The big reveal from CES 2025 was AMD’s decision not to fully launch their new RDNA4 GPUs at the event, opting instead to “preview” the new architecture and a couple of graphics cards. Despite the limited announcement, AMD officially revealed the RDNA4 graphics architecture, the Radeon RX 9070 series GPUs, Machine Learning-powered FSR 4 upscaling, and new Ryzen 9000 X3D desktop CPUs.
RDNA4 Architecture Unveiled
Introduction to RDNA4
One of the most anticipated announcements was AMD’s reveal of the Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 GPUs. However, the announcement came without any specific details concerning specifications, performance figures, pricing, or an exact release date other than “Q1 2025.” This lack of concrete information was disappointing to many who had been expecting a full product launch. The absence of detailed information appears to be a strategic move from AMD, likely in response to an imminent announcement from Nvidia regarding their GeForce 50 series.
Strategic Flexibility
By withholding full details, AMD maintains more flexibility to adjust its offerings in response to Nvidia’s announcements. From a positive perspective, AMD’s cautious approach could allow them to ensure their products remain competitive. Should Nvidia introduce a strong price-to-performance improvement, AMD could respond with more aggressive pricing or minor adjustments to their configurations. However, it’s pivotal for AMD that RDNA4 exhibits a substantial performance jump over its predecessors, regardless of Nvidia’s offerings.
Partner Collaborations and Production
Brand Partners
Brand partners like Asus, Gigabyte, Sapphire, and PowerColor will be producing the Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070, to be available in Q1 2025. However, MSI will not be participating in RDNA4 production due to ongoing undisclosed issues with AMD.
Technical Advancements
The RDNA4 architecture is designed on TSMC’s 4nm node, an upgrade from the 5nm node used in RDNA3. Unlike RDNA3, which separated GPU cores and memory controllers into different dies, RDNA4 integrates these elements. AMD touted various architectural improvements, including an optimized compute unit. This improvement reportedly includes significant architectural changes, higher IPC (Instructions Per Clock), and increased frequency. This combination suggests RDNA4 will deliver appreciable performance gains compared to RDNA3.
Enhanced AI and Ray Tracing Capabilities
AI Enhancements
The architecture also features extensive enhancements in AI capabilities, although AMD provided few specifics. Moreover, RDNA4 includes a revamped ray tracing engine designed for better performance, but AMD has not provided metrics to quantify this improvement. Additionally, RDNA4 introduces a second-generation “Radiance Display Engine” for enhanced display connectivity compared to RDNA3.
Media Encoder Improvements
AMD’s updated media encoder claims substantial improvements, with a focus on better H.264 quality, an area of previous weakness. Footnotes from AMD’s data compared H.264 quality scores between RDNA3 and RDNA4, showing improvement in games like Borderlands 3, Far Cry 6, and Watch Dogs Legion at both 1080p and 4K.
Competitive Positioning and Future Prospects
Performance Teasers
Performance figures for RDNA4 remain undisclosed. However, a teaser slide showed AMD’s branding and competitive positioning, indicating where they believe RDNA4 will stand relative to Nvidia’s upcoming RTX 5000 series. AMD appears optimistic that the RX 9070 series will compete favorably with the RTX 4070 Ti and RX 7900 XT. They also hinted at the existence of an RX 9060 series, likely positioned between the performance of the RX 7700 XT and RX 7800 XT.
Naming Scheme and Consumer Appeal
AMD’s naming scheme for new GPUs aligns them more directly with Nvidia’s, simplifying comparisons for consumers. They hope this approach, coupled with competitive pricing and features, will make their products more appealing.
FSR 4 Upscaling Technology
Introduction to FSR 4
Another significant announcement was the introduction of FSR 4, a machine-learning-based upscaling technology designed for RDNA4. While details were sparse, FSR 4 aims to enhance image quality and performance, likely rivaling Nvidia’s DLSS and Intel’s XeSS.
Transition and Game Support
One intriguing aspect was a footnote suggesting games with FSR 3.1 could automatically upgrade to FSR 4 on RX 9070 series cards, potentially easing the transition and expanding game support.
Ryzen 9000 X3D CPUs
New CPU Models
In the CPU segment, AMD introduced the Ryzen 9 9950X3D and Ryzen 9 9900X3D, using 2nd-gen 3D V-Cache technology. These additions promise high performance for both gamers and content creators. The 9950X3D features 16 cores and 128MB of L3 cache, while the 9900X3D offers 12 cores and also 128MB of L3 cache. Both CPUs maintain expected power requirements and clock speeds, ensuring seamless upgrades from their predecessors.
AMD’s benchmarks suggest the 9950X3D offers a modest 8% improvement over the 7950X3D in gaming and significant gains in productivity applications. It promises better overall performance compared to Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K, making it a compelling choice for versatile computing needs.
Future Prospects and Market Impact
Mobile Hardware Announcements
Additional announcements covered AMD’s forthcoming products for mobile hardware and gaming handhelds, emphasizing AI integration. Laptops featuring new CPUs, including models branded with “AI,” hint at AMD’s direction in merging traditional processing power with AI-enhanced capabilities.
Summary and Market Strategy
At CES 2025, AMD made waves by choosing not to fully unveil their new RDNA4 GPUs at the event. Instead of a full launch, they decided to “preview” the new architecture along with a couple of graphics cards, creating a buzz of anticipation. During this limited announcement, AMD introduced the RDNA4 graphics architecture and gave a sneak peek of the upcoming Radeon RX 9070 series GPUs.
In addition to the hardware preview, AMD also showcased Machine Learning-powered FSR 4 upscaling technology, which aims to enhance gaming performance through advanced upscaling techniques. This new upscaling technology promises to deliver smoother and more detailed visuals, making it a significant step forward for gaming graphics.
Furthermore, AMD didn’t stop at graphics cards and upscaling. They also revealed their new Ryzen 9000 X3D desktop CPUs. These new processors are expected to offer improved performance and efficiency, catering to the needs of both gamers and professionals who demand high processing power.
Overall, AMD’s CES 2025 presentation, while not a full-blown launch, provided a tantalizing glimpse into the future of their technology. The preview of the RDNA4 architecture, combined with the introduction of the Radeon RX 9070 series, Machine Learning-powered FSR 4 upscaling, and Ryzen 9000 X3D desktop CPUs, set the stage for exciting developments in the coming months.