RSX 7-sp was as good as there was at the time.
Metal, smooth, and worked well, dual paddle design. They go for a pretty penny on eBay.
The 3x7 RSX STI group often used a compact triple and long-cage RD that was very smooth.
Excellent C&V group for those in the hills.

RSX 8-sp was not bad, still the dual-paddle design, manyparts interchangeable with the 8-sp 105 and 600.
The finish was painted, not polished, but well lubed and adjusted, few could tell them from 8-sp 105 as far as performance.