The highly anticipated AMD Radeon RX 9000 series graphics cards, originally expected to launch imminently, have been officially delayed until March. This news comes directly from David McAfee, AMD’s Vice President and General Manager of the Ryzen CPU and Radeon graphics division. While he confirmed the GPUs are performing well and will be widely available, the March release window is later than many anticipated.
This delay is particularly noteworthy given that some retailers were reportedly prepared to open preorders on January 22nd. Numerous leaks showcasing RX 9000 series cards from various global retailers had surfaced, suggesting an impending launch. These leaks, while scarce on specifications, fueled speculation about the cards’ imminent arrival. McAfee’s announcement on X (formerly Twitter) confirmed the delay, stating: “Radeon 9000 series hardware and software are looking great and we are planning to have a wide assortment of cards available globally. Can’t wait for gamers to get their hands on the cards when they go on sale in March!”
The announcement’s timing and delivery are unusual. After the RX 9000 series was notably absent from CES 2025, AMD suggested the GPUs warranted a dedicated event separate from their 45-minute keynote, which also omitted the next-gen Z2 chips. McAfee’s subsequent X post offered a vague March release window, raising questions about the reasons behind the delay.
With Nvidia’s RTX 50-series lineup on the horizon, this delay has left many AMD enthusiasts disappointed. The reaction on social media to McAfee’s announcement has been largely subdued, with many questioning the rationale behind the postponement. The competitive landscape between AMD and Nvidia in the GPU market is fierce. Nvidia currently holds the advantage, having revealed not only the release date for the first two RTX 50-series GPUs but also the complete specifications for the entire four-card lineup. Conversely, information about the RX 9000 series remains limited, with leaked information suggesting 16GB of VRAM.
Despite the no-show at AMD’s official CES 2025 presentation, partner companies displayed RX 9000 series cards at the event, indicating the hardware’s apparent readiness. AMD’s Frank Azor also reassured the press that the launch was planned for “a matter of weeks,” which aligns with a late March release, albeit barely. Nvidia’s RTX 5070 and RTX 5070 Ti are expected to launch earlier, potentially in February.
A recent leak from a Chiphell forum user, initially met with skepticism, now seems plausible. The leak suggested AMD postponed the late January release of the RX 9000 series, citing “waiting for Nvidia” as a contributing factor. While the exact reason for the delay remains unclear, it is now confirmed that the RX 9000 series will not be available until March.
In conclusion, the AMD Radeon RX 9000 series GPUs, despite earlier indications of an imminent launch, are now officially delayed until March. This delay, while disappointing for eager consumers, raises questions about AMD’s strategy in the face of Nvidia’s upcoming RTX 50-series launch. The March release window leaves AMD with ground to make up in the competitive GPU market.
