The anticipation for the next wave of graphics cards is thick in the air, as the tech world collectively holds its breath for CES 2025. Nvidia and AMD, titans in the GPU arena, are expected to showcase their latest and most dazzling creations. While AMD’s offerings have long been presumed to belong to the RX 8000 series, whispers have surfaced from reliable leakers suggesting a surprising twist: they might instead bear the RX 9000 series designation. But hold onto your hats—there’s more intrigue than a thriller novel unfolding.
In a tantalizing revelation, a Twitter user known as momomo_us shared a screenshot that seems to unveil GPU listings from retailers. Among the prominent entries are the RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT, perched just above AMD’s current performance king, the RX 7900 XTX (source: Tom’s Hardware).
The emerging X0X0 naming format has also found affirmation from another prominent leaker, All The Watts!, who recently divulged a list categorizing various models from the RX 9070 series down to the RX 8040. Curiously, there’s a recurring theme of evolution and rebranding that hints at AMD’s strategic pivot.
To add another layer to this GPU enigma, leaker HXL chimed in, indicating that the RX 8000-series might actually reference RDNA 3.5 GPUs, such as the Strix Halo. Meanwhile, the RX 9000 series purportedly marks the arrival of the fully-fledged RDNA 4 GPUs—a compelling evolution that gamers will surely welcome.
What’s particularly intriguing is that all three leakers dropped their insights within an hour of one another, leaving us pondering the possibility of a synchronized breakthrough or merely a game of telephone among the grapevine of tech insiders.
Traditionally, AMD’s graphics cards have followed a consistent naming rhythm, with the RX 5000, 6000, and 7000 series dominating the landscape. However, this new leap—skipping a digit—could signify a thoughtful break from the norm, indicative of AMD’s evolving strategy. Interestingly, AMD’s latest Zen 5 CPUs have also adopted the 9000-series moniker, a neat alignment that might help simplify identification amidst their diverse product lineup.
In a surprising twist, a keen-eyed Redditor has seemingly unearthed imagery of one of these forthcoming GPUs, dutifully engraved in a recent advertisement. SubtleSerenity pinpointed a notably sleek black and silver cooler design in several AMD promotions, a visual departure from prior references. The design has sparked speculation about its identity, with Hoang Anh Phu, another credible source in AMD circles, hinting that this could be the RX 9070 XT. As with all leaks, however, caution and skepticism are advisable.
While the design may seem typical with its trio of fans—nothing revolutionary, just a solid performance piece—this slip could indicate that AMD’s advertising machine has gotten a tad ahead of itself. Contextually, the card appears set against a backdrop featuring a Ryzen 9 CPU, possibly hinting at upcoming bundled offers.
As audacious rumors swirl that this RDNA 4 flagship might outpace the RX 7900 XTX by an astonishing 45% in ray tracing capabilities while delivering performance on par with an RTX 4080, expectations are on high alert. The RX 9070 XT could emerge as a formidable contender, although AMD’s Jack Huynh has already hinted that the company is not gunning for the high-end market, raising questions about its positioning in the competitive landscape.
Still, should the pricing align with the performance projections, it may just carve a niche as a highly desirable option for gamers. Perhaps the recently hinted FSR 4 will level the playing field a touch more, incorporating AI capabilities akin to Nvidia’s DLSS. Yet, for now, it remains speculative; we await the grand unveiling at CES 2025 to uncover the full truth behind these burgeoning GPU mysteries.
