RTX 5070 vs RX 9070 XT: Which Graphics Card Should You Buy in 2026?
Lennon Byatt
Choosing between the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 and the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT isn't easy. Both graphics cards offer outstanding gaming performance, modern features and excellent value for gamers looking to play at 1440p and even 4K.
So which one is right for your gaming PC?
In this guide, we'll compare gaming performance, ray tracing, power consumption, pricing and features to help you decide which graphics card deserves a place in your next build.
Looking for a complete gaming system? Browse AWD-IT's latest Gaming PCs:
Specifications
| Specification | RTX 5070 | RX 9070 XT |
|
Best Resolution
|
1440p / 4K
|
1440p / 4K
|
|
Ray Tracing
|
Excellent
|
Very Good
|
|
AI Upscaling
|
DLSS 4
|
FSR 4
|
|
VRAM
|
12GB GDDR7
|
16GB GDDR6
|
|
Power Requirement
|
Around 750W PSU
|
Around 750W PSU
|
Both GPUs are designed for modern AAA gaming and offer impressive longevity.
Gaming Performance
Here's what you can expect from a gaming PC in this price range:
| Game | 1440p Ultra | 4K High |
|
GTA 6 (Predicted)
|
90–120 FPS
|
60–90 FPS
|
|
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
|
170+ FPS
|
120+ FPS
|
|
Fortnite
|
220+ FPS
|
140+ FPS
|
|
EA Sports FC 26
|
220+ FPS
|
140+ FPS
|
|
Cyberpunk 2077
|
110+ FPS
|
75+ FPS
|
Performance will vary depending on graphics settings, drivers and future game updates.
Ray Tracing
If ray tracing is a priority, NVIDIA currently has the advantage.
Benefits include:
- Better ray tracing performance
- DLSS 4 support
- AI Frame Generation
- Improved visual quality in supported games
If you enjoy visually demanding single-player games, the RTX 5070 is a fantastic choice.
1440p Gaming Performance
For most gamers, 1440p remains the sweet spot.
Both cards deliver excellent frame rates in games such as:
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Black Ops 7
- EA Sports FC 26
- Forza Horizon
- Fortnite
The RX 9070 XT often performs exceptionally well in traditional rasterised games, while the RTX 5070 shines when ray tracing and DLSS are enabled.
Want to learn more?
Read our guide:
Best Graphics Card for 1440p Gaming
https://www.awd-it.co.uk/gaming-news/best-graphics-card-for-1440p-gaming-2026.html
For most gamers, 1440p remains the sweet spot
VRAM
The Radeon RX 9070 XT offers 16GB of VRAM, making it particularly attractive for:
- High-resolution textures
- Future AAA games
- Content creation
- Large open-world titles
Extra VRAM can also help with longevity as future games continue to increase memory requirements.
Extra VRAM can also help with longevity as future games continue to increase memory requirements
Which CPU Should You Pair Them With?
To maximise performance, pair either graphics card with:
- AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D
- Intel Core i5-14600KF
Read our detailed guide:
Best CPU for RTX 5070
https://www.awd-it.co.uk/gaming-news/best-cpu-for-rtx-5070-2026.html
Browse AWD-IT's latest AMD Processors:
https://www.awd-it.co.uk/components/cpu-processors/amd-cpu.html
Should You Buy or Build?
Building your own PC offers flexibility, but buying a professionally assembled gaming PC has several advantages:
- Fully tested hardware
- Manufacturer warranty
- Professional cable management
- Windows pre-installed
- Ready to game immediately
Browse AWD-IT's latest Gaming PCs:
Memory & Storage
For modern gaming we recommend:
- 32GB DDR5 Memory
- 2TB NVMe SSD
Browse:
DDR5 Memory
https://www.awd-it.co.uk/components/memory.html?motherboard_memory_type=1667
Solid State Drives
https://www.awd-it.co.uk/components/solid-state-drives-ssd.html
Need storage advice?
Read:
Best SSD for Gaming in 2026
https://www.awd-it.co.uk/gaming-news/best-ssd-for-gaming-2026.html
Good cooling helps maintain boost clocks during long gaming sessions
Should You Upgrade Your Existing PC?
If your system includes:
- GTX 1660 Super
- RTX 2060
- Ryzen 5 3600
- 8GB RAM
then upgrading your GPU, RAM and SSD can dramatically improve your gaming experience.
If you're using an older AM4 system, our AM4 vs AM5 guide can help you decide whether to upgrade or move to a new platform:
Best Sim Racing Setup for Beginners: Start With the Essentials
You don’t need a full cockpit immediately. A well‑chosen beginner setup helps you develop skills faster and keeps costs under control.
1. Steering Wheel and Pedals (Top Priority)
Your wheel and pedals are the most important part of any sim racing rig. Force feedback allows you to feel grip changes, kerbs, and steering resistance—crucial for learning car control.
Beginner tip: Focus on force feedback quality rather than raw power.
Your wheel and pedals are the most important part of any sim racing rig. Force feedback allows you to feel grip changes, kerbs, and steering resistance—crucial for learning car control.
Creators in attendance
Stacked lineup
Experience zones
Arcades · Sim rigs · PCs
Tech on display
Latest gen builds
Verdict
Showroom certified
Pick Your Tier
We've named each tier after a tournament stage, because let's be honest, that's exactly the kind of thing we'd do. Find your budget and dive in.
Group Stage
Round of 32
Quarter Final
World Cup Final
Storage Recommendations
Modern games continue to grow in size, making fast storage essential.
We recommend:
- 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD (minimum)
- 2TB NVMe SSD (recommended)
Browse AWD-IT's latest Solid State Drives:
https://www.awd-it.co.uk/components/solid-state-drives-ssd.html
For more advice, read our guide:
Best SSD for Gaming in 2026
https://www.awd-it.co.uk/gaming-news/best-ssd-for-gaming-2026.html
Modern games continue to grow in size, making fast storage essential
Gaming Benchmarks
|
Game
|
RTX 5070
|
RX 9070 XT
|
|
GTA 6 (Predicted)
|
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
|
Cyberpunk 2077
|
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
|
Black Ops 7
|
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
|
Fortnite
|
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
|
Microsoft Flight Simulator
|
Excellent
|
Excellent
|
Both graphics cards are capable of delivering exceptional performance. Your final choice depends more on the features you value than raw gaming capability.
Best SSD for GTA 6
Although Rockstar hasn't confirmed the official PC requirements, a fast NVMe SSD is expected to provide the best experience.
We recommend:
- PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD
- At least 1TB capacity
- 2TB if GTA 6 will be your primary game
Read our full guide:
GTA 6 PC System Requirements (Predicted)
https://www.awd-it.co.uk/gaming-news/gta-6-pc-system-requirements-predicted.html
The 7800X3D pairs exceptionally well with today's most powerful graphics cards
Best Graphics Cards to Pair with the Ryzen 7 7800X3D
The 7800X3D pairs exceptionally well with today's most powerful graphics cards, including:
- AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080
If you're still deciding which GPU to buy, check out:
Best Graphics Card for 1440p Gaming
https://www.awd-it.co.uk/gaming-news/best-graphics-card-for-1440p-gaming-2026.html
You can also browse AWD-IT's latest Graphics Cards:
Frequently Asked Questions
Which graphics card is better for ray tracing?
The RTX 5070 offers stronger ray tracing performance and benefits from NVIDIA's DLSS 4 technology.
Which card has more VRAM?
The Radeon RX 9070 XT includes 16GB of VRAM, making it an attractive option for gamers who want additional memory for future titles.
Which GPU is better for 1440p gaming?
Both cards perform exceptionally well at 1440p, making either an excellent choice depending on your budget and preferred features.
Final Verdict
Both the RTX 5070 and RX 9070 XT are excellent graphics cards that can handle today's biggest games with ease.
If you value ray tracing, DLSS and AI-powered features, the RTX 5070 is a fantastic option.
If you prefer excellent value, additional VRAM and strong rasterisation performance, the RX 9070 XT is equally compelling.
Whichever GPU you choose, pairing it with a modern Ryzen processor, 32GB of DDR5 memory and a fast NVMe SSD will provide an exceptional gaming experience for years to come.
Ready to upgrade? Browse AWD-IT's latest range of Gaming PCs, Graphics Cards, Processors, Memory, and Storage to build your ideal gaming setup.
Related Guides
- Best CPU for RTX 5070 in 2026
- Best Graphics Card for 1440p Gaming
- Best Gaming PC Under £1500 UK
- Best Motherboard for Ryzen 7 7800X3D
- Best SSD for Gaming in 2026
- GTA 6 PC System Requirements (Predicted)
- AM4 vs AM5 – Which Platform Should You Choose?
