During its CES 2025 keynote, AMD offered minimal information regarding its new RDNA 4 graphics cards, opting not to showcase the GPUs. Instead, much of the information surrounding the new cards has come from AMD’s partner manufacturers. This unusual approach has left many Team Red enthusiasts feeling anxious about the impending release of the new GPUs.
The good news is that the RX 9070 XT is on its way.
How soon, you ask? AMD’s Frank Azor mentioned that the launch is set for mere weeks away, emphasizing, “When we say Q1, we’re certainly not talking about March 31st.”
While “weeks” is certainly broad and could refer to late January, early February, or even March, Azor assured me that AMD is prepared to launch its next generation of graphics cards. He explained that the graphics cards were overlooked during the keynote presentation due to time limitations. It’s also worth noting that AMD had a lot to announce, from the Ryzen 9 9950X3D to its new range of Ryzen Z2 processors designed for handheld devices.
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Azor also revealed that AMD was awaiting Nvidia’s moves before detailing their launch. With Nvidia’s newly announced $2,000 RTX 5090 and its other RTX 50-series cards, AMD seemed eager to understand where its new GPUs would fit relative to Nvidia’s offerings. This strategy appears wise, as AMD has indicated a focus on the midrange segment rather than directly competing with Nvidia for the high-end market this generation.
However, the exact positioning of AMD’s new GPU remains uncertain. Nvidia’s performance metrics lack clarity, with much of the information made vague by their new DLSS 4 multi-frame generation technology. Azor expressed his opinion that while he has “immense respect” for Nvidia, their performance charts are essentially “worthless,” a sentiment that many might echo. The lack of clarity in these charts does not provide a complete picture of what PC gamers can really expect from Nvidia’s latest graphics cards.
AMD has reassured that there is nothing amiss with the RDNA 4 series. I’ve seen both the RX 9070 XT and AMD’s significantly upgraded FSR 4 in action. If there were serious issues with AMD’s new graphics cards, I seriously doubt they would have appeared at CES, an event known for showcasing new technology.
