Since mid-August, the custom models of the RX 5700 XT from AMD have been available for purchase. But Nvidia has also responded with its Super models. Can the custom models resolve the issues of the reference models?
Custom models for graphics cards from AMD and Nvidia are primarily one thing: faster, better, and more efficient than the in-house reference models. The custom models for the RX 5700XT from AMD have also been available since mid-August.
The custom models of Nvidia’s Super models have been available since the launch of the Super models. But how do the new custom models from AMD and Nvidia perform in tests? Below, we provide you with an overview:
- Which graphics cards are involved?
- What is the main difference between the cards?
- Which cards are we looking at?
- How do the individual cards perform in tests
- What are their technical specifications?
- Who is the purchase suitable for, and are there cheaper alternatives?
What is the SUPER series from Nvidia and the 5000 series from AMD?
Nvidia’s new Super models
Nvidia’s Super models are the improved version of the older graphics cards of the GeForce 20 series. The series has been available since August 2018, with the graphics chip under the name “Turing” offering hardware-based ray tracing for the first time.
Like AMD, Nvidia also offers fast GDDR6 memory. In contrast to AMD’s 5000 series, Nvidia’s Super models also offer hardware-based ray tracing and DLSS.
DLSS uses fewer pixels and an artificial intelligence subsequently scales the individual frame to the correct resolution.
Ray tracing
Ray tracing tracks all light rays from a virtual space to the viewer’s eye. This results in a more realistic image.
Do you want to see how ray tracing looks in the game? In Call of Duty Modern Warfare, you can check out the technology:
AMD’s new Radeon 5000 series
AMD launched its 5000 series on July 7, 2019. The so-called Navi generation is the successor to the previous Vega series and for the first time uses the RDNA architecture. The Navi architecture also supports GDDR6 memory.
How do selected Nvidia graphics cards perform in tests?
How did we select? Below, we have selected specific custom cards. All cards are custom designs: either models of the RX 5700XT from AMD or models of the RTX 2070 Super. Additionally, the graphics cards are available in stores at this time (September 8, 2019).
Why 5700XT vs. RTX 2070 Super? The 5700XT is most comparable to the 2070 Super. The 2060 Super is significantly lower in performance, and the 2080 Super is significantly higher than the 5700XT. In terms of price, the 5700 XT and RTX 2070 Super are also the most comparable.
If you are interested in Nvidia’s 2080 Super, then check out this article. Here, we have summarized the key test results for you:
The Quiet One: MSI RTX 2070 SUPER Gaming X Trio 8GB
Kitguru describes the MSI RTX 2070 Super Gaming X Trio as a quiet card. It also remains cool. Furthermore, it is good for overclocking. However, it costs significantly more than Nvidia’s Founders Edition and offers only a very slight factory overclock of just 30MHz.
How does the MSI RTX 2070 SUPER Gaming X Trio perform in benchmarks?
In Metro Exodus, the RTX Super Gaming X Trio achieves an average of 80fps at Full HD, which is a good value for a smooth gaming experience. Therefore, it is just behind the Founder Edition of the RTX 2080 and well ahead of AMD’s RX 5700 XT reference model. You can make the most of a 90Hz screen here.
If you play Metro Exodus in WQHD, you will achieve an average of 61.5fps. Here, the RTX 2070 Super Gaming X Trio is again just ahead of the RX 5700XT (58.4fps) and just behind the Founder Edition of the RTX 2080 (64fps).
The Overclocked: Palit GeForce RTX 2070 Super JS
According to Hexus.net, the Palit GeForce RTX 2070 Super JetStream offers solid factory overclocking, provides more than enough performance for WQHD, and is UHD capable with slight compromises. It is also significantly cooler and quieter than Nvidia’s reference design. However, relative to the RX 5700 XT models, it is very expensive at around 580 euros.
The Cool One: Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2070 Super Gaming OC
The GeForce RTX 2070 Super Gaming offers a lot of performance and a great cooling system at a comparatively high price. On average, the card is just as fast as the reference card, as reported by Computerbase.
Overall, the cooling is noticeably better than with the Founders Edition; according to Chip.de, this is due to the Windforce cooling system. The graphics card becomes audible under load but remains significantly quieter than Nvidia’s reference model.
The Strong One: ASUS GeForce RTX 2070 Super STRIX OC
The GeForce RTX 2070 Super Strix from Asus offers about 6 percent more performance than Nvidia’s reference model, offers nearly as much performance as the significantly more expensive RTX 2080, and leaves the RX 5700XT reference model far behind. With its strong performance, the card is more than suitable for WQHD (1440p).
The biggest problem, as TechPowerUp sees it, is the price: with nearly 600 euros, the custom design costs about 90 euros more than the reference model. For about 90 euros more, you only get 6 percent more performance. The good cooling system alone would not be worth the extra cost; however, other graphics cards offer more in comparison.
How do selected AMD graphics cards perform in tests?
The Fast One: Radeon RX 5700 XT Red Devil
Even in Silent-Bios, the performance is above the RX 5700 without XT. Even when overclocking, the card remains pleasantly quiet. For around 480 euros, you get the performance of a GeForce RTX 2070 at the price of a GeForce RTX 2060 Super, which is more than sufficient for WQHD.
According to Hardwareluxx, upgrading from the reference card to Powercolor’s custom model is not worthwhile solely for performance reasons. However, the card offers significantly better temperature and noise values.
How does the Radeon RX 5700 XT Red Devil perform in benchmarks?
In Battlefield V with DirectX 11 at Full HD, the RX 5700XT Red Devil from PowerColor achieves an average of 115fps, just ahead of the Founder Edition of the RTX 2080 Super. This allows you to easily utilize fast shooters and a 120Hz screen.
The 5700XT Red Devil in benchmark at Full HD, Source: Hardwareluxx 
The 5700XT Red Devil in benchmark at WQHD, Source: Hardwareluxx
In WQHD, the RX 5700XT Red Devil achieves just below 61fps – the 2080 Super Founder Edition achieves 65fps and is therefore faster than PowerColor’s custom design. If you want more performance, you need to at least go for the RTX 2080 TI, which offers around 15fps more at 75fps.
The Budget Option: Radeon RX 5700 XT THICC2
The XFX Radeon RX 5700 XT THICC2 is according to Computerbase a solid graphics card with a striking design. It offers better efficiency and performance than the reference design, but the fans are audible during gaming and not suitable for silent PCs.
With around 430 euros, the model from XFX is also the currently cheapest model among the custom designs.
The Quiet One: Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT
The Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT is a significant improvement over the reference model, according to Hardwareluxx. Thanks to the two large fans, the card remains significantly cooler. The noise level stays in a pleasant range, and the cooling shuts down in 2D desktop operation. The overall performance is slightly better than the reference design, but it generally lags behind the RTX 2070 Super models.
In exchange for only slightly increased performance, you should expect very good and quiet ventilation.
The Strong One: Asus Radeon RX 5700 XT Strix OC
The Radeon RX 5700XT Strix OC from Asus offers about 3 to 5 percent more performance than the reference model. This brings it close to the level of the 2070 Super Founder Edition and leaves the 2060 Super far behind.
According to Computerbase, Asus’s graphics card is not perfect, but it is worth the price increase from the reference model—provided the price is lower than that of the RTX 2070 Super. For the higher price, the RTX 2070 Super offers the better deal.
A recap of the graphics cards discussed in this article
In the following table, you can see all the graphics cards that have been discussed in this article.
|
| RTX 2070 Super Gaming OC | RTX 2070 Super Gaming X Trio | RTX 2070 Super Strix OC | RTX 2070 Super JetStream |
| Manufacturer | Gigabyte | MSI | Asus | Palit |
| Architecture | NVIDIA Turing | NVIDIA Turing | NVIDIA Turing | NVIDIA Turing |
| Base Clock | 1750 MHz | 1750 MHz | 1605 | 1750 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1815 MHz | 1800 MHz | 1905 | 1815 MHz |
| Memory Speed | 14 GB | 14 GB | 14 GB | 14 GB |
| Memory Size | 8192 MB | 8192 MB | 8192 MB | 8192 MB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 448.0 GB/s | 448.0 GB/s | 448.0 GB/s | 448.0 GB/s |
| Width of Memory Interface | 256-bit | 256-bit | 256-bit | 256-bit |
| Prices starting at: | 559 Euros | 590.90 Euros | 629 Euros | 578.60 Euros |
|
| RX 5700XT Red Devil | RX 5700XT THICC2 | RX 5700XT Sapphire Pulse | RX 5700XT Strix OC |
| Manufacturer | PowerColor | XFX | Sapphire | Asus |
| Architecture | AMD Navi | AMD Navi | AMD Navi | AMD Navi |
| Base Clock | 1770 MHz | 1605 MHz | 1670 MHz | 1840 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1905 MHz | 1755 MHz | 1815 MHz | 1965 MHz |
| Memory Speed | 14 GB | 14 GB | 14 GB | 14GB |
| Memory Size | 8192 MB | 8192 MB | 8192 MB | 8192 MB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 | GDDR6 | GDDR 6 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 448.0 GB/s | 448.0 GB/s | 448.0 GB/s | 448.0 GB/s |
| Width of Memory Interface | 256-bit | 256-bit | 256-bit | 256-bit |
| Prices starting at: | 479 Euros | 424.90 Euros | 469 Euros | 549 Euros |
Which graphics card is suitable for whom now? What alternatives are there?
Cheaper alternatives for Full HD
Under 200 Euros for Full HD: The Radeon RX 580 from AMD or the Geforce GTX 1660 from Nvidia both cost around 200 Euros: With both cards, you can usually play all games at maximum details in Full HD resolution. A model with 8 GB video memory is definitely essential.
Custom models for WQHD and high refresh rates
Spend more money for WQHD and more: If you are interested in more than Full HD and want stable, high frame rates in the WQHD range, then you should look at the new custom models. Here, you will pay nearly double at around 400 euros compared to the mid-range, but you will get much more: modern hardware, fast video memory, and you can also easily play WQHD with full details.
AMD or Nvidia: What is the biggest difference?
Ray tracing as Nvidia feature: If you definitely want ray tracing and DLSS, then you have to opt for Nvidia cards. Those who can do without it can also choose from a whole host of custom models from AMD, which are generally cheaper and offer nearly as much performance as the Nvidia models.
Conclusion
RX 5700XT custom designs improve many aspects: The custom designs of the RX 5700XT eliminate the weaknesses of AMD’s reference model: The custom designs offer significantly better cooling, are much quieter, and can extract a bit more performance.
Cooling and noise are also the strongest buying arguments for the custom designs of the RX 5700XT. Those hoping for a significant performance increase will be disappointed.
The Super 2070 models offer slightly more performance: The graphics cards perform closely in tests. The custom designs of the RTX 2070 also offer better cooling and are quieter. However, in terms of performance, they are just ahead of Nvidia’s Founder Edition.
Here too, cooling and noise are the biggest buying arguments.
AMD or Nvidia? Which custom design?
The advantage of Nvidia: Nvidia’s 2070 Super offers interesting new technology, especially with ray tracing and DLSS, which could be relevant in the future. On average, you get slightly more performance out of the Nvidia cards than from the competition from AMD.
The advantage of AMD: If ray tracing does not interest you and you can do without a few fps, then go for AMD’s custom designs. The custom designs of the RX 5700XT offer a lot of performance but cost about 100 euros less on average than the competition. Here, you get a genuine price-performance tip, but you have to do without hardware-based ray tracing.
Do you want to know how the reference models perform? Here, we have summarized all the important information about AMD’s reference models:
