The rumors had been true! AMD unveiled the Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT to press forward of the corporate’s CES 2025 keynote on Monday, powered by the next-generation RDNA 4 structure with a brand new AI-focused model of FSR (FidelityFX Tremendous Decision) in tow.
Avid gamers hoping for deep particulars had been left wanting, nonetheless, as AMD categorized this as a “preview” with out a lot onerous info — the Radeon 9070 didn’t even earn a point out throughout AMD’s keynote. It was extra of a tease than something, actually, although it’s clear that AMD is lastly, really embracing AI {hardware} inside GPUs. Right here’s what we do know.
AMD
For years, AMD has battled Nvidia’s vaunted DLSS utilizing (principally) graphics cores fairly than integrating devoted AI {hardware}. Not anymore.
AMD says RDNA 4 was constructed from the bottom up on TSMC’s 4nm course of to “supercharge” AI efficiency, pushed by an enormous overhaul to the AI compute structure. Subsequent-gen Radeon GPUs may also profit from an upgraded ray tracing structure, in addition to “substantial improvements” to the second-gen AMD Radiance Show Engine’s encode and decode efficiency.
To this point, so good — although the satan might be within the particulars round this seemingly monumental structure change for Radeon, and AMD isn’t offering any extra particulars than this simply but.
AMD
The added AI chops in RDNA 4 and the Radeon RX 9070 might be instantly augmented by a brand new software program function: FidelityFX Tremendous Decision 4. AMD advised press that FSR 4 revolves round machine learning-based upscaling (like Nvidia’s DLSS) and was developed particularly for the brand new AI accelerators in RDNA 4. The corporate teased it with a screenshot of Name of Responsibility: Black Ops 6.
Count on to see “dramatic” efficiency and high quality enhancements versus prior variations of FSR, per AMD. Which is smart, on condition that AMD’s primarily GPU-based FSR expertise has lagged in these areas in comparison with DLSS and even Intel’s XeSS options, which each faucet into devoted AI {hardware} to supply buttery-smooth upscaled gaming experiences.
To drive dwelling that Radeon is embracing AI now, the corporate’s Adrenalin Software program may also add a generative AI tab, the place you possibly can create pictures from textual content prompts or ask AI to summarize native paperwork. Eh, okay.
AMD
AMD completed its teaser with a splash shot of Radeon RX 9070 graphics playing cards from a wide range of board companions. All the standard suspects are right here, with the odd exception of MSI.
The corporate additionally offered press with the above slide to attempt to illustrate what AMD is attempting to do with its new mannequin numbers. Radeon is leaping to the 9000-series (to align with Ryzen 9000-series branding) whereas additionally transferring branding for particular GPU fashions from the 100s to the 10s spot within the title (to align with Nvidia’s scheme). AMD needs you to know that the Radeon RX 9070 is an Nvidia RTX 5090 competitor, basically.
AMD
And that might be why AMD is mild on RDNA 4 particulars at CES. Its keynote was held mere hours forward of Nvidia’s personal, the place Jensen Huang is predicted to disclose the hotly anticipated GeForce RTX 50-series GPUs. AMD possible needs to see the place its rival’s pricing and efficiency fall earlier than committing to particular segments itself.
Both means, it’s nice to see AMD lastly embrace the potential of devoted AI {hardware}. AI upscaling is killing native graphics, in any case. The corporate says it’ll present extra details about the Radeon RX 9070 and RDNA 4 forward of launch someday within the first quarter of 2025.
