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So, you think you’re getting the best bang for your buck with that shiny new AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT, huh? Well, hold your horses because a recent test has thrown a wrench in the works. Apparently, when it comes to memory, all that glitters isn’t gold. In a riveting showdown conducted by a bunch of tech aficionados over at Bilibili, it turns out that models equipped with Samsung VRAM modules are lagging behind their SK hynix counterparts. Who would have thought that having the wrong memory could cost you performance points?
The shocking revelation
Let’s cut to the chase. The tests revealed that Samsung’s VRAM modules are, on average, scoring 2% lower than the SK hynix ones. Can you believe it? You’d think that paying top dollar would guarantee top performance, but nope, not this time. Bilibili’s hardware guru, 51972, decided to pit 22 different GPUs against each other, and guess what? The results were as ugly as an unkempt hairball. While the tests didn’t involve gaming scenarios, the 3DMark Speed Way benchmark didn’t lie. Samsung’s models tripped over themselves, performing 1% to 2% worse than the SK hynix models.
What’s the deal with the memory?
Even Samsung’s fastest VRAM units couldn’t pull their weight, trailing behind the slowest SK hynix units. AMD China, when cornered for a comment, brushed it off as just a “looser timing” issue with the Samsung VRAM. Oh, how convenient! But here’s the kicker: 51972 corroborated these findings with the Clamchowder cache benchmark tool, showing SK hynix modules with better latency. Who knew that a little latency could shake things up so much? Sure, Samsung might run cooler, but is that really enough to justify the lower performance?
Underperforming models
In a twist that would make any tech enthusiast cringe, 51972’s roundup test revealed that lower-end models somehow outperformed the high-end variants in 3DMark. Yes, you heard that right! The entry-level models were strutting around with 1-2% better performance, even at lower GPU clocks. Talk about a slap in the face to anyone who thought they were getting a performance powerhouse. And the common thread among these underperformers? You guessed it—the memory. It’s almost poetic, isn’t it?
Real-world implications
But before you start throwing your new GPU out the window, let’s take a breath. The testing process didn’t include real-world gaming benchmarks. So, who knows? Maybe in actual gaming scenarios, the differences won’t be noticeable. AMD’s RX 9070 XT received a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars in an in-house review, but let’s face it, we didn’t test enough GPUs to see the same performance gap. Plus, it’s still one of the most elusive GPUs out there. With prices soaring above $150 over its MSRP of $599, the search for a good deal might just feel like looking for a unicorn.
Final thoughts
If you’re on the hunt for a Radeon 9070 XT, it might be wise to consider the source of your GPU’s memory as a priority. SK hynix’s superior latency could be the difference between a smooth 58 fps and a frustrating 60 fps, in some bizarre, edge-case scenario. So, before you shell out your hard-earned cash, maybe do a little digging into what’s under the hood. After all, who wants to pay top dollar for second-rate memory?