AMD may launch its mid-range offering as early as March, according to a fresh rumor suggesting a swift response to market demand. Traditionally, gaming GPU manufacturers have launched flagship high-end models at the start of each new generation, followed by mid-range releases several months later. This accelerated approach from AMD marks a departure from industry norms.
AMD has historically been expected not to directly compete with Nvidia at the high end of the market, with the RX 9070 XT forecasted as the company’s flagship next-gen card boasting specifications fast enough only to rival the RTX 5070 rather than the more powerful RTX 5090? As AMD seeks to dominate the mid-range GPU market, it must act quickly to release more affordable options, thereby increasing its chances of winning over customers.
A brand-new rumor has emerged from a reputable Chinese-language website, boardchannel.cn, as reported by videocardz.com, where a forum user known as “Skilled No. 1” shared details about an imminent product launch. The topic of RX 9070 fashion launches is under discussion, with reports suggesting that AMD-branded boards are expected to hit the market in January, while add-in board (AIB) partner cards will not arrive until February. Despite their initial skepticism, they predict that “various fashion trends will emerge in March or even earlier.”
It’s reassuring to note the confirmation of RX 9070 XT models’ availability in January, allowing AMD to effectively counter the impending RTX 5070 release, also expected for January. Notwithstanding this, the rapid introduction of mid-range playing cards is particularly noteworthy.
The much-anticipated AMD RX 9000 launch is expected to introduce a lineup of graphics cards comprised of two flagship gaming GPUs: the AMD Navi 44 and AMD Navi 48. Rumors suggest that the forthcoming RX 9070 lineup will be powered by a robust graphics processing unit, with potential cut-down variants emerging as RX 5060 models. Meanwhile, the Navi 44 is reportedly designed for low-power consumption and could power entry-level graphics cards priced below $300, potentially leading to the launch of an RX 5050 model.
When those playing cards finally materialize, we might suddenly find ourselves faced with a graphics card market that has been completely turned upside down. For years, the market has been dominated by inexpensively priced yet underwhelming mid-range graphics processing units (GPUs). But now, it appears that a new era of competitively priced and high-performing low- to mid-range GPUs is on the horizon. As Intel shook things up with the B580, delivering stable performance at a price point well under $300, we can expect AMD and Nvidia to respond accordingly.
We’re just days away from uncovering the latest developments in AMD and Nvidia’s next-generation gaming GPU strategies, as both companies are set to formally launch their new card ranges at CES 2025 in Las Vegas. Our team will be on the ground, reporting live from the event and providing updates in our dedicated CES news hub.
While you await these official unveilings, explore our in-depth guides on Nvidia’s RTX 5090, RTX 5080, and RTX 5070, as well as AMD’s RX 9070 XT to gain insights into the latest developments surrounding these upcoming launches. While the information in these guides and the article relies primarily on speculation and rumors, the picture is gradually coming into focus as we near the official unveilings.
