Today, we’ll compare these two cards, check their pros and cons, and see which one is more suitable for your specific application.

Spec Sheet Comparison

Before anything else, we should look at the core differences between the two cards. We won’t expect much difference since both are under the 6800 lineup. But even these minor differences can make a significant difference in your system.

As you can see, the 6800 XT offers superior hardware over the 6800. But is the power bump of the former enough to justify its $70 SRP ($100 at current market prices) premium?

Actual Performance

Despite all this talk of hardware and theoretical performance, gamers have no use for them if they cannot translate to FPS and resolution. So let’s look at some actual real-world results from Techspot using various games.

The test bench used in both testing runs uses an AMD Ryzen 9 3950X with 32GB of DDR4-3200 CL14 in a dual-channel, dual-rank configuration.

If you look at the results, the performance difference between the two cards varies between 1% and 19%. Nevertheless, the average FPS increase across all games sits at 11%. This result is on par with the 12% price difference between the two cards, even at inflated market prices.

3 Things to Consider When Choosing the 6800 or the 6800 XT

Everyone will get the highest available, most powerful card in an ideal world. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. So, before plunking all your hard-earned cash on the 6800 XT, here are three things you should consider.

1. Budget

If you’re sitting on a limited budget but really want a card that can deliver, the 6800 is a solid choice. It’s $70 cheaper at SRP than the 6800 XT. This price difference jumps to $100 at current prices. After all, most games go beyond the 60 fps mark, even at 4K Ultra settings.

This means you don’t have to choose between resolution and performance for some titles. But if you want to increase its framerate, consider using a display resolution suitable for gaming or perhaps reduce the quality of some on-screen elements.

2. Current Power Supply

The 6800 and 6800 XT consume a lot of power. Right out of the gate, the minimum recommended PSU for the former is 650W and 750W for the latter. If your PSU sits below that optimum level, you must upgrade it. Or else you risk damaging or destroying your GPU or CPU.

Even if your computer has a 650W power supply, you should look at the peripherals and other currently connected hardware. For example, if you’re running several high-powered USB devices off your motherboard or you have other high-powered peripherals, you shouldn’t put your PSU to the limit.

It’s always a good idea to give some headroom between your expected power use and the maximum output of your PSU. If you’re not sure about your power supply, you should check out these things you should know when buying a PSU.

3. Interior Space

Users with a full tower case will have no issue with both the 6800 and the 6800 XT. But if you have a smaller case, like a micro-ATX or a mini-ITX, you should measure your available space before buying.

Both cards are long, at 267 mm. Furthermore, the 6800 uses two slots, and the 6800 XT takes up an additional half. You should check your clearances first before buying. If you don’t, you might spend more because you need a new PC case to fit your new video card. And remember, a smaller case means you’ll have to really think about your cooling solutions, as it’ll get much hotter, much quicker.

Stick With Something Sensible Or Go All Out?

If you’re building a new PC and can spare the budget, the 6800 XT is the obvious choice. It offers a performance increase almost comparable with its price premium, making it worth the price.

But if you have several considerations, like your budget, existing power supply, or CPU case, then the 6800 is still a decent choice.