RTX 5070 vs RX 9070 XT: Which Should You Buy?
Head-to-head on performance, VRAM, power and value for 2026.
Quick Summary · TL;DR
On our relative performance index the RX 9070 XT leads the RTX 5070 by about 18% — a moderate gap. The RX 9070 XT has more VRAM (16GB vs 12GB), which helps at high resolutions and in VRAM-hungry titles. The RTX 5070 adds NVIDIA DLSS and stronger ray tracing, while the RX 9070 XT typically leans on raw rasterisation value.
| RTX 5070 | RX 9070 XT | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance index | 66/100 | 78/100 |
| VRAM | 12GB | 16GB |
| Board power (TBP) | 250W | 304W |
| Maker PSU guidance | 650W | 750W |
| Our starting PSU class | 650W | 850W |
| Power connector | 16-pin 12V-2x6 | dual 8-pin |
| Generation | RTX 50 | RX 9000 |
Relative gaming index — an estimate of typical performance. Real-world gaps vary by game, resolution and settings.
Which should you buy?
Buy the RX 9070 XT if you want the higher frame rate and can find it at a fair price. Choose the RTX 5070 if it is clearly cheaper and its 12GB+ of VRAM and features cover your target resolution. For ray tracing and DLSS, the NVIDIA option has the edge; for raw rasterisation per dollar, the alternative often wins.
Power planning: RTX 5070 PSU · RX 9070 XT PSU.
RTX 5070 vs RX 9070 XT at each resolution
| Resolution | RTX 5070 | RX 9070 XT |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p | Excellent | Excellent |
| 1440p | Great (10 short of Excellent) | Excellent |
| 4K | Good (10 short of Great) | Great (8 short of Excellent) |
The 12-point gap (66 vs 78) changes the verdict at 1440p and 4K: that is where the RX 9070 XT earns its place. At 1080p both get the same rating, so paying for the faster card buys headroom rather than a different experience there. The RX 9070 XT also carries 4GB more memory (16GB vs 12GB).
Power, PSU and efficiency
Reference board power is 250W for the RTX 5070 and 304W for the RX 9070 XT, a 54W difference. Per 100W that works out to 26.4 index points for the RTX 5070 and 25.7 for the RX 9070 XT, effectively the same efficiency on our index. An existing 650W supply meets the maker guidance for the RTX 5070 but not for the RX 9070 XT (750W). Full sizing: RTX 5070 PSU · RX 9070 XT PSU.
Ratings use the same index lines as our GPU resolution pages; the index is an editorial tier summary, not a benchmark. PSU figures are the makers’ reference guidance reviewed 12 September 2026.
Sources & verification
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series specifications
- AMD Radeon desktop graphics specifications
- SpecsCalc calculation methodology and limitations
Relative indices summarize broad gaming tiers and are not a substitute for game-by-game benchmark averages. Price and driver updates can change the buying recommendation. Last reviewed September 19, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is the RTX 5070 better than the RX 9070 XT?
On our relative index the RX 9070 XT is about 18% ahead of the RTX 5070. The RX 9070 XT has more VRAM (16GB vs 12GB), which helps at high resolutions and in VRAM-hungry titles. The smaller the gap, the more other factors like price, VRAM and features should decide it.
Which is better value, the RTX 5070 or the RX 9070 XT?
Value depends on the price you can find each at. The slower card is usually the smart buy if it is meaningfully cheaper, unless you need the extra VRAM or features of the faster one.
Do the RTX 5070 and RX 9070 XT need different power supplies?
The RTX 5070's maker lists a 650W supply and the RX 9070 XT's lists 750W; our starting classes are 650W and 850W. If you might move to the RX 9070 XT later, size for its 750W now. The RTX 5070 can also take a PCIe Gen 5 (12V-2x6) cable; see the connector guide.
Make sure your CPU can keep up with either card using the Bottleneck Estimator, or compare more cards in the GPU comparison hub.