Radeon RX 6600 (Sapphire Pulse) review

We invite you to join us as we analyze a fresh iteration of NAVI23-based graphics cards. Specifically, we will be examining the Radeon RX 6600 (non-XT) and, in particular, the Sapphire Pulse variant in this evaluation. If it truly lives up to AMD’s claims of being a price-to-performance powerhouse, we will delve deeper into it. Historically, the x600 series has been positioned between entry-level and mainstream, typically in the 150–200 USD range. However, in 2021, we are now looking at a starting price of 339 USD for a graphics card targeted at the Full HD range. The 6600 cards will feature a GPU based on NAVI23. This means that the Navi 23 GPU is being repurposed, but its performance in the render engine is somewhat limited. The cards are equipped with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory connected via a 128-bit wide memory interface, which is quite restrictive. A 32 MB Infinity Cache is acting as a buffer to mitigate the limitation to some extent. The series card is anticipated to perform at the same level as the RX 5700 and GTX 2060, making it a viable option for 1080p gaming or a feasible choice for 1440p gaming. While the Radeon RX 6600 XT contains 2048 stream processors, the RX 6600 is equipped with 1792 of them. Numerous companies (AIB/AIC) have announced their own versions and configurations of the card.

The Navi 23 chip has been in use as the Radeon RX 6600M graphics solution for notebooks, alongside the Radeon RX 6800M and 6700M graphics solutions for laptops. Most cards will feature a dual-slot dual-fan cooler and a single 8-pin PCI-Express graphics connection with a power consumption of 132 watts. The base reference price for the Radeon RX 6600 XT is 379 USD, while the 6600 is priced at 339 USD. Custom-designed board partner cards with enhanced cooling are expected to exceed the 350 USD mark. Pricing is the main concern for this product series. The table below outlines the key specifications for a better understanding.

In this particular evaluation, we will examine the Sapphire Pulse variant, which, although less intricate compared to a premium model, falls short of truly embodying its namesake. The graphics card boasts standard clock speeds and is equipped with dual fans. With a length of 20 centimeters, it showcases a compact form factor. Moreover, it operates quietly. Without further ado, let us delve into the review by presenting some visuals and providing a brief overview of the architecture.