Buying Guide
The Best Powercolor Graphics Cards
From the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT to the PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX: four graphics cards ranked on video memory and card length, with who should skip each one.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read4 products evaluated
PowerColor builds only AMD Radeon cards, from Hellhound to Red Devil. Every pick is a PowerColor card, ordered by VRAM.
We sorted these picks by GPU, VRAM and memory, working from the makers' own data; nothing here was tested in-house, and if a maker skips length, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 4 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Largest Video Memory
PowerColor Hellhound AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTXThe largest video memory here (24GB).
Best for: Buyers who put video memory first.
Check price for PowerColor Hellhound AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
PowerColor AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTA 750W minimum PSU stated by the maker.
Best for: Buyers who want 750W minimum PSU stated by the maker.
Check price for PowerColor AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT 16GBThe lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan the next step up.
Check price for PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT 16GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
PowerColor Twin Fan AMD Radeon RX 7800 XTA 260mm length, the shortest 7800 XT here.
Best for: Buyers who want 260mm length, the shortest 7800 XT here.
Check price for PowerColor Twin Fan AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Largest Video Memory1 of 4
PowerColor Hellhound AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX
PowerColor's Hellhound is 320mm long, uses DisplayPort 2.1 outputs and states an 800W minimum power supply.
Best for
- Buyers who put video memory first.
Skip if
- Pass on it if calls for a 800W or larger PSU rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It has 6,144 stream processors and a switch between an OC mode at 2,330MHz and a quieter Silent mode at 2,270MHz game clock. The Silent mode suits a quiet room. The card measures 320 x 118.5 x 62mm, so check case clearance first.
It carries 24GB of GDDR6 and 6144 stream processors. Its 24GB video memory is the largest here; the PowerColor 7900 XT comes next at 20GB. Its 800W recommended power supply is the highest in this group; the PowerColor 7900 XT leads at 750W.
It is the only pick here with an RX 7900 XTX gpu; the PowerColor 7900 XT has an RX 7900 XT gpu instead. The PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX is 320mm long; compare that with your case's GPU limit. PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX: the maker suggests a PSU of 800W or more. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the PowerColor 7900 XT.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 7900 XTX
- VRAM
- 24GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Length
- 320mm
- Recommended PSU
- 800W
- Outputs
- 3 x DisplayPort 2.1, 1 x HDMI 2.1
Pros
- 24GB of VRAM, room for large local AI models as well as games
- DisplayPort 2.1 outputs
- 800W minimum PSU stated by the maker
- RX 7900 XTX gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Calls for a 800W or larger PSU
- Recommended power supply trails the PowerColor 7900 XT (750W)
- Costs more than the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT at the time of writing
The catch
If recommended power supply is your priority, the PowerColor 7900 XT (750W) is the stronger choice.
Also Consider2 of 4
PowerColor AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT
PowerColor's 7900 XT runs AMD's reference 2400MHz boost and states a 750W minimum power supply.
Best for
- Buyers who want 750W minimum PSU stated by the maker.
Skip if
- The maker gives no card length, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Why we like it
Its 20GB video memory ranks second of 4 here, behind the PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX (24GB) and ahead of the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan (16GB). It matches the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan on recommended power supply (750W). No dimensions are published for the PowerColor 7900 XT; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
PowerColor 7900 XT: the maker suggests a PSU of 750W or more. Its price falls between the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan and the PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed card length should compare it with the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan, which comes in at 260mm.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 7900 XT
- VRAM
- 20GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Recommended PSU
- 750W
- Boost clock
- 2400MHz
Pros
- 20GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- 750W minimum PSU stated by the maker
- Reference 2400MHz boost clock
- Recommended power supply of 750W, ahead of the PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX
Cons
- No published card length
- Costs more than the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 4
PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT 16GB
The PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT is built around 16GB of GDDR6.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan the next step up.
Skip if
- The maker gives no card length, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 16GB video memory. It matches the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan on video memory (16GB). Like the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan, it has an RX 7800 XT gpu, while the PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX uses an RX 7900 XTX gpu.
No dimensions are published for the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT with the maker. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan was the next step up. Buyers who need a confirmed card length should compare it with the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan, which comes in at 260mm.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 7800 XT
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- 16GB of GDDR6
- The lowest price of the group at our last check
Cons
- No published card length
- No published recommended power supply
Strong Alternative4 of 4
PowerColor Twin Fan AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT
PowerColor's Twin Fan is 260mm long, the shortest RX 7800 XT here, with two 8-pin connectors.
Best for
- Buyers who want 260mm length, the shortest 7800 XT here.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables.
Why we like it
The card is 260mm long, needs two 8-pin power connectors and lists a 750W minimum system power rating. Outputs are one HDMI 2.1 and three DisplayPort 2.1, and the card measures 260 x 109 x 50mm. It matches the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT on video memory (16GB).
It matches the PowerColor 7900 XT on recommended power supply (750W). Like the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT, it has an RX 7800 XT gpu, while the PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX uses an RX 7900 XTX gpu. It also comes with a dual-fan cooler.
Power for the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan comes through 2 x 8-pin, with 750W the maker's minimum PSU. Its price falls between the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT and the PowerColor 7900 XT, based on our last check.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 7800 XT
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Length
- 260mm
- Recommended PSU
- 750W
- Power connector
- 2 x 8-pin
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Short 260mm length suits compact cases
- 260mm length, the shortest 7800 XT here
- Dual-fan cooler
Cons
- Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
- Video memory trails the PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX (24GB)
- Costs more than the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT at the time of writing
The catch
If video memory is your priority, the PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX (24GB) is the stronger choice.
How We Chose These Powercolor Graphics Cards
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.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up four cards on GPU, video memory, memory and card length from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and card length and recommended power supply are missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX to the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The PowerColor 7900 XT and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT give no card length; the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT gives no recommended power supply.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT ($500 to $1000) to the PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX ($1000 to $1500).
What to Look for in a Powercolor Graphics Card
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory across these picks
Across these 4 picks video memory spans 16GB (the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan) to 24GB (the PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX). For less, the PowerColor 7900 XT is the runner-up at 20GB ($500 to $1000 tier).
Recommended power supply
Here recommended power supply runs from 800W on the PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX to 750W on the PowerColor 7900 XT, a 6% spread. The PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan comes second at 750W, in the same price tier as the PowerColor 7900 XT. The PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT gives no recommended power supply figure, so 3 of 4 picks are compared here.
The circuit board on the back of a graphics card Card length
The PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan tops card length at 260mm and the PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX sits lowest at 320mm. Start with the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan if card length decides it. The PowerColor 7900 XT and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT give no card length figure, so 2 of 4 picks are compared here.
Fit and compatibility
The PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX is 320mm long; compare that with your case's GPU limit. No dimensions are published for the PowerColor 7900 XT; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Features beyond the spec table
The PowerColor 7900 XT: a reference 2400MHz boost clock. The PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT: 16GB of GDDR6. The PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan: a dual-fan cooler.
How to Choose a Powercolor Graphics Card
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put video memory first | PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX | The largest video memory here (24GB) |
| Buyers who want 750W minimum PSU stated by the maker | PowerColor 7900 XT | A 750W minimum PSU stated by the maker |
| Spending as little as possible, with the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan the next step up | PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want 260mm length, the shortest 7800 XT here | PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan | A 260mm length, the shortest 7800 XT here |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX leads on video memory at 24GB, ahead of the PowerColor 7900 XT at 20GB. "Not listed" marks card length where the PowerColor 7900 XT and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX | RX 7900 XTX | 24GB | GDDR6 | 320mm |
| PowerColor 7900 XT | RX 7900 XT | 20GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT | RX 7800 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan | RX 7800 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 260mm |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT, sat in the $500 to $1000 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX at $1000 to $1500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $500 to $1000 | PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT, PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan, PowerColor 7900 XT |
| About $1000 to $1500 | PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX ahead of the PowerColor 7900 XT on video memory?
The PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX tops video memory at 24GB; the PowerColor 7900 XT follows at 20GB, 20% apart. The PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan closes the ranking at 16GB.
Which has the shortest card length: the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan or the PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX?
Between the top two, it is 260mm on the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan against 320mm on the PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX, a 19% difference. No card length figure is published for the PowerColor 7900 XT and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT, which leaves 2 of 4 picks ranked here.
Is the PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX worth paying more than the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT?
What it brings is video memory (24GB against 16GB). The PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT sat in the $500 to $1000 tier and the PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX in the $1000 to $1500 tier when we checked, with 2 other picks between them; pay the difference only if video memory decides your purchase.
What makes the PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX the Largest Video Memory?
It earns the label for the largest video memory here (24GB). The PowerColor 7900 XT is next on video memory at 20GB, so this pick's 24GB is 20% further out. The PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT, the cheapest pick, sat in the $500 to $1000 tier against $1000 to $1500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for anyone who puts video memory first.
Do the PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX and the PowerColor 7900 XT differ on GPU?
The PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX uses RX 7900 XTX; the PowerColor 7900 XT uses RX 7900 XT; the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT and the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan use RX 7800 XT.
What should I check before buying the PowerColor 7900 XT?
No dimensions are published for the PowerColor 7900 XT; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. PowerColor 7900 XT: the maker suggests a PSU of 750W or more. In this guide it ranks second of 4, and second of 4 on video memory (20GB).
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the PowerColor Hellhound 7900 XTX, chosen for the largest video memory here (24GB). Look at the PowerColor 7900 XT for a 750W minimum PSU stated by the maker, the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT for the lowest price of the group at our last check and the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan for a 260mm length, the shortest 7800 XT here if those matter more to you.
Radeon cards use 8-pin power; count your PSU's PCIe cables.
Related Guides
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- Related guideThe Best Budget Graphics Cards
- Similar guideThe Best AMD Radeon Graphics Cards
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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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