AMD is reportedly readying a new RDNA 4 GPU, and it's the slowest one yet. However, the specifications reveal the same shader count as the RX 9060 XT.
AMD is Quietly Preparing Radeon RX 9050 GPU, Featuring 2048 Stream Processors, 8 GB GDDR6 VRAM, and Up To 2600 MHz Boost
The current AMD RDNA 4 lineup has a few SKUs, but AMD appears to be quietly expanding the Radeon RX 9000 series. Up until now, we have only had the Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9060 series, bringing a total of five models, including the Radeon RX 9060, which is exclusive to mainland China. We also have the RX 9060 XT LP, but that also remains China-exclusive. So, basically, only four models are available worldwide, including RX 9070 XT, RX 9070, RX 9060 XT 8 GB, and RX 9060 XT 16 GB.
The fifth one is the Radeon RX 9050, as reported by Videocardz. The outlet reports that AMD's RX 9050 is bringing similar specifications to the RX 9060 XT except for the memory configuration. As per the leaked specifications screenshot, we can see some similarities between the RX 9050 and the RX 9060/XT. Radeon RX 9050 is set to feature the same 2,048 shaders, which means AMD is going to use the same NAVI 44 XT die as on the Radeon RX 9060 XT. RX 9060, on the other hand, utilizes the NAVI 44 XL, which is a cut-down variant, bringing the shader count to 1792.
So, it appears that the Radeon RX 9050 is theoretically faster than the Radeon RX 9060. However, the memory configuration is similar to the RX 9060 and not to the XT variant. Just like the RX 9060, the RX 9050 is reported to feature 8 GB GDDR6 VRAM on a 128-bit memory bus with a memory speed of 18 Gbps. This means a 288 GB/s memory bandwidth, which is lower than the 320 GB/s of the RX 9060 XT. So, the RX 9050 has the same die as the RX 9060 XT, but the memory configuration is identical to the non-XT variant.
Furthermore, the clock speeds confirm that the RX 9050 will be a noticeably slower GPU than the RX 9060 XT or even the RX 9060, as it brings just 1920 MHz of base clock and up to 2600 MHz. These numbers are well below the clock speeds of the RX 9060 series models, but given that it's a one-tier slower GPU, it was expected. TDP rating isn't disclosed, but Videocardz says that the recommended power supply capacity for the RX 9050 is 450W, which is the same for RX 9060 XT and non-XT variant, and would likely be rated at around 130W.
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.
Follow Wccftech on Google to get more of our news coverage in your feeds.
