AMD unveils new Radeon RX 9070 XT cards with RDNA 4 tech

AMD has unveiled its new Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 graphics cards featuring the RDNA 4 architecture, aimed at delivering enhanced gaming performance and efficiency.

These graphics cards, positioned in the RX 9000 series, come with 16GB of memory and include performance enhancements like Unified RDNA 4 Compute Units. These units promise up to a 40% improvement in gaming performance compared to the preceding RDNA 3 architecture. Additionally, the GPUs feature second-generation AI accelerators capable of processing AI workloads with up to fourfold the throughput of RDNA 3.

The enhanced raytracing technology bolsters the realism in lighting and reflections, providing twice the raytracing performance per compute unit over the prior generation. This advancement is facilitated through AMD's third-generation raytracing accelerators.

A significant addition to the RX 9000 series is the AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 (FSR 4), which uses a machine learning-based algorithm to enhance detail and temporal stability while reducing ghosting. This technology will initially be applied to over 30 games, with plans to expand to 75 titles by the end of 2025.

The Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 are set to retail at USD $599 and USD $549, respectively, through leading partners such as ASUS, Gigabyte, and Sapphire. These GPUs are anticipated to be available from 6 March 2025.

David McAfee, CVP and GM, Ryzen CPU and Radeon Graphics at AMD, expressed enthusiasm over the series, stating, "Today, we're thrilled to unveil the AMD Radeon RX 9000 series, a significant leap forward in graphics performance powered by our next-generation AMD RDNA 4 architecture. These GPUs are designed to meet the demands of today's games, delivering enthusiast-class gaming experiences to gamers everywhere, while ready to support tomorrow's innovations. Through the power of advanced AI and Raytracing accelerators, we're not just improving frame rates – we're fundamentally enhancing the gaming experience. Offering incredible performance, AI-powered features, and next-gen display support at competitive price points, the Radeon RX 9000 series delivers exceptional value for gamers looking to upgrade their systems."

The RDNA 4 architecture supports new AI and raytracing accelerators, intending to refine gaming visuals and efficiency. This architecture maximises hardware utilisation, aiming to enhance gaming and creative applications. The new performance metrics suggest that, when gaming at 1440 resolution, the RX 9070 surpasses its predecessor by approximately 20%, with the RX 9070 XT leading by over 40% on average.

McAfee emphasised the RX 9000 series as suitable for those wanting to future-proof their systems, highlighting significant upgrades such as up to 64 RDNA 4 compute units, which increases gaming performance by up to 40% from the last generation. He noted, "With 3rd generation Raytracing Accelerators, AMD RDNA 4 is able to deliver over 2x the Raytracing throughput per compute unit when compared to our previous generation. Gamers with the latest AMD Radeon RX 9000 series are ready for immersive gaming experiences with high-quality graphics, including realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections."

The series also brings AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution Technology 4, which AMD claims vastly improves upscaling capabilities for 4K gaming, supported by the ML-based algorithm. Features within the AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition, such as AMD HYPR-RX and AI-generated applications, are set to further enhance gaming experiences.

The accompanying AMD Radiance Display Engine facilitates support for ultra-high resolutions and elevated refresh rates, including capabilities for up to 8K 144Hz, ensuring gamers and creators utilise superior display qualities.