On February 28, AMD finally lifted the curtain on their much-anticipated RDNA 4 GPUs, complete with details on performance and pricing.
I’ll admit, I had my concerns about how AMD would handle this unveiling. Given past experiences, I wasn’t sure if they would hit the mark on pricing, deliver on the performance front, or offer meaningful updates to their FSR technology.
The highlight of AMD’s announcement, at least from my perspective, is that the RX 9070 XT performs nearly on par with NVIDIA’s RTX 5070 Ti, falling only 2% short at 4K ultra settings. Of course, this is raw performance data without the enhancements of FSR 4 or DLSS 4.
In their presentation, AMD defied expectations with the pricing of the RX 9070 XT—coming in at $599, it’s a full $150 less than the RTX 5070 Ti’s suggested retail price, a figure that seems almost hypothetical given its actual market prices.
NVIDIA’s RTX 5070 Ti is inching towards the $1,000 mark in the open market—and that’s before scalpers get their cut. This scenario positions AMD perfectly to capture a bigger slice of the GPU market.
Scheduled for a March 6 release with a promise of “wide availability,” AMD’s RDNA 4 GPUs—specifically the RX 9070 XT and the $549 RX 9070—offer new hope. If the stock situation holds true, I’ll be among the first to snag what AMD touts as “the world’s best graphics card under $600.” Let me tell you why.
As a gaming enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for an affordable mid-range GPU that meets modern gaming requirements. Unfortunately, NVIDIA’s RTX 5000 series almost eradicated the mid-range GPU landscape despite its mid-level MSRP. Stock shortages, inflated third-party prices, and scalpers have pushed the RTX 5070 Ti to daunting prices, making it less accessible for many gamers.
With the RTX 5070 expected to hit the market on March 6, the big question is, will it be readily available? Many remain dubious given the current market dynamics. On the other hand, there’s hope for the RX 9070 XT and RX 9070—word has it that AMD has been distributing RDNA 4 GPUs to retailers since late 2024, coupled with their assurances of “wide availability.”
Adding two more next-gen GPUs to the mid-range segment is a win for PC aficionados and pressures NVIDIA to up their game. The RX 9070 XT offers a comparable raw performance to the RTX 5070 Ti for $150 less, which translates to a significant 23% uptick in performance-per-dollar.
For those eager for a mid-range gaming upgrade, the RX 9070 XT might just be the hero they’ve been waiting for.
When it comes to ray tracing, there’s no denying that NVIDIA still leads the charge. However, AMD is gradually closing that gap. While I’m not the type to insist on ray tracing for every gaming session, I do appreciate having a GPU capable of handling it when necessary. The RX 9070 XT does just that, lagging slightly behind the RTX 5070 Ti in some 4K RT performance measures but showing vast improvements over its predecessor, the RX 7900 GRE.
As someone who typically games at 1440p, the RX 9070 XT’s up to 68% enhancement in ray tracing performance is promising. It’ll be exciting to see how these chips perform in the real world as more reviews come in, but I’m confident AMD’s claims will hold up.
Another promising announcement is AMD’s upgrade in FSR technology. FSR 4 is taking the leap into machine learning, aligning more with NVIDIA’s AI-driven DLSS. Alongside RDNA 4’s hardware advances, FSR 4 presents the kind of generational leap I’ve been anticipating.
With the RX 9070 XT, FSR 4 can boost 4K performance up to 4.4 times. Games like Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 and Spider-Man 2 show massive frame rate improvements, making FSR a compelling factor in choosing AMD’s GPUs.
We’ve watched AMD and NVIDIA battle it out, but AMD’s latest GPUs mark a significant shift in the playing field. Their entrance into the mid-range market couldn’t be timelier, considering the competition’s ongoing issues. NVIDIA’s RTX 5000 series has faced problems—like power cable woes and component missteps—alongside significant price hikes and availability issues.
While NVIDIA still holds the crown for the mightiest of GPUs, AMD’s RDNA 4 lineup signifies a comeback, especially appealing to those looking to spend around $600 without breaking the bank.
Thinking about making the switch to AMD’s RX 9070 XT? Let’s discuss in the comments!
