The upcoming AMD RX 9000 series remains shrouded in mystery, but early signs are promising. During CES 2025, AMD showcased the RX 9070, offering a glimpse into its potential. While detailed specifications are still under wraps, a benchmark test in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 suggests impressive performance.
At the AMD booth, the RX 9070 was paired with the powerful Ryzen 9 9950X3D. IGN seized the opportunity to conduct a benchmark test within Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, utilizing the game’s built-in tool. It’s important to note that this was the non-XT model, meaning it’s not the flagship card in the series. The performance difference between the standard and XT variant remains unclear.
A PC running Call of Duty with an RX 9070 graphics card.
The benchmark was conducted without upscaling, providing a clear view of the GPU’s raw performance. At 4K resolution with Extreme settings, the RX 9070 delivered an average of 99 frames per second (fps). This is a compelling result, comparable to the performance of the Nvidia RTX 4080 Super, as noted by IGN. This is particularly noteworthy given AMD’s previous claim that even its top-tier GPU would only rival the RX 7900 XT. While some visual artifacts were observed during testing, this isn’t surprising considering the GPU was running on alpha drivers.
Factors to Consider
It’s crucial to approach this early benchmark with caution. Call of Duty is known to favor AMD GPUs in benchmarks, so performance in other titles may vary. The high-end Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU could also have contributed to the impressive frame rate. Nevertheless, witnessing a mainstream card like the RX 9070 achieving nearly 100 fps at 4K is a positive indicator.
Looking Ahead
This test provides a valuable early glimpse into the performance of the RDNA 4 GPUs. AMD has yet to announce a release date or provide official performance figures, opting to share more information in the coming weeks. While Nvidia has released some performance claims for its RTX 50-series, these should be interpreted cautiously. This RX 9070 benchmark offers a tangible, albeit preliminary, look at the potential of AMD’s next-generation graphics cards.
