In TechSpot’s March 2021 comparison, the Radeon RX 6700 XT averaged about 30% higher stock gaming performance than the RX 5700 XT, while using roughly 15% less power in that test. That result is specific to TechSpot’s games and test system, not a promise of the same uplift in every title. When the outlet matched both reference cards at 1.8GHz, results were much closer and varied by game and resolution.
RX 6700 XT vs. RX 5700 XT specifications
The RX 5700 XT is based on AMD’s first-generation RDNA architecture; the RX 6700 XT uses RDNA 2. AMD’s launch materials list both GPUs on a 7nm process, with the same number of compute units and stream processors. The 6700 XT’s stock advantage therefore does not come from a higher published CU or shader count.
| Specification | Radeon RX 6700 XT | Radeon RX 5700 XT |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | RDNA 2 | RDNA |
| Process | 7nm (AMD launch materials) | 7nm (AMD launch materials) |
| Compute units | 40 | 40 |
| Stream processors | 2,560 | 2,560 |
| Memory | 12GB GDDR6 | 8GB GDDR6 |
| Memory interface / cache | 192-bit interface; 96MB Infinity Cache | Not stated in the cited AMD launch specification |
| Maximum listed boost clock | Up to 2,581MHz | Up to 1,905MHz |
| Typical board power | 230W (AMD specification) | Not stated in the cited AMD launch specification |
| AMD minimum PSU recommendation | 650W | Not stated in the cited AMD launch specification |
| Power connectors | One 8-pin and one 6-pin (AMD specification) | Not stated in the cited AMD launch specification |
Specifications: AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT product page and AMD’s 2019 RX 5700 XT launch announcement. A card’s listed boost clock is not a guarantee that it will sustain that frequency; partner-card designs and workloads differ.
How much faster is the RX 6700 XT in games?
TechSpot found about 30% higher average gaming performance for the RX 6700 XT than the RX 5700 XT in its 2021 stock comparison. In the same test, it reported roughly 15% lower power use for the 6700 XT. Both are review-specific measured averages, not manufacturer specifications or universal results; the uplift in an individual game can differ.
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- System Compatibility Note: This 2‑slot card measures 249 mm (L) x 132 mm (W) x 41 mm (H) and requires a single 8‑pin power connector. Please verify available chassis clearance and ensure your power supply is rated for a recommended 550W before purchase.
- Dedicated Support: Please contact us directly through Amazon for any product questions or assistance you may require.
- Next‑Gen AMD RDNA 4 Architecture: Powered by the AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT GPU with 32 Compute Units featuring 3rd Gen Ray Tracing and 2nd Gen AI Accelerators, delivering exceptional 1440p gaming and AI‑enhanced performance.
- Blazing‑Fast Engine Clock: Delivers a boost clock of up to 3290 MHz and a game clock of 2700 MHz out of the box, providing the raw power for smooth, high‑framerate gameplay.
- 16GB GDDR6 Memory on 128‑Bit Bus: Equipped with 16GB of high‑speed GDDR6 memory running at 20 Gbps, offering ample capacity and bandwidth for modern game textures and creative applications.
The outlet’s separate clock-matched experiment helps explain the gap. It tested AMD reference cards at 1.8GHz, monitored clocks, left memory at stock, and used a Ryzen 9 5950X system with 32GB of DDR4-3200 CL14 memory. Results were generally close but varied by game and resolution: the 5700 XT was slightly faster in some lower-resolution results, while the 6700 XT led in some 1440p and 4K results.
TechSpot suggested the 6700 XT’s memory system and Infinity Cache could help explain some results. That is the reviewer’s interpretation, not an isolated measurement proving the cache caused a particular uplift. The matched-clock test also shows why the stock average should not be presented as a pure architectural or per-clock gain: the 6700 XT’s higher operating frequencies account for much of its advantage in that comparison.
Rank #2
- Axial-tech fans now feature a smaller fan hub that facilitates longer blades and a barrier ring that increases downward air pressure
- 2.5-slot design allows for greater build compatibility while maintaining cooling performance
- 0dB technology lets you enjoy light gaming in relative silence
- Dual BIOS switch lets you toggle between Quiet and Performance BIOS profiles
- Dual ball fan bearings last up to twice as long as sleeve bearing designs
Read the TechSpot RX 6700 XT vs. RX 5700 XT comparison for its game-by-game results and test details. Its 2021 findings provide historical performance context; they do not establish a current 2026 ranking across newer games.
What the memory and architecture differences mean
The RX 6700 XT has 12GB of GDDR6 and a 96MB Infinity Cache; the RX 5700 XT has 8GB of GDDR6. The additional capacity and different memory design are relevant distinctions, but memory capacity alone does not determine frame rate. TechSpot’s clock-matched results varied across games and resolutions, rather than showing one fixed gain attributable to memory.
Rank #3
- System Compatibility Note: 2.5‑slot card measuring 303 mm (L) x 131 mm (W) x 45 mm (H); requires a single 8‑pin power connector and a recommended 550W power supply. Please verify chassis clearance and power supply capacity before purchase.
- Dedicated Support: Please contact us directly through Amazon for any product questions or assistance you may require.
- AMD RDNA 3 Architecture with AI & Ray Tracing Acceleration: Powered by 32 RDNA 3 Compute Units featuring 3rd Gen Ray Tracing Accelerators and 2nd Gen AI Accelerators, delivering lifelike lighting, shadows, and superior machine learning performance for enhanced gaming and content creation.
- Powerful 1080p & 1440p Gaming Engine: Features a max boost clock of up to 2695 MHz, a game clock of 2280 MHz, and 2048 stream processors, ensuring outstanding frame rates in the latest titles.
- 8GB High‑Speed GDDR6 Memory: Equipped with 8GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128‑bit interface running at 18 Gbps, delivering up to 288 GB/s bandwidth for high‑resolution textures and demanding game workloads.
AMD’s RX 6700 XT launch materials also list ray-tracing support for RDNA 2. The sources cited here do not provide a same-method ray-tracing comparison between these two cards, so they cannot establish how much faster one is at ray-traced workloads.
Power, PSU, and card fit
AMD lists the RX 6700 XT at 230W typical board power, recommends a minimum 650W power supply, and specifies one 8-pin plus one 6-pin connector. These are AMD’s product-level figures; confirm the exact requirements for the partner card you are considering and the needs of your whole system before changing a PSU. The roughly 15% lower power result comes from TechSpot’s particular 2021 comparison and should not replace the manufacturer’s system-fit guidance.
Rank #4
- Chipset: AMD RX 7600
- Memory: 8GB GDDR6
- XFX SWFT Dual Fan Cooling Solution
- Boost Clock: Up to 2655 MHz
Is the RX 6700 XT a worthwhile upgrade?
For a performance comparison based on the available head-to-head evidence, the RX 6700 XT is the faster stock card: TechSpot measured an average lead of about 30% in its 2021 suite. Whether it is a worthwhile purchase or upgrade now depends on factors that figure does not answer.
- For expected gaming speed: Use the stock results as a useful historical benchmark, not a guaranteed uplift for your own games or system.
- For an architecture comparison: The 1.8GHz results are the more relevant experiment, but their close, title-dependent outcomes do not make the cards identical in real-world use.
- For a current buying decision: Compare current prices, card condition, and performance in the games you play. Current street prices and a contemporary 2026 game-suite comparison are not established by the cited evidence.
- For installation: Check the specific card’s power connectors and requirements against your PSU and the rest of your PC.
AMD positioned the RX 6700 XT at launch as a 1440p gaming card. Scott Herkelman, then AMD’s corporate vice president and general manager of its Graphics Business Unit, said it “hits the sweet spot for 1440p gaming.” That is AMD’s launch positioning, not an independent benchmark verdict. AMD announced a $479 launch SEP for the RX 6700 XT in March 2021; it is historical launch pricing, not a current value estimate. The RX 5700 XT’s $449 launch SEP, announced in 2019, is likewise historical rather than a current price comparison. See AMD’s RX 6700 XT launch announcement and RX 5700 XT launch announcement.
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- Not compatible with all built-in computers or systems
- AMD Radeon RX 6600 GPU: Built on RDNA 2 architecture, delivering excellent 1080p gaming performance with high efficiency.
- 8GB GDDR6 Memory: Provides smooth gameplay and multitasking with fast data transfer rates.
- Challenger D Cooling: Features a dual-fan design for effective heat dissipation and quiet operation.
- PCIe 4.0 Support: Ensures high bandwidth for improved gaming and productivity performance.
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