AMD unveiled its next-generation graphics cards, the RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT, at CES 2025. Intriguingly, these RDNA 4 GPUs were absent from AMD's keynote presentation, although vendors showcased them on the show floor with undisclosed specifications.
David McAfee, VP & GM of Radeon Graphics and Ryzen CPUs, subsequently announced a March 2025 release date on Twitter/X. "Radeon 9000 series hardware and software are looking great, and we are planning to have a wide assortment of cards available globally," McAfee stated. "Can’t wait for gamers to get their hands on the cards when they go on sale in March!"
The AMD RX 9070 and 9070 XT are therefore slated for a March 2025 debut, but AMD has yet to release specifics like pricing and detailed specifications. Industry speculation suggests they will compete directly with Nvidia's RTX 5070 and RTX 5070 Ti, launching in February, in terms of price and performance.
However, reports suggest that RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT stock has already reached retailers and reviewers. eTeknix, for instance, confirmed receiving review samples.
This situation has sparked considerable speculation. Some believe AMD delayed the official launch to strategically counter Nvidia's RTX 5070 and 5070 Ti, enabling direct comparisons. Others suggest pricing pressure from Nvidia prompted the delay.
The RX 9070 launch messaging has been notably unclear, reflecting the scarcity of details. A June 2024 report highlighted Nvidia's dominant 88% share of the discrete GPU market, leaving AMD with a mere 12%.
Facing a lack of significant competition in the mid-range and high-end consumer GPU market, AMD needs a strategic launch to effectively challenge Nvidia's market leadership.
