MSI Radeon RX 6600 XT Gaming X review

AMD has introduced the latest addition to its RDNA 2-based graphics lineup, the 6600 XT, which is based on Navi23 architecture. In the past, the 6600 series has typically been targeted towards the mid-range market, falling within the price range of 150-200 USD. However, the new 6600 XT is priced at 379 USD, catering to the Full HD segment. These graphics cards are designed for 1920×1080 resolution and will feature a GPU built on NAVI23 technology.

Radeon RX 6600 XT.

The Navi 23 GPU-based graphics cards are produced using a 7nm process and come with a maximum of 8 GB of GDDR6 memory, connected via a somewhat limited 128-bit memory interface. The 8 GB GDDR6 RAM will be complemented by a 32 MB Infinity Cache. This series of cards is anticipated to deliver performance levels similar to the RX 5700 XT and GTX 1080 Ti, making it a top choice for 1080p gaming and a solid option for 1440p. The RX 6600 XT boasts 2048 stream processors, while the upcoming RX 6600 is expected to feature 1792 stream processors. Various manufacturers have announced their own versions and configurations of the card. Below, we have outlined the key specifications to give you an idea of what to expect.

NAVI23.

The chip known as “Navi 23 XT” is not a new one; it has already been utilized as the graphics solution for notebooks under the name Radeon RX 6600M. This was introduced alongside the Radeon RX 6800M and 6700M graphics solutions for laptops a few weeks back. Most of the cards will come equipped with a dual-slot dual-fan cooler and will feature a single 8-pin PCI-Express graphics connection with a maximum power consumption of 160 watts. The Radeon RX 6600 XT will have 2048 stream processors or shader units, which is lower than the 2560 in the previous model, and a reduced memory interface from 192 to 128 bits. AMD will first release the 6600 XT cards, followed by the 6600. The base reference price for the Radeon RX 6600 XT is set at a rather high 379 USD. Consequently, custom-designed board partner cards with enhanced cooling solutions are expected to be priced well above the 400 USD mark. It is worth noting that the pricing is considered the main issue with this product series.

In this specific evaluation, we will examine the Gaming X version from MSI. It is MSI’s top-tier graphics card in this category, despite being much less complex than a top-of-the-line model, so it only partially lives up to its reputation. For instance, the renowned Gaming-X cooler was downsized from three Axial fans to two. Apart from the decreased length, the cooler’s structure closely resembles that of its larger counterpart. Moving on to the evaluation, let’s begin with some images and a brief overview of the architecture.