The graphics card market has been facing significant supply constraints for AMD's latest RDNA 4-based GPUs, with consumers worldwide struggling to find Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT cards at their advertised prices. However, relief may be on the horizon according to recent statements from one of AMD's board partners.
Supply Challenges Acknowledged by Board Partner
Chinese AIB (Add-In Board) partner Yeston has publicly addressed the ongoing availability issues affecting AMD's Radeon RX 9070 series graphics cards. In a statement posted on social media platform X on March 18, the company confirmed what many frustrated consumers have already experienced: now the supply is unstable. Yeston attempted to reassure customers by noting they will restock every week while encouraging patience as the supply will continue stable to be available after April. This timeline suggests that consumers globally might see improved availability starting in May 2025.
Current Market Situation
The supply shortage has created a challenging market environment where finding these graphics cards at AMD's advertised MSRPs of USD $549 for the RX 9070 and USD $599 for the RX 9070 XT has proven nearly impossible. Major retailers in both the United States and United Kingdom have implemented significant price markups, with increases ranging from USD $50 to USD $130 above the recommended prices. American retailers like Micro Center and Newegg have raised prices by 11.7% to 21.8%, while UK retailers have implemented markups between 7.5% and 17.4%. Even models that are supposed to follow AMD's pricing recommendations are consistently sold out at the few retailers listing them at MSRP.
AMD Radeon RX 9070 Series Pricing
- RX 9070 XT MSRP: USD $599
- RX 9070 MSRP: USD $549
Current Price Markups
- US retailers: 11.7% to 21.8% above MSRP
- UK retailers: 7.5% to 17.4% above MSRP
AMD's Two-Tier Distribution System
Industry reports suggest that AMD may be operating a two-tier distribution system for its GPU allocation, which could be contributing to the supply issues. According to information posted on Board Channels forums, AMD has designated certain manufacturers as core partners - including Asus, XFX, PowerColor, Sapphire, and Vastarmor - who reportedly receive thousands of units in each allocation batch. Meanwhile, second-tier partners like Yeston, along with well-known brands such as Acer, Gigabyte, and Asrock, are allegedly receiving significantly smaller allocations. This distribution strategy appears to be reflected in product offerings, with first-tier partners typically offering four to ten different Radeon RX 9070-series card models, while second-tier partners have only two to six variants available.
AMD GPU Distribution Tiers
- Core partners (larger allocations): Asus, XFX, PowerColor, Sapphire, Vastarmor
- Second-tier partners (smaller allocations): Yeston, Acer, Gigabyte, Asrock
Unprecedented Demand
An AMD executive recently characterized demand for the Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT graphics cards as really unprecedented, suggesting the company may have underestimated market interest in its latest RDNA 4 architecture. This stands in stark contrast to AMD's initial promise of wide availability when the cards were first announced. The current situation has left many consumers frustrated as they attempt to secure these graphics cards, which are considered among the best options in their price segment when available at MSRP.
Looking Ahead
For consumers eager to purchase a Radeon RX 9070 series graphics card, Yeston's timeline provides some hope that the market may normalize after April. Until then, potential buyers will likely need to remain vigilant for restocks, which some retailers are announcing in advance due to limited availability. While the supply constraints continue to affect global markets, the indication that production and distribution will stabilize in the coming months offers a light at the end of the tunnel for gamers and PC enthusiasts looking to upgrade their systems with AMD's latest graphics technology.