# AMD Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT: A Sturdy Contender to Nvidia’s RTX 5070
## Introduction
AMD has consistently exploited its rivals’ shortcomings, and its newly unveiled Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT graphics cards seek to challenge Nvidia’s stronghold in the mid-tier GPU sector. Priced at $549 and $599, these RDNA 4-based GPUs pledge impressive performance for 1440p gaming and entry-level 4K gaming, along with enhanced energy efficiency and improved ray-tracing features. But do they have what it takes to lure gamers away from Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 50-series? Let’s explore the specifics.
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## RX 9070 and 9070 XT: Specs and Performance
### Key Specifications
| Feature | RX 9070 XT | RX 9070 | RTX 5070 Ti | RTX 5070 |
|———|———–|———|————-|———-|
| Compute Units (Stream Processors) | 64 RDNA4 (4,096) | 56 RDNA4 (3,584) | 60 Ada Lovelace | 46 Ada Lovelace |
| Boost Clock | 2,970 MHz | 2,520 MHz | 2,610 MHz | 2,505 MHz |
| Memory Bus Width | 256-bit | 256-bit | 192-bit | 192-bit |
| Memory Bandwidth | 650GB/s | 650GB/s | 504GB/s | 432GB/s |
| Memory Size | 16GB GDDR6 | 16GB GDDR6 | 12GB GDDR6X | 12GB GDDR6X |
| Total Board Power (TBP) | 304 W | 220 W | 285 W | 200 W |
AMD’s RDNA 4 architecture showcases substantial enhancements in performance per compute unit, nearly doubling raster performance compared to RDNA 2 and delivering 2.5x greater ray-tracing performance.
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## Gaming Performance
### Rasterized Performance
In standard rasterized gaming scenarios (excluding ray tracing), the RX 9070 XT closely contests with Nvidia’s RTX 5070 Ti, frequently finishing just a few frames per second behind. The RX 9070, on the other hand, generally outmatches the RTX 5070 by 5-13% across most titles. Both AMD models also match or even surpass the performance of the prior generation RX 7900 XT.
### Ray-Tracing Performance
Ray tracing has typically presented challenges for AMD, but RDNA 4 has made meaningful advancements. Though the RX 9070 and 9070 XT still trail Nvidia’s 5070 Ti in ray-traced titles, they now perform on par or slightly ahead of the RTX 5070 in most scenarios. This marks a significant leap from RDNA 3, where AMD cards experienced a notable decline in performance with ray tracing enabled.
### Power Efficiency
Power usage is an additional aspect where AMD has made progress. The RX 9070 draws around 220W under load, offering greater efficiency than the RTX 5070 while providing superior performance. The RX 9070 XT, drawing 304W, is comparable to the RTX 5070 Ti in power consumption but delivers equal or superior performance in traditional gaming.
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## Features and Software Enhancements
### FSR 4 Upscaling
AMD rolls out FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) 4, which utilizes RDNA 4’s machine learning capabilities for enhanced upscaling quality. While FSR 4 has yet to attain the widespread acceptance of Nvidia’s DLSS, it delivers better image fidelity than FSR 3.1 with minimal performance impact.
### Power Tuning Options
AMD’s Adrenalin software includes integrated power tuning features that enable users to focus on either efficiency or performance. This adaptability allows users to fine-tune their GPU based on specific preferences, whether that is to reduce power consumption or achieve a small performance increase.
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## RX 9070 vs. RX 9070 XT: Which to Choose?
With only a $50 difference in pricing, the RX 9070 XT stands out as the preferable option for most gamers, providing a distinct performance enhancement. Nevertheless, if the RX 9070 is substantially cheaper at retail or the XT is out of stock, the standard 9070 still performs admirably, particularly with slight power tuning adjustments.
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## Conclusion: A Significant Competitor
The Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT present attractive alternatives to Nvidia’s RTX 5070 and 5070 Ti. They deliver:
✅ **Excellent 1440p and respectable 4K capabilities**
✅ **16GB of VRAM, surpassing Nvidia’s 12GB**
✅ **Strong pricing against Nvidia’s mid-range offerings**
✅ **Enhanced ray-tracing capabilities**
✅ **Improved power efficiency compared to older AMD models**
However, certain drawbacks
