RX 9070 XT vs RTX 4070
Two brands, one target. The RX 9070 XT from AMD and the RTX 4070 from NVIDIA compete head to head for upper-midrange graphics card shoppers. This one has a front-runner. The RX 9070 XT wins 1 of 2 compared areas, and memory is where the difference is hardest to miss.
At a glance
- Memory RX 9070 XT wins
- Power & Thermals RTX 4070 wins
- Price Tie
- GPU & Performance7.5
- Memory7.5
- Power & Thermals0.8
- GPU & Performance4.6
- Memory3.6
- Power & Thermals7.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The RX 9070 XT has 4 GB more VRAM
A clear win for the RX 9070 XT: 16 GB against 12 GB. Few specs in this matchup are as one-sided. At high resolutions or with texture packs, running out of VRAM can hurt more than a small speed gap.
-
The RTX 4070 has 104 W lower board power
Here the RTX 4070 pulls well ahead of the RX 9070 XT, with 200 W compared to 304 W. Lower board power means less heat, quieter cooling and a smaller impact on your electricity bill.
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The RX 9070 XT has 27% more memory bandwidth
The RX 9070 XT doesn’t just edge this one; 640 GB/s against 504 GB/s is a lead you’ll feel. Memory bandwidth decides how quickly the GPU can feed itself with data, which matters most at 1440p and 4K.
-
The RX 9070 XT has a wider 256-bit memory bus
Big gap, real consequences. The RX 9070 XT’s 256-bit versus the RTX 4070’s 192-bit changes how the two compare in daily use. Large on-chip caches can make up for a narrower bus, so bandwidth is the more telling number.
-
The RTX 4070 has a smaller 650 W PSU requirement
The RX 9070 XT is clearly behind on recommended psu (750 W against 650 W), and that’s one of its biggest weak spots in this matchup. Recommendations include a safety margin for the rest of the system, so they’re a guide rather than a hard limit.
Design & Size
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RX 9070 XT | RTX 4070 |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | N/A (not specified) | 9.61 in |
| Slot width | N/A (not specified) | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | N/A (not specified) | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 |
GPU & Performance
This area doesn’t reduce to a single number. The table shows the gpu & performance details for both, so you can judge what matters to you.
Memory
RX 9070 XT leads
The RTX 4070 is outclassed on memory; the RX 9070 XT leads by a clear margin. The RX 9070 XT scores with 4 GB more VRAM. Newer games tend to ask for more video memory, so the RX 9070 XT’s extra VRAM helps the card age better. In short, the RX 9070 XT is the better-equipped card for memory.
VRAM
RX 9070 XT: 16 GB RTX 4070: 12 GB More VRAM lets the card hold higher-resolution textures and bigger scenes without stutter.
Memory bandwidth
RX 9070 XT: 640 GB/s RTX 4070: 504 GB/s Bandwidth needs vary by architecture, so compare it alongside VRAM and cache rather than on its own.
Features
For features, the differences are in the specifics (component names and types), so the table is the place to look.
Power & Thermals
RTX 4070 leads
In this area the RTX 4070 has a lead the RX 9070 XT can’t close. The RTX 4070 comes with 104 W lower board power. The RTX 4070 draws less power, which makes it easier to cool in compact cases. On power & thermals alone, the RTX 4070 gets the nod.
Total board power
RX 9070 XT: 304 W RTX 4070: 200 W Higher board power often comes with higher performance, so the RX 9070 XT’s appetite may be part of the price of its speed.
Recommended PSU
RX 9070 XT: 750 W RTX 4070: 650 W The recommended power supply tells you whether your current PSU can handle the card without an upgrade.
Full Specifications
GPU & Performance
| Spec | RX 9070 XT | RTX 4070 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | RDNA 4 | Ada Lovelace |
| GPU die | Navi 48 | AD104 |
| Process | TSMC N4P | TSMC 4N |
| Shader units | 4,096 | 5,888 |
| Ray tracing units | 64 | 46 |
| Base clock | N/A (not specified) | 1,920 MHz |
| Boost clock | 2,970 MHz Highest boost clock | 2,475 MHz |
| FP32 computeTheoretical peak; AMD counts dual-issue, so compare within a brand only | 48.7 TFLOPS Most compute in class | 29.1 TFLOPS |
Memory
| Spec | RX 9070 XT | RTX 4070 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM | 16 GB (winner) | 12 GB |
| Memory type | GDDR6 | GDDR6X |
| Memory bus | 256-bit (winner) | 192-bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 640 GB/s (winner) | 504 GB/s |
Features
| Spec | RX 9070 XT | RTX 4070 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling | FSR 4 | DLSS Super Resolution |
| Frame generation | FSR Frame Generation, AFMF 2 | DLSS Frame Generation (2x) |
| PCIe interface | PCIe 5.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
Power & Thermals
| Spec | RX 9070 XT | RTX 4070 |
|---|---|---|
| Total board power | 304 W | 200 W (winner) |
| Recommended PSU | 750 W | 650 W (winner) |
| Power connector | N/A (not specified) | 1x 16-pin (12VHPWR) |
Size & Connectivity
| Spec | RX 9070 XT | RTX 4070 |
|---|---|---|
| Reference card length | N/A (not specified) | 9.61 in |
| Slot width | N/A (not specified) | 2 slots |
| Display outputs | N/A (not specified) | 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1x HDMI 2.1 |
Price
| Spec | RX 9070 XT | RTX 4070 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price (MSRP) | $599 | $599 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Neither is cheaper at launch; the RX 9070 XT and the RTX 4070 share the same price.
Launch prices (US) as of March 2025. Discounts and bundles come and go, so compare current prices before buying.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the RX 9070 XT if…
- you play at high resolutions with high-quality textures (16 GB vs 12 GB VRAM)
- you want more memory bandwidth (640 GB/s vs 504 GB/s)
- you want the wider memory bus (256-bit vs 192-bit)
Choose the RTX 4070 if…
- you care about your power bill and a quieter case (200 W vs 304 W)
- you want to keep your current power supply (650 W vs 750 W recommended PSU)
- you’re loyal to NVIDIA and happy with it
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the RX 9070 XT or the RTX 4070?
For most people, the RX 9070 XT is the stronger choice, unless what you want most is 104 W lower board power.
Which is faster, the RX 9070 XT or the RTX 4070?
Performance is driven by RDNA 4 in the RX 9070 XT and Ada Lovelace in the RTX 4070; the spec table below shows the rest of the hardware.
Executive Summary
Here’s my take on AMD’s RX 9070 XT versus NVIDIA’s RTX 4070. I’d put 4 GB more VRAM at the top of the list, and it belongs to the RX 9070 XT. Nor should you ignore that the RX 9070 XT has a wider 256-bit memory bus. The RTX 4070 does have a strong card to play: 104 W lower board power.
I think of the RX 9070 XT as the one for memory and the RTX 4070 as the one for power & thermals.
My pick: the RX 9070 XT, unless you care more about 104 W lower board power than anything else, in which case the RTX 4070 earns its place.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.