For over 25 years, TechSpot has been a trusted source of tech analysis. Our goal is to provide honest and insightful reviews to help you make the best choices. This time, we’re diving into AMD’s latest release: the Radeon RX 9070 XT.
A Glimpse at the Radeon RX 9070 XT and 9070
AMD’s Radeon RX 9070 series has been the talk of the town, with rumors and leaks circulating for months. But now, we can finally put the speculation to rest and take a deep dive into what AMD’s latest RDNA 4 GPU has to offer.
The Radeon RX 9070 XT and the standard Radeon RX 9070 share the same core architecture but differ in performance specs. The 9070 XT is the higher-end option, and we will focus on it in this review.
- Processor: Both models are built on a 357mm² die, manufactured using TSMC’s N5 process.
- Core Differences: The RX 9070 XT features 4,096 cores, while the 9070 has 3,584 cores, a 13% reduction. The 9070 XT also runs at a higher clock speed of 2,400 MHz, compared to 2,070 MHz in the standard 9070 model.
- Memory: Both versions come with 16GB of 20Gbps GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit memory bus, delivering an impressive 640GB/s of bandwidth.
How Does the RX 9070 XT Compare to Other Cards?
At first glance, it might seem like the RX 9070 XT has some limitations compared to the more expensive 7900 series. Let’s break it down:
- Core Count: The 9070 XT has 24% fewer cores than the RX 7900 XT.
- Die Size: Its die is 33% smaller.
- Cache and VRAM: The 9070 XT also comes with 20% less cache, VRAM, and memory bandwidth compared to the 7900 XT.
- Expected Performance: Despite these differences, the 9070 XT is expected to deliver comparable or even better performance than the 7900 XT, making it an exciting option for those looking for a budget-friendly powerhouse.
Testing the Radeon RX 9070 XT
We’ve tested several Radeon RX 9070 XT cards, including the Sapphire Pure, Nitro+, XFX Mercury, Asus TUF Gaming, and Asrock Taichi. Here’s how they performed:
- Temperature: Under load, hotspot GPU temperatures ranged from 75°C to 87°C, with the Sapphire Pure being on the lower end at 81°C.
- Memory Temps: The GDDR6 memory operated at around 85°C to 90°C, with the XFX and Asus models staying at the lower end.
- Noise Levels: Most models were very quiet, with the XFX Mercury and Sapphire Pure being nearly silent. The Asus TUF Gaming, however, was a bit louder but still tolerable.
Core Performance
When it comes to core clock speeds, the differences between models were minimal—no more than a 3% variance. This means that all the 9070 XT models perform similarly out of the box, making them excellent options for gamers and enthusiasts alike.
Test System Setup
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Motherboard: MSI MPG X870E Carbon WiFi
- Memory: G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6000
- Power Supply: MSI MPG A 1000G ATX 3.0 80 Plus Gold 1000W
- Storage: MSI Spatium 1TB M470 PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2
- Operating System: Windows 11 24H2
Is the RX 9070 XT Worth It?
The Radeon RX 9070 XT is shaping up to be an incredible choice for gamers looking for high performance at a more affordable price point. While it has some differences compared to the higher-end 7900 series, it still offers impressive specs and performance that rival some of the best cards on the market today.
With a starting price of $600, the 9070 XT looks like a strong contender for anyone looking to upgrade their system without breaking the bank.
Why Choose the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT?
If you’re in the market for a new graphics card, the Radeon RX 9070 XT may be an ideal choice for several reasons:
- Affordable Price Point: At just $600, the 9070 XT offers a strong balance between performance and cost. This makes it an appealing option for gamers who want top-tier performance without spending a fortune.
- Comparable Performance to High-End Models: Despite having fewer cores and a smaller die than the RX 7900 XT, the 9070 XT is expected to deliver similar or even better performance. For gamers who want value for money, this could be a great deal.
- Efficient Power Consumption: With a total board power of 304W, the 9070 XT is relatively power-efficient compared to its competitors, which may be important for users who want to keep energy costs down while still getting high performance.
