AMD Radeon Vega 64 Revisited
In this review, we're revisiting the AMD Radeon Vega 64, comparing it with the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080. This benchmark includes a range of 51 modern games to evaluate how these older GPUs have aged, particularly in light of recent game updates and architectural changes.
Background and Initial Impressions
Vega 64 and GTX 1080: A Historical Perspective
Originally, the Vega 64 was viewed as an underperformer compared to the GTX 1080, particularly due to its late arrival, less efficient performance, and power consumption issues. Our previous reviews recommended the GTX 1080 over the Vega 64, but recent changes in the gaming landscape warrant a fresh look at these GPUs.
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Benchmarking Setup
Testing Environment
For the tests, we used a Ryzen 7 5800X3D test system with 32GB of DDR4-3200 CL14 memory and the latest display drivers. The benchmarks were conducted at 1080p and 1440p resolutions with Resizable BAR enabled for all games.
Gaming Benchmarks and Performance Analysis
Fortnite Performance
In Fortnite, tested using DirectX 11, the GTX 1080 outperformed Vega 64 at 1080p, highlighting AMD's weaker DX11 support. At 1440p, Vega 64 showed improved average frame rates, but 1% lows indicated persistent stuttering issues.
Hitman Performance
In Hitman, Vega 64 showed significant strength, delivering much better performance than the GTX 1080 at both 1080p and 1440p. This suggests that Vega 64 may fare better in certain titles that don't heavily rely on driver optimization.
F1 22 and Warhammer III Results
In F1 22, the GTX 1080 significantly outperformed Vega 64, likely due to better driver optimization for newer titles. Conversely, in Warhammer III, Vega 64 dominated, delivering substantially higher frame rates at both resolutions.
Cyberpunk 2077 and Resident Evil Village
In demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Resident Evil Village, Vega 64 again showed its strength, outperforming the GTX 1080 by a significant margin. This suggests that Vega's architecture might be more suited to certain modern gaming demands.
Conclusion: Assessing the Aging of Vega 64 and GTX 1080
Vega 64's Performance in Modern Titles
The Vega 64 has shown surprising strength in several modern titles, suggesting that its compute-heavy architecture may have aged better for specific gaming scenarios compared to the GTX 1080.
GTX 1080's Performance Consistency
While the GTX 1080 has shown weaknesses in some newer games, it still delivers consistent performance across a broad spectrum of titles. It has aged well in terms of overall versatility but may fall behind in specific modern gaming scenarios.
Final Verdict on Vega 64 vs. GTX 1080
Our analysis suggests that the Vega 64 may have aged slightly better than the GTX 1080 in certain modern games, particularly those that leverage its compute capabilities. However, the GTX 1080 maintains its stance as a reliable and versatile GPU for a wide range of games.
