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- AMD’s CES 2025 keynote focused on CPUs and AI, leaving fans disappointed.
- FSR 4 was the only notable highlight, with AMD limiting its use to RDNA 4 GPUs, a strategy reminiscent of Nvidia’s DLSS 3.
- AMD offered no concrete details on the RX 9000 series, frustrating fans and awaiting updates.
As CES 2025 approached, everyone was expecting big news about AMD’s upcoming RX 9000 series GPUs, which were rumored to have the potential to compete with some of the best graphics cards in the future. However, when the event finally arrived, AMD left the audience wondering: Where are the RX 9000 GPUs?
Meanwhile, Nvidia announced its RTX 50 series GPUs just hours after AMD’s keynote. Even a basic product reveal from Nvidia could easily overshadow AMD’s underwhelming presentation. By failing to deliver concrete details or a clear roadmap for its gaming GPUs, AMD has given the spotlight to its competitor.
AMD’s Focus: CPUs And AI, Not Gaming
AMD’s 45-minute keynote at CES 2025 was packed with announcements, but many viewers were hoping for clear information about their new graphics cards. Instead, the focus shifted to new CPUs, such as the Ryzen 9950X3D, laptop processors, and enterprise-focused APUs, all targeting professionals and workstation users.
The gaming segment was reduced to just a few brief mentions. Jack Huynh teased the RDNA 4 architecture and introduced FSR 4, AMD’s latest upscaling technology. Beyond that, the presentation quickly discussed AI and enterprise-focused solutions.
The presentation was disappointing for gamers and graphics enthusiasts. Every year, CES serves as a stage for consumer products, and the lack of information about gaming hardware felt like a missed opportunity.
The Lack Of RDNA 4 And RX 9000 Series Details
The most frustrating aspect was the lack of information about RDNA 4 and the RX 9000 Series GPUs. We expected AMD to reveal much information about the RX 9070, RX 9060 and their XT counterparts, like specs or release dates, but AMD only offered vague comments and avoided specifics.
Although no concrete details were shared about what to expect with the RTX 9000 series, Jack Huynh mentioned in the presentation that RDNA 4 would bring hardware and software improvements, including better ray tracing with third-generation RT accelerators.
The presentation suggested RX 9000 series GPUs would compete with Nvidia’s RTX 4070 Ti Super, RX 7700 XT, and RTX 4060 Ti. However, no technical breakthroughs were provided. Rumors indicated that the new flagship could feature Navi 48 GPUs with 4,096 cores, 16GB of GDDR7 VRAM on a 256-bit bus, and memory speeds of 18Gbps.
However, these remain unconfirmed, leaving fans to rely on leaks rather than official announcements. Additionally, the slides hinted that AMD might not release its own “Made by AMD” RX 9000 cards. Instead, AMD’s partners could manufacture all the GPUs, such as Acer, Asus, XFX, and Gigabyte.
FSR 4: The Only Highlight Of An Uneventful Keynote
FSR 4 was one of the few highlights of an otherwise lacklustre keynote. It marks a significant advancement in machine-learning-based upscaling technology, promising better performance and image quality for supported games.
What makes FSR 4 particularly noteworthy is that it will be exclusive to RDNA 4-based GPUs, unlike FSR 3, which was available across multiple GPU generations. This move feels similar to Nvidia’s strategy with DLSS 3, which is only compatible with their RTX 40 series.
Nvidia’s decision received mixed reactions, and now AMD may face the same challenges. By restricting FSR 4 to RDNA 4 GPUs, AMD risks alienating users who may not want to upgrade to the RX 9000 series immediately.
The keynote also briefly touched on how FSR 4 could improve gaming experiences. Beyond these statements, there were no demonstrations or benchmarks to showcase FSR 4’s capabilities. This makes it difficult to assess whether it’s a game-changing feature or a small step forward.
AMD’s Gaming Fans Feeling Let Down
The overall sentiment following AMD’s CES 2025 keynote was disappointment among gamers. AMD’s decision to downplay the upcoming RX 9000 GPUs left many feeling that the company had sidelined its gaming audience.
AMD’s gaming revenue reportedly dropped by 69% year-over-year in 2024, and we had hoped for a strong comeback with the RX 9000 series. Instead, AMD left us waiting for more details, with Huynh promising updates “later this quarter.”
This vague timeline raises questions about whether the RX 9000 GPUs will launch soon or face additional delays. Fans must wait until later this quarter to learn more, which adds to their frustration.
In a year where Nvidia is poised to make major announcements, AMD must deliver a compelling message at CES 2025. Unfortunately, it fell short, leaving many to wonder whether the company can keep up with its rivals in the fiercely competitive GPU market.
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[Comparisons Expert]
Shehryar Khan, a seasoned PC hardware expert, brings over three years of extensive experience and a deep passion for the world of technology. With a love for building PCs and a genuine enthusiasm for exploring the latest advancements in components, his expertise shines through his work and dedication towards this field. Currently, Shehryar is rocking a custom loop setup for his built.
Get In Touch: shehryar@tech4gamers.com
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