AMD is stepping up its AI hardware game with the launch of the Radeon AI PRO R9700, a new GPU designed specifically for artificial intelligence workloads. While Nvidia continues to dominate the GPU landscape, AMD’s latest release could bring long-awaited competition to both AI enthusiasts and small-scale developers seeking affordable yet powerful computing options.
A New Player in AI-Centric Computing
The Radeon AI PRO R9700 represents AMD’s clearest signal yet that it’s serious about AI. Built on the company’s RDNA 4 architecture, the card is tailored for high-performance inferencing rather than traditional gaming. Priced at $1,299, it offers a more accessible alternative to Nvidia’s flagship RTX 5090, which can reach nearly $2,000 on the open market.
While the R9700 isn’t designed to deliver extreme frame rates in gaming benchmarks, it packs serious computing power for large language model (LLM) workloads and other AI-heavy applications. The GPU includes 32 GB of GDDR6 VRAM and delivers up to 47.8 TFLOPs (FP32 Vector) of performance. It also boasts 64 Ray Accelerators, 128 AI Accelerators, 4,096 Stream Processors, and 64 Compute Units, allowing it to efficiently handle complex AI operations.
Efficient Power and Design for AI Workloads
One of the standout aspects of the Radeon AI PRO R9700 is its efficiency. With a 300-watt total board power (TBP), the GPU achieves impressive compute output while consuming far less energy than Nvidia’s comparable models. This efficiency makes it an appealing choice for self-hosted AI systems or compact server setups that don’t rely on enterprise-grade hardware.
The R9700 also supports FP8, INT8, and INT4 precision formats through AMD’s ROCm software stack, enabling developers to experiment with quantized inference and model optimization. This positions AMD as a growing alternative for AI developers seeking more open, flexible environments outside of Nvidia’s CUDA ecosystem.
Users will need a 750W power supply to run the card, which connects via a single 12V-2×6 cable—a simplified design that helps reduce clutter in rack-mounted systems. AMD’s focus on accessibility extends to both hardware and software, as the company continues improving ROCm’s compatibility with popular AI frameworks.
Performance Gains and Market Impact
Compared to earlier AMD professional cards like the Radeon PRO W6800, the AI PRO R9700 delivers stronger compute performance, higher bandwidth, and enhanced AI acceleration, with only a modest 50W increase in power draw. These gains could make the R9700 particularly attractive for smaller labs and startups that need strong inference capabilities without the steep energy or licensing costs associated with Nvidia hardware.
While Nvidia still leads in raw AI performance and ecosystem maturity, AMD’s new GPU offers a credible alternative at a significantly lower price. The company’s approach—balancing power efficiency, open software tools, and affordability—may resonate with independent developers and researchers looking to build or scale local AI infrastructure.
Availability and Pricing
AMD has confirmed that the Radeon AI PRO R9700 will be available starting Monday, October 27, with a suggested retail price of $1,299. Early retail listings have already surfaced with minor price variations, indicating strong anticipation for launch.
For professionals seeking to run LLMs, perform model training, or experiment with AI inference at home, the R9700 offers a compelling mix of power, efficiency, and openness. While Nvidia remains the benchmark for enterprise-scale AI, AMD’s latest entry proves that serious performance doesn’t have to come at a prohibitive cost.