AMD recently introduced the Radeon RX 6600 XT, which has become the most affordable new generation graphics card. This is a budget solution based on the RDNA2 architecture with all the relevant improvements and hardware support for ray tracing. In the first review, we got acquainted with the model from ASUS, which proved to be a worthy competitor to the GeForce RTX 3060. Now we have an MSI Gaming video card in our hands — another top representative of the new Radeon line with powerful cooling and increased frequencies.

MSI Radeon RX 6600XT Gaming X 8G

The video card comes in a large box. The device is securely fixed inside the foam polyethylene frame. The kit includes an envelope with different printing — instructions, a comic, an advertising brochure.

The aggressive outlines of the casing are immediately recognizable as a standard representative of the Gaming line. The video adapter in question differs from the top MSI models in its more modest dimensions and the use of two fans. Overall length 27.5 cm, thickness over two slots 51 mm.

The back side is covered with a metal plate. Since the board is shorter than the cooler, there are slots in the backplate above the empty space so as not to interfere with the airflow inside the case.

There is one eight-pin power connector in the corner. Provides RGB lighting for the side MSI logo.

There are three DisplayPorts and one HDMI on the rear panel.

The metal backplate is a stiffening element, preventing the board from bending. Additionally, a stiffening rib is provided on the side.

Let’s take a look at the cooling system. Under the shroud is a massive two-section heatsink with heat pipes, which is made with the preservation of key technical features inherent in flagship products.

The large plate at the base removes heat from the graphics chip and memory chips. The four heatpipes at the base are carefully pressed and fitted to each other so that there are no gaps between them. The second section has a contact pad for the power elements of the supply circuit.

On the outside, the ribs have a wavy structure to reduce air resistance and improve airflow at low speeds.

The radiator is blown by two large TorX Fan 4.0 fans of a unique shape with twin blades. The same fans are used in the older Gaming models.

The backplate is involved in cooling, removing heat from the hot areas of the board through thermal pads.

Short circuit board.

The graphics chip is powered from eight phases, the memory from one phase.

The Navi 23 processor is located on the substrate at an angle of 45°. Soldered four Samsung K4ZAF325BM-HC16 memory chips.

MSI Radeon RX 6600XT Gaming X 8G runs at higher frequencies. Game Clock is set to 2428 MHz and Boost Clock is set to 2607 MHz. The effective memory frequency is 16000 MHz, which is in line with AMD recommendations.

Testing was carried out in an open case at 25 °C indoors. In game mode, the frequencies were kept in the range of 2540-2590 MHz. In the 3DMark Time Spy stress test, the GPU temperature was kept within 65 ° C, under periodic load it was even lower (the right screenshot is several runs of Red Dead Redemption 2). Fan speed less than 1350 rpm with minimal noise.

The MSI Radeon RX 6600XT Gaming X 8G video card turned out to be quieter than the ASUS ROG-STRIX-RX6600XT-O8G-GAMING, but the operating frequencies are lower by 50-100 MHz.

According to GPU-Z monitoring, the temperature of the hottest point of the GPU die reached 83 °C.

It is worth noting that in AMD software, the maximum Boost point was determined to be lower than the declared Boost Clock. But a certain discrepancy in these utilities for the new product is excusable. Further, we will operate with the value of 2607 MHz as the maximum, since it is indicated by the manufacturer. In general, the factory overclocking of MSI Gaming is slightly lower than the overclocking of ASUS Strix, which is combined with lower power consumption. Among other nuances, it is worth noting a small power reserve with the possibility of increasing the Power Limit by only 4%.

AMD software was used for overclocking. Our final settings configuration is shown below.

Maximum Boost increased to 2680 MHz, Game Clock 2515 MHz. Maximum power limit. Fans in automatic mode with a slight increase in maximum speed.

In the 3DMark Time Spy stress test, frequencies reached the level of 1620-1630 MHz, temperatures up to 63 ° C with fan speeds of 1500-1900 rpm.

In overclocking, MSI is inferior to ASUS Strix by about 100 MHz, but the fans work with an acceptable mode while maintaining low temperatures.