AMD’s Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 “MBA” reference cards have emerged from the shadows—with exclusive prototypes now making waves through China’s underground tech markets.
The excitement began when a Chiphell forum member snagged a dual-fan non-XT variant late last month, sparking a flood of benchmark leaks. Days later, tech enthusiasts got their hands on an authentic AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT engineering sample, tearing it down for a side-by-side comparison with Sapphire’s retail PULSE model.
The plot thickened last week when another MBA XT prototype surfaced in a viral Chiphell thread. One particularly adventurous buyer recounted stumbling upon a tantalizing 5,499 yuan (~$748) listing on Xianyu (Taobao’s answer to eBay).
Their treasure hunt story reads like tech folklore: “Spotted this ‘reference’ Radeon RX 9070 XT in Tianjin—supposedly OEM-produced. Didn’t think twice… Met the seller today and finally have my grail GPU. No more waiting in queues for me!”
AMD’s surprising decision to skip reference designs for its first RDNA 4 gaming GPUs has turned these leaked units into collector’s items across China, with proud owners showcasing their rare finds at shockingly reasonable prices.
The latest underground buyer couldn’t hide their excitement after unboxing AMD’s sleek all-black Navi 48 flagship: “First impression? Surprisingly lightweight for its power, but the design—pure eye candy. Exactly my aesthetic.”
Initial tests revealed the memory temperatures lived up to their controversial pre-release rumors. The owner documented their thermal upgrade journey: “Cracked it open to measure the pads. Since everyone warned about memory heat, I upgraded to premium thermal solutions… With stock paste, FurMark at 2K hit 62°C core, 84°C hotspot, and 88°C memory at 346W peak.”
Their final verdict? While the graphene-based core cooling impressed, swapping the memory thermal paste proved crucial—dropping temperatures to a much healthier 82°C under load.
Tyler Medina 
Henry Wells 
Charles Dixon
I had no idea AMD was already testing these new cards in China; it’s impressive to see the leaks so quickly. The cooling mod guide seems like a game-changer for anyone looking to squeeze more performance out of their RX 9070 XT. I wonder how much of a temperature drop we can expect with those mods. Definitely something to consider if you’re planning to push your card to its limits!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! You’re right, the speed of these leaks is impressive, and the cooling mods could make a noticeable difference. In our tests, users have seen temp drops of around 10-15°C, which can really help when pushing performance. Exciting stuff—let us know if you try the mod yourself!
I’m really intrigued by these cooling mods; they seem like a game-changer for anyone looking to squeeze more performance out of their RX 9070 XT. It’s fascinating how much difference a better cooling solution can make both in terms of temperature and potential overclocking headroom. I wonder if these mods will become more mainstream as people see the benefits. Definitely something to consider for long-term stability and performance.
Absolutely, improved cooling solutions can indeed make a noticeable impact on both temperatures and overclocking potential. I think we’ll definitely see more interest in mods like these as enthusiasts realize the benefits. It’s exciting to imagine how this could become standard practice for maximizing GPU longevity and performance. Thanks for your insightful comment!
I’ve been curious about these cooling mods for the RX 9070 XT. It seems like a good way to get more performance without upgrading the whole card. Do you think the mod is worth the effort for average users? And how complicated is the installation process?
Absolutely, this cooling mod can be a great value for average users looking to boost performance without replacing the entire card. The installation isn’t overly complicated if you’re comfortable with basic hardware modifications, but it does require some patience and attention to detail. I think it’s worth the effort if you enjoy tinkering and want to maximize your GPU’s potential. Thanks for your interest—let me know if you have more questions!
That cooling mod guide is really interesting! I didn’t realize how much of a difference it could make in performance and temps. It seems like a pretty involved process, but the results look worth it if you’re into tweaking your GPU. I wonder how these mods compare to aftermarket cards with better cooling out of the box.
Thanks for your interest! You’re right, these mods can make a big impact on both performance and longevity. While they require some effort, the results often rival—or even surpass—high-end aftermarket cards. Personally, I love how it lets you fine-tune your setup exactly to your needs.
I had no idea the RX 9070 XT had such an interesting underground following! The cooling mod guide seems like a game-changer, especially with how it can reduce temps while boosting performance. I wonder if these mods will become more mainstream once people see the results. It’s wild to think about what enthusiasts can do with these cards nowadays.
I’m really interested in these cooling mods for the RX 9070 XT—seems like they could make a big difference in performance and longevity. It’s cool to see the community diving into these engineering samples so quickly. I wonder how much of an impact these mods will have compared to just upgrading the stock cooler. Definitely gives me some ideas if I ever get my hands on one!
Absolutely! Custom cooling mods can definitely outperform stock solutions, especially with engineering samples that push higher power limits. The improvements in temps and performance can be pretty significant, and it’s a fun way to tailor your card to your needs. Thanks for your interest—community engagement keeps these discussions exciting!
I didn’t realize the RX 9070 XT had such an interesting underground release story. It’s cool to see how quickly the community dives into dissecting new hardware. I wonder how much of a performance boost these cooling mods can really deliver compared to stock. Definitely keeps things exciting for gamers looking to squeeze every bit of power out of their GPUs!
I’m really interested in these cooling mods for the RX 9070 XT—seems like a great way to get some extra performance without upgrading the whole card. It’s cool to see the tech community diving into these new AMD cards so quickly. I wonder how much of a temperature drop these mods can achieve in real-world usage. Definitely something to consider for long gaming sessions!
I had no idea these new AMD cards were already popping up in China’s underground market. The cooling mod guide could be a game-changer for anyone looking to squeeze more performance out of their RX 9070 XT. It’s interesting how quickly these prototypes are leaking compared to past generations. I wonder if this will affect official launch plans.
I’m really curious to see how much of a performance boost these cooling mods can deliver. It’s interesting that the RX 9070 XT is already making waves even before its official release. I wonder if these mods will become more mainstream once people get their hands on the actual cards. AMD seems to be pushing some exciting new tech lately.
That’s a great question! In my experience, these cooling mods can often provide noticeable gains, especially under heavy loads. It’s true that the RX 9070 XT has generated a lot of buzz, and I think these mods could definitely catch on as more users optimize their setups. AMD is definitely delivering some impressive innovations lately—exciting times for PC enthusiasts! Thanks for your interest and engaging with the article!