Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti vs. AMD RX 9070 XT: Clash of Titans

While the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 sits comfortably at the top of the graphics card market with its steep $1,999+ price tag, not everyone has the budget for the ultimate GPU. Fortunately, you don't need to break the bank to enjoy 4K gaming. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti and the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT offer more budget-friendly options while still delivering a robust 4K gaming experience.

Currently, prices are elevated due to high demand and limited supply following their launch, but the RTX 5070 Ti and RX 9070 XT remain top picks for those seeking a high-end gaming setup.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT – Photos

4 ImagesRTX 5070 Ti vs. RX 9070 XT: Specs

Comparing the specs of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti and the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT can be tricky due to their different architectures. Nvidia's CUDA cores and AMD's Shading Units, though similar in function, are different enough to make direct comparisons challenging.

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT boasts 64 RDNA 4 compute units, each containing 64 shader units, totaling 4,096. Each compute unit also includes two AI Accelerators and one RT Accelerator, resulting in 128 and 64, respectively. Coupled with 16GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, this setup should handle modern games well, though it may be pushed to its limits at 4K in the future.

On the other hand, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti also features 16GB of memory but uses the newer GDDR7, which offers higher speeds and greater bandwidth on the same 256-bit bus. It includes 70 Streaming Multiprocessors, each with 8,960 CUDA Cores, which is twice the number of Shader Units per Compute Unit compared to previous generations. However, this doesn't necessarily translate to double the performance.

Winner: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT & 9070 – Benchmarks

11 ImagesRTX 5070 Ti vs. RX 9070 XT: Performance

Despite the RTX 5070 Ti's superior specs on paper, real-world performance shows that both the RTX 5070 Ti and the RX 9070 XT are outstanding choices for 4K gaming, and they are among the best options for 1440p gaming as well.

During my review of the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT, I anticipated it would be close to the RTX 5070 Ti, particularly falling behind in games with heavy ray tracing. Surprisingly, even in titles like Cyberpunk 2077, the AMD card kept pace, staying within a few frames of the more expensive Nvidia counterpart.

There are instances where the RTX 5070 Ti pulls ahead, such as in Total War: Warhammer 3, where it achieves 87fps at 4K compared to the RX 9070 XT's 76fps. However, overall, the RX 9070 XT averaged 2% faster than the RTX 5070 Ti, which is a significant achievement considering its 21% lower price.

Winner: AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti – Photos

6 ImagesRTX 5070 Ti vs. RX 9070 XT: Software and Features

Choosing the right graphics card today involves more than just hardware specs. Both Nvidia and AMD offer comprehensive software suites that enhance the capabilities of their GPUs.

The Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti stands out with its DLSS suite, which includes AI upscaling and Frame Generation. With DLSS 4, Nvidia introduces multi-frame generation, capable of generating three AI-enhanced frames for every naturally rendered frame. This feature boosts frame rates but adds a small latency cost, mitigated by Nvidia Reflex. It's best used when you're already achieving at least 45fps, ideally over 60fps.

AMD also supports Frame Generation, albeit generating one interpolated frame per rendered frame. The significant advancement with the Radeon RX 9070 XT is FSR 4, introducing AI upscaling to AMD GPUs for the first time. Unlike previous FSR versions, FSR 4 uses machine learning to upscale images, offering sharper results, though it's not as fast as its predecessor.

It's worth noting that FSR 4 is AMD's first foray into AI upscaling, while Nvidia has refined DLSS over seven years.

Winner: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti

RTX 5070 Ti vs. RX 9070 XT: Price

GPU pricing is a contentious topic, especially with the new generation's cards often sold out and priced above MSRP due to high demand. Both Nvidia and AMD set suggested retail prices, but third-party manufacturers and retailers can set their own prices, leading to inflation.

At its launch price of $599, the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT is a standout value, capable of running any current game at max settings with the help of FSR 4 AI upscaling. This price point recalls the days before Nvidia's gradual price increases, starting with the RTX 2080 Ti. Hopefully, this signals a return to more reasonable GPU pricing as supply normalizes.

Conversely, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, despite its similar performance to the RX 9070 XT, starts at a higher $749. This $150 price difference is significant, especially considering the similar performance levels. The RTX 5070 Ti's additional features, such as Multi-Frame Generation, may appeal to some, but whether they justify the extra cost depends on individual gaming needs.

Winner: AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT

The Winner Is… the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT

Both the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT and Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti are exceptional for 1440p gaming, and they can handle 4K gaming well. However, the RX 9070 XT's ability to match the RTX 5070 Ti's performance at a significantly lower price makes it the clear winner.

For those building a gaming PC aimed at high-end 1440p or even 4K gaming, the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT is an excellent choice. While it lacks multi-frame generation, this feature is less critical for most users without high-refresh 4K monitors.