ASRock Steel Legend RX 7900 GRE Review: Enhancing the Midrange GPU Experience Combining the excellence of AMD’s Radeon RX 7900 GRE with additional features, the ASRock Steel Legend edition enhances the midrange GPU experience. It introduces customizable RGB lighting and a quiet, efficient cooling system. Priced under $600, it emerges as the ideal choice for anyone seeking a top-tier 1440p GPU.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| + Great 1440p performance | – Ray tracing or upscaling can’t compete with NVIDIA RTX 4070 Super |
| + Efficient cooling and quiet | |
| + Awesome design |
This table organizes the pros and cons of the ASRock Steel Legend RX 7900 GRE review in a clear and structured manner.
ASRock Steel Legend RX 7900 GRE: Quick Overview
Earlier this year, the AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE (Golden Rabbit Edition), initially launched exclusively in China, emerged as a strong contender in the mid-range GPU market upon its global release. It competes directly with Nvidia’s RTX 4070 in terms of pricing and challenges the performance of the 4070 Super.
ASRock’s Steel Legend variant of the RX 7900 GRE retains all the features we appreciated from the GPU, addressing previous limitations. This includes 16GB GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, 80 AMD RDNA 3 compute units with RT and AI accelerators, 64MB of AMD Infinity Cache technology, and full support for Microsoft DirectX 12 Ultimate.
Priced at $549 (£568.44/AU$1,025), the ASRock Steel Legend RX 7900 GRE stands out as one of the top choices among AMD’s mid-range GPUs. ASRock, known for its robust offerings, enhances this GPU with customizable RGB lighting through the Polychrome RGB Sync app. The inclusion of a metal backplate not only boosts durability but also adds a stylish touch to custom-built desktop setups. Cooling is managed by a triple-striped axial fan that operates silently at 0dB and an Ultra-fit heat pipe for efficient heat dissipation.
Compared to earlier versions, the ASRock Steel Legend RX 7900 GRE features higher core (1972MHz) and boost (2333MHz) clock speeds. This enhancement primarily enhances GPU longevity, although it may yield slight performance gains. Users benefit from enhanced visual aesthetics with RGB lighting and improved cooling, all without compromising GPU reliability.
Installation is straightforward with PCI Express 4.0 support, requiring two 8-pin power connectors to meet its 260W power demand. The card provides three DisplayPort 2.1 ports and one HDMI 2.1 port for connectivity. Optimal performance is achieved with the AMD Software Adrenalin Edition driver, complemented by ASRock’s Tweak 2.0 software for performance tuning and fan control adjustments.
In performance tests starting with Hellblade 2: Senua’s Saga at 1440p native resolution and maximum settings with ray tracing, frame rates ranged between 30-45 fps. Enabling AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) at a balanced setting boosted frame rates to 60 fps and higher, although some ghosting issues were noted compared to Nvidia’s DLSS. The RX 7900 GRE’s ample VRAM capacity supports smoother gameplay in GPU-intensive titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Forza Motorsport (2023) at max settings. Competitive gamers can also achieve over 100 fps in games such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, Counter Strike 2, and Fortnite.
Overall, the ASRock Steel Legend RX 7900 GRE enhances an already impressive mid-range GPU with customizable RGB lighting, a sturdy metal backplate, and efficient 0dB silent cooling. It is an excellent choice for budget-conscious gamers seeking exceptional 1440p performance and reliable gaming experiences.
ASRock Steel Legend RX 7900 GRE: Pricing and Availability
The ASRock Steel Legend RX 7900 GRE is currently available in the U.S., UK, and Australia, priced at $549 (£568.44, AU$1,025). It is sold through major online retailers such as Amazon and Newegg.
Compared to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super, which is priced $50 higher, the RX 7900 GRE offers 16GB of VRAM, surpassing the 4070 Super’s 12GB. This provides a slight edge for 1440p gaming at native resolution.
However, the 4070 Super excels in Ray Tracing and AI upscaling, enhancing titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake II.
ASRock Steel Legend RX 7900 GRE: Specifications
Certainly! Here are the specifications of the ASRock Steel Legend RX 7900 GRE and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super Reference Specs formatted in markdown as a table:
| Component | ASRock Steel Legend RX 7900 GRE | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super Reference Specs |
|---|---|---|
| Process Node | TSMC 6nm | TSMC 4nm |
| Transistor Count | 57,700 billion | 45.9 billion |
| Boost Clock | 2333 MHz | 2475 MHz |
| VRAM | 16GB GDDR6 | 12GB GDDR6X |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit | 192-bit |
| Cache | 64MB | 48MB |
| Memory Speed | 18 Gbps | 21 Gbps |
| Memory Bandwidth | 576.0 GB/s | 504.2 GB/s |
| Shaders | 5,120 | 7,168 |
| Ray processors | 80 | 56 |
| AI processors | 160 | 224 |
| TGP | 260W | 220W |
This table presents a comparison of key specifications between the ASRock Steel Legend RX 7900 GRE and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super Reference Specs in a clear and organized format.
| Category | ASRock Steel Legend RX 7900 GRE | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Value | Great performance, beautiful RGB lighting options, and efficient cooling that’s not loud for only $549. | 4.5 / 5 |
| Specs & features | The ASRock Steel Legend RX 7900 GRE features switchable RGB lighting, a sleek metal backplate, efficient cooling, and top-tier performance. | 4.5 / 5 |
| Performance | 1440p performance is more than solid with some excellent entry-level 4K capabilities as well. | 4 / 5 |
| Total | ASRock Steel Legend’s take on the AMD RX 7900 GRE is probably the best way to enjoy the mid-range GPU. | 4.34 / 5 |
Buy the ASRock Steel Legend RX 7900 GRE if…
- If you’re seeking exceptional 1440p performance, the ASRock Steel Legend RX 7900 GRE delivers robust capabilities and can even handle 4K gaming with respectable performance.
- If you want to enhance your desktop’s aesthetics, the ASRock Steel Legend RX 7900 GRE boasts a stylish design with a metal backplate and customizable RGB lighting.
- For those prioritizing efficient cooling and quiet operation, the GPU features a triple-fan design that remains quiet even during intensive tasks, complemented by an ultra-fit heat pipe for effective heat dissipation.
Don’t buy if…
If you prioritize top-tier ray tracing and AI upscaling capabilities, the RX 7900 GRE falls short compared to NVIDIA’s 4070 Super, particularly in delivering advanced performance and resolution enhancement through DLSS.
ASRock Steel Legend RX 7900 GRE: ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super
It not only performs exceptionally well at 1440p resolution like the RX 7900 but also stands out with superior ray tracing and AI upscaling capabilities.
Testing Methodology for ASRock Steel Legend RX 7900 GRE
Over a two-week period, I extensively tested the ASRock Steel Legend RX 7900 GRE on my primary computer, engaging in gaming sessions with titles such as Hellblade 2: Senua’s Saga, Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon, and Forza Motorsport (2023). Additionally, I utilized Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro for video and photo editing tasks. The RX 7900 GRE, equipped similarly to the variant reviewed earlier this year but featuring an additional 212Hz boost clock, delivered benchmarks that closely mirrored its predecessor.
With a background in covering laptops, PCs, monitors, and various PC components for Techradar, I bring over a decade of experience with Adobe Suite applications. Our review process emphasizes independence and rigor, ensuring comprehensive and long-term evaluation of products. We are committed to maintaining updated reviews, regardless of the release date or availability of the device, ensuring it remains relevant to potential buyers.