AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT Pre-Orders Start On Jan 23rd

Michael Kay

AMD RX 9000 GPUs

Excitement is building for AMD’s new flagship graphics card, the Radeon RX 9070 Series, as details about its specs, pricing, and performance start to emerge ahead of its launch. These cards are designed for budget gamers and will compete with Nvidia’s mid-range RTX models. As pre-orders open late in January 2025, the gaming community is eager to see how the RX 9070 XT will impact mid-range gaming hardware. AMD aims to challenge Nvidia’s offerings with impressive performance, making the RX 9070 series highly anticipated by many gamers. This marks a new stage in AMD’s competition with Nvidia, and early signs suggest the Radeon RX 9070 XT may be the card gamers have been waiting for.

AMD has announced its next-generation graphics cards, the Radeon RX 9000 series, featuring a new performance architecture. The upcoming RDNA 4 graphics cards include the Radeon RX 9070 and Radeon RX 9070 XT, as revealed at a recent event. The new RDNA 4 architecture improves graphics performance, boosts AI processing, and includes AMD’s third-generation ray-tracing accelerators. It’s not clear yet how these GPUs will compare to Nvidia’s future GeForce RTX cards. We will learn more about their performance as we approach their release in “Q1 2025.”

If you know AMD’s existing graphics cards, you might notice that the naming convention has changed. AMD usually uses the hundreds digit to distinguish between its graphics cards, like the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT and the AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT. However, now AMD will use the tens digits for this purpose, similar to how Nvidia does it.

Pre-Order Details and Key Specs

Pre-Orders Launching Soon

Get ready! Pre-orders for the much-anticipated AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards are set to begin on January 23rd. Several retailers, like B&H, have listed this date, with some even specifying a precise time: 9 a.m. Eastern Time. This news has excited gamers and tech enthusiasts eager to get their hands on these new GPUs. ASUS models are expected to be among the first available for pre-order, though it is not yet certain if other manufacturers will join on the same day. This imminent pre-order launch hints that AMD may soon release more official information about pricing and detailed specifications.

What We Know So Far: Specifications and Features

The RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT are built on AMD’s RDNA 4 architecture. They aim to deliver strong 4K gaming performance and compete with cards like the RTX 4070 Ti. Here’s a breakdown of the expected specs:

Key Specifications

FeatureRX 9070RX 9070 XT
ArchitectureRDNA 4RDNA 4
Process Node4nm4nm
VRAM16GB16GB
Boost ClockN/AUp to 3.10 GHz
Total Board PowerN/AUp to 330W

Expected Features

These cards will have improved ray tracing performance compared to previous AMD GPUs. They also include new AI capabilities, which could improve gaming performance and other tasks. Gigabyte displayed RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT cards at CES, including an Aorus Radeon RX 9070 XT Elite model. This Elite model featured RGB lighting and a dual BIOS system. These features indicate the cards are designed for high-end gaming setups.

Target Audience and Market Position

The RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT are designed for gamers who want a good 4K gaming experience without paying top dollar for the highest-end GPUs. By competing with cards like the RTX 4070 Ti, AMD is targeting a popular segment of the market. The combination of strong specifications and new features positions these cards as compelling choices for gamers looking to upgrade their systems.

Short Summary:

  • The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT is set for pre-orders starting January 23, 2025.
  • Initial benchmarks indicate impressive 4K gaming performance, scoring 99fps in Call of Duty Black Ops 6.
  • AMD’s RDNA 4 architecture promises significant improvements for gaming enthusiasts.

As AMD gears up to launch its Radeon RX 9070 Series graphics cards, excitement is palpable among gamers and tech enthusiasts alike. The pre-order window for the Radeon RX 9070 XT opens on January 23, 2025, as reported by B&H, a popular retail platform. While AMD is positioning this series as a strong contender in the mid-range market against Nvidia’s RTX 5070, it may not directly match the performance of higher-end models like the RTX 5090.

Currently, B&H has listed four upcoming models under the Radeon RX 9070, all produced by Asus, including the Asus Radeon RX 9070 XT Prime and the Asus Radeon RX 9070 TUF Gaming. The listings indicate that the cards are “Coming Soon” with a “New Item” label, highlighting the imminent launch.

While specifics such as pricing and detailed specifications remain sparse, industry analysts speculate that the RX 9070 XT will be priced around $600, roughly in line with its competition. The strategic pricing indicates AMD’s aim to capitalize on the growing demand for capable mid-range graphics cards.

Specifications for the RX 9070 XT have been teased; however, the exact performance metrics are still forthcoming. What has emerged is that the card employs a substantial triple-fan cooling solution, supplemented by three eight-pin PCIe power connectors to ensure stability during extended gameplay. First impressions from its demonstration at CES 2025 suggest a visual design not far removed from its predecessor, the RX 7900 XT, ensuring that AMD continues its legacy of robust build quality.

Performance Metrics

In a groundbreaking test conducted during CES 2025, early benchmarks have suggested that the AMD Radeon RX 9070 GPU achieves impressive results. A test carried out by IGN on the new title Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 revealed that the RX 9070 holds an average frame rate of 99fps at native 4K resolution on extreme settings. Notably, this test was carried out without the assistance of FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), AMD’s upscaling technology, which opens the door for potentially enhanced performance in future gaming scenarios.

Comparatively, Nvidia’s RTX 4080 Super achieved approximately 129fps under similar conditions but made use of DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) upscaling features. While the RX 9070’s performance is admirable, particularly in a mid-range card, it underscores the major advances seen in Nvidia’s higher-end offerings.

“The RX 9070’s average FPS score of 99 is in the ballpark of NVIDIA’s AD103-based models from the RTX 4080 series.” — IGN

It’s essential to note that performance evaluations, especially during trade shows, can be influenced by a variety of factors, including hardware configurations and optimization choices. The initial results observed in this testing phase, while promising, should be taken with caution. AMD’s trajectory in this performance-driven environment could shift with further optimization as we approach the retail launch.

Architectural Innovations with RDNA 4

The RX 9070’s performance can be attributed to AMD’s new RDNA 4 architecture, built upon a cutting-edge 4nm manufacturing process. This iteration introduces several optimizations that significantly transform the gaming experience. AMD has touted improvements in ray tracing capabilities, media performance, and AI functionalities, aimed at narrowing the gap between its offerings and those of Nvidia.

One of the standout features associated with the new architecture is the incorporation of second-generation AI accelerators and a groundbreaking generative AI application called AMD Adrenalin AI. The application is designed to enhance image rendering, streamline workflows by summarizing documents, and even perform linguistic tasks. AMD’s foray into AI showcases its commitment to developing a holistic experience for gamers and professionals alike.

Additionally, AMD has unveiled its FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 (FSR 4), which promises a new level of machine-learning-powered upscaling capabilities. This technology couples a frame generation mechanism with enhanced anti-lag features, which could serve as a powerful weapon against Nvidia’s DLSS offerings. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is already confirmed to support FSR 4, indicating that the implementation of these innovations is on the immediate horizon.

A Competitive Mid-Range Offering

The strategic positioning of the Radeon RX 9070 series within AMD’s portfolio reflects a tactical retreat from the high-end enthusiast segment while firmly establishing its presence in the performance category. The RX 9070 XT is expected to rival the performance of the RX 7900 XT, offering an enticing middle ground for gamers who seek robust performance without venturing into the exorbitantly priced realm of the RTX 5000 series cards.

The RX 9070 Series features a reworked product stack, with the RX 9070 expected to surpass the RX 7800 XT, and the RX 9060 series positioned to dominate against its predecessors. This thoughtful segmentation aims to maintain price competitiveness, especially as AMD’s direct rival, Nvidia, continues to innovate with its RTX 5000 series, particularly the RTX 5090, which is projected to be a game-changer despite its high price tag.

“AMD’s Radeon RX 9070 series could stand in a better position with the introduction of FSR 4 and smart pricing.” — Gaming Analyst

Future Prospects

As we near the official launch of the AMD Radeon RX 9070 Series, the evolving narrative surrounding AMD’s graphics card landscape is capturing considerable attention. The performance from the early benchmarks is encouraging, particularly within the context of its mid-range ambition. With the anticipated performance and innovative features like FSR 4 and AMD Adrenalin AI, gamers may find themselves with a compelling alternative to Nvidia’s offering.

All eyes will be on AMD as it prepares for the launch, scheduled to occur in Q1 2025. What remains to be seen is how these graphics cards will fare against their peers in real-world applications and performance in upcoming game titles beyond Call of Duty. With a slew of partners lined up to support the RX 9070 Series, including significant players like ASUS, GIGABYTE, and Sapphire, AMD seems poised to meet market demand effectively.