- 0-20%: Unlikely - Lacks credible sources
- 21-40%: Questionable - Some concerns remain
- 41-60%: Plausible - Reasonable evidence
- 61-80%: Probable - Strong evidence
- 81-100%: Highly Likely - Multiple reliable sources
50%
Plausible
Similar to NVIDIA, AMD may prioritize some RDNA 4 GPU models over others to reduce the impact of high DRAM sourcing costs.
AMD is Reportedly in a Difficult Position and May Not Sustain a Good Supply for Radeon RX 9070 as the XT Variant is Easier for Price Adjustments
It's easier said than done, and if this report is true, then we can clearly see that just like NVIDIA, AMD might also focus only on those GPUs that bring more profit. The flagship RDNA 4 GPU aka Radeon RX 9070 XT, took several months to even reach its official MSRP, but unfortunately didn't stay there for long. The DRAM shortages quickly resulted in price hikes of all the GPUs, including the Radeon RX 9070 XT and other RDNA 4 GPUs as well.
The current RDNA lineup has three models that bring 16 GB GDDR6 VRAM, which makes them more attractive than other offerings. While most gamers like to settle with higher VRAM GPUs, the ongoing DRAM crisis has made it difficult for the GPU manufacturers to sell higher VRAM GPUs for the same price as they were selling a few weeks/months ago. NVIDIA is expected to prioritize 8 GB RTX 50 series GPUs, and may sell more higher-end GPUs with 16 GB VRAM than the slower SKUs with the same VRAM capacity. NVIDIA did say it will absorb the increasing memory costs as much as possible, but the strategy already appears to have been adjusted in advance.
This does not make the Radeon RX 9070 a particularly good alternative for manufacturers, and according to our information, while its production will not be halted, the focus is shifting heavily toward the Radeon RX 9070 XT. As a result, more of that model may be produced in the future at the expense of its smaller sibling. On paper, this could help minimize the need for price corrections, since the fastest Radeon model is already more expensive and is therefore less affected by rising memory prices.
- ProHardVer
It appears that AMD will adopt a similar strategy, as according to ProHardVer (via Videocardz), the company is reportedly focusing more on the Radeon RX 9070 XT than its non-XT variant. This is because the XT model already sells for much higher due to higher performance and delivers the same 16 GB VRAM capacity. The RX 9070 dropped to MSRP long before the XT version, and this makes price adjustments on the card harder. On the other hand, the RX 9070 XT mostly sold for $650-$800 most of the time, making it easier for AMD to absorb the rise in memory costs.
The Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB, on the other hand, doesn't have any other alternative in the current lineup, which is why the RX 9060 XT 16 GB will be irreplaceable. AMD did promise that it would try to keep the costs down as much as possible, though history suggests companies rarely pass up opportunities for higher margins.
About the author: Sarfraz Khan is a hardware reporter with a focus on PC components and the builder community. With years of experience writing about PC hardware and laptops, his work has been featured on several reputable technology publications. Sarfraz's hands-on experience is demonstrated through his first-person accounts of using and comparing different hardware configurations, providing practical and relatable insights for everyday users. His technical analysis is respected by peers in the enthusiast community and has been cited by specialized hardware sites such as Germany's Igor's Lab.
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