By the FlowUP team, gaming PC builder in Genappe (Belgium) · Updated 29 September 2026
In brief: there is no Radeon RX 8000 for desktop PCs. AMD went straight from the RX 7000 series (RDNA 3) to the RX 9000 series (RDNA 4), launched on 6 March 2025 with the RX 9070 XT and RX 9070, and then expanded with the RX 9060 XT (June 2025) and RX 9070 GRE. The “8000” name is reserved for AMD’s integrated graphics chips in mobile processors (Radeon 8060S, Radeon 890M). AMD also wanted to align its naming with NVIDIA’s: RX 9070 versus RTX 5070.
Why there isn’t a Radeon RX 8000
In late 2024, leaks were still talking about an “RX 8800 XT”. At CES in January 2025, AMD finally announced the Radeon RX 9070 XT. Two reasons were given:
- to align with NVIDIA: an RX 9070 compares directly with an RTX 5070, an RX 9060 XT with an RTX 5060 Ti;
- to harmonise with the Ryzen 9000 processors from the same period.
And the “8000” number was already being used by the RDNA 3.5 integrated graphics chips in mobile processors, such as the Radeon 8060S in Ryzen AI Max or the Radeon 890M. So if you’re looking for an “RX 8000” for your PC, you need an RX 9000.
The RX 9070 XT, the card that could have been called RX 8800 XT.
The Radeon RX 9000 range in 2026
| Card | Compute units | Memory | Power consumption (TBP) | Release | Launch price (United States) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RX 9070 XT | 64 | 16GB GDDR6, 256-bit | 304 W | 6 March 2025 | $599 |
| RX 9070 | 56 | 16GB GDDR6, 256-bit | 220 W | 6 March 2025 | $549 |
| RX 9070 GRE | 48 | 12GB GDDR6, 192-bit | 220 W | May 2025 (China), June 2026 (worldwide) | N/A |
| RX 9060 XT 16GB | 32 | 16GB GDDR6, 128-bit | 160 W | 5 June 2025 | $349 |
| RX 9060 XT 8GB | 32 | 8GB GDDR6, 128-bit | 150 W | 5 June 2025 | $299 |
Sources: AMD, Wikipedia (Radeon RX 9000 series). Prices before tax at launch; the RX 9060 without XT is reserved for PCs assembled by system builders.
What RDNA 4 changes compared to the RX 7000 series
- Noticeably improved ray tracing: an RX 9060 XT 16GB performs better than an RX 7700 XT as soon as ray tracing is enabled, though it’s a little slower without.
- FSR 4: AMD’s AI upscaling, close in quality to DLSS, is reserved for RX 9000.
- A tighter lineup: no very high-end model; the RX 9070 XT is the most powerful Radeon of the generation, versus the RTX 5070 Ti.
For the detailed figures, see our comparison RX 7700 XT and RX 7800 XT in 2026.
RDNA 4 mainly brings better ray tracing and FSR 4.
What about performance?
In Tom’s Hardware’s GPU ranking (24 June 2026), at 1440p Ultra without ray tracing, the RX 9070 XT ties the RTX 5070 Ti (116.5 vs 116.8 frames per second on average), the RX 9070 beats the RTX 5070 (104.0 vs 96.4) and the RX 9060 XT 16GB reaches 67.3 frames per second. With ray tracing enabled, the GeForces keep the advantage. Our guide AMD vs NVIDIA in 2026 compares the two brands model by model, and our take on the RX 9070 and 9070 XT details the high end.
To see a Radeon from the RX 9000 generation in one of our PCs, here’s the test of our Rift PC (Radeon RX 9060 XT) by Mathis and Gauthier:
Mathis and Gauthier, test of the FlowUP Rift PC, September 2026.
Which Radeon RX 9000 should you choose?
| Your use case | Our pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p, tight budget | RX 9060 XT 16GB | Choose 16GB over 8GB to last longer |
| 1440p | RX 9070 | The best deal for 1440p without ray tracing, according to Tom’s Hardware |
| Demanding 1440p and 4K | RX 9070 XT | The most powerful Radeon of the generation |
Our gaming PCs with Radeon RX 9000
Rift PC, Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB
RX 9060 XT 16GB, Ryzen 5 7500F and 16GB of DDR5, for 1080p and 1440p.
Spike PC, Radeon RX 9060 XT
Radeon RX 9060 XT and Ryzen 7 5700X for 1080p at high settings.
Shadow V2 PC, Radeon RX 9070 XT
RX 9070 XT 16GB and Ryzen 7 9800X3D, for demanding 1440p and 4K.
FAQ: Radeon RX 8000 and RX 9000
Does the Radeon RX 8000 exist?
No, not for desktop PCs. AMD moved from the RX 7000 series to the RX 9000 series. The 8000 name refers to integrated graphics chips in mobile processors (Radeon 8060S, for example).
Why did AMD skip the 8000 series?
To align the naming of its cards with NVIDIA (RX 9070 vs RTX 5070) and with its Ryzen 9000 processors, according to AMD in January 2025.
When did the RX 9070 XT come out?
On 6 March 2025, at the same time as the RX 9070, at the recommended price of $599 in the United States.
What is the most powerful Radeon in 2026?
The RX 9070 XT. AMD hasn’t released a higher-end model in the RX 9000 series.
RX 9060 XT 8GB or 16GB?
16GB. The price difference is small, and the 8GB version will be limited earlier in recent games.
