RX 9070 XT Just Got Smarter - Should You Upgrade Now?

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT was already a strong option for gamers aiming for high performance at 1440p and even 4K resolutions. However, thanks to AMD's latest Adrenalin 25.6.3 driver update, it's now noticeably faster than it was at launch. This improvement comes from refined driver-level optimisation, not hardware changes, and the results are clear in real-world gameplay. Whether you're upgrading an existing PC or building something new, the RX 9070 XT has just become a more competitive graphics card option now.

We've seen renewed attention around this GPU, and for good reason. The latest RX 9070 XT driver update enhances average frame rates, reduces stuttering, and makes better use of the hardware's core capabilities. In effect, AMD has improved RX 9070 XT performance, making an already capable card even more appealing to anyone seeking serious gaming power without stepping into the highest price tier. If you've been considering the RX 9070 XT, now's the right time to take a closer look.

To see how the RX 9070 XT compares with AMD's previous flagship, read our RX 9070 vs RX 7900: What RDNA 4 Brings to the Next-Gen breakdown and discover what RDNA 4 truly delivers.

How AMD's Driver Update Unlocks More Performance

AMD Adrenalin 25.6.3 driver has re-tuned how this GPU handles workloads, resulting in meaningful gains across many games. This driver focuses on optimising frame pacing, reducing latency, and improving how game engines interact with the card's architecture. The update specifically boosts performance in DirectX 12 titles and improves frame pacing to reduce micro-stutter, which is a key factor in perceived smoothness. The 9070 XT is built on RDNA 4, which already supports architectural enhancements like increased compute unit efficiency and better shader scheduling. This driver takes fuller advantage of those RX 9070 XT features. Improvements in how the driver interacts with memory bandwidth and cache hierarchy also contribute to the smoother experience.

This update is part of AMD's longer-term strategy of providing sustained support for its products. Their "fine wine" reputation comes from moments like this, where a product launched months ago continues to improve. The RX 9070 XT is now noticeably faster and more stable than it was at launch because AMD has fine-tuned how games access and process GPU resources. That alone adds value to anyone who already owns the card or is considering it.

FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 (FSR 4) Support

The update also supports FidelityFX Super Resolution 4, AMD's latest temporal upscaling technology. FSR 4 introduces improvements in motion stability and edge reconstruction over previous versions, making it much more viable for fast-paced or high-detail games.

In technical terms, FSR 4 uses updated temporal data to reconstruct higher-resolution frames with better accuracy. That means better clarity with fewer artefacts, especially in motion. Games running at native 1080p, for example, can be upscaled to 1440p or 4K while maintaining much of the detail and without a big GPU load.

For gamers running at 1440p or 4K, FSR 4 opens the door to smoother gameplay in titles where enabling ray tracing or ultra textures would otherwise push frame rates too low. And because FSR is open and not tied to dedicated AI cores like DLSS, it's widely applicable across a broader range of games.

Real-World Performance Gains

It's easy to claim performance boosts, but what do the numbers actually say? Benchmarks across a 16-game test suite show that the RX 9070 XT performance now, on average, is 9% better at 1440p than it was with its original launch drivers. That uplift can make a difference in how smooth a game feels, especially when using high refresh rate monitors.

At 4K, the gains are still present, around a 4% improvement. For higher-end gamers playing on ultra settings with ray tracing enabled, those extra frames help maintain a steadier performance baseline, reducing visual hiccups and frame drops. These improvements are particularly helpful in modern AAA games with complex shader workloads and high polygon counts.

Game Title	Performance Uplift
Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered	Up to +27%
Counter-Strike 2	+23%
Hogwarts Legacy	+18%
1440p Average (16 games)	+9%
4K Average (16 games)	+4%

These performance enhancements are the result of better utilisation of the 9070 XT compute units, refined shader compilation techniques, and more effective power balancing across the GPU under load.

RX 9070 XT vs. RTX 5070 Ti: How the Landscape Has Shifted

When evaluating graphics cards, it’s not enough to consider average FPS alone. Architecture, driver support, thermals, and efficiency all play into real-world performance. Until recently, the RX 9070 XT and RTX 5070 Ti were close contenders in most scenarios. AMD’s latest driver update has tilted the scales more clearly in favour of the RX 9070 XT, especially for users who value consistency and hardware efficiency alongside raw frame rates.

With the 25.6.3 driver update, AMD improved how the RX 9070 XT handles pipeline workloads, shader instruction sets, and memory access under pressure. The result? At 1440p, the RX 9070 XT delivers an average of 126 FPS compared to the RTX 5070 Ti’s 122 FPS.

But the gap becomes even more interesting at 4K. Due to its wider 256-bit memory bus and larger L2 cache, the RX 9070 XT sustains higher throughput in memory-bound scenarios. This is especially noticeable in games that stream large textures or require fast, repeated access to vertex and geometry buffers. In contrast, the RTX 5070 Ti, with a narrower 192-bit bus and tighter VRAM configuration, faces occasional bottlenecks under similar loads.

What also sets the RX 9070 XT apart is how it maintains this performance while running cooler and quieter. Most aftermarket RX 9070 XT models operate within a 265–275W power envelope under gaming load, thanks to RDNA 4’s improved power gating and thermal headroom. The RTX 5070 Ti, by comparison, typically draws upwards of 290W under similar conditions. This difference impacts chassis airflow, PSU requirements, and long-term acoustic performance.

Metric	RX 9070 XT	RTX 5070 Ti
1440p Performance (avg)	~126 FPS	~122 FPS
4K Performance (avg)	4% gain (post-driver)	3% gain (post-driver)
Typical UK Retail Price	£639 – £769	£739 – £999
Performance Per Pound	Higher	Lower
Standout Features	FSR 4, wider memory bus, larger L2 cache, lower thermals	DLSS 4, advanced ray tracing and AI acceleration

Why the RX 9070 XT Is Stronger Than Ever

• Architectural Efficiency of RDNA 4

RDNA 4, part of the new AMD 9000 series GPU family, introduces a redesigned front-end that handles geometry processing more efficiently and improves workload distribution across compute units. This results in better use of available resources in games with complex rendering pipelines, including those with heavy post-processing effects or variable shading. Compared to previous generations, RDNA 4 also benefits from reduced latency between render passes and more aggressive command streamlining. These improvements mean the RX 9070 XT can maintain higher sustained performance under load.

Memory access is also more streamlined. The 256-bit memory interface and optimised memory controller work together to reduce stalls, which helps when streaming high-resolution textures or managing dynamic lighting conditions.

• Driver Optimisation

AMD's driver team has continued to tune the RX 9070 XT performance, which may not have been visible at launch. With the latest Adrenalin 25.6.3 update, the card now delivers stronger minimum frame rates and smoother frame pacing, especially in DirectX 12 titles. Beyond game-specific profiles, improvements have been made to shader compilation, asynchronous compute scheduling, and load balancing. The RX 9070 XT driver update is a solid boost that refines already impressive silicon.

• Upscaling with Minimal Trade-Offs

FSR 4 introduces more intelligent motion vector analysis and improved spatial sampling, which translates into better clarity during rapid movement and scene changes. While not based on AI cores, FSR 4 achieves competitive upscaling quality with significantly lower resource demand. This allows RX 9070 XT owners to boost performance in demanding titles without reducing texture or lighting fidelity.

Importantly, FSR 4 allows gamers to keep ultra settings enabled at 1440p or 4K while benefiting from smoother frame rates. The flexibility of choosing quality or performance modes depending on the title and system load makes FSR 4 a genuinely practical tool, not just a checkbox feature.

• Consistency at 1440p, Competence at 4K

The RX 9070 XT delivers comfortably above 100 FPS in most modern games at 1440p with ultra settings, thanks to the architectural headroom and improved drivers. It also sustains better-than-expected performance at 4K, especially in games that are bandwidth- or shader-limited rather than heavily reliant on ray tracing.

The RX 9070 XT's high VRAM capacity (16GB) becomes particularly useful at 4K or with high-resolution asset packs, where other cards may begin to exhibit stutter or texture pop-in due to memory paging.

• 5. Future-Ready Capabilities

Beyond gaming, the RX 9070 XT includes AV1 encoding support—an increasingly valuable feature for streamers and content creators as more platforms adopt this efficient codec. DirectX 12 Ultimate compatibility ensures it can take advantage of next-gen rendering features such as mesh shaders, sampler feedback, and variable-rate shading.

This combination of features, memory headroom, and ongoing driver refinement ensures the AMD RX 9070 XT remains competitive as future games become more demanding.

Still exploring your options? Our blog on What Makes the AMD RX 9070 a Game-Changer highlights why this card is a strategic leap forward.

Should You Upgrade to RX 9070 XT Now?

If you're running a last-gen GPU like the RX 6700 XT, RTX 2070 Super, or even something from the RTX 3060 tier, the AMD RX 9070 makes a strong case. You're stepping into a smoother, quieter, and more responsive experience. And with the latest RX 9070 XT driver update, that performance keeps scaling even after you buy.

At 1440p, it's one of the few graphics cards for gaming in this price band that can comfortably drive ultra settings at high refresh rates without compromise. For 4K, it holds its own, especially with FSR 4 in play. And if you're a creator, that 16GB of VRAM, along with AV1 encoding, offers a solid base for streaming, video editing, and AI-enhanced workloads without moving into the price bracket of workstation cards.

The value is especially clear now. Pricing is stable, cooling designs are mature, and you're buying into a GPU that doesn't need time to "settle in" - it's already better than it was at launch. Whether you're building from scratch or upgrading a trusted rig, this is a GPU that won't fall short two years down the line. It delivers the kind of longevity and real-world performance that actually matters.

Overall, RX 9070 XT is the best upgrade for gamers who want: high performance, stable software, good cooling headroom, and a GPU that continues to improve.

Looking to upgrade?

Shop the latest RX 9070 XT models now at Box.co.uk from trusted brands like ASUS, Gigabyte, PowerColor, and XFS. From sleek dual-fan designs to high-performance triple-fan editions, find the right fit for your setup backed by fast delivery options. Don't miss out on the best graphics card deals available today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the RX9070 good for gaming?
Absolutely. The RX 9070 is a robust GPU for modern gaming, excelling particularly at 1440p. Reviews consistently highlight its ability to outperform Nvidia’s RTX 5070 by around 8–13 percent in rasterised gaming.

Is the 9070 good for 1440p gaming?
Yes, it is ideal for 1440p. Many publications refer to both the RX 9070 and 9070 XT as the new “1440p gaming champions.” The base RX 9070 comfortably matches or exceeds the RTX 5070 at this resolution across numerous AAA titles.

Can RX9070 run 4K?
It can indeed serve as a solid entrylevel 4K card. While it isn’t designed for maximum 4K performance, it plays 4K games acceptably at high settings, often outperforming the RTX 5070.

How much better is the 9070XT than the 9070?
The XT variant delivers around 9–16 percent higher performance in most gaming benchmarks, averaging roughly 11–13 percent overall. That extra power comes from the increased compute units (64 vs 56) and higher clocks (boost up to ~2970 MHz).

Is the 5070 or 9070 better?
The RX 9070 outshines Nvidia’s RTX 5070 in rasterised gaming by approximately 8–11 percent at 1440p, and by around 17 percent at 4K. However, Nvidia retains an edge in features like DLSS 4 and framegeneration AI. Still, for pure gaming without upscaling, the RX 9070 offers better FPS and more VRAM.

Is the base9070 worth it?
Definitely. It represents excellent value for money, particularly at current market prices. The base 9070 offers toptier 1440p performance and respectable 4K capability without paying the extra £- for the XT .

Does RX9070 have ray tracing?
Yes, the 9070 series include hardware-accelerated ray tracing via RDNA 4’s rayaccelerator units. Performance is significantly improved over previous AMD generations. While still generally behind Nvidia’s RTX in heavy RT scenarios, it performs well in lighter workloads and offers features like FSR 4 which mitigate some weaknesses.