AMD talks RDNA 4 advancements and RX 9070 series Pricing at CES

[WYP]

AMD's Frank Azor tells us what we need to know about RDNA 4.​

Read more about AMD's Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070.

 

[AngryGoldfish]

Great article, thanks, Mark. It clears a lot up. While it would be easy to continue with the rhetoric of 'give us a bargain or go away', the 7800 XT and 7900 GRE were generally well received. The 7700 XT was a plunder, but maybe their hands were tied. So hopefully AMD have a stack of midrange cards that are at least 'OK'. Honestly, that's all I expect these days. I believe the B580 is a ghost product. It's never in stock at the retail price and I find it impossible to believe that it's remotely cost effective for Intel. And it's got a lot of issues still. So while it impressed many as a concept, that's all it is right now. I have to accept that $500 is the new $300.

 

[Excalabur50]

Like AngryGoldfish said great article Mark!

 

[AlienALX]

Frank needs a kick in the nuts to make him think clearly. "Not a $300 GPU and not a $1000" GPU is probably worse than saying nothing.

Why are GPU people like cheating partners? you know what I mean... Couldn't tell the truth if it smacked them in the face, and continually have to be sneaky? I just don't get it. People are just sick of BS now. It's not cool and it doesn't make your product look any good.

Every time AMD GPU dept has had a chance to clear the air they just continue being sneaky liars. IDK.

 

[Dicehunter]

Frank needs a kick in the nuts to make him think clearly. "Not a $300 GPU and not a $1000" GPU is probably worse than saying nothing.

Why are GPU people like cheating partners? you know what I mean... Couldn't tell the truth if it smacked them in the face, and continually have to be sneaky? I just don't get it. People are just sick of BS now. It's not cool and it doesn't make your product look any good.

Every time AMD GPU dept has had a chance to clear the air they just continue being sneaky liars. IDK.

I genuinely think most working in the GPU industry have some type of undiscovered mental illness as they all act the same, Unable to operate as semi stable humans that don't lie or obfuscate information constantly.

 

[AlienALX]

I genuinely think most working in the GPU industry have some type of undiscovered mental illness as they all act the same, Unable to operate as semi stable humans that don't lie or obfuscate information constantly.

What they don't get is even a slither of transparency and honesty would be so hugely appreciated right now.

I don't get how they think that treating people like crap is a good sales pitch?

Like it's so funny how many open goals AMD has fluffed by 50 dollars too much they have whiffed. Even an idiot like me could improve their market share.

 

[AlienALX]

Haha I'm just watching a documentary about the CIA trying to raise a Russian nuclear sub that sank in the 60s.

They issued what was called the Glomar response.

"We can neither confirm nor deny"

I'm beginning to wonder if people like Azor think they are in government.

A great way to reveal nothing whilst still saying something.

 

[AngryGoldfish]

Haha I'm just watching a documentary about the CIA trying to raise a Russian nuclear sub that sank in the 60s.

They issued what was called the Glomar response.

"We can neither confirm nor deny"

I'm beginning to wonder if people like Azor think they are in government.

A great way to reveal nothing whilst still saying something.

I'm genuinely trying to better understand your point of view here. Why is it so important to you or others to know at CES what the exact specifics are for these GPUs? For real, what difference does it make? Can you prove they are lying? Can you prove their statement is false? Can you prove that we NEED to know this information now? These are massive releases for these companies and they can't pander to the whims of a small online community who want 'the good old days' back. They have to do what makes them the most amount of money, and maybe this is their legitimate way in which to do that. I don't see how that makes them comparable to cheating partners or liars.

 

[Dicehunter]

I'm genuinely trying to better understand your point of view here. Why is it so important to you or others to know at CES what the exact specifics are for these GPUs? For real, what difference does it make? Can you prove they are lying? Can you prove their statement is false? Can you prove that we NEED to know this information now? These are massive releases for these companies and they can't pander to the whims of a small online community who want 'the good old days' back. They have to do what makes them the most amount of money, and maybe this is their legitimate way in which to do that. I don't see how that makes them comparable to cheating partners or liars.

With all due respect I think you missed the point of what he said.

Regardless of company, AMD, Intel, Nvidia etc... they talk a lot but they don't actually say anything, Like the majority of politicians, They flap their gums but nothing of real value is heard.

 

[AngryGoldfish]

With all due respect I think you missed the point of what he said.

Regardless of company, AMD, Intel, Nvidia etc... they talk a lot but they don't actually say anything, Like the majority of politicians, They flap their gums but nothing of real value is heard.

No, I understood that. I'm saying, what does it matter? If THEY have decided NOT to say anything, that's THEIR decision. What difference does it make to us in reality? That's what I'm saying. Yeah, they avoided the question, but that's a simple solution to a problem they have decided not to address properly at this time. I can understand the frustration when it comes to the fidelity of a loved one or even politics since your life is in the hands of authorities in many instances. But this is just a couple of weeks of waiting for the ACTUAL reveal of a GPU architecture that neither of you are actually probably going to buy.

 

[AlienALX]

No, I understood that. I'm saying, what does it matter? If THEY have decided NOT to say anything, that's THEIR decision. What difference does it make to us in reality? That's what I'm saying. Yeah, they avoided the question, but that's a simple solution to a problem they have decided not to address properly at this time. I can understand the frustration when it comes to the fidelity of a loved one or even politics since your life is in the hands of authorities in many instances. But this is just a couple of weeks of waiting for the ACTUAL reveal of a GPU architecture that neither of you are actually probably going to buy.

Yup you've missed the point.

They've said something that means nothing. For the sake of it, whilst basically not saying anything meaningful IE exactly how much they are going to cost, which helps exactly no one.

It's kinda like uploading an extremely successful YouTube video then following it up talking crap until you fade into the oblivion.

People are used to this contempt from Nvidia and come to expect it. If AMD changed that behaviour they would have a ton of marketshare not seen since Polaris.

You know? That one time they didn't talk poo and provided a good product at an even better price without all of the sneaky BS nor snuggling their prices up to the superior product.

That one single change could completely reverse their fortunes and marketshare but nope, keep acting the clown as marketshare continues to shrink against an opponent that treats people like dirt. Who supposedly come home to their 10k PC.

 

[AngryGoldfish]

Yup you've missed the point.

They've said something that means nothing. For the sake of it, whilst basically not saying anything meaningful IE exactly how much they are going to cost, which helps exactly no one.

It's kinda like uploading an extremely successful YouTube video then following it up talking crap until you fade into the oblivion.

People are used to this contempt from Nvidia and come to expect it. If AMD changed that behaviour they would have a ton of marketshare not seen since Polaris.

You know? That one time they didn't talk poo and provided a good product at an even better price without all of the sneaky BS nor snuggling their prices up to the superior product.

That one single change could completely reverse their fortunes and marketshare but nope, keep acting the clown as marketshare continues to shrink against an opponent that treats people like dirt. Who supposedly come home to their 10k PC.

It means something to me. I don't have a habit of immediately believing the worst even when I've been burned. I am not cynical or bitter any more. I want to be cautiously optimistic. I believe that it is the safest place to be in life for health reasons. Life with my illness has improved in part because I have taken that approach.

They said they delayed it until later this month. The reasons are clear to me.

1. Because they got wind that Nvidia was going to offer the 5070 at $549 and offer some new fancy features so they got scared.
2. Because AMD are unsure how to market their new architecture and new features. Their marketing team have a habit of not knowing what they're advertising.
3. They believe they have a good architecture and want a grander introduction to it with nothing else around it.

Your analogy is whack to me. How are they fading into oblivion? It's been a week and it'll be a few weeks more. I don't get how someone can be so demanding and impatient.

But yeah, everything about Polaris and what AMD should do, I totally agree with you. I'm quite confident that AMD has potential to control the midrange by being aggressive.

But as I said, I think I do understand what you're saying. You feel AMD owes you something. They made an announcement that didn't meet your needs and you're annoyed because it's a pointless tease, a rug pulling. You liken it to a lie, to a continuation of some grand deception from politicians that talk in circles in order to avoid the brutal truth. I get that. I empathise with it. It's a perfectly understandable emotion. It's just not mine. And I have explained why. The price will be announced soon. AMD are just playing their hand carefully. That's how I see it. It's quite possible they have a dud, but as I said, I'm cautiously optimistic. I'm happy if it's another bomb and I'm happy if it's a runaway success. Reality is though, from what I've seen, people will only be happy if it's the latter. I'll be happy either way. Difference of viewpoint I guess.

 

[AlienALX]

AMD owes any one who buys their product and keeps them in business at least some form of decency. They can not behave like nvidia and basically say "buy it or don't we don't care " which has been their attitude for years.

Not smoke and mirrors and tons of BS. Or rip off GPUs like the 7600 and so on.

I'd like to reply more in depth but I'm on my phone.

 

[Tripp]

People like to moan about AMD fumbling a launch, yet when they do something diferent they're getting moaned about to? i watched the keynote and was a bit miffed there wasnt any info, but its not disheartened me about what they have....far from it tbh.

 

[Excalabur50]

If they were really pressed for time all they had to do, was say we'll have a special announcement day, not that figgin hard.

 

[KingNosser]

Truth they bottled it cause fsr4 was clearly on show and very good, the issue here is they want to be aggressive they say.

So 5070 is 549 right so that means if similar they will go 500 that's what it's about cause that isnt being aggressive at all that is slotting into nvidias stack.

Yes they have a good product but if it's over 600 I'll not buy it that simple voting with my wallet instead of marketing and if 600 then it needs to be kinda 5070ti performance.

Seems fair to me tired of the market being driven up over crypto or ai whichever new gimmick they can exploit.

So i understand all the points here and reasons and being fair all valid just cause you don't agree on someones perspective doesn't mean it's an issue to either.

I just feel if they wanted they could have stated specs and said full reveal and information to come including price too completely skip it with a weak excuse about time is nonsense cause the keynote was boring totally boring and drawn out ie padding cause they cut the rdna segment out.

They need to do better and nvidia certainly do called that BS instantly cause they been doing it for the 4th time now.

So calling out amd on being aggressive when clearly they are slotting in again is totally fair

If it's as good as i think and under 600 I'll be buying it otherwise I'll either wait for udna get a 7900xtx or wait until a decent card is below 600 and that's where i stand cause c19 ruined the gpu market due too scalping and price gouging and now the tariffs well i do not agree with them stating reasons why it's that price then all the lemmings took the bait and now we don't have a return to market sanity.

Basically a 5090 at 2k is the total cost of my first ever PC and prices have gone all over the place over the years and of course inflation but end of the day all companies are exploiting the user base cause go look at what car you can get for 2k sure it'll be 2nd hand but think of the materials involved.

RnD fine but i mean honestly the 9070 back around the 970 era would have cost 300 not 650 750 or a random figure they don't want too mention cause they all and i mean all want too exploit as much as they can.

Or do you want to pay £3 for a snickers bar ?

 

[AlienALX]

People like to moan about AMD fumbling a launch, yet when they do something diferent they're getting moaned about to? i watched the keynote and was a bit miffed there wasnt any info, but its not disheartened me about what they have....far from it tbh.

Did any of us voice anything over the 9800X3D? nope. Nor did any of the reviewers either.

Fact is their GPU department do not act like their CPU department. Mostly because of the egos involved. Which, if you read about how Raja ended up strutting around Intel like he was a god is not good for anything.

I'm also not moaning about them fumbling THIS launch as it has not happened yet. However, the 7800XT could have been a class leading card but yet again it was too much. And don't take my word for that either, take every reviewer who reviewed it. The 7700XT was also not worth even having. Because again, it cost too much and was pretty much priced out by their own card, the 7800XT.

People are now basically just buying whatever is the least rip off. Because that is how the GPU market is these days. It all happened when mining happened alongside Covid and GPU prices rocketed as they became a commodity, not a gaming card. However, that is all over now. The problem being Nvidia (who even stated this in a share holder meeting) refused to drop their GPU prices from before all of that. Basically because they were now used to making that much money on a piece of silicon and did not want to relinquish that level of profit, which was higher than ever.

That gave AMD a chance to take marketshare, but oh noes, they had to be every bit as greedy. Nope, instead of releasing the 7800XT for a reasonable affordable price they priced it compared to Nvidia cards which if you read what I said above you would know were now grossly over priced. Not only are Nvidia cards grossly over priced but they are also way less of a die than before, way more expensive than before, AND, have climbed in stature compared to before. IE a 60 card is now a 70 card and so on.

If you are a little naive and did not know all of this? fine. That is fair enough. I understand not spending many hours and or weeks and months looking into why you are getting ripped off. However, any one who does know the above knows how much they are getting ripped off.

And so, all they and or I and or every one wants is just a little bit of clarity as it would go a long way. But no. Not $300 and not $1000 is what we get. Not only that, but it leaves them able to ONCE AGAIN snuggle up to Nvidia. Who we all know are blatantly taking the pee with their prices, given what I explained above (oh, and you can add silicon and fab shortages in that time too, where car manus were given priority and so prices were at an all time high).

Usually after a mining boom the prices go back down. At the last time? they did not. Not by 1p. In fact, they got even higher.

I suppose I just wish they could give the 9000 cards a fresh start. Prices out before Nvidia, more clarity and at least stop the lies. But no. AMD now ALWAYS wait for Nvidia. Polaris was the last time they did not do that. Both the 480 and 470 were fantastic cards at fantastic prices. And got them more marketshare than ever.

So sure. Charging $50 too much might be the in thing and make them more money. Only they could sell five cards instead of one, get marketshare and be a much better company. You know? it's called fighting not getting into bed with the enemy.

 

[AngryGoldfish]

Don't take my word for that either, take every reviewer who reviewed it.

I just checked four different reviewers I trust - TechSpot, Techpowerup, Kitguru, Guru3D. They all recommended the 7800 XT at its release price. Guru3D said: "These cards are performing well for plain old rasterized shaded gaming, though and as such, they come recommended, but at high cost." Techpowerup said it was "competitively priced". If the competition sets the mark, AMD can choose to follow. Reviewers will note that.

So yeah, they weren't glowing reviews. They were just reasonable reviews. It was a decent card.

Your issue, and mine too, is that AMD could have had a GREAT card. But no, they ruined that opportunity.

But the reviewers I use did not say what you said they said. They never said it was "too much".

 

[Excalabur50]

Did any of us voice anything over the 9800X3D? nope. Nor did any of the reviewers either.

Fact is their GPU department do not act like their CPU department. Mostly because of the egos involved. Which, if you read about how Raja ended up strutting around Intel like he was a god is not good for anything.

I'm also not moaning about them fumbling THIS launch as it has not happened yet. However, the 7800XT could have been a class leading card but yet again it was too much. And don't take my word for that either, take every reviewer who reviewed it. The 7700XT was also not worth even having. Because again, it cost too much and was pretty much priced out by their own card, the 7800XT.

People are now basically just buying whatever is the least rip off. Because that is how the GPU market is these days. It all happened when mining happened alongside Covid and GPU prices rocketed as they became a commodity, not a gaming card. However, that is all over now. The problem being Nvidia (who even stated this in a share holder meeting) refused to drop their GPU prices from before all of that. Basically because they were now used to making that much money on a piece of silicon and did not want to relinquish that level of profit, which was higher than ever.

That gave AMD a chance to take marketshare, but oh noes, they had to be every bit as greedy. Nope, instead of releasing the 7800XT for a reasonable affordable price they priced it compared to Nvidia cards which if you read what I said above you would know were now grossly over priced. Not only are Nvidia cards grossly over priced but they are also way less of a die than before, way more expensive than before, AND, have climbed in stature compared to before. IE a 60 card is now a 70 card and so on.

If you are a little naive and did not know all of this? fine. That is fair enough. I understand not spending many hours and or weeks and months looking into why you are getting ripped off. However, any one who does know the above knows how much they are getting ripped off.

And so, all they and or I and or every one wants is just a little bit of clarity as it would go a long way. But no. Not $300 and not $1000 is what we get. Not only that, but it leaves them able to ONCE AGAIN snuggle up to Nvidia. Who we all know are blatantly taking the pee with their prices, given what I explained above (oh, and you can add silicon and fab shortages in that time too, where car manus were given priority and so prices were at an all time high).

Usually after a mining boom the prices go back down. At the last time? they did not. Not by 1p. In fact, they got even higher.

I suppose I just wish they could give the 9000 cards a fresh start. Prices out before Nvidia, more clarity and at least stop the lies. But no. AMD now ALWAYS wait for Nvidia. Polaris was the last time they did not do that. Both the 480 and 470 were fantastic cards at fantastic prices. And got them more marketshare than ever.

So sure. Charging $50 too much might be the in thing and make them more money. Only they could sell five cards instead of one, get marketshare and be a much better company. You know? it's called fighting not getting into bed with the enemy.

I honestly feel there's collusion going on with them, and the appropriate bodies need to step in and put an end to it.

 

[AlienALX]

I just checked four different reviewers I trust - TechSpot, Techpowerup, Kitguru, Guru3D. They all recommended the 7800 XT at its release price. Guru3D said: "These cards are performing well for plain old rasterized shaded gaming, though and as such, they come recommended, but at high cost." Techpowerup said it was "competitively priced". If the competition sets the mark, AMD can choose to follow. Reviewers will note that.

So yeah, they weren't glowing reviews. They were just reasonable reviews. It was a decent card.

Your issue, and mine too, is that AMD could have had a GREAT card. But no, they ruined that opportunity.

But the reviewers I use did not say what you said they said. They never said it was "too much".

Gamers Nexus Hwub and Linus. The three who are not afraid to complain. All said AMD missed an open goal.

Low hanging fruit to me doesn't count. We all know that most of the tech press are bent. Upset the master get struck off etc.

Buy yes we agree about "meh vs great".