The AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT hasn’t precisely had a fantastic begin in life. The dearth of VRAM coupled with the uninspiring efficiency made for a card that is not very interesting even in these GPU-starved instances, incomes itself a lowly 47% in our assessment. We additionally had our doubts about how lengthy there can be playing cards out there on the launch worth of $199.
Positive sufficient, per week on from the launch, you will not discover any playing cards sporting that unique price ticket, though playing cards are literally nonetheless out there. There’s inventory of the Sapphire Pulse on Amazon for $299, whereas Newegg has the teeny Powercolor ITX card for $269, amongst others. Each are much more costly than that launch worth, however at the very least you’ll be able to seize one if you’re determined.
The truth that there may be inventory out there may be learn certainly one of two methods: Both persons are heeding the evaluations and actively avoiding the worst card of this technology, or AMD actually has managed to get a severe quantity of inventory on the market. As ever, it is in all probability slightly from column A and slightly from column B right here.
Earlier than the launch, AMD acknowledged:
“AMD is working intently with board companions, OEMs, SIs and etail/retail companions to make sure as many graphics playing cards can be found to avid gamers as potential, and we anticipate {that a} sturdy provide of AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT graphics playing cards can be out there at launch.”
From AMD’s perspective, the Navi 24 used within the 6500 XT is a tiny chip, measuring simply 107mm2. For reference, the Navi 23 used within the 6600 XT measures virtually double that at 237mm2. And smaller is clearly higher right here, because it means every wafer equates to extra completed GPUs for our graphics playing cards.
It is a gamble for AMD as a result of smaller additionally means much less highly effective, and the Radeon RX 6500 XT definitely suffers on that entrance, even when it’s the highest clocked GPU round. If there’s inventory on the market although, and there does seem like, then finally they may promote—if you happen to’re solely choice is a garbage graphics card, then it is nonetheless going to be higher than nothing in any respect, and a possible improve if you happen to’re caught on a fair worse GPU.
The truth that playing cards are promoting for $60–$100 extra is doubtlessly extra of an issue although, notably at this finish of the pricing spectrum, and so they could be too costly for the weak efficiency on supply. That is undoubtedly true—we weren’t enamored by the cardboard on the launch worth, not to mention at as much as 50% extra.
Ideas and recommendation
How to buy a graphics card: recommendations on shopping for a graphics card within the barren silicon panorama that’s 2021
There’s one other issue right here as nicely, and that is the upcoming arrival of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050, which is because of launch tomorrow. Have funds avid gamers been pushing aside shopping for AMD’s most reasonably priced RDNA2 graphics card in favor of seeing how Nvidia’s least expensive card festivals? There is a good likelihood of it.
Whereas the RTX 3050 is because of value $250, which is $50 greater than the launch worth of 6500 XT, the truth that you’ll be able to’t purchase AMD’s card for lower than that now, makes it much less interesting. Any potential consumers can be smart to attend and see how Nvidia’s funds Ampere shakes out, on the very least.
Not lengthy to attend now.
