AMD has undoubtedly produced some of the leading graphics cards of the current generation with its RDNA 4 architecture. This isn’t merely an opinion; it’s a fact backed by performance data. Yet, this generation marks Team Red’s strategic focus on offering accessible options for the mainstream gamer, which has led them to refrain from directly challenging Nvidia’s flagship RTX 5090.
While I completely understand AMD’s decision to target the mainstream market, given the opportunity, I wish they had taken the plunge to develop a flagship GPU this time around.
The RTX 5090: An Aspirational Benchmark
Entering this generation of GPUs, the RTX 5090 was a formidable target for any competitor. Nvidia’s leap from the RTX 3090 to the RTX 4090 showcased an astonishing performance increase, with the latter being up to 89% faster. There were high expectations for similar advancements from the RTX 5090.
However, in our in-depth review, we observed that while the RTX 5090 was indeed quick, it did not achieve a performance level that was double that of its predecessor, the RTX 4090. Although improvements are evident, they fall short of the exponential gains we witnessed in prior generations.
Our benchmarks showcased that the RTX 5090 nearly doubles the performance of AMD’s previous flagship, the RX 7900 XTX. Conversely, the current top GPU from AMD, the RX 9070 XT, surprisingly doesn’t outperform the RX 7900 XTX.
What if AMD had countered with the RX 9090 XT or XTX, aimed squarely at Nvidia’s dominance? Achieving double performance from the previous generation is formidable. Even if AMD fell short of that, simply offering a competitive alternative could have introduced much-needed variety in the market.
The Case of the RTX 5080
Many anticipated that the RTX 5080 would outshine the RTX 4090 while being priced more affordably. Unfortunately, this did not materialize. Our testing revealed that the RTX 5080 trails behind the previous generation flagship, offering minimal advancement over the RTX 4080 Super.
An evident performance gap exists between the RTX 5090, averaging 119 frames per second (fps) in our tests, and the RTX 5080, which barely reaches 84 fps. This space is where the hypothetical RX 9090 XTX could have comfortably positioned itself.
AMD’s Strategic Position
As we evaluate GPUs, we need to weigh various factors such as rasterization, ray tracing, upscaling, and pricing. Even if AMD had introduced a flagship GPU, it wouldn’t necessarily outperform Nvidia across every metric.
That’s perfectly acceptable. But it would have been beneficial for AMD to provide a viable option between the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080. AMD’s own insights indicate that most gamers prefer mainstream options, and they have a point. While enthusiasts are drawn to high-end GPUs, many would welcome a strong alternative.
In this generation, AMD had the unique chance to take the lead without needing to dominate Nvidia in every category. Pricing the RX 9090 XT strategically could have led to its popularity, much like that of the RX 9070 XT, which has received widespread acclaim.
Challenges Ahead
However, there’s a significant issue that we need to address: the pricing at launch.
Although I’m a fan of the RX 9070 XT, recommending it can be challenging, especially given its limited availability at MSRP. This issue isn’t confined to AMD; Nvidia and Intel face similar situations with their releases.
Expecting the RX 9090 XT to avoid similar pitfalls feels unrealistic. For it to compete effectively, it would have to be priced attractively to draw in enthusiasts willing to invest extra for superior performance. But with current market conditions, we risk entering another stalemate, albeit with more options on the table.
At the moment, AMD seems to have no concerns about introducing an RX 9080 XT or RX 9090 XT, though speculation remains. With the landscape shifting, this was arguably the ideal moment for AMD to launch a standout flagship card. While I appreciate the capabilities of the RX 9070 XT, my aspirations now shift toward RDNA 5, where high expectations persist.
What can you do to get ahead in the GPU race? Explore options, compare benchmarks, and keep an eye on everything AMD and Nvidia have to offer. Get ready to level up your gaming experience and check out more insightful content at Moyens I/O.