Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for the Ryzen 9 9900X3D
Five graphics cards compared, from the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X to the PNY 5080 Epic-X, with the trade-offs of each named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
The Ryzen 9 9900X3D combines cache for gaming with 12 cores for work. Every pick is an RTX 5070 Ti, RTX 5080, RX 9070 XT or RX 7900 XTX that cost $1,800 or less.
Our comparison rests on published figures for GPU, VRAM and memory; where a maker leaves out thickness, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Premium Pick
PNY GeForce RTX 5080 Epic-X RGB OC Triple-FanThe highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with triple 100mm axial fans.
Best for: Buyers who want triple 100mm axial fans and can spend more than the ROG Strix 5070 Ti costs.
Check price for PNY GeForce RTX 5080 Epic-X RGB OC Triple-Fan on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 5070 Ti OC EditionA vapor chamber with MaxContact design.
Best for: Buyers who want vapor chamber with MaxContact design.
Check price for ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 5070 Ti OC Edition on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Largest Video Memory
Sapphire Pulse AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTXThe largest video memory here (24GB).
Best for: Buyers who put video memory first.
Check price for Sapphire Pulse AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5070 Ti White OC EditionA white finish.
Best for: Buyers who want white finish.
Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5070 Ti White OC Edition on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
MSI Gaming RTX 5080 16G Ventus 3X OC BlackThe lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti White.
Check price for MSI Gaming RTX 5080 16G Ventus 3X OC Black on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Premium Pick1 of 5
PNY GeForce RTX 5080 Epic-X RGB OC Triple-Fan
What the PNY 5080 Epic-X brings to the table is triple 100mm axial fans, plus Epic-X RGB lighting.
Best for
- Buyers who want triple 100mm axial fans and can spend more than the ROG Strix 5070 Ti costs.
Skip if
- The maker gives no cooler thickness, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Why we like it
It also offers a 16GB video memory. It matches the ROG Strix 5070 Ti, the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti White and the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X on video memory (16GB). No dimensions are published for the PNY 5080 Epic-X; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the PNY 5080 Epic-X with the maker. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the ROG Strix 5070 Ti. Buyers who need a confirmed cooler thickness should compare it with the Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX, which comes in at 2.7-slot.
Key specs
- GPU
- RTX 5080
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Memory
- GDDR7
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- Triple 100mm axial fans
- Epic-X RGB lighting
Cons
- No published cooler thickness
- Costs more than the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 5070 Ti OC Edition
The ROG Strix 5070 Ti stands out for a vapor chamber with MaxContact design, and it adds 0dB fan stop at light loads.
Best for
- Buyers who want vapor chamber with MaxContact design.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: its 3.2-slot cooler covers the slots below.
Why we like it
It also offers a 16GB video memory and offers a 3.2-slot cooler thickness. On video memory it ties with the PNY 5080 Epic-X, the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti White and the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X at 16GB. Its 3.2-slot cooler thickness is the thickest in this group; the Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX leads at 2.7-slot.
It is the only pick here with a 2625MHz (OC mode) boost clock; the Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX has a 2525MHz boost clock instead. The ROG Strix 5070 Ti occupies 3.2 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the ROG Strix 5070 Ti with the maker. When we checked, only the Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX and cheaper picks cost less, and the PNY 5080 Epic-X cost more.
Key specs
- GPU
- RTX 5070 Ti
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Memory
- GDDR7
- Thickness
- 3.2-slot
- Boost clock
- 2625MHz (OC mode)
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- Vapor chamber with MaxContact design
- 0dB fan stop at light loads
Cons
- Its 3.2-slot cooler covers the slots below
- Cooler thickness trails the Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX (2.7-slot)
- Costs more than the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X at the time of writing
The catch
Cooler thickness is its weakest area, and the Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX covers it better at 2.7-slot.
Largest Video Memory3 of 5
Sapphire Pulse AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX
Sapphire's Pulse is a 2.7-slot, 313mm RX 7900 XTX, thinner than the Nitro+, with a 2525MHz boost.
Best for
- Buyers who put video memory first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its boost clock reaches up to 2525MHz, and the 24GB of GDDR6 sits on a 384-bit bus. The cooler is 2.7 slots thick and 313mm long, and the outputs are two HDMI and two DisplayPort. It measures 313mm long and 2.7 slots thick, and it carries 24GB of GDDR6 on a 384-bit bus with two HDMI and two DisplayPort outputs.
Its 24GB video memory is the largest here; the PNY 5080 Epic-X comes next at 16GB. On cooler thickness it leads this guide at 2.7-slot, ahead of the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti White (3.125-slot). No other pick in this guide offers an RX 7900 XTX gpu; compare the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti White, which has an RTX 5070 Ti gpu. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper ASUS TUF 5070 Ti White and the pricier ROG Strix 5070 Ti, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 7900 XTX
- VRAM
- 24GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Length
- 313mm
- Thickness
- 2.7-slot
- Boost clock
- 2525MHz
Pros
- 24GB of VRAM, room for large local AI models as well as games
- 2.7-slot cooler, thinner than the Nitro+
- 313mm length
- Slimmest cooler thickness of the picks (2.7-slot)
Cons
- Costs more than the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 5
ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5070 Ti White OC Edition
The ASUS TUF 5070 Ti White is built around a white finish, with ASUS GPU Guard and a support bracket on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want white finish.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when its 3.125-slot cooler covers the slots below is a problem.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 16GB video memory and offers a 3.125-slot cooler thickness. It matches the PNY 5080 Epic-X, the ROG Strix 5070 Ti and the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X on video memory (16GB). On cooler thickness it sits mid-pack at 3.125-slot: the Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX comes in at 2.7-slot, and the ROG Strix 5070 Ti comes in at 3.2-slot.
A 2610MHz (OC mode) boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX uses a 2525MHz boost clock. The ASUS TUF 5070 Ti White occupies 3.125 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti White with the maker. Its price falls between the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X and the Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX, based on our last check.
Key specs
- GPU
- RTX 5070 Ti
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Memory
- GDDR7
- Thickness
- 3.125-slot
- Boost clock
- 2610MHz (OC mode)
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- White finish
- ASUS GPU Guard and a support bracket
Cons
- Its 3.125-slot cooler covers the slots below
- Costs more than the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
MSI Gaming RTX 5080 16G Ventus 3X OC Black
MSI's Ventus 3X Black puts the same RTX 5080 chip and 16GB of GDDR7 in a plainer card.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti White.
Skip if
- Skip it if video memory matters most to you; the Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX offers 24GB.
Why we like it
It cost less than the ASUS TUF at the time of writing, but MSI does not list its length in this listing. On video memory it ties with the PNY 5080 Epic-X, the ROG Strix 5070 Ti and the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti White at 16GB. It shares an RTX 5080 gpu with the PNY 5080 Epic-X; the ROG Strix 5070 Ti goes with an RTX 5070 Ti gpu.
No other pick in this guide offers a 2640MHz boost clock; compare the Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX, which has a 2525MHz boost clock. It also comes with a 256-bit memory interface and a 7680 x 4320 maximum digital resolution. No dimensions are published for the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti White the next step up.
Key specs
- GPU
- RTX 5080
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Memory
- GDDR7
- Boost clock
- 2640MHz
- Outputs
- 3 x DisplayPort 2.1a, 1 x HDMI 2.1b
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- 256-bit memory interface
- 7680 x 4320 maximum digital resolution
Cons
- Video memory trails the Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX (24GB)
- No published cooler thickness
The catch
It gives ground on video memory, where the Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX offers 24GB.
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and cooler thickness as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 5 fields compared are stated for every pick, while cooler thickness and boost clock have gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the PNY 5080 Epic-X to the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X, state GPU, video memory and memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The PNY 5080 Epic-X and the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X give no cooler thickness; the PNY 5080 Epic-X gives no boost clock.
- Price range
- From the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X to the PNY 5080 Epic-X, all sat in the over $1500 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a GPUs for the Ryzen 9 9900X3D
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory across these picks
Across these 5 picks video memory spans 16GB (the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X) to 24GB (the Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX). The Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX is the pick for video memory.
Cooler thickness
Here cooler thickness runs from 3.2-slot on the ROG Strix 5070 Ti to 2.7-slot on the Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX, a 16% spread. The ASUS TUF 5070 Ti White comes second at 3.125-slot, in the same price tier as the Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX. The PNY 5080 Epic-X and the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X give no cooler thickness figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
The circuit board on the back of a graphics card Memory
The PNY 5080 Epic-X, the ROG Strix 5070 Ti, the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti White and the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X list GDDR7; the Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX lists GDDR6.
Boost clock
The ROG Strix 5070 Ti lists 2625MHz (OC mode); the Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX lists 2525MHz; the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti White lists 2610MHz (OC mode); the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X lists 2640MHz. Sort out boost clock before price: it splits 4 stated picks into groups of 1, 1, 1 and 1.
What to check at home
No dimensions are published for the PNY 5080 Epic-X; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. The ROG Strix 5070 Ti occupies 3.2 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. Measure for 313mm and 2.7 slots before ordering the Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX.
How to Choose a GPUs for the Ryzen 9 9900X3D
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want triple 100mm axial fans and can spend more than the ROG Strix 5070 Ti costs | PNY 5080 Epic-X | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with triple 100mm axial fans |
| Buyers who want vapor chamber with MaxContact design | ROG Strix 5070 Ti | A vapor chamber with MaxContact design |
| Buyers who put video memory first | Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX | The largest video memory here (24GB) |
| Buyers who want white finish | ASUS TUF 5070 Ti White | A white finish |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti White | MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X | The lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX leads on video memory at 24GB, ahead of the PNY 5080 Epic-X at 16GB. "Not listed" marks cooler thickness where the PNY 5080 Epic-X and the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PNY 5080 Epic-X | RTX 5080 | 16GB | GDDR7 | Not listed |
| ROG Strix 5070 Ti | RTX 5070 Ti | 16GB | GDDR7 | 3.2-slot |
| Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX | RX 7900 XTX | 24GB | GDDR6 | 2.7-slot |
| ASUS TUF 5070 Ti White | RTX 5070 Ti | 16GB | GDDR7 | 3.125-slot |
| MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X | RTX 5080 | 16GB | GDDR7 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX ahead of the PNY 5080 Epic-X on video memory?
The Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX tops video memory at 24GB; the PNY 5080 Epic-X follows at 16GB, 50% apart.
Which has the slimmest cooler thickness: the Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX or the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti White?
Between the top two, it is 2.7-slot on the Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX against 3.125-slot on the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti White, a 14% difference. The ROG Strix 5070 Ti closes the ranking at 3.2-slot. The PNY 5080 Epic-X and the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X are left out of this ranking because their cooler thickness isn't stated; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
What makes the Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX the Largest Video Memory?
The label rests on the largest video memory here (24GB). The PNY 5080 Epic-X is next on video memory at 16GB, so this pick's 24GB is 50% further out. It suits anyone who puts video memory first.
Do the PNY 5080 Epic-X and the ROG Strix 5070 Ti differ on GPU?
The PNY 5080 Epic-X and the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X use RTX 5080; the ROG Strix 5070 Ti and the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti White use RTX 5070 Ti; the Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX uses RX 7900 XTX.
What should I check before buying the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti White?
The ASUS TUF 5070 Ti White occupies 3.125 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti White with the maker. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5, and fourth of 5 on video memory (16GB).
Beyond the specs, what sets the PNY 5080 Epic-X and the ROG Strix 5070 Ti apart?
The PNY 5080 Epic-X: triple 100mm axial fans. The ROG Strix 5070 Ti: a vapor chamber with MaxContact design. The Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX: a 2.7-slot cooler, thinner than the Nitro+.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the PNY 5080 Epic-X, chosen for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with triple 100mm axial fans. Look at the ROG Strix 5070 Ti for a vapor chamber with MaxContact design, the Sapphire Pulse 7900 XTX for the largest video memory here (24GB) and the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti White for a white finish if those matter more to you.
Install AMD's chipset driver so games are scheduled on the cache-equipped cores.
Related Guides
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- Lower budgetThe Best GPUs Between $280 and $400
- Similar guideThe Best GPUs for the Ryzen 9 9950X3D
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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