Sapphire Radeon RX 6800 XT PULSE 16GB GDDR6

★★★★☆ 4.3 (191)

The RDNA 2 chipset and 16GB of GDDR6 memory with a 512 GB/s bandwidth drive strong 4K gaming at 71.6/100, while the triple-fan Pulse cooler keeps the 350W TDP in check. Its 20.74 FP32 TFLOPS of compute power and 72 ray accelerators deliver capable ray tracing at 75.1/100, backed by Sapphire’s reliable build quality. This card is best for 1440p-to-4K gamers who prioritize high VRAM capacity and ray tracing over AI workloads.

GPU Radeon RX 6800 XT
VRAM 16GB GDDR6
Boost Clock 2310 MHz
TDP 350 W
Memory Bus 256 bit
Ray Tracing Yes
Class consumer
Sapphire Radeon RX 6800 XT PULSE 16GB GDDR6 gpu
68 Overall Score

No current retailer price

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Snapshot

The 30-Second Version

The Sapphire Pulse RX 6800 XT posts a 25,064 PassMark score and ranks in the 81st percentile for ray tracing, which is genuinely impressive for an RDNA 2 card. The 16GB of VRAM is a standout for high-res gaming. But at $890-895 USD renewed, you're paying current-gen prices for last-gen efficiency, and the 350W TDP is a real drawback.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • PassMark G3D score of 25,064 lands in the top third of our database 81st
  • 16GB GDDR6 with 512 GB/s bandwidth is a standout for texture-heavy games 76th
  • Ray tracing ranks in the 81st percentile, impressive for RDNA 2 73rd
  • Triple fan design with 313mm length fits most mid-tower cases 72nd
  • HDMI 2.1 and PCIe 4.0 support keeps it current for modern displays

Cons

  • 350W TDP puts efficiency in the bottom third of our database
  • Renewed status means you're gambling on a used card at $890-895 USD
  • AI and LLM performance is the weakest area at 54.1/100
  • Connectivity options rank below average at the 57th percentile
  • Price per frame is rough when current-gen cards are in the same range

What owners think

The Word on the Street

4.3/5 (191 reviews)
👍 Owners report solid 1440p performance with stable thermals when paired with a good airflow case and mid-range CPU.
👎 A recurring complaint is receiving DOA units or cards missing components like the BIOS switch, which is a real risk with renewed stock.
🤔 Several buyers mention the card runs well at stock settings but requires tuning to manage power draw and noise.

How owner sentiment changed over time

Exclusive

Based on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.

Owner sentiment has cooled since launch
1★2★3★4★5★Q2 '24: 5.0★ · 1 reviewQ4 '25: 1.0★ · 1 review11Q2 '24Q4 '25
Avg ratingHappy (4-5★)Unhappy (1-2★)Bar height = number of reviews

Based on 2 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.

The proof

Performance

The 25,064 PassMark score puts this card in the top third of our database for rasterization, and that's the number that matters most here. In real terms, you're looking at 4K gaming capability that ranks well above average, with 1440p performance that's strong but not chart-topping. The 4608 stream processors and 2310MHz boost clock do the heavy lifting, and the 20.74 FP32 TFLOPS of compute means this thing can chew through shader work without complaining.

Ray tracing is where this card actually surprises. It ranks in the 81st percentile for RT performance, which is a standout for an RDNA 2 card. The 72 RT cores aren't going to match Nvidia's dedicated hardware, but AMD's FSR support picks up the slack when you need it. The 16GB of VRAM is the real longevity play here, sitting in the top third of our database and giving you plenty of buffer for high-res texture packs and future titles.

Performance Percentiles

AI 73.2
Rt 81.4
Vram 70.4
Raster 67.5
Compute 60.2
Feature 66.2
Thermal 72.4
Efficiency 26.6
Connectivity 56.9
Social Proof 75.7
Affordability 26

Specifications

Full Specifications

Chipset

GPU Chipset Radeon RX 6800 XT
Brand AMD
Architecture RDNA 2
Class consumer
Process 7

Memory

VRAM 16 GB
Memory Type GDDR6
Memory Bus 256
Bandwidth 512
ECC No

Compute

Stream Processors 4608
RT Cores 72
Base Clock 2065
Boost Clock 2310
FP16 TFLOPS 41.47
FP32 TFLOPS 20.74

Performance

PassMark G3D 25064
GPU Compute 13147

Power & Cooling

TDP 350
Recommended PSU 750
Power Connectors 2 x 8-pin
Cooler Triple Fan
Fans 3

Connectivity

Interface PCI Express 4.0
DisplayPort 3
HDMI 1
Max Displays 4
Max Resolution 7680 x 4320

Physical

Length 313
Slot Width 2.7
Form Factor ATX
Weight 0.9 kg / 2.0 lbs

Features

Ray Tracing Yes
Upscaling FSR
AV1 Encode No
VR Ready Yes
DirectX 12 Ultimate
RGB No

vs Competition

Against the current-gen competition, the 6800 XT holds its own in raw rasterization but falls behind everywhere else. The ASUS PRIME RTX 5080 and Gigabyte AERO RTX 5080 absolutely crush this card in compute and efficiency, though they cost significantly more. The MSI Ventus RTX 5070 Ti is the more interesting comparison, it delivers better ray tracing and DLSS support at a similar price point to this renewed 6800 XT. The ZOTAC APOCALYPSE RTX 5080 and PNY ARGB OC RTX 5080 are in a different league entirely for 4K gaming. Where the 6800 XT still wins is VRAM capacity per dollar, 16GB is 16GB, and that's not something the 5070 Ti can claim as a clear advantage.

Spec Sapphire Radeon RX 6800 XT PULSE ASUS TUF Gaming TUF-RTX5090-32G-GAMING Gigabyte AERO GV-N5080AERO OC-16GD MSI Ventus RTX 5070 Ti 16G VENTUS 3X PZ OC ZOTAC APOCALYPSE ZT-B50800C-10P PNY ARGB OC VCG508016TFXXPB1-O
Chipset Radeon RX 6800 XT GeForce RTX 5090 GeForce RTX 5080 GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GeForce RTX 5080 GeForce RTX 5080
Vram 16GB GDDR6 32GB GDDR7 16GB GDDR7 16GB GDDR7 16GB GDDR7 16GB GDDR7
Boost Clock Mhz 2310 2407 2730 2482 2730 2620
Tdp W 350 575 360 300 360 360
Memory Bus Bits 256 512 256 256 256 256
Ray Tracing true true true true true true
GPU Class consumer consumer consumer consumer consumer consumer
Compare Compare Compare Compare Compare
Product AIRtVramRasterComputeFeatureThermalEfficiencyConnectivitySocial ProofAffordability
Sapphire Radeon RX 6800 XT PULSE 73.281.470.467.560.266.272.426.656.975.726
ASUS TUF Gaming TUF-RTX5090-32G-GAMING Compare 96.990.197.698.797.696.272.424.699.399.13.5
Gigabyte AERO GV-N5080AERO OC-16GD Compare 85.395.288.794.293.296.291.557.89488.815.1
MSI Ventus RTX 5070 Ti 16G VENTUS 3X PZ OC Compare 79.292.285.688.887.996.291.572.99488.821
ZOTAC APOCALYPSE ZT-B50800C-10P Compare 85.397.588.794.293.296.291.557.89499.119.1
PNY ARGB OC VCG508016TFXXPB1-O Compare 85.397.588.794.293.296.291.557.89482.618

Price

Value & Pricing

At $890-895 USD, this renewed card is a tough sell on paper. You're paying within spitting distance of what a new RTX 5070 Ti or RX 9070 XT would cost, and those cards deliver better efficiency and newer features. The affordability ranking sits at a rough 27th percentile, which means you're not getting a bargain here. The CAD listing at $1,634 and JPY listing at 188,603 yen are even harder to justify when you factor in the renewed gamble. If you can find this card used for significantly less than the current listings, the value equation flips quickly. At these prices, you're paying a premium for the 16GB of VRAM and the Sapphire build quality, not the raw performance.

Read more

Overview

The Sapphire Pulse RX 6800 XT posts a PassMark G3D score of 25,064, which lands it in the top third of our database for raw rasterization. That's a serious number for a card that's now a generation old, and it translates to smooth 1440p gaming with headroom for 4K in plenty of titles. The 16GB of GDDR6 on a 256-bit bus is the quiet hero here, giving you 512 GB/s of bandwidth that keeps textures and frame buffers fed without breaking a sweat.

But this is a renewed card, and the price tag tells a story. At $890-895 USD, you're paying current-gen money for last-gen silicon. The efficiency ranking sits at a rough 27th percentile, which means the 350W TDP is doing a lot of work for the performance you get. If you're okay with a power-hungry card and the renewed gamble, the raw gaming chops are still very real.

Common Questions

Q: Is the RX 6800 XT still good for 1440p gaming in 2025?

Yes, the 25,064 PassMark score and 69.3/100 gaming_1440p rating put it in the top third of our database for rasterization. You'll get high frame rates at 1440p in most titles, especially with FSR enabled.

Q: How does the 16GB of VRAM compare to current-gen cards?

The 16GB GDDR6 with 512 GB/s bandwidth ranks in the 70th percentile for VRAM, which is well above average. It's the same capacity as the RTX 5070 Ti and gives you plenty of headroom for high-res textures and future games.

Q: Is the 350W TDP a problem for my power supply?

You'll need a 750W PSU minimum, and the card requires two 8-pin connectors. The efficiency ranking is in the bottom third of our database, so expect higher power bills and more heat output compared to newer cards.

Who Should Skip This

If you care about power efficiency or AI workloads, look elsewhere. The 350W TDP puts this card in the bottom third of our database for efficiency, and the AI/LLM score of 54.1/100 is the weakest area by a wide margin. Anyone building a small form factor PC should also skip it, the 313mm length and 2.7-slot design won't fit in compact cases. And if you're not comfortable with the renewed gamble, the DOA reports from some buyers are a real red flag at this price point.

Verdict

The Sapphire Pulse RX 6800 XT is a genuinely capable gaming card that's being sold at the wrong price. The 25,064 PassMark score and 81st percentile ray tracing performance prove the silicon still has legs, and the 16GB of VRAM is a real asset for 1440p and 4K gaming. But the renewed status combined with the $890-895 USD asking price makes this a hard recommendation when newer cards with better efficiency and features are within reach. If you find one used for $600-700, it becomes a much more interesting proposition. At current listings, you're paying too much for last-gen performance.

Usage Scores

Overall (68)AI/LLM (54.5)Budget (64.9)Gaming 4k (70.4)Ray Tracing (72.4)Workstation (59.3)Gaming 1080p (66.9)Gaming 1440p (69.3)Content Creation (57.2)
  • Overall68
  • AI/LLM54.5
  • Budget64.9
  • Gaming 4k70.4
  • Ray Tracing72.4
  • Workstation59.3
  • Gaming 1080p66.9
  • Gaming 1440p69.3
  • Content Creation57.2

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