Introduction
The XFX Swift Radeon RX 9070 OC emerges as a compelling mid-range graphics card from AMD, positioned just below the RX 9070 XT. While it retains most of the Radeon goodness found in its XT counterpart, its price positioning in the market has raised some concerns. This review delves into its performance, pricing, and whether it’s worth considering over the RX 9070 XT.
Price vs. Performance: A Tricky Balance
At launch, AMD surprised many by setting competitive price points for both the RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT. Initially, the RX 9070 was priced at $549, with its XT variant at $599. However, post-launch, the RX 9070 has been spotted retailing at $650—$50 more than its XT counterpart’s original MSRP. Given the minimal price difference, the RX 9070 XT often presents a better value proposition.
Market Pricing Concerns
While the RX 9070 XT has also seen price fluctuations, its higher shader count and faster clock speeds make it a more attractive option. If the XT version can be found at $650 or below, it’s the smarter buy. Unfortunately, stock shortages and unpredictable GPU pricing trends make availability inconsistent.
Architecture & Specifications
The RX 9070 is built on AMD’s RDNA 4 architecture, closely mirroring the RX 9070 XT but with some cutbacks:
| Feature | RX 9070 | RX 9070 XT | RTX 5070 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | RDNA 4 | RDNA 4 | GB205 |
| Transistors | 53.9 billion | 53.9 billion | 31.1 billion |
| Die Size | 357 mm² | 357 mm² | 263 mm² |
| Compute Units | 56 | 64 | 48 |
| Ray Accelerators | 56 | 64 | 48 |
| AI Accelerators | 112 | 128 | 192 |
| Shader Cores | 3584 | 4096 | 6144 |
| Boost Clock | 2,520 MHz | 2,970 MHz | 2,512 MHz |
| ROPs | 128 | 128 | 80 |
| VRAM | 16 GB GDDR6 | 16 GB GDDR6 | 12 GB GDDR7 |
| Memory Speed | 20 Gbps | 20 Gbps | 28 Gbps |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit | 256-bit | 192-bit |
| PCIe Interface | PCIe 5.0 x16 | PCIe 5.0 x16 | PCIe 5.0 x16 |
| TGP | 220 W | 304 W | 250 W |
Performance Analysis
When evaluating gaming performance, the RX 9070 falls approximately 10% behind the RX 9070 XT at 1080p, 13% at 1440p, and 16% at 4K. These differences stem from:
- Lower Compute Unit Count: The RX 9070 has 56 CUs, while the XT version boasts 64.
- Reduced Shader Cores: 3584 shaders in the RX 9070 vs. 4096 in the XT.
- Slower Boost Clocks: The RX 9070 runs at 2,520 MHz, whereas the XT reaches 2,970 MHz.
Despite these cutbacks, both cards share 16GB of GDDR6 memory running at 20 Gbps over a 256-bit bus, meaning that memory bandwidth and overall architecture remain largely intact.
RDNA 4 Enhancements
The RX 9070 benefits from AMD’s latest architectural improvements, including:
- Second-Gen AI Accelerators: Boosting machine learning tasks and gaming performance.
- Improved Ray Tracing Cores: Enhancing real-time lighting effects.
- Raster Performance Gains: Offering higher efficiency in traditional rendering tasks.
Final Verdict: Is the RX 9070 Worth It?
While the RX 9070 is a solid mid-range card, its price relative to the RX 9070 XT makes it a tough sell. If you can find the XT version at $650 or below, it’s the better investment. However, if pricing stabilizes and the RX 9070 becomes available at its original MSRP, it could be an excellent choice for budget-conscious gamers.
