AMD’s latest RDNA 4 lineup currently features just two graphics cards: the Radeon RX 9070 XT and the slightly lower-tier RX 9070. Interestingly, new tests shared on the PC Games Hardware Forum suggest that the RX 9070 (non-XT) has the potential to match its more powerful sibling, at least in terms of performance, by tweaking the BIOS.
Some RX 9070 models don’t have firmware locks in place, allowing enthusiasts to manually adjust aspects like voltage, clock speeds, and Total Graphics Power (TGP). With the right tweaks, users have pushed the RX 9070 close to RX 9070 XT performance levels.
That said, there are still hard limitations. While clock speeds and power settings can be modified, the XT version has more memory and additional GPU cores—features that can’t be unlocked or altered via software. So, while performance can be boosted, the full capabilities of the RX 9070 XT remain out of reach for the standard 9070.
RX 9070 may even surpass the XT version with flash bios
Some users have discovered that by flashing the RX 9070 XT firmware onto a standard RX 9070, they can push the GPU even further, unlocking higher clock speeds and achieving up to 15–20% better performance in benchmarks like 3DMark. In some cases, these gains bring the modified RX 9070 almost neck and neck with the RX 9070 XT. With certain higher-quality models and precise tuning, it’s even possible to outperform the XT version slightly.
This tweak effectively offers XT-level performance (or better) while saving around $50 on the MSRP. Depending on regional pricing, that difference can mean saving over $1,000 when factoring in market markups or resell values.
However, this kind of modification isn’t without risks. While traditional overclocking and minor voltage adjustments can be done safely via software, flashing a GPU’s BIOS is much riskier. A mistake in the process can brick the card—rendering it unusable. Additionally, not all RX 9070 cards allow this level of modification, and there’s no guaranteed way to identify which models do. So it’s a high-reward strategy—but definitely not for the inexperienced.
