AMD’s Radeon RX 9070: A Hot Start with Rising Prices
On March 6, 2025, AMD launched its new Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT GPUs, causing quite a stir in the graphics card market. Initially priced at $549 and $599 respectively, these cards were ready to take on Nvidia’s offerings[1][5]. But retailers have a warning: these prices might not last long, as they’re only for the first batch of cards[1][2]. Let’s find out why prices might go up and what it means for you.
Launch and Initial Prices
AMD started strong with the Radeon RX 9070 series. They wanted to beat Nvidia’s RTX 5070 and 5070 Ti in price. The RX 9070 XT, with its 56 processing units and 16GB of GDDR6 memory, was a great deal at $599[1]. The RX 9070, priced at $549, also offered fantastic value[1]. AMD wanted to grab a big share of the mid-range GPU market with these low prices[5].
Prices Might Go Up Soon
Stores like Inet and Overclockers UK say the initial prices are only for the first shipment of cards. Once these are sold out, the next shipments will likely be more expensive[2][3]. For example, PowerColor’s second shipment won’t be sold at the MSRP, and Overclockers UK says only a few hundred units will be available at the launch price[2][3]. So, if you want these cards at the lower prices, you should act fast.
Competition in the Market
The GPU market is like a game of chess between Nvidia and AMD. AMD’s strategy to offer competitive prices is to challenge Nvidia’s market share, especially in the mid-range segment[5]. But if AMD’s prices go up too much, Nvidia’s offerings might look more appealing[3].
What Does This Mean for You?
If you’re interested in the Radeon RX 9070 series, you should buy them now to get them at the initial prices. If the prices go up, these GPUs might not be as competitive against Nvidia’s offerings, which could affect AMD’s market share gains[1][3]. Also, bots and scalpers buying out the stock could make prices even higher on the secondary market[2].
Will Prices Skyrocket?
In short, the Radeon RX 9070 series started strong, but prices might go up after the first batch sells out. This could change how consumers make their purchases. AMD will need to balance price and performance to stay competitive against Nvidia. So, if you want these GPUs, don’t wait too long!
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