Launch MSRPs, release cycles and deals windows as of November 9, 2026.
The AMD RX 9070 is the direct successor to the AMD RX 7800 XT. It arrived 17 months later (Mar 6, 2025 vs Sep 6, 2023), and the RX 7800 XT is now listed as superseded. Against the RX 7800 XT, the RX 9070 costs $50 more at launch MSRP ($549 vs $499, 10% more), matches its 16 GB of VRAM and draws 13W less at rated TDP (250W vs 263W).
This GPU is no longer the current generation. It has been replaced by the AMD RX 9070.
Superseded by RX 9070
Best for: 1440p gamers who can find a used unit near or below the $499 MSRP — at current above-MSRP new prices, the RX 9070 is the better buy.
Full details →Mid-cycle — next generation may be on the horizon
Best for: 1440p gamers who want 16GB VRAM and AMD's ecosystem at the most efficient power-to-performance ratio.
Full details →| AMD RX 7800 XT | AMD RX 9070 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | High-end | High-end |
| Generation | RX 7000 | RX 9000 |
| VRAM | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| TDP | 263W | 250W |
| Upscaling | FSR3 | FSR4 |
| Ray Tracing | ✅ | ✅ |
| Launch MSRP | $499 | $549 |
| Editor score | 8.5/10 | 8.7/10 |
| Released | Sep 6, 2023 | Mar 6, 2025 |
| Cycle length | ~550 days | ~820 days |
| Cycle advice | Superseded | Caution |
| Deals advice | Clearance | Caution |
| Successor | RX 9070 | — |
What you gain: the RX 9070 draws 13W less at rated TDP (250W vs 263W), supports FSR4 upscaling (vs FSR3) and carries a higher editor score (8.7 vs 8.5).
The replacement also launched $50 higher ($549 vs $499), so at MSRP the upgrade costs more than the RX 7800 XT did at launch.
Every spec we track moves in the RX 9070's favour, so if you own a RX 7800 XT and want a newer card from AMD, this is the natural upgrade path. On timing, the RX 9070 rates Caution.
New prices (~$1,000) are well above MSRP due to the memory shortage — used units around $500 are the only remaining value path.
Same VRAM as its successor — no VRAM compromise.
Well-optimized after 18+ months of updates.
Same VRAM as the 9070 XT for $50 less — excellent value.
More power-efficient than both the 9070 XT and RTX 5070.
Full access to AMD's ML-powered upscaling.
Released Sep 6, 2023, the RX 7800 XT has been on the market for 3 years 2 months. It has been superseded by the AMD RX 9070, which launched Mar 6, 2025, so it's no longer a current-generation buy — new stock is clearance, and the rest of the market is second-hand.
Released Mar 6, 2025, the RX 9070 has been on the market for 20 months. The previous cycle for this line ran about 820 days, so it is roughly 75% of the way through a typical cycle, with around 207 days to go before a replacement would be due on past form. Our model rates it Caution.
On timing, the RX 9070 is the only current-generation option of the two (Caution), while the RX 7800 XT is a clearance or used purchase.
At launch MSRP the RX 7800 XT is $50 cheaper than the RX 9070 ($499 vs $549, 9% less). Per gigabyte of VRAM that's $31.2 for the RX 7800 XT and $34.3 for the RX 9070 — the RX 7800 XT gives more memory for the money. Launch MSRP is only a reference point for a superseded card; its real price is whatever clearance or used stock sells for today.
RX 7800 XT (deals window to Dec 5, 2026, rated Caution): Black Friday 2026 — analysts do not expect memory supply to normalise before late 2027, so real clearance pricing is unlikely. Only buy if a deal lands below the $499 MSRP.
RX 9070 (deals window to Dec 5, 2026, rated Caution): Black Friday / Cyber Monday 2026 — prices climbed again heading into November, to roughly $780–$880 (40–60% above the $549 MSRP), and a fourth 2026 AMD price increase has been reported for November. Discounts are unlikely to reach MSRP; only buy at or near $549.
Next on the deals calendar: for the RX 9070, New Year clearance 2027, from Jan 2, 2027 to Jan 20, 2027.
Our pick: AMD RX 9070
For a new purchase, the RX 9070 is the one to buy: it's the current replacement for the RX 7800 XT, and it rates Caution on our buy/wait signal (editor score 8.7 vs 8.5).
The RX 7800 XT only makes sense at a clearance or second-hand price clearly below what the RX 9070 sells for.
Buy/Wait and deals ratings come from release-cycle and pricing data, not benchmarks. How we rate →
Where they're level: VRAM (16 GB each) and memory type (GDDR6).