Which GPU is the better gaming upgrade: RX 9070 XT, RTX 5070, or RTX 5070 Ti?

The RTX 5070 can occasionally match or beat the 9070 XT in ray tracing, but the difference is inconsistent and usually not large enough to outweigh the AMD card’s overall performance advantage. Unless you need Nvidia-specific features, the 9070 XT gives you much better value.

The RTX 5070 Ti has the strongest ray-tracing features and Nvidia’s software, including DLSS and frame generation. However, it is not 50% faster than the RX 9070 XT, so that premium only makes sense if you specifically prioritize Nvidia features and money is not a concern.

The RX 9070 XT is the obvious choice over the RTX 5070 at the same price. It is substantially faster in regular rasterized games and is usually ahead of the RTX 5070 in ray tracing as well. The RTX 5070 Ti can be faster in RT-heavy titles, but not enough to justify paying 50% more in this situation.

For the RX 9070 XT, compare the individual cooler models before buying. If the cheapest option has poor reviews, spending a little more on a well-reviewed model can be worthwhile, but there is no reason to jump to the RTX 5070 Ti solely because it costs more.

Look at benchmarks for the games you actually play, but the general picture is RX 9070 XT performance around RTX 5070 Ti levels in many non-RT games, while clearly beating the RTX 5070. In some ray-traced games it falls behind the Ti, and in others it gets surprisingly close. For gaming at these prices, I’d choose the 9070 XT.