UPDATE: Check out the latest AMD Radeon Graphics Cards
New AMD Radeon series graphics cards were recently announced in an awesome AMD launch event, with the release date being shown as the 18th November for USA, that's the 19th at 3am here in New Zealand. It's important to note the core range of RX 6800 XT graphics cards don't actually get released until the 26th though.
Right now, the timeline is as follows;
- 19th November 3am: RX 6800 + RX 6800 XT Graphics Cards with Reference Cooler Design (Gigabyte/Sapphire/Asus all look the same) become available for order.
- 26th November 3am: RX 6800 + RX 6800 XT Graphics Cards with Vendor Cooler Design (Gigabyte/Sapphire/Asus/Powercolor/MSi all look different) become available for order.
- 9th December 3am: RX 6900 XT Graphic Cards available for order.
So what's the difference? Bandwidth and clock speeds change between the RX 6800 and XT versions, and there are also some small changes to the physical design, so let's take a look at the reference cooler design(s) first, then jump into some awesome aftermarket versions to compare.
RX 6800 Reference Cooler - Essential Specifications:
- 1x HDMI
- 2x DisplayPort
- 1x USB-C
- 2x 8-Pin Power Inputs (650w Recommended PSU)
- 2.1 Slot Form Factor
- Dimension: 267(L)x 120(W)x 40 (H)mm
RX 6800 XT Reference Cooler - Essential Specifications:
- 1x HDMI
- 2x DisplayPort
- 1x USB-C
- 2x 8-Pin Power Inputs (750w Recommended PSU)
- 2.5 Slot Form Factor
- Dimension: 266.7(L)x 119.75(W)x 49.75 (H)mm
The max resolution looks to be 7680×4320 from any port, with 4x displays supported.
Moving onto the Aftermarket cooler designs which and sceduled to become available for order on the 26th November at 3am, and starting off with Sapphire, who are AMD's only exclusive partner (SapphireTech do not do Nvidia Graphics Cards) we can see some massive changes to cooler shroud and backplate, adding to the build quality and while introducing some additional customisable flare though the use of aRGB lighting.
The RGB lighting on the NITRO+ series is addressable, with multiple colours, modes and effects available to customise though the software suite named TriXX. This software can also be used to tune your RX 6800 graphics card, adjusting boost clocks, fan curves and more.
ASUS engineers have been hard at work developing their new custom coolers, a lot of which we've already seen on the Nvidia RTX 30 series, but for the RX 6800 XT they've gone above and beyond, revealing an AiO water cooled option too!
Via Asus: The Radeon RX 6800 XT is one of the most powerful GPUs that AMD has ever built. As we began to sketch out the ROG Strix version of the RX 6800 XT, its raw power spurred our engineers to build a cooling system that could unleash its full potential. During this process, our thoughts naturally turned to liquid cooling. PC enthusiasts the world over are already familiar with the benefits of all-in-one liquid cooling systems for their CPUs, and many of them have even added similar systems to their graphics cards using aftermarket kits to pursue the outer limits of GPU performance.
Although excessively awesome, with that 240mm radiator this new GPU option will still enjoy compatibility with the mounting points available in the majority of today's Gaming PC cases.
In addition to the exciting water-cooled option, Asus have also revealed their latest ROG Strix and TUF cooler design will also be available for the AMD Radeon 6000 series, and those look awesome too, turning up the RGB to new levels.
The cooling design ROG Strix RX 6800 cards is large, with a 2.9-slot form factor. The central fan rotates clockwise while the two on the flanks spin counter-clockwise to reduce turbulence, much like the Gigabyte Gaming OC cooler design, which we're excitedly waiting to see more of!
The RX 6800 (XT) Reference Cooler Graphics Cards are set to release in New Zealand at 3am on the 19th (Early Thursday morning here in NZ), and the RX 6800 XT Aftermarket graphics version will become available for order on the 26th November at 3am.
Once officially released, all available AMD RX 6000 Series Graphics Card models will be available in the AMD Store - please know that there is limited stock for some models, with other releasing as pre-order.
262 comments
JonathanB153
So the 6900 cards just got released without any warning??? They cost pretty much the same as the AIB 6800XTs... I feel like I got ripped off. Remind me to never buy a graphics card from NZ again. Its much better to wait and get it significantly cheaper from Amazon or new egg.
Read moreMikeyM9
I got emails from AMD and PB about this, can see them on facebook too.
Read moreTarshazS
@ben when will the 6900 cards be released? Is it still looking like this week to order?
Read moreTathagataT
@Ben Can you share some update on my order? Am I still the #2 in queue? Also any ETA so far?
Read moreBenM9379
What does anyone who got one already think of the performance from these?
Read moreJonB1
Hi Ben, I ordered a 6800 card on launch day and was successful but 12 days on - order hasn't shipped yet, the store is implying its on order waiting for an eta(Mixed info from split launch no stock?) but other post's you've made suggested there is no further reference cards coming. Wondering if my money is tied up in an order that won't be fulfilled - I was thinking it was pre-emptive waiting on a shipment but seen your post that they were already in the warehouse being stocked. Can you look into this for me and give me a call? Regards, J
Read moreJosV4
Same here, i had a reference card but could not get a delivery eta, 3 days ago I canceled my order and pre ordered the Gigabyte 6800 OC version, $300 more expensive but at least its on its way. It has been shipped and am hoping it will arrive tomorrow. Maybe you should do the same. I might invest in a 6900XT next year once things settle down. I built a new pc with a 5800X CPU and my XR 5600 XT is a bit slow for it lol. Hurry up tomorrow.
Read moreJonwatso
I ordered one when it was randomly "in stock" at mid day and the order got stuck on picking. When I emailed PB Tech they advised me that the item is on back order and they have no ETA. Luckily for me I had also ordered via computer lounge (ordered at 3:10 AM launch day) and they were able to fulfil my order within a week.
Read moreKenL42
Am in the exact same situation. Customer service told me that purchasing and product managers have been looking into it since early last week with no updates yet. Considering the store page told us it would be shipped on the 19th, it would be pretty ridiculous if no stock is available and we're still not informed almost two weeks after they took our money. Reasonable alternate purchasing opportunities have came and went.
Read moreJonB1
That's what Im worried about Ken haha, If it didnt think it was guaranteed to ship, i wouldn't have bought and got in on the limited edition 6800xt or qued up early for a sapphire nitro. its conflicting since they said they were in warehouse been stocked and then hints of no more reference cards coming in (hence waiting for no reason as nobody seems to know but they had stock) and the product page missing now. I sold my current gpu so its quite annoying for me as i have no igpu
Read moreKenL42
I did the same thing Jon! I also sold my i7 to upgrade to a Ryzen 5600X, which doesn't have built in graphics. I can't even use my PC right now for browsing. Safe to say I think we made the wrong choices selling our GPU so early.
Read moreJonB1
My order just got cancelled so I expect yours will be as well
Read moreTathagataT
I think these rigs has the stock designs.. and hence unsure why the backorders didn't got fulfilled rather are first in GGPCs https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/WKSGGPC51149/GGPC-Enforcer-RX-6800-XT-Gaming-PC-AMD-Ryzen-7-580 https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/WKSGGPC51148/GGPC-Legend-RX-6800-Gaming-PC-AMD-Ryzen-5-5600X-6
Read moreAdiA82
i wana order Powercolor Fighter Radeon RX 6800 Graphics Card 16GB GDDR6, but it says the shipment will be done on the 25h of jan, is it possible for me to receive this much sooner than that ???
Read morep0rt
My 6800xt red devil just shipped. Was seriously considering cancelling too lol
Read moreDoktorB
Who did you talk to to get your no in line?
Read moreSmorkxX
It's weird, they said no orders have gotten through the border yet you are getting yours. I'm so confused, maybe they are coming in part shipments.
Read moreSmorkxX
Yeah also curious if you paid the 1600 or after it got changed to 1500
Read morep0rt
I paid the $1600 and I'm not happy about it
Read moreSmorkxX
Did they refund you the difference or was it intended?
Read morep0rt
No idea. Only noticed it last night and it shipped this morning.
Read moreSmorkxX
Well enjoy man, im interested to know what no. you get out of the 1000, GL for 666 :)
Read moreTathagataT
Yeah Interested to know as well.. haha!! What ###/1000 you get.
Read morep0rt
#0178. This thing is huge. I'm properly worried about sag now lol
Read moreTathagataT
Awesome Man.. Congrats.. something to ShowOff aye!!
Read moreSmorkxX
Cool thanks for the update, got some early orders ae, my ETA for 8th in the pre order que is due 19th of Jan
Read morep0rt
Probably a good thing. Mine just crashed while browsing reddit. Also hitting 100c hotspot.
Read moreSmorkxX
Oh man you must of been early on the purchase, ingot told I was 8th in que on my purchase. So sad
Read moreTathagataT
I was told I was 9th ^_^ LOL me..
Read moreSmorkxX
Yeah apparently there were 10 sold
Read moreTathagataT
Wow! Wow!! Nice man.. LOL what queue number you were in? Also did you buy at $1597 or $1497.. haha
Read moreLiamP17
https://www.reddit.com/r/Amd/comments/k36ov9/amd_expects_aibs_to_sell_radeon_rx_6800_series_at/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share theres a chance aib cards will drop in pricing, amd acknowledged they made a oopsie but only time will tell if this works out A video on the post links to hardware unboxed who talk about it a bit
Read moreTathagataT
I can see some RX 6800 and RX6800XT are going to GGPCs here - hmmmm and I am sure heaps of people are still waiting for their one. https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/WKSGGPC51149/GGPC-Enforcer-RX-6800-XT-Gaming-PC-AMD-Ryzen-7-580 https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/WKSGGPC51148/GGPC-Legend-RX-6800-Gaming-PC-AMD-Ryzen-5-5600X-6
Read moreJonathanB153
The sapphire nitro 6800XT that I ordered is being delivered tomorrow. It said that it was arriving in march on the website but apparently not!!!
Read moreAnthonyA383
I ordered the nitro SE it took my money but the order disappeared . I'm now waiting for a response but afraid I've lost my position ?
Read moreAdiA82
what a lucky lucky man
Read moreSmorkxX
hmm, so Ben stated they gave an ETA for 1x of this card. Looks like you got it, must of been first order. I wonder if there were earlier ETAs for the Red Devil
Read moreTathagataT
Nice!! Lucky you mate!!
Read more