AMD’s Apple-exclusive dual GPU defeats RTX 4080 in head-to-head benchmark

In context: In 2021, Apple labored with AMD to provide new Mac Professional computer systems with probably the most highly effective graphics card ever present in an Apple pc. The Radeon Professional W6800X Duo had lengthy been unique to Apple {hardware} till der8auer found a method to make use of the GPU exterior the Apple ecosystem.

Apple knew it had acquired one thing particular with the Radeon Professional W6800X Duo for the reason that graphics card prices $5,000 on Apple’s web site. It options two Navi 21 dies related by way of AMD’s Infinity Cloth, albeit with 20 compute items disabled on each dies. The GPU additionally has 32 GB of GDDR6 reminiscence and a 128 MB Infinity Cache.

For perspective, the Navi 21 die is discovered on each of AMD’s RDNA2 flagships, the RX 6900 XT and RX 6950 XT. This die is already a powerhouse, as demonstrated by our benchmarks. As one would anticipate, inserting two onto Apple’s GPU makes it a monster, regardless of barely hindered efficiency on every die.

With the W6800X Duo almost being a dual-card 6900 XT, many individuals have been curious in regards to the card’s capabilities. Certainly one of these was Roman Hartung, the famend excessive overclocker der8auer. In a latest video, der8auer tore down and examined a W6800X Duo, although with quite a few difficulties.

Whereas the GPU makes use of a regular PCIe x16 slot generally discovered on client motherboards, the facility supply is something however typical. The cardboard options Apple’s proprietary Mac Professional eXpansion (MPX) module somewhat than a regular PCIe energy connector. Regardless of this, der8auer repurposed a 12VHPWR cable to offer the 400 watts the W6800X Duo requires.

After tackling quite a few points, together with failed driver installations, excessive temperatures, and finicky energy supply, der8auer lastly received the GPU in working order. As seen above, the cardboard wanted many modifications and soldering to function on a regular motherboard. Regardless of this, the GPU struggled to complete the benchmark, struggling quite a few crashes and shutdowns.

After many makes an attempt, Hartung managed to push the cardboard to finish the benchmark. In 3DMark TimeSpy, the W6800X Duo carried out admirably, clocking in at a mean FPS of 97.21. Whereas that is 21 % slower than Nvidia’s RTX 4090, it edges out the RTX 4080 by simply over 4 %. It additionally defeats AMD’s flagship RX 7900 XTX by about eight %.

Total, the outcomes proven by the W6800X Duo are spectacular. It does increase the query of why this card or an analogous variant by no means reached the buyer market and as an alternative was restricted to a $5,000 buy inside the Mac ecosystem. Regardless, der8auer’s work is tremendously appreciated, because it did not come low-cost.