AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE review: The OEM desktop graphics card controlled by an RX 6950 XT at lower consumption

You could almost assume that AMD has released its Radeon RX 7900 GRE in secret. Not much was rumored in the run-up, as this model initially wasn’t intended to be released overseas. But now, you can find the graphics card in other places, too – but with a small catch.

This graphics card can only be purchased as part of a complete system or via an upgrade kit. Furthermore, Memory:PC is AMD’s exclusive partner, meaning you unfortunately cannot avoid this shop if you are looking to purchase AMD’s newest model. For this review, we have been given a finished system from Memory:PC based on an AMD Ryzen 7 5700X with 16 GB RAM and the AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE to take a closer look at.

The PC system we tested can currently be found for around US$1,200. In this review, we have taken a look at the new AMD graphics card as well as the entire system’s performance. For a better comparison, we also ran all benchmarks with the AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE again using our GPU test system.

This involves a current AMD5 platform with the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X and 32 GB DDR5 RAM. Memory:PC has gone for a case from SQ power in which to house this system. To be precise, it is the SQ Tower 01 RGB with a glass window on the side and on the front.

This lets you retain a nice view of the installed hardware and the fans with their TGB lighting are put into the spotlight. There is only one issue regarding the glass front, namely it prevents effective airflow within the case. A case with a mesh front would’ve been a better choice, also allowing for more effective airflow within it.

All-in-all, the case is relatively compact and gives the installed hardware enough space. In total, the system is fitted with four 120-millimetre fans which are immediately noticeable when you switch the system on thanks to their RGB lighting. You can choose from different lighting effects via a button on the top.

This means you can avoid having to use an additional RGB software on the system. When it comes to connectivity options, you are restricted to what the installed motherboard allows. Our test system is fitted with the Gigabyte B550 GAMING X V2 , of which we have attached a photo.

The back has enough USB connections and internally, you are also rewarded with quite good connectivity options. At the same time, you should be aware that this is a good mid-range motherboard which can currently be found for about US$110. However, Memory:PC also offers other motherboards which might be cheaper or more expensive depending on their features.

You can choose from a few different models when you are placing an order. So, if you are looking for a model with an integrated WLAN module, then you will need to choose a different one, as our test sample’s configuration doesn’t offer this. Performing maintenance on the system is no problem.

All side parts can easily be removed in order to access components, for example to rid them of any dust. You also have the option to perform upgrades. Two of the four RAM slots are free and one further M.

2 storage device can also be installed. The Gigabyte B550 GAMING X V2 offers standard SATA connections, in case you need further storage devices for your games collection. The case itself has space for four further storage devices (2x 3.

5-inch and 2x 2. 5-inch). The AMD Ryzen 7 5700X in this test configuration is a frugal 8-core processor with 16 threads.

In general, this base is good and powerful enough to play up-to-date games. Even so, you should be aware that in future, no new processors are likely to be released on the AM4 platform. You are able to upgrade to the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D as the fastest gaming CPU.

This processor offers even more performance while gaming thanks to its 3D cache. If you are looking for something a little more future-proof, then you’d be better going for an AM5 platform. Memory:PC also offers multiple options for this.

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700X is a good 8-core processor from the Vermeer generation based on Zen3. With its 65 watts, the processor is also very frugal while still managing to achieve solid performance for many uses. Similar to the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, AMD only announced the Ryzen 7 5700X last year and in turn, it offers almost the same performance levels but at considerably lower power consumption.

Thanks to its Zen3 architecture, the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X benefits from a good IPC. Although, the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X does have quite a hard job of directly competing with newer models. Compared to Intel’s Raptor Lake processors, our test sample can only compete with an Intel Core i5-13400F and compared to AMD, the AM4 model has to admit defeat to AM5.

On average, an AMD Ryzen 5 7600X is able to deliver 17 per cent more performance. For further comparisons and benchmarks, take a look at our CPU comparison table . At this stage, the Cinebench R15 continuous loop is able to give us a good idea of what the installed cooling unit is capable of.

The SQ-Power 150W delivers good work as a top-blowing cooler. Our test sample was able to complete all 50 runs without any performance loss. As you can see in the recored telemetry data, the processor easily managed to reach the maximum TDP without having any temperature issues.

The CPU’s maximum temperature was only 73 °C. The test system did well in the PCMark 10 synthetic benchmarks, although it couldn’t count Crossmark as one of its strengths. Our test sample also wasn’t quite able to shine in the RAM tests and due to their higher RAM clock, the competition did better.

Subjectively, we weren’t able to notice anything negative during the test phase with regard to system performance. Everyday work on the PC is done without any issues and even installing all of the benchmark programs and games proved to be no problem for the system. It also feels as if the system is able to work on tasks simultaneously without any noticeable latencies.

As expected, the system didn’t have any raised latencies when surfing the web. Even playing our 4K test video and Prime95 didn’t lead to any critical latencies. Memory:PC has installed an SSD from Adata into our test sample.

The 1-TB model uses the M. 2 connection and could achieve solid write and read rates. Unfortunately, the installed model wasn’t able to set any new records.

Although, this isn’t necessary, as you don’t really notice this in everyday use anyway. Even so, we would like to have seen slightly better 4K read rates. At 26 MB/s, these are somewhat low.

Faster models are able to reach 100 MB/s at times. Although the installed SSD doesn’t have access to a cooling unit, it still delivers very stable performance under load. Presumably, the CPU cooler (top blower) takes in enough fresh air.

We don’t see any issues regarding the chosen storage amount. At the end of the day, you can easily install further storage devices into the system. One can be installed directly into the motherboard as an M.

2 SSD. Additional storage devices have to use the SATA connections on the motherboard. For further comparisons and benchmarks, take a look at our comparison table .

The AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE is a modern gaming graphics card made by AMD which takes care of 1,440p gaming. The abbreviation GRE (Golden Rabbit Edition) references this year being the year of the rabbit in China and subsequently, this is the newest graphics card model from AMD. In this model, too, AMD has used the Navi31 graphics chip.

In total, it now only features 5,120 shader units, meaning this is the same amount as the AMD Radeon RX 6950 XT. AMD has stayed true to its chiplet design consisting of a GDC (Graphics Compute Die) and MCD (Memory Cache Die), although there are only four of the six MCDs active on the AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE. This results in a memory bandwidth of 256 bits on the current model.

Due to its GPU chip and RAM cuts, its power consumption is now lower – the manufacturer states it is now 260 watts. As a result of its similar technical data compared to the AMD Radeon RX 6950 XT, its lower power consumption is clearly an advantage. How well the graphics card did compared to the old 6000-series top model? More on that later.

Power is delivered via two 6+2Pin PCIe power connections. It features a selection of external ports, including 1x HDMI 2. 1a, 2x DisplayPort 2.

1 and 1x USB-C – the exact same as on the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT(X) . This model of the AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE corresponds to the reference model, which is currently only available in this version on the market. Furthermore, you also can’t purchase the graphics card as bulk or retail variants, meaning at the moment, you have to get it via a system manufacturer.

In addition to this, Memory:PC is currently AMD’s exclusive partner, so this is the only manufacturer you can go through to get your hands on this graphics card model. In the synthetic tests, we noted that the AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE could compare to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 . Compared to the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT , we noted a performance deficit of around 20 per cent.

Our test sample couldn’t quite keep up with the MSI Radeon RX 6950 XT . In turn, the MSI model is an ex works overclocked version of the Radeon RX 6950 XT. If you compare it with Nvidia’s most current RTX 4000 graphics cards, then you can see that the AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE places itself exactly between the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 .

This reflects the expected performance well, as the AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE is made for 1,440p gaming – the same as both of the GeForce RTX 4070 models. In the rendering tests, the AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE did quite well. The AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT and the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX already scored easy points.

In comparison, however, the GRE version lost around 30 per cent performance compared to the XTX model. Compared to the AMD Radeon RX 6950 XT, the AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE came quite a bit ahead. Our test sample delivered around 30 – 40 per cent more performance here.

Compared to the test system from Memory:PC, you can benefit from 10 per cent more performance in combination with a faster processor. When taking a look at its gaming performance, the AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE came between the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 . However, this statement cannot be generalized because certain games can be run better by AMD and certain others by Nvidia.

In general, the Radeon RX 7900 GRE’s raster performance is good enough for it to stand up to Nvidia in within the 1,440p range. In order to provide a more accurate comparison, we ran all of the synthetic tests and gaming tests with the AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE again – this time, with our GPU test system. In the following, we have compared all games directly between the test system from Memory:PC and our test system.

We noted the biggest performance differences at low resolutions, as this is the CPU’s limit. Depending on the game, we noted performance losses of up to 40 per cent in Memory:PC’s test system. With increasing resolutions and details, the gap disappeared and settled at 2 to 10 per cent.

This shows that you can currently also achieve a good gaming performance with an AM4 platform. After all, the Memory:PC can still be upgraded with an AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D , which can be expected to provide a noticeable gaming boost. AMD currently doesn’t have to miss out on raytracing.

At the same time, the AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE has a bit of a tough job competing with Nvidia with activated raytracing. Even the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 ‘s performance can’t be achieved. In order to achieve comparable raytracing performance levels, you would have to go for an AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT .

In idle mode, the Memory:PC system runs quite quietly. At 35 – 36 dB(A), it is still always audible. The case’s construction really isn’t ideal for effective airflow.

As a result, the fans have to work even harder. Under load, we noted about 44 dB(A). If you are planning on placing the system on your desk next to you, then you have to be able to live with a clearly audible system.

Alternatively, we would recommend going for a different case which features a mesh front, so the fans can blow more fresh air through the case. The case which we have already criticized, with its limited fresh air intake, also takes its toll on the installed components. In total, we never hit any critical temperatures during our test.

Even so, we could see – or hear – how much the fans struggled to cool the hardware. During the Prime95 stress test, we measured an uncritical value of 72 °C, but this is due to its low power consumption of 77 watts. If you also put stress on the 3D accelerator, CPU temperatures rise to around 82 °C.

The graphics card looks a little different here. We noted GPU hotspots of 87 °C and the VRAM even hit 100 °C. Removing the side part helps the situation, but this is neither practical nor wanted.

We again have to stress how important case choice is in order to guarantee good airflow within the system. In idle mode, the test system’s power consumption is relatively low – we measured 38 to 54 watts. If you also leave the RGB lighting switched off, then you can definitely achieve even lower values.

Under load, we noted a worst-case scenario of 453 watts which doesn’t overload the power supply. At 850 watts, it is sufficient in size and offers quite a bit of space to upgrade the system in future. While gaming, we measured 385 watts on average.

When we put the graphics card into our GPU test system, we noted an average of 440 watts. This is slightly more than Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 4070 Ti . Compared to the AMD Radeon RX 6950 XT, we noted significantly better power consumption values – 40 per cent less will surely put less of a strain on your wallet.

If you are desperate to get your hands on an AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE, then there is currently no way around the system manufacturer Memory:PC. On the one hand, the system manufacturer will be very happy about this fact but on the other hand, potential buyers will certainly be at a disadvantage, as the AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE is one of the more interesting RDNA3 GPUs that has been released in recent times. You get a larger 16 GB VRAM than its competitors and in terms of efficiency, the graphics card shouldn’t shy away.

In terms of pure screen performance, AMD is able to keep up with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti . With activated ray tracing, AMD unfortunately still trails behind the competition. The AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE offers exceptional performance.

Although it might be a little harder to get your hands on the graphics card, the complete system’s price is totally fair. The system we tested, based on the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X, is able to use the AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE to its best potential. Compared to a faster processor, we only noted 5-percent performance drops if you just focus on the 1,440p area.

The 8-core processor is surely a solid choice in terms of getting value for money. In the long run, the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X will run into some issues if you are looking to upgrade the GPU. At US$1,200, the system’s price is definitely attractive and should prove to be a good choice if you are looking to use the system in an unchanged state and over a longer period of time.

An AMD5 platform would be a more future-proof alternative, which, based on an AMD Ryzen 5 7500F, is also even cheaper. In terms of the test system’s build, we have nothing to complain about – although, the case choice is a little unfortunate. The glass on the front makes good airflow difficult to achieve and as a result, the system is clearly audible under load.

The decision to only make the graphics card available for system manufacturers is a real shame. To put a bit of pressure on Nvidia, selling the AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE for around US$650 would create some real competition. The AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE can currently only be purchased via Memory:PC .

The system we tested can currently be had for around US$1,200 . .