RTX 5090 vs RX 7800 XT
Too close to call. At 1440p there is only about 2% between them — buy whichever is cheaper.
The gap changes with resolution.
Graphics card differences grow with resolution, because higher resolutions load the GPU harder.
| Resolution | RTX 5090 | RX 7800 XT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 99 | 98 | +1% |
| 1440p | 100 | 98 | +2% |
| 4K | 100 | 98 | +2% |
In a real build with a Ryzen 5 9600X.
Specs alone don’t tell you which to buy. Here is what each one does when it’s actually paired up, at 1440p.
| Game (1440p, paired with the Ryzen 5 9600X) | RTX 5090 | RX 7800 XT |
|---|---|---|
| League of Legends | 365 fps | 360 fps |
| Counter-Strike 2 | 313 fps | 310 fps |
| Grand Theft Auto V | 156 fps | 154 fps |
| Elden Ring | 128 fps | 126 fps |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 98 fps | 96 fps |
| Starfield | 97 fps | 96 fps |
Modelled from benchmark data, not measured for every pairing. Our published error rate is 21.6% mean absolute error.
So which should you buy?
Whichever is cheaper on the day. There is roughly 2% between them at 1440p, which you will not notice in a game.
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Common questions.
Straight answers on the RTX 5090 versus the RX 7800 XT.
Is the RTX 5090 better than the RX 7800 XT?
They are close enough to call a tie. At 1440p the RTX 5090 scores 100 on our index against 98 for the RX 7800 XT — a gap of about 2%, which is inside the margin where you would not feel a difference while gaming. Buy whichever is cheaper or easier to find.
Does the RTX 5090 or RX 7800 XT bottleneck a Ryzen 5 9600X?
Paired with a Ryzen 5 9600X at 1440p, the RTX 5090 build comes out balanced, and the RX 7800 XT build comes out balanced. Being GPU-bound is the healthy outcome — it means the graphics card is the part working hardest.
Is it worth upgrading from the RX 7800 XT to the RTX 5090?
No. A 2% index gap will not be visible in games, and the money is better spent on the other side of the build — usually the GPU.
Which is better value, the RTX 5090 or the RX 7800 XT?
On performance per dollar at MSRP, the RX 7800 XT wins. The RTX 5090 lists at $1999 for an index of 100, and the RX 7800 XT at $499 for 98.
Check either one against your build.
Pick a GPU and its counterpart, and get a verdict at all three resolutions in under 30 seconds.