PowerColor RX 6800 XT Red Devil Review, Power, Thermals, Overclocking & Gaming In a recent YouTube review by Hardware Unboxed, the PowerColor RX 6800 XT Red Devil graphics card was given an in-depth examination, highlighting its power, thermals, cooling performance, and gaming capabilities. This review is particularly significant given the ongoing interest in high-performance GPUs, especially with the current market conditions in 2024.
Key Features and Design
The PowerColor Red Devil is noted for its impressive build, measuring 320mm in length and 62mm in width, making it one of the larger offerings in the 6800 XT lineup. Its aluminum design provides durability, while its three fans—a configuration consisting of two 100mm outer fans and a central 90mm fan—create adequate airflow. The card is also equipped with customizable RGB lighting, which, while visually appealing, is a typical feature among high-end graphics cards. The reviewer praises the card's aesthetics, indicating that it looks particularly striking when mounted vertically, allowing the unique design features to shine. The back of the card features a full-length backplate with a backlit logo, enhancing its visual profile.
Thermal Performance
One of the standout aspects of the Red Devil is its thermal management. During testing, it peaked at 72 degrees Celsius under load, which is comparable to AMD's reference card but with notably lower fan speeds. This efficient cooling is achieved via a large heat sink with multiple heat pipes, ensuring that the GPU and memory operate within optimal temperature ranges.
Overclocking Potential
The overclocking capabilities of the Red Devil are impressive as well. The card reached clock speeds of up to 2.7GHz during overclocking tests, showcasing its robust design. However, the reviewer notes that although the card offers a mild factory overclock, there remains significant headroom for enthusiasts looking to push the GPU further.
Benchmarking and Gaming Performance
In gaming benchmarks, the RX 6800 XT Red Devil performed admirably, showing a 4% improvement over the AMD reference card at 4K resolution—an impressive feat that placed it between NVIDIA’s RTX 3080 and 3090 in performance. With careful overclocking, performance gains reached up to 15%, highlighting the card's robust architecture designed for high-performance gaming.
Pricing and Market Availability
Perhaps the most crucial discussion point raised in the review is the pricing. Initially, PowerColor did not disclose the MSRP, causing speculation about potential price gouging, especially in the context of current market supply challenges. The reviewer expressed frustration regarding AMD’s handling of pricing and availability, noting that many consumers have yet to find these cards at reasonable prices.
Conclusion
Overall, the PowerColor RX 6800 XT Red Devil proves to be an excellent choice for gamers seeking high performance with effective thermal management and aesthetic appeal. However, potential buyers should remain cautious about pricing and availability, as the current GPU market remains volatile. What are your thoughts on the RX 6800 XT series? Have you had any experiences with the Red Devil or its competitors? Share your insights or questions below!
