AMD Radeon RX 9000 graphics cards could reportedly get a major price hike in China

AMD's Radeon RX 9000 series graphics cards could become considerably more expensive in China, according to new pricing reportedly circulating among the country's graphics card distribution channels. The information comes from the login-gated ChannelGate Vision Hub (via Videocardz, @harukaze5719 on X), which published a table containing AMD's purported Q3 Suggested E-tail Prices (SEP) alongside what it describes as the company's standardised MSRP figures. The changes affect the entire current Radeon RX 9000 lineup, including the RX 9070 XT, RX 9070, RX 9070 GRE and both versions of the RX 9060 XT.

According to the report, AMD's Q3 SEP for the Radeon RX 9070 XT now stands at RMB 6,999 ($1,050), compared with a listed MSRP of RMB 5,599 ($840). The RX 9070 follows at RMB 5,599 ($840) versus an MSRP of RMB 5,199 ($780), while the RX 9070 GRE is listed at RMB 4,599 ($690) versus RMB 3,999 ($600).

The budget-focused RX 9060 XT is not immune, either. The 16 GB version receives Q3 guidance of RMB 4,299 ($645) compared with a listed MSRP of RMB 3,599 ($540), while the 8 GB card sits at RMB 3,099 ($465) versus RMB 2,699 ($405). Even the China-specific RX 7650 GRE is affected, albeit to a much smaller degree, with its SEP increasing to RMB 2,499 ($375) against an MSRP of RMB 2,359 ($354).

The RX 9070 XT provides an especially stark comparison with launch pricing. AMD introduced the card in China at RMB 4,999 ($750), meaning the newly reported RMB 6,999 ($1,050) Q3 SEP is a whopping 40% higher. The regular RX 9070, meanwhile, launched at RMB 4,499 ($675) and now carries Q3 guidance of RMB 5,599 ($840), representing an increase of roughly 24%.

There is an important distinction here, however. The figures appear to represent AMD's pricing guidance for the Chinese distribution and retail channel rather than confirmation that the company's global US-dollar MSRPs have suddenly changed. The RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 originally launched internationally at $599 and $549, respectively, while the RX 9060 XT arrived at $299 for the 8 GB model and $349 for the 16 GB version.

Furthermore, the reported Q3 prices are not in effect, at least at not at the time of writing. VideoCardz checked JD.com and found RX 9000 cards both above and below the new proposed prices, depending on the model, manufacturer and ongoing promotions. Therefore, one can also regard the data as an indication of where AMD wants channel pricing to head during Q3 rather than a snapshot of current retail prices.

For buyers outside China, the immediate implications remain unclear. There is currently no confirmation that AMD intends to make equivalent changes to its official US or European pricing. Then again, a cursory glance at Amazon reveals the RX 9070 XT selling at prices north of $700, so any official increase in price will only reflect the realities of current-day GPU prices instead of actually increasing them.