AMD's RX 9060 XT might outperform the RX 9070 in an unforeseen manner.

      Jacob Roach / Digital Trends

      As Nvidia prepares to enhance its lineup of top graphics cards, AMD is actively working on its own developments. Anticipations are high for the RX 9060 XT and non-XT models this year, though specifics remain scarce. A recent leak has provided some critical insights into the possible specifications of these cards, with one particular feature highlighting a significant improvement, not only over its predecessor but also the leading RX 9000 GPUs.

      This information originates from VideoCardz, which seems to be relying on its own sources this time. While the authenticity of the claims is uncertain, it’s best to approach this with skepticism — however, if you’re up for some exciting speculation, let’s proceed.

      The report mentions that the RX 9060 XT will come in two memory versions: 8GB and 16GB. This isn’t surprising, considering AMD's previous strategy with the RX 7600 XT, and Nvidia is expected to follow suit with the RTX 5060 Ti.

      However, AMD faces a disadvantage compared to Nvidia as Team Red will be using GDDR6 memory that operates at 20Gbps, which is a significant downgrade from Nvidia’s GDDR7. If the RX 9060 XT maintains a 128-bit memory bus (similar to the previous generation), its bandwidth will be quite restricted.

      According to AMD's board partners, the RX 9060 XT will include 2,048 stream processors (SPs). This aligns with expectations, as the RX 9060 XT is designed to be a scaled-down version of the RX 9070 XT, which boasts 4,096 cores (SPs).

      The most intriguing aspect comes from the notably increased clock speeds. The RX 9060 XT is rumored to have a game clock of 2,620MHz and a remarkable boost clock reaching 3,230MHz. Indeed, this would mean 3.2GHz clock speeds for a budget-friendly card. While the accuracy of this information is yet to be confirmed, such an upgrade could be a significant advantage for AMD, potentially compensating for the limited bandwidth.

      Finally, the GPU is expected to require a 500-watt power supply, which might need to be elevated to 550W for overclocking purposes, and it will include three display connectors instead of four.

      This leak feels almost too positive to be true, but given that the RX 9070 XT has recently surpassed the 3GHz threshold, there’s a possibility this information could be validated in the coming months. AMD is rumored to announce the RX 9060 XT at Computex in May.

      Monica is a computing writer at Digital Trends, specializing in PC hardware. Since she joined the team in 2021, Monica has written…

      AMD's RX 9070 XT might see a significant price increase soon.

      After Nvidia's RTX 50-series was labeled a "paper launch," many were relieved when AMD's RX 9000 series became widely available. However, once the initial stock is depleted, AMD could encounter similar issues as other top graphics cards: widespread price increases.

      The cards officially launched yesterday, with many appearing above their suggested retail price (MSRP). Some overclocked versions are priced up to $250 more than the $600 starting price. AMD has repeatedly stated its commitment to collaborating with partners to guarantee ample availability at MSRP, and several retailers indeed had some models for sale. Unfortunately, those MSRP cards were quickly sold out and may not return, according to retailers.

      AMD is now competing directly with Nvidia's premier graphics cards. The RX 9070 XT and its non-XT variant are expected to start appearing on shelves soon, with gamers hoping to find them at their recommended prices. Unfortunately, some models may initially cost up to $250 more, mirroring the exorbitant pricing seen in Nvidia's recent RTX 50-series.

      While the cards aren’t technically available for sale just yet, Best Buy has a substantial number of RX 9070 XT and non-XT models listed as "coming soon."

      An AMD RX 9060 XT with 16GB could disrupt Nvidia’s second-hand market.

      I know we're all excited about the RX 9070 XT and 9070 launch, and I am too. However, I also have high hopes for the rumored 9060 XT—not only because it will be cheaper, but because it might feature up to 16GB of VRAM. This could severely impact Nvidia's second-hand graphics card market over the long run, potentially boosting AMD's market share.

      While this is currently just speculation, some colleagues may not share my enthusiasm, but I see real potential for this card to be transformative.

      VRAM has long been a pivotal aspect of graphics card specifications, but its significance has grown considerably lately. While leading graphics cards now often offer 32GB of VRAM, most mainstream options have lagged behind. Just a few generations ago, the top-tier