Despite the fact that AMD’s keynote presentation at CES 2025 barely mentioned next-generation graphics solutions, previous announcements from the vendor included information about desktop graphics cards with RDNA 4 architecture – Radeon RX 9070 XT and Radeon RX 9070. The new models should be available in the first quarter of this year. What information is already available about them?
We would like to draw your attention to the fact that AMD uses a new model designation format for the next generation of discrete graphics. The developers have abandoned the “Radeon 8000” label, as this series is already used for integrated graphics with RDNA 3.5 architecture.
So, Radeon RX 9000. But this time, it’s not just about bypassing the 8000 series, but also about changing the name format itself. We can assume that the form “Radeon RX 9070” was chosen for a more obvious comparison with direct competitors from NVIDIA.
One can come to such conclusions by looking at the screenshot of AMD’s presentation. The Radeon RX 9700 XT and Radeon RX 9070 models will take the place of the Radeon RX 7900 XT, 7900 GRE, and 7800 XT. The older model will obviously compete with the GeForce RTX 4070 Ti (already discontinued) and probably the RTX 4070 Ti SUPER. While the Radeon RX 9070 will be slightly more powerful than the Radeon RX 7800 XT. However, it seems a bit strange to focus on the previous generation NVIDIA models, given that the opponent has already announced GeForce RTX 50, which will probably be more powerful than RTX 40.
Will AMD really temporarily abandon the race in the graphics top class? At the moment, such a development is quite likely. At least for now, the company’s previous statements about the desire to focus on mass-market solutions with the maximum price/performance ratio are confirmed, which will allow the company to increase its overall share in the discrete graphics card segment. So far, we have the actually announced RX 9070 lineup and a potential future update of the lower-end RX 9060 adapters.
Rational approach
Why would AMD offer Radeon RX 9070 XT models at all if the manufacturer already has the same Radeon RX 7900 XT in its arsenal? Well, apart from the obvious update that the market “needs”, developers can pursue quite pragmatic goals. Probably one of the most important priorities here is to reduce the cost. The new Radeon RX 9070 XT and Radeon RX 9070 models will use the Navi 48 GPU with RDNA 4 architecture, manufactured by TSMC under 4 nm (N4P) technology standards. Despite the fact that official information is still scarce, CES 2025 attendees managed to take pictures of the new GPUs.
Based on relative parameters, we were able to preliminarily determine the area of the Navi 48 crystal, which is approximately 390 mm². At the same time, the silicon wafers of the Navi 31 chip used for the RX 7900 XT/XTX have a total area of ~529 mm².
In addition, the latter case involves the combination of GCD crystals and six MCDs (Infinity Cache), which requires layout and obviously increases the cost of manufacturing the processor.
Of course, it is worth considering the architectural advantages of RDNA 4. Again, the details have not been announced yet, but we are talking about increasing the performance of computers, increasing AI power, modernizing ray tracing units, and improving transcoding modules.
FSR 4 technology
Another feature of the Radeon RX 9000 line will be support for the next generation of FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 (FSR 4) scaling technology, which was developed with the capabilities of models on the RDNA 4 architecture in mind. Support for previous generations of graphics cards is questionable, as FSR 4 uses a new algorithm based on machine learning (ML), which requires a certain amount of AI power.
The main task of FSR 4 is to improve the quality of the scaled picture. Frame Generation technology will also be used to increase the number of fps, and Anti-Lag 2 will be used to improve the response. One of the first games to support FSR 4 will be Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
Despite the fact that AMD has not yet spoken in detail about the features of FSR 4, it was already possible to evaluate the advantages of the new technology at CES 2025. At one of the booths, two platforms were running the game Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. One with FSR 3.1, the other with FSR 4 activated.
Here’s a video with the first impressions of Hardware Unboxed representatives who had the opportunity to evaluate the FSR 4 at the demo stand.
To better utilize the potential of the local AI computer, AMD will offer several practical applications within AMD Adrenalin AI. Judging by the available screenshot, it includes the ability to generate images based on descriptions, summarize the conclusion after analyzing a document, and a chatbot that will answer questions about AMD technologies.
Performance
What about the performance of Radeon RX 9070 XT? There is no official information on this issue yet. Moreover, the developers have not even disclosed the key specifications yet. According to preliminary data, in the case of the Radeon RX 9070 XT, the Navi 48 GPU has 4096 cores, the video card uses a 256-bit bus, and is equipped with 16 GB of GDDR6 memory.
However, there are already the first unofficial leaks regarding the capabilities of the expected graphics cards. At CES 2025, IGN reviewers managed to come across an AMD demo system based on Ryzen 9 9950X3D and the yet-to-be-announced Radeon RX 9070 (not XT), which ran Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Despite using the alpha version of the driver, the platform delivered an average of 99 fps and a minimum of 60 fps in 4K mode with the Extreme profile without additional scaling.
This is roughly the level of the GeForce RTX 4080 Super, which with these settings, but with DLSS Quality enabled, which adds ~30%, allows you to get ~130 fps. However, these are obviously preliminary results that can be adjusted. At the time of testing, the Radeon RX 9070 video card was identified as “RDNA 4 Graphics”.
Another leak occurred on the Chinese resource Chiphell, where one of its users posted screenshots with preliminary test results of the Radeon RX 9070 XT. According to the data, one of the models from ASUS was available. The base operating frequency was 2520 MHz, the acceleration was 3060 MHz. The memory frequency is 2518 MHz (effective 20,144 MHz). GDDR6 chips from Hynix are used. With a 256-bit bus, the bandwidth is 644 GB/s. Perhaps this is a tuned version of the adapter. In the above screenshot of GPU-Z, the caption “Radeon RX 7800 XT” at the bottom is a bit confusing.
If we take into account the results, we have 14,558 points in the 3DMark Time Spy Extreme test. This is even more than GeForce RTX 4080 Super (~14,000). Meanwhile, in the 3DMark Speed Way test using ray tracing, the video card received 6345 points. GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER and AMD’s previous generation flagship Radeon RX 7900 XTX demonstrate similar values at this stage.
The preliminary results look quite convincing. But, again, let’s refrain from general assessments for now, as they have not yet been confirmed.
Energy consumption
The power consumption level of Radeon RX 9070 XT and Radeon RX 9070 is also not yet known. According to preliminary information, the older model initially had a power consumption of 265 watts. However, the developers may have changed the settings later, increasing the limit.
According to a source from Chiphell, the tested video card consumed up to 329 watts under load in Furmark.
In the basic version, Radeon RX 9070 XT will be equipped with two 8-pin connectors for connecting additional power. In this configuration, it is possible to supply up to 375W to the adapter. However, some top models of the new line are equipped with three connectors (up to 525 W) for power cables.
Moreover, an exceptional case was the Radeon RX 9070 XT Taichi version from ASRock, for which the developers provided a single 16-pin 12VHPWR connector (up to 600W).
Thus, the issue of power consumption of Radeon RX 9070/9070 XT graphics cards remains open.
Price
Without specifying the technical characteristics, one cannot hope to get recommended prices. From what is being actively discussed online, we can distinguish between $479 for the reference model Radeon RX 9070 XT and the most affordable versions, and $549 for tuned modifications from partners. But for now, these are just rumors and speculation. It seems that the real price tags will be formed based on the position of AMD’s new solutions relative to the GeForce RTX 5070, which has already been officially announced at $549.
Considering that AMD needs to radically increase its share in the consumer graphics card segment, we hope for dumping and an attractive price/performance ratio offer.
Start of sales
There are also no specifics on when sales will start. Numerous leaks claim that the embargo on the publication of full-fledged Radeon RX 9070/9070 XT reviews will end on January 22-23 and that shipments of these models will begin.
The massive availability of ready-made graphics cards at manufacturers’ booths at CES 2025 is a sign that the devices are as ready as possible for launch. Therefore, the multivariate term “Q1 2025” becomes more specific. By this time, we are also expecting a more detailed announcement, which will present the RDNA 4 graphics architecture and explain the features of new AMD technologies.
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