AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT Leaks: Performance & 2026 Guide
I’ve been tracking the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT leaks since they first surfaced, and the picture emerging is fascinating.
The RX 9070 XT represents AMD’s next-generation RDNA 4 architecture, codenamed Navi 48, targeting the competitive $599 price segment.
After analyzing multiple leak sources, GPU-Z screenshots, and benchmark databases, I’ve compiled everything we know about this upcoming graphics card.
This comprehensive coverage examines leaked specifications, performance benchmarks, architectural improvements, and what these revelations mean for AMD’s GPU strategy in 2025.
What is the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT?
The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT is an upcoming graphics card based on the RDNA 4 architecture, featuring 16GB of GDDR6 memory and targeting RTX 5070 Ti performance levels.
According to leaked specifications, it uses the Navi 48 GPU built on a 4nm process node with 4096 stream processors.
The card aims to deliver 42-66% better performance than the RX 7900 GRE while maintaining competitive pricing against NVIDIA’s offerings.
The Leak Timeline: How RX 9070 XT Details Emerged?
The first credible RX 9070 XT leaks appeared in early February 2025 through a GPU-Z screenshot that revealed core specifications.
This initial leak showed the Navi 48 XT GPU with 64 compute units and a boost clock reaching 3.1 GHz.
The screenshot, captured during Monster Hunter Wilds testing, provided our first concrete look at the hardware.
February 13: The GPU-Z Revelation
TechPowerUp first reported the GPU-Z screenshot showing detailed specifications of a pre-release RX 9070 XT.
The leak revealed driver version 32.0.12011.4002, confirming this was genuine AMD testing hardware.
Most significantly, it showed 16GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, addressing VRAM concerns from previous generations.
February 21: Geekbench Scores Surface
Multiple Geekbench entries appeared showing both RX 9070 XT and non-XT variants in testing.
The RX 9070 XT scored approximately 205,000 points in OpenCL benchmarks, suggesting strong compute performance.
These benchmarks ran on various test systems including Intel Core Ultra 9 285K platforms, indicating broad compatibility testing.
February 23: Performance Estimates Leak
AMD’s internal performance estimates leaked, claiming 42-66% improvements over the RX 7900 GRE.
These figures reportedly came from AMD’s own testing across multiple game titles at 1440p and 4K resolutions.
The leak suggested particular strength in ray tracing workloads, a traditional AMD weakness.
Leaked RX 9070 XT Specifications: Technical Deep Dive
The RX 9070 XT specifications paint a picture of a well-balanced graphics card targeting the enthusiast segment.
Based on multiple corroborating leaks, here’s what we know about the technical specifications:
| Specification | RX 9070 XT (Leaked) | RX 7900 GRE | RTX 5070 Ti |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPU Architecture | RDNA 4 (Navi 48) | RDNA 3 | Ada Lovelace |
| Process Node | 4nm | 5nm + 6nm | 4nm |
| Stream Processors | 4096 | 5120 | 8448 CUDA |
| Compute Units | 64 | 80 | N/A |
| Boost Clock | 3.1 GHz | 2.4 GHz | 2.61 GHz |
| Memory | 16GB GDDR6 | 16GB GDDR6 | 16GB GDDR6X |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit | 256-bit | 256-bit |
| TBP | 260W (estimated) | 260W | 285W |
| Target Price | $599 | $549 | $749 |
Memory Subsystem Analysis
The 16GB GDDR6 configuration represents a strategic choice by AMD to maintain cost competitiveness.
While NVIDIA opts for faster GDDR6X on the RTX 5070 Ti, AMD’s approach should provide sufficient bandwidth at 512 GB/s.
The 256-bit memory bus matches previous generation high-end cards, ensuring no bandwidth bottlenecks for 4K gaming.
Clock Speed Improvements
The leaked 3.1 GHz boost clock represents a massive 29% increase over the RX 7900 GRE’s 2.4 GHz.
This dramatic frequency uplift suggests significant architectural improvements in RDNA 4’s design.
Higher clocks combined with architectural enhancements should deliver the claimed performance gains.
Performance Leaks: Benchmarks and Gaming Analysis (March 2026)
Performance leaks from multiple sources paint an encouraging picture for AMD’s positioning against NVIDIA.
I’ve aggregated benchmark data from various leaks to provide a comprehensive performance overview.
Monster Hunter Wilds Performance
The original GPU-Z leak occurred during Monster Hunter Wilds testing, providing real-world gaming context.
At 1440p with ray tracing enabled, the RX 9070 XT reportedly achieved 85-95 fps with high settings.
This performance level matches or exceeds the RTX 4070 Ti while using less power.
Synthetic Benchmark Results
Geekbench OpenCL scores show the RX 9070 XT reaching approximately 205,000 points.
For comparison, the RTX 4070 Ti scores around 180,000 points in the same test.
3DMark Time Spy leaks suggest scores between 18,000-19,000, positioning it firmly in enthusiast territory.
⚠️ Important: These benchmark results come from pre-release hardware with early drivers. Final performance may vary significantly.
Competitive Gaming Performance
According to AMD’s leaked internal testing, the RX 9070 XT shows strong 1440p performance across popular titles.
- Cyberpunk 2077: 45% faster than RX 7900 GRE with ray tracing
- Call of Duty MW3: 38% improvement at 1440p ultra settings
- Fortnite: Maintains 240+ fps at competitive settings
- Starfield: 52% uplift with FSR 3 enabled
4K Gaming Capabilities
The 16GB VRAM buffer positions the RX 9070 XT well for 4K gaming in 2025 and beyond.
Leaked benchmarks suggest 60+ fps at 4K high settings in most current titles without upscaling.
With FSR 3 or the upcoming FSR 4, the card should handle 4K ray tracing at playable framerates.
RDNA 4 Architecture: What’s New in Navi 48?
RDNA 4 represents AMD’s most significant architectural leap since the introduction of hardware ray tracing.
The Navi 48 GPU implements several key improvements over RDNA 3.
Ray Tracing Enhancements
Leaked architectural details suggest 2.5x improved ray tracing performance per compute unit.
AMD reportedly redesigned the RT accelerators to better handle complex lighting calculations.
This addresses the primary weakness of previous RDNA generations compared to NVIDIA’s offerings.
Power Efficiency Improvements
The move to 4nm processing combined with architectural optimizations delivers impressive efficiency gains.
Leaks indicate 30% better performance per watt compared to RDNA 3 at similar power levels.
The 260W TBP delivers performance previously requiring 300W+ from AMD GPUs.
AI Acceleration Features
RDNA 4 introduces enhanced AI accelerators for upscaling and frame generation.
These improvements enable FSR 4, AMD’s answer to NVIDIA’s DLSS 3.5.
Early reports suggest significantly improved image quality and performance scaling.
Market Positioning and Competition
AMD’s strategy with the RX 9070 XT becomes clear when examining the competitive landscape.
The $599 target price undercuts NVIDIA’s RTX 5070 Ti by $150 while offering comparable performance.
Value Proposition Analysis
At $599, the RX 9070 XT offers compelling value for 1440p and entry-level 4K gaming.
The 16GB VRAM provides future-proofing that best gaming laptops with high-end graphics cards struggle to match in this price range.
Performance per dollar calculations show AMD targeting a 25-30% advantage over NVIDIA.
Target Audience
The RX 9070 XT targets several key segments based on its leaked specifications and pricing.
Competitive gamers seeking high refresh 1440p performance will find strong value here.
Content creators needing 16GB VRAM for video editing get workstation capabilities at gaming prices.
Competitive Challenges
NVIDIA’s RTX 5070 Ti maintains advantages in ray tracing performance and DLSS ecosystem.
AMD must ensure stable drivers at launch to avoid repeating past RDNA launch issues.
Market availability will be crucial, as paper launches damage consumer confidence.
✅ Pro Tip: If these leaked specs prove accurate, the RX 9070 XT could offer the best value in the $600 segment since the RX 6800 XT.
Launch Timeline and Availability
While AMD hasn’t officially announced the RX 9070 XT, leaks point to a Q1 2025 launch window.
Most sources suggest a March or early April release date following NVIDIA’s RTX 50 series rollout.
This timing allows AMD to adjust pricing based on NVIDIA’s actual market positioning.
AIB Partner Models
Leaks indicate major AIB partners including Sapphire, XFX, and PowerColor preparing custom designs.
Custom models should launch within 2-4 weeks of the reference design availability.
Expect factory overclocked variants pushing boost clocks beyond 3.2 GHz.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the AMD RX 9070 XT be released?
Based on current leaks, the RX 9070 XT is expected to launch in March or early April 2025. AMD typically announces GPUs 2-4 weeks before availability, so expect an official announcement in late February or early March.
How much will the RX 9070 XT cost?
Leaked pricing suggests a $599 MSRP for the RX 9070 XT. This positions it $150 below the RTX 5070 Ti while targeting similar performance levels. Actual retail prices may vary based on availability and demand.
What is RDNA 4 architecture?
RDNA 4 is AMD’s next-generation GPU architecture featuring improved ray tracing performance, higher clock speeds, and better power efficiency. It includes redesigned RT accelerators, enhanced AI processing for FSR 4, and uses a 4nm manufacturing process.
How does RX 9070 XT compare to RTX 5070 Ti?
According to leaks, the RX 9070 XT offers 85-95% of RTX 5070 Ti performance while costing $150 less. It matches the 16GB VRAM capacity but uses GDDR6 instead of GDDR6X. Ray tracing performance still favors NVIDIA, but the gap has narrowed significantly.
Does the RX 9070 XT support ray tracing?
Yes, the RX 9070 XT features enhanced ray tracing accelerators with 2.5x better performance per compute unit compared to RDNA 3. While still behind NVIDIA’s implementation, RDNA 4 makes ray tracing viable at 1440p and playable at 4K with upscaling.
What power supply do I need for RX 9070 XT?
The RX 9070 XT has an estimated 260W Total Board Power. AMD will likely recommend a 700W PSU for a complete system. The card is expected to use standard 8-pin or 12-pin power connectors, not the new 12VHPWR standard.
Will RX 9070 XT prices drop after launch?
GPU prices typically stabilize 2-3 months after launch once initial demand is met. The RX 9070 XT’s $599 MSRP may see discounts during major sales events. Competition from NVIDIA and Intel Arc could also drive prices down faster than previous generations.
What These Leaks Mean for AMD’s GPU Future?
The RX 9070 XT leaks reveal AMD’s aggressive strategy to reclaim market share in the enthusiast segment.
RDNA 4’s improvements address previous weaknesses while maintaining AMD’s value leadership.
If these leaked specifications prove accurate, AMD has a compelling competitor to NVIDIA’s latest offerings.
For those considering gaming laptop buying guides, these desktop GPU advances will eventually trickle down to mobile variants.
I recommend waiting for official benchmarks before making any purchasing decisions, but the leaked data suggests the RX 9070 XT could be 2025’s best value graphics card.