Launch MSRPs, release cycles and deals windows as of November 9, 2026.
This is a cross-brand comparison between the AMD RX 7700 XT (RX 7000, High-end, superseded by the AMD RX 9070) and the NVIDIA RTX 5090 (RTX 5000, Enthusiast, current generation), released 16 months apart. Against the RTX 5090, the RX 7700 XT costs $1,550 less at launch MSRP ($449 vs $1,999, 78% cheaper), has 20 GB less VRAM (12 GB vs 32 GB) and draws 330W less at rated TDP (245W vs 575W).
This GPU is no longer the current generation. It has been replaced by the AMD RX 9070.
Superseded by RX 9070
Best for: 1440p gamers who can find a used unit below the $449 MSRP — sits between the 7800 XT and 7600 XT in performance.
Full details →Mid-cycle — next generation may be on the horizon
Best for: Content creators, AI researchers, and enthusiast gamers who want the absolute fastest GPU regardless of price or power consumption.
Full details →| AMD RX 7700 XT | NVIDIA RTX 5090 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | High-end | Enthusiast |
| Generation | RX 7000 | RTX 5000 |
| VRAM | 12 GB | 32 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR7 |
| TDP | 245W | 575W |
| Upscaling | FSR3 | DLSS4 |
| Ray Tracing | ✅ | ✅ |
| Launch MSRP | $449 | $1999 |
| Editor score | 7.8/10 | 9.4/10 |
| Released | Sep 6, 2023 | Jan 30, 2025 |
| Cycle length | ~550 days | ~850 days |
| Cycle advice | Superseded | Caution |
| Deals advice | Clearance | Caution |
| Successor | RX 9070 | — |
No longer stocked new by major retailers as of October 2026 — used units around $370–$450, at or below the $449 MSRP, are the only sensible way to buy one.
Comfortable VRAM for 1440p gaming.
Well-optimized after 18+ months of updates.
Double the VRAM of the RTX 5080 ensures headroom for 8K textures, AI model training, and multi-monitor setups.
Generates multiple frames per rendered frame, dramatically boosting perceived frame rates in supported games.
New shader cores, enhanced RT cores, and Tensor cores deliver the largest generational leap NVIDIA has shipped.
Released Sep 6, 2023, the RX 7700 XT has been on the market for 3 years 2 months. It has been superseded by the AMD RX 9070, which launched Mar 6, 2025, so it's no longer a current-generation buy — new stock is clearance, and the rest of the market is second-hand.
Released Jan 30, 2025, the RTX 5090 has been on the market for 21 months. The next model on our radar: the RTX 6090, expected 2028 (rumoured) — roughly 418 days out if that date holds. That puts the RTX 5090 about 61% of the way through its current cycle, which our model rates Caution.
On timing, the RTX 5090 is the only current-generation option of the two (Caution), while the RX 7700 XT is a clearance or used purchase.
At launch MSRP the RX 7700 XT is $1,550 cheaper than the RTX 5090 ($449 vs $1,999, 78% less). Per gigabyte of VRAM that's $37.4 for the RX 7700 XT and $62.5 for the RTX 5090 — the RX 7700 XT gives more memory for the money. Launch MSRP is only a reference point for a superseded card; its real price is whatever clearance or used stock sells for today.
RX 7700 XT (deals window to Dec 5, 2026, rated Caution): Black Friday 2026 — new stock has dried up, so retail clearance deals are unlikely. Watch the used market for units under $350.
RTX 5090 (deals window to Dec 5, 2026, rated Caution): Black Friday / Cyber Monday 2026 — usually the best annual GPU deals, but analysts do not expect memory supply to normalise before late 2027, so discounts are unlikely to reach the $1,999 MSRP. Only buy at or near MSRP.
Next on the deals calendar: for the RTX 5090, New Year clearance 2027, from Jan 2, 2027 to Jan 20, 2027.
Our pick: NVIDIA RTX 5090
Our pick is the RTX 5090: it's the current-generation card here, while the RX 7700 XT has been superseded by the AMD RX 9070, and it also has 20 GB more VRAM (32 GB vs 12 GB) and carries a higher editor score (9.4 vs 7.8).
Go for the RX 7700 XT instead if you want lower power draw: 245W vs 575W rated TDP, or if you prefer AMD's FSR3 upscaling to NVIDIA's DLSS4.
Buy/Wait and deals ratings come from release-cycle and pricing data, not benchmarks. How we rate →