AMD’s CES 2025 keynote was surprisingly light on details about their upcoming RDNA 4 graphics cards, leaving many fans wondering about the fate of the RX 9070 XT. While the GPUs themselves were absent from the presentation, information has started to emerge from AMD’s partners, suggesting an imminent release.
AMD’s Frank Azor has confirmed the RX 9070 XT launch is just “weeks” away, clarifying that a Q1 release doesn’t mean waiting until the end of March. While “weeks” is still a broad timeframe, potentially spanning late January, February, or even early March, Azor assures us that AMD is prepared for a full launch. The limited stage time at CES, which saw announcements ranging from the Ryzen 9 9950X3D to the Ryzen Z2 mobile chips, was cited as the reason for the GPUs’ absence.
Azor also confirmed speculation that AMD was strategically waiting to see Nvidia’s hand. Now that the RTX 50-series, including the $2,000 RTX 5090, has been revealed, AMD can position its offerings accordingly. This aligns with AMD’s stated focus on the midrange market this generation, rather than competing directly with Nvidia’s flagship GPUs.
However, pinning down the RX 9070 XT’s performance relative to Nvidia’s new cards remains challenging. Nvidia’s performance charts, heavily influenced by DLSS 4, offer limited transparency. Azor, while expressing respect for Nvidia, described the charts as “worthless” due to their vagueness, a sentiment that resonates with many PC gamers seeking clearer performance indicators.
Despite the lack of official details, AMD maintains that the RDNA 4 lineup, including the RX 9070 XT and the improved FSR 4, is on track. Both were showcased on the CES show floor, suggesting a level of confidence in their readiness. If serious issues existed, such a public display would seem unlikely.
