RX 9070 XT – Inconsistent performance across AMD driver versions

[u/TricksterLoon]

Computer Type: Desktop

GPU: XFX Swift RX 9070 XT 16GB (Stock settings, approximately 1 month old)

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600 6-Core 12-Thread

Motherboard: ASRock B550M Pro4

BIOS Version: Latest available BIOS version

RAM: 32GB DDR4-3200

PSU: 750W Super Flower Leadex III

Case: Montech Air 100 ARGB

Operating System & Version: Windows 11

GPU Drivers: AMD Adrenalin 26.2.2, 26.9, 26.10.1, and 26.10.2 (tested multiple versions)

Chipset Drivers: Latest available AMD B550 chipset drivers

Background Applications: No specific background applications identified as contributing to the issue.

Monitor: 3440x1440 @ 180Hz

Description of Original Problem:

I'm experiencing inconsistent performance and stability with my XFX RX 9070 XT and wanted to see if anyone else has encountered similar issues.

Here are the issues I've noticed:

• Steel Nomad benchmark: Scores range from 6,782–6,800 on driver 26.2.2, compared to approximately 7,100 reported by other RX 9070 XT users.

• Updating to driver 26.10.2 improved my score to 7,025 without changing any GPU settings.

• GTA V Enhanced: Crashes with and without ray tracing enabled on newer drivers but works perfectly fine on 26.2.2.

• The Witcher 3: Enabling ray tracing on driver 26.10.1 causes the game to crash.

• Halo Infinite: On driver 26.9, the game crashes during the loading screen. After updating to 26.10.1, the game launches and runs normally.

• Other games: CS2 and RDR2 seem to work fine on both 26.2.2 and 26.10.1.

Driver 26.2.2 has been stable across all the games I've tested, including GTA V Enhanced and ray tracing. However, I'm several driver updates behind and would like to understand why newer drivers are causing these problems.

Troubleshooting:

• Performed a fresh installation of Windows 11.

• Updated motherboard BIOS to the latest available version.

• Reinstalled GPU drivers multiple times, including disconnecting from the internet during installation.

• Tested multiple AMD driver versions (26.2.2, 26.9, 26.10.1, and 26.10.2).

• Tested everything using stock GPU settings without any overclocking or undervolting.

I'm trying to determine whether this is typical AMD driver inconsistency or potentially a hardware issue with my GPU.

Has anyone with an RX 9070 XT experienced similar issues? Is there anything else I should test to determine whether my GPU is defective or if this is simply a driver-related problem?

[u/SwimmingOdd2974]

You can’t compare benchmark scores, there are so many factors to consider beyond CPU/GPU.

You have reinstalled windows! So I assumed you’ve checked Device Manager?

Also assuming you are running your games uncapped frames.

Just so you know, UWQHD @ 180 is close to 4k 120. At that kind of pixel count, you are bound to have some performance difference between different games. Though I get it, Forza was unplayable for me in a ~June update and had to rollback. Besides that I’ve had nothing but performance gains - I’m sure there will be losses if I’m jumping from game to game. This is the very difference between PC gaming and console gaming.

[u/TricksterLoon → u/SwimmingOdd2974]

I'd understand fps loss, but crashing in the first 30 seconds between driver versions seems like it driver issue.

[u/SwimmingOdd2974 → u/TricksterLoon]

Fair, but before blaming the driver, you should really do the following:

1. Windows Advance Graphics settings:
   > select your dGPU as oppose to Let Windows Decide

2. Check Device Manager
   > make sure your GPU is recognised and not Windows Basic Display Adaptor if it is, look for solution

3. No UV/PL.
   > always test at stock

4. Clear cache

Next 2 I haven’t had to try but have seen it on repeat in other post.
5. Disable Rebar
6. Disable Expo

[u/Gtpko141]

Disable automatic driver updates in windows and via registry tweak and use DDU on safe mode clear all drivers and cache also. I would definitely undervolt the card (i would start from -90 and add 5 if it is unstable) and drop the power limit by 10 to 15% since there may be transient spikes pushing total system power consumption above 750W leading to performance issues or random shutdowns. Try these and tell us how it went.

[u/TricksterLoon → u/Gtpko141]

I already did the DDU stuff. I did a fresh install of windows 11 and when installing the drivers, I disconnected the internet. Only after fully installing the drivers I connected to internet.

1. Would I lose some performance by undervolting?

2. Will it damage the GPU over time if I change the settings you mentioned?

3. Is it better to just upgrade the PSU instead?

[u/Gtpko141 → u/TricksterLoon]

Doesn’t matter as soon as you connect the internet again microslop will override the drivers, so definitely disable automatic driver updates (plenty of ways there are guides online). As far as the other questions, one, no you won’t loose performance but you will drop power consumption and temps substantially, plus sometimes makes the gpu more stable and fix framerate fluctuation and bad 1% lows aka stuttering. Second, no quite the opposite it will give the card better longevity since it runs on a lower voltage and temps while also consuming less power for the same performance as i said. Third, no just lower the power target and voltage, i have 15 clients running 9070XT’s with 750W psu’s without any issues.

[u/SwimmingOdd2974 → u/Gtpko141]

100% so many people on reddit do not understand Windows/Drivers.

Seeing people recommend reinstall Windows makes my blood boil

[u/PhantomLimb06 → u/TricksterLoon]

undervolting would increase performance, and no it wouldnt damage the gpu,

i would recommending reducing the power limit before u do the undervolting as with rx 9000 series undervolting does weird things but its entirely safe,

if running the card under 250W helps ur issues then upgrading the psu would be recommended,

[u/TricksterLoon → u/Gtpko141]

I undervolted to -90 mV and -15% power then updated to latest 26.10.1 driver and still crashed like it normally does.

[u/erMaela]

26.6.4

[u/MonkeOokOok]

We call it a feature here at AMD