RTX 5080 vs RX 9070 XT: Complete GPU Comparison 2025
NVIDIA's RTX 5080 and AMD's RX 9070 XT represent the high-end GPU battle of 2025. In this comprehensive comparison, we test gaming performance, ray tracing, DLSS 4 vs FSR 3, power consumption, and value to determine which graphics card deserves your money.
⚡ Quick Verdict
RTX 5080 ($999)
- ✓ 5-10% faster rasterization
- ✓ 20-30% faster ray tracing
- ✓ Superior DLSS 4 + Frame Gen
- ✓ Better for streaming (NVENC)
- ✗ $400 more expensive
RX 9070 XT ($599)
- ✓ Excellent value proposition
- ✓ 95% of RTX 5080 raster performance
- ✓ Lower power consumption (280W vs 360W)
- ✓ Competitive FSR 3 upscaling
- ✗ Weaker ray tracing
Bottom Line: RTX 5080 for maximum performance and ray tracing. RX 9070 XT for exceptional value—95% performance at 60% of the price.
The RTX 5080 and RX 9070 XT represent two different philosophies in the high-end GPU market. NVIDIA's RTX 5080 is the premium choice, offering the best ray tracing, DLSS 4 with Multi-Frame Generation, and top-tier rasterization performance—at a premium price. AMD's RX 9070 XT counters with remarkable value, delivering 90-95% of the RTX 5080's rasterization performance while costing 40% less.
In this detailed comparison, we'll examine real-world gaming benchmarks across 10+ titles, compare ray tracing performance, evaluate DLSS 4 vs FSR 3 upscaling, analyze power efficiency, and ultimately help you decide which GPU is right for your specific needs and budget.
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Specifications Comparison
Before diving into benchmarks, let's examine the raw specifications of each GPU:
| Specification | RTX 5080 | RX 9070 XT |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Blackwell (NVIDIA) | RDNA 4 (AMD) |
| Process Node | TSMC 4nm | TSMC 4nm |
| VRAM | 16 GB GDDR7 | 16 GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit | 256-bit |
| Memory Bandwidth | 736 GB/s | 576 GB/s |
| Base Clock | 2.01 GHz | 1.70 GHz |
| Boost Clock | 2.62 GHz | 2.52 GHz |
| TDP | 360W | 280W |
| Recommended PSU | 850W | 750W |
| Power Connector | 12VHPWR (Native) | 2x 8-pin PCIe |
| Ray Tracing | 4th Gen RT Cores | 2nd Gen Ray Accelerators |
| AI/Tensor | 5th Gen Tensor Cores | AI Accelerators |
| Upscaling | DLSS 4 + Frame Gen | FSR 3 + Frame Gen |
| MSRP | $999 | $599 |
Key Specification Takeaways
- Memory: Both have 16GB VRAM, but RTX 5080 uses faster GDDR7 (736 GB/s vs 576 GB/s bandwidth)
- Power: RTX 5080 draws 80W more (360W vs 280W), requiring a beefier PSU
- Price: RX 9070 XT is $400 cheaper—a massive 40% savings
- Connectivity: RTX 5080 uses 12VHPWR; RX 9070 XT uses traditional 8-pin connectors
1440p Gaming Benchmarks
At 1440p, both GPUs deliver exceptional performance. This resolution is the sweet spot for high-refresh gaming, and both cards easily exceed 100 FPS in most titles.
| Game (1440p) | RTX 5080 | RX 9070 XT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultra, No RT) | 142 FPS | 135 FPS | +5.2% |
| Cyberpunk 2077 (RT Ultra) | 78 FPS | 62 FPS | +25.8% |
| Black Myth: Wukong (Ultra) | 118 FPS | 112 FPS | +5.4% |
| Alan Wake 2 (High) | 95 FPS | 88 FPS | +8.0% |
| Alan Wake 2 (RT High) | 68 FPS | 52 FPS | +30.8% |
| Hogwarts Legacy (Ultra) | 125 FPS | 118 FPS | +5.9% |
| Call of Duty MW3 (Extreme) | 185 FPS | 178 FPS | +3.9% |
| Starfield (Ultra) | 88 FPS | 82 FPS | +7.3% |
| Spider-Man 2 (Very High) | 132 FPS | 125 FPS | +5.6% |
| Forza Horizon 5 (Extreme) | 165 FPS | 158 FPS | +4.4% |
1440p Analysis
In rasterization (non-ray traced) workloads, the RTX 5080 leads by 4-8% on average. However, when ray tracing is enabled, the gap widens to 25-30% due to NVIDIA's superior RT cores. For pure rasterization gaming at 1440p, the performance difference is minimal enough that the RX 9070 XT's $400 savings becomes very attractive.
1440p Recommendation:
Both GPUs crush 1440p gaming. Unless you heavily use ray tracing, the RX 9070 XT offers nearly identical experience for $400 less.
4K Gaming Benchmarks
4K gaming is demanding, and this is where GPU differences become more pronounced. Both cards are capable 4K performers, though some games may require settings adjustments or upscaling to hit 60+ FPS.
| Game (4K) | RTX 5080 | RX 9070 XT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 (Ultra, No RT) | 82 FPS | 76 FPS | +7.9% |
| Cyberpunk 2077 (RT Ultra) | 45 FPS | 35 FPS | +28.6% |
| Black Myth: Wukong (Ultra) | 68 FPS | 62 FPS | +9.7% |
| Alan Wake 2 (High) | 58 FPS | 52 FPS | +11.5% |
| Hogwarts Legacy (Ultra) | 72 FPS | 66 FPS | +9.1% |
| Call of Duty MW3 (Extreme) | 108 FPS | 102 FPS | +5.9% |
| Starfield (Ultra) | 52 FPS | 48 FPS | +8.3% |
| Spider-Man 2 (Very High) | 78 FPS | 72 FPS | +8.3% |
4K Analysis
At 4K, the RTX 5080's higher memory bandwidth (736 GB/s vs 576 GB/s) provides a more noticeable advantage, leading by 7-10% in rasterization. The gap in ray-traced titles remains significant at 25-30%. Both GPUs benefit enormously from upscaling at 4K—enabling DLSS or FSR can push framerates from 60-80 FPS to 120+ FPS.
Ray Tracing Performance
Ray tracing is where NVIDIA shines brightest. The RTX 5080's 4th generation RT cores deliver substantially better ray tracing performance than AMD's 2nd generation Ray Accelerators.
| Game (1440p RT) | RTX 5080 | RX 9070 XT | RTX 5080 Lead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 (Path Tracing) | 48 FPS | 32 FPS | +50.0% |
| Alan Wake 2 (RT Ultra) | 68 FPS | 52 FPS | +30.8% |
| Metro Exodus Enhanced (Ultra) | 85 FPS | 68 FPS | +25.0% |
| Control (RT Ultra) | 95 FPS | 78 FPS | +21.8% |
| Marvel's Spider-Man 2 (RT) | 88 FPS | 72 FPS | +22.2% |
| Forza Horizon 5 (RT) | 125 FPS | 108 FPS | +15.7% |
Ray Tracing Analysis
In ray tracing, the RTX 5080 leads by 15-50% depending on the title. The largest gaps appear in path-traced games like Cyberpunk 2077's Overdrive mode, where NVIDIA's architecture excels. However, AMD's RDNA 4 represents a significant improvement over previous generations—the RX 9070 XT delivers playable ray tracing in most titles, especially with FSR 3 enabled.
Ray Tracing Verdict:
If ray tracing is a priority, RTX 5080 is the clear choice. If you primarily play rasterized games or competitive titles, the RX 9070 XT's weaker RT performance is irrelevant to your use case.
DLSS 4 vs FSR 3: Upscaling Showdown
Both GPUs leverage AI upscaling to boost performance while maintaining visual quality. DLSS 4 and FSR 3 are remarkably close in quality, though DLSS maintains a technical edge, especially with Frame Generation.
Upscaling Performance (Cyberpunk 2077, 4K)
| Mode | RTX 5080 (DLSS 4) | RX 9070 XT (FSR 3) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native 4K | 82 FPS | 76 FPS | No upscaling baseline |
| Quality Mode | 118 FPS | 102 FPS | DLSS/FSR Quality |
| Balanced Mode | 135 FPS | 115 FPS | DLSS/FSR Balanced |
| Performance Mode | 155 FPS | 128 FPS | DLSS/FSR Performance |
| Quality + Frame Gen | 185 FPS | 145 FPS | With Frame Generation |
| Balanced + Frame Gen | 215 FPS | 168 FPS | With Frame Generation |
DLSS 4 vs FSR 3: Key Differences
DLSS 4 (RTX 5080)
- ✓ Multi-Frame Generation (generates 3 frames per rendered frame)
- ✓ Slightly sharper image quality
- ✓ Better motion handling, less ghosting
- ✓ Ray Reconstruction for better RT visuals
- ✗ Only works on RTX GPUs
FSR 3 (RX 9070 XT)
- ✓ Works on any GPU (including NVIDIA)
- ✓ Frame Generation available
- ✓ Rapidly improving with updates
- ✓ Open source, widely adopted
- ✗ Slightly more ghosting in some scenes
Verdict: DLSS 4 is technically superior, particularly with Multi-Frame Generation providing massive FPS boosts. However, FSR 3 is excellent and closes the gap with each update. The quality difference is noticeable in side-by-side comparisons but minor in actual gameplay.
Power Consumption & Thermals
Power efficiency is one area where AMD has a clear advantage. The RX 9070 XT delivers nearly the same performance as the RTX 5080 while consuming 80W less power.
| Metric | RTX 5080 | RX 9070 XT |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 360W | 280W ✓ |
| Gaming Power Draw | 320-360W | 250-280W ✓ |
| Idle Power | 15W | 12W |
| Recommended PSU | 850W (1000W ideal) | 750W ✓ |
| Typical GPU Temp | 70-78°C | 65-73°C |
| Power Connector | 12VHPWR (16-pin) | 2x 8-pin PCIe |
Power Efficiency Winner: RX 9070 XT
The RX 9070 XT's 80W lower power consumption translates to:
- Lower Electricity Costs: ~$15-25/year savings at typical gaming usage
- Less Heat: Easier to cool, quieter operation
- Smaller PSU: 750W vs 850W+ requirement saves $30-50 on PSU
- Better for SFF: Easier to cool in compact cases
PSU Recommendation:
Use our PSU Calculator to determine exact power requirements for your build. Don't forget to account for CPU power draw!
Features Comparison
| Feature | RTX 5080 | RX 9070 XT | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI Upscaling | DLSS 4 (Excellent) | FSR 3 (Very Good) | RTX |
| Frame Generation | Multi-Frame Gen | Single Frame Gen | RTX |
| Ray Tracing | 4th Gen RT Cores | 2nd Gen Ray Accelerators | RTX |
| Video Encoding | Dual NVENC (AV1) | VCN 5 (AV1) | RTX |
| Power Efficiency | 360W TDP | 280W TDP | RX |
| Price | $999 | $599 | RX |
| Value (FPS/$) | Good | Excellent | RX |
| CUDA/AI Workloads | Full CUDA Support | Limited ROCm | RTX |
Price & Value Analysis
Let's break down the value proposition of each GPU:
RTX 5080 - $999
- Cost per FPS (1440p avg): ~$7.40/FPS
- Total System Cost: ~$2,500-3,500
- What You Pay For:
- 5-10% more rasterization performance
- 20-30% more ray tracing performance
- Superior DLSS 4 + Multi-Frame Gen
- Better streaming (NVENC)
- CUDA ecosystem
RX 9070 XT - $599
- Cost per FPS (1440p avg): ~$4.70/FPS
- Total System Cost: ~$2,000-2,800
- What You Get:
- 90-95% of RTX 5080's raster performance
- $400 savings for other components
- Lower power consumption
- Excellent FSR 3 upscaling
- Better value proposition
Value Verdict
The RX 9070 XT offers approximately 57% better value (FPS per dollar) than the RTX 5080 in rasterization workloads. The $400 savings could be redirected to:
- A better monitor (1440p 240Hz or 4K 144Hz)
- More/faster storage (2TB NVMe)
- Better CPU (Ryzen 9 9900X3D)
- Higher-quality peripherals
Best CPU Pairings
To avoid CPU bottlenecks and maximize these GPUs' potential, pair them with appropriate processors:
| Resolution | Recommended CPUs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1440p 144Hz+ | Ryzen 7 9800X3D, Ryzen 9 9900X3D, Intel i7-14700K | CPU matters most at high refresh rates |
| 4K 60-120Hz | Ryzen 7 7800X3D, Ryzen 7 9700X, Intel i5-14600K | GPU-limited; mid-range CPU sufficient |
| 4K 144Hz | Ryzen 9 9900X3D, Intel i9-14900K | Maximum CPU power for high-refresh 4K |
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Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
Buy RTX 5080 If:
- ✓ Ray tracing is a priority for you
- ✓ You want the best DLSS 4 + Frame Generation
- ✓ You stream or create content (NVENC)
- ✓ You use CUDA-based applications
- ✓ Maximum performance matters more than value
- ✓ Budget isn't a primary concern
Buy RX 9070 XT If:
- ✓ Value for money is important
- ✓ You primarily play rasterized/competitive games
- ✓ You want to save $400 for other components
- ✓ Power efficiency matters (SFF builds)
- ✓ FSR 3 upscaling meets your needs
- ✓ You want 95% of the performance at 60% price
🏆 Our Recommendation
For most gamers, the RX 9070 XT is the smarter purchase. It delivers 90-95% of the RTX 5080's gaming performance while saving $400—money that can significantly improve other aspects of your build. The RTX 5080 is only recommended for users who specifically need superior ray tracing, DLSS 4 Multi-Frame Generation, or professional features like NVENC streaming and CUDA support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is RTX 5080 better than RX 9070 XT?▼
Yes, but marginally. RTX 5080 is approximately 5-10% faster in rasterization and 15-20% faster in ray tracing. However, RX 9070 XT costs $400 less ($599 vs $999), making it significantly better value. Both GPUs deliver excellent 1440p and 4K gaming performance.
Is the RTX 5080 worth $400 more than RX 9070 XT?▼
For most gamers, no. The 5-10% performance difference doesn't justify a 67% price increase. RTX 5080 is only worth the premium if you heavily prioritize ray tracing, DLSS 4 Frame Generation, NVENC streaming, or CUDA workloads. For pure gaming value, RX 9070 XT is the smarter choice.
Which GPU is better for 4K gaming: RTX 5080 or RX 9070 XT?▼
Both handle 4K gaming excellently. RTX 5080 averages 80-100 FPS at 4K Ultra, while RX 9070 XT averages 75-95 FPS. With DLSS/FSR enabled, both easily exceed 100 FPS. RTX 5080's DLSS 4 Frame Generation provides a larger FPS boost, but RX 9070 XT's FSR 3 is highly competitive.
What CPU should I pair with RTX 5080 or RX 9070 XT?▼
To avoid CPU bottlenecks, pair these GPUs with AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (best gaming CPU), Ryzen 9 9900X3D, Intel Core i7-14700K, or Intel Core i9-14900K. At 4K resolution, CPU choice matters less. At 1440p 144Hz+, a strong CPU is essential to maximize these GPUs' potential.
How much PSU wattage do I need for RTX 5080 or RX 9070 XT?▼
RTX 5080 (360W TDP) requires a minimum 850W PSU, with 1000W recommended for high-end systems. RX 9070 XT (280W TDP) works well with 750W, with 850W recommended. Both benefit from ATX 3.0 PSUs for better transient spike handling. Use our PSU Calculator for exact recommendations.
DLSS 4 vs FSR 3: Which upscaling is better?▼
DLSS 4 produces slightly better image quality and larger performance gains (50-100% with Multi-Frame Generation vs 40-70% for FSR 3). However, FSR 3 works on any GPU and is improving rapidly. For RTX 5080 owners, DLSS 4 is clearly superior. RX 9070 XT owners get excellent results with FSR 3.
Does RX 9070 XT have ray tracing?▼
Yes, RX 9070 XT has 2nd generation Ray Accelerators with significantly improved ray tracing performance over previous AMD generations. While still 15-20% behind RTX 5080 in ray-traced games, RX 9070 XT delivers playable ray tracing performance, especially when combined with FSR 3 upscaling.
Which GPU is better for streaming: RTX 5080 or RX 9070 XT?▼
RTX 5080 is better for streaming due to NVENC encoder, which produces higher quality video at lower bitrates than AMD's encoder. RTX 5080 also has dual NVENC encoders for simultaneous streaming and recording. If streaming is a priority, NVIDIA has a clear advantage.
Will RX 9070 XT bottleneck at 1440p?▼
No, RX 9070 XT is designed for 1440p and 4K gaming. At 1440p, you're more likely to encounter CPU bottlenecks than GPU limitations. RX 9070 XT easily delivers 100-200+ FPS at 1440p depending on game and settings. Pair with a strong CPU like Ryzen 7 9800X3D for best results.
Should I wait for RTX 5080 Super or RX 9080 XT?▼
If you need a GPU now, buy now—both RTX 5080 and RX 9070 XT are excellent choices. RTX 5080 Super (if it exists) would likely launch in 6-12 months at similar pricing. RX 9080 XT exists but at a higher price point. There's always something new coming; buy based on current needs and pricing.
Conclusion
The RTX 5080 vs RX 9070 XT battle showcases two excellent high-end GPUs with different value propositions. NVIDIA offers maximum performance and features at a premium, while AMD delivers outstanding value with minimal real-world performance sacrifice.
Both GPUs excel at 1440p and 4K gaming. Your choice should depend on your priorities: ray tracing and features (RTX 5080) or value and efficiency (RX 9070 XT).
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