Leaked performance benchmarks for AMD’s upcoming Radeon RX 9070 XT graphics card hint at a substantial performance uplift over previous models, potentially challenging Nvidia’s dominance in the high-end GPU market. According to reports from VideoCardz, AMD showcased the RX 9070 XT’s capabilities during a closed-door media briefing, revealing impressive performance figures.
RX 9070 XT: A Generational Leap in Performance?
The leaked benchmarks suggest the Radeon RX 9070 XT offers a considerable performance increase compared to the Radeon RX 7900 GRE. Across over 30 games tested at 4K resolution with ultra settings, the RX 9070 XT reportedly delivered performance gains ranging from 42% to a staggering 168%. Average performance improvements were recorded at 38% at 1440p and 42% at 2160p. Games heavily reliant on ray tracing, such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Hitman 3, saw the most dramatic improvements, with performance boosts between 164% and 168%.
The RX 9070 XT also demonstrated a notable performance advantage over the non-XT RX 9070 model. Benchmarks indicate a 16.1% performance uplift at 1440p and 18.3% at 2160p on average. Even the non-XT variant showed significant gains over the RX 7900 GRE, boasting performance improvements of 20% at 1440p and 21% at 2160p.
AMD’s Strategic Comparisons and Omissions
Interestingly, AMD refrained from comparing the RX 9070 XT to Nvidia’s recently launched RTX 5070 Ti, citing a lack of access to the card. Comparisons to AMD’s own flagship RX 7900 XTX were also absent, with the RX 7900 GRE serving as the primary benchmark. While the reasoning behind this approach remains unclear, AMD asserted that the RX 9070 series is designed to compete directly with the RTX 4070, RTX 4080, and the RTX 50-series.
RDNA 4 Architecture and FSR 4: A New Era of Gaming?
AMD’s new RDNA 4 architecture is anticipated to bring substantial improvements to ray tracing performance, and the leaked benchmarks seem to corroborate this. Coupled with the upcoming FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 (FSR 4) upscaling technology, the RX 9070 series promises enhanced image quality and smoother performance in supported titles.
Awaiting Official Confirmation
While these leaked benchmarks provide an enticing preview of the RX 9070 XT’s potential, it’s crucial to remember that they are preliminary. Final optimizations, driver updates, and independent testing could lead to varying results. AMD initially unveiled the RX 9070 and 9070 XT at CES 2025 but withheld specific details on specifications, pricing, and real-world performance, focusing instead on broader advancements like AI-powered gaming features and FSR 4.
AMD has scheduled an event for February 28th to provide further information on its RDNA 4 graphics cards. The Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT are expected to launch on March 6th, although this date has not been officially confirmed by AMD. If these leaks hold true, the RX 9070 XT could be a compelling alternative to Nvidia’s high-end GPUs, potentially shaking up the graphics card market.
