AMD’s new 8GB RX 9050 graphics card receives lukewarm reaction as it launches in Japan for $350
AMD recently expanded its RDNA 4 graphics card lineup with the launch of the Radeon RX 9050, which is currently the company’s most affordable RDNA 4 GPU. The card reportedly carries a $279 MSRP, but buyers in Japan are seeing a higher price, with the GPU selling for just under 55,000 Yen (around $350). The higher retail price and its performance have resulted in a fairly quiet launch. The 8GB card – which also has a 4GB variant for prebuilts – is yet to be available in the US.
Early reviews suggest that the RX 9050 is around 30% slower than Nvidia’s RTX 5050 in gaming workloads. While the card is capable of delivering solid 1080p gaming performance, reviewers have generally found that it doesn’t offer enough to stand out from the competition. In fact, the RTX 5050 can be purchased from $300 on sale, making it likely both cheaper and faster than AMD’s newest budget offering. It’s important to note that an official USD MSRP has yet to be revealed.
Retailers report underwhelming response in Japan
This has also been reflected by retailers. According to a report from ITMedia, the RX 9050 has received a slow response since launch in Japan. One store owner said customers seem to be taking a wait-and-see approach, questioning whether the card offers enough performance to justify its current price. The retailer also noted that graphics card prices have become increasingly unstable, making it difficult for buyers to judge overall value.
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As for what the standalone card offers, it comes equipped with 1,024 stream processors, a 2,600 MHz boost clock, a 1,920 MHz game clock, 64 ROPs, and 8GB of GDDR6 memory. These specifications make it suitable for mainstream gaming, particularly at 1080p resolution. However, specifications alone may not be enough to attract buyers. With performance trailing the RTX 5050 while costing more, the RX 9050 currently finds itself in a difficult position.
The store owner did point out that it may become an attractive option once the price comes down. However, right now, it does not appear to be a proper competitor to the RTX 5060 and the RTX 5050. In Japan, the Radeon RX 9050 is available in models from ASRock, ASUS JAPAN, and Gigabyte, all with a similar price tag.
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