slower than the Radeon RX 6800 XT. The Radeon RX 7800 XT is only 10% faster than the Radeon RX 6800.
Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 was released in December 2020 and uses the REDengine 4. We have the game patched to version 1.62 and utilize the built-in benchmark. We test using the Graphics Preset option to set graphics settings to “Ultra”. We utilize the highest quality upscaling.
In Cyberpunk 2077, we see the Radeon RX 7800 XT step out with a pretty big win over all the video cards here. The Radeon RX 7800 XT is 9% faster than the Radeon RX 6800 XT, and 21% faster than the GeForce RTX 4070, which is pretty large for this very intense game. The Radeon RX 7800 XT also takes the win with FSR 2 enabled at 111FPS at 1440p.