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AMD says professional overclocker Splave pushed a Radeon RX 9060 XT GPU core to 4.769 GHz using liquid nitrogen, setting a reported new record for discrete-GPU frequency. The peak clock is roughly 18.6% higher than Splave’s previous 4.020 GHz GeForce RTX 4090 record—but it is not a gaming-performance record or a realistic overclock for ordinary PCs.
What happened?
According to HotHardware’s report, AMD employee Bill Alverson and professional overclocker Splave conducted the attempt at AMD’s Markham office. Using liquid nitrogen (LN2) cooling, they reportedly reached a final GPU frequency of 4.769 GHz, or 4,769 MHz.
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AMD presents the result as a new world record for discrete-GPU frequency. That wording should be attributed to AMD: the available coverage does not provide a complete independent validation submission, benchmark score, or long-duration stability test.
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The most relevant comparison is Splave’s reported 4.020 GHz record on an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090, achieved on July 6, 2024. The RX 9060 XT peak is 749 MHz higher—approximately 18.6% above that previous discrete-GPU mark.
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- Chipset: AMD RX 9060 XT
- Memory: 16 GB GDDR6
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- Boost Clock Up to 3320 MHz
The report also says the result exceeded a reported 4.25 GHz integrated-GPU result from Intel Arrow Lake. That is a broader comparison, but it is not perfectly like-for-like: an integrated GPU inside a processor and a discrete graphics card use different physical and power arrangements. The discrete-GPU record is the cleaner comparison.
How far is 4.769 GHz above stock?
AMD’s current official RX 9060 XT specifications list a 2.53 GHz game frequency and boost frequency of up to 3.13 GHz. Against that boost figure, 4.769 GHz is:
- 2.239 GHz higher than the published boost frequency.
- Approximately 52.1% higher than the 3.13 GHz boost specification.
- Approximately 88.5% higher than the 2.53 GHz game frequency.
Those are clock-speed comparisons only. They do not mean 52.1% more frames per second, 52.1% more real-world performance, or that the RX 9060 XT can compete with flagship GPUs. Performance also depends on shader utilization, memory speed, power limits, drivers, the workload, and whether the GPU can sustain the frequency.
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There is a specification discrepancy worth noting. HotHardware’s report references a 1.7 GHz base clock, 2.35 GHz game clock, and 3.13 GHz boost clock, while AMD’s current product page lists the game frequency as 2.53 GHz and does not show a base-clock figure. AMD’s current page is the appropriate source for the published specification; the older figures should not be presented as its current official data without qualification.
Why liquid nitrogen changes the result
LN2 is the central reason this achievement has little relevance to a normal gaming build. Liquid nitrogen keeps the GPU at extremely low temperatures, reducing leakage and improving the operating margin available for extreme voltage and frequency settings. A carefully selected chip can then reach a clock that would be impossible under air cooling or a conventional water loop.
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- System Compatibility Note: This 2‑slot card measures 249 mm (L) x 132 mm (W) x 41 mm (H) and requires a single 8‑pin power connector. Please verify available chassis clearance and ensure your power supply is rated for a recommended 550W before purchase.
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- Next‑Gen AMD RDNA 4 Architecture: Powered by the AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT GPU with 32 Compute Units featuring 3rd Gen Ray Tracing and 2nd Gen AI Accelerators, delivering exceptional 1440p gaming and AI‑enhanced performance.
- Blazing‑Fast Engine Clock: Delivers a boost clock of up to 3290 MHz and a game clock of 2700 MHz out of the box, providing the raw power for smooth, high‑framerate gameplay.
- 16GB GDDR6 Memory on 128‑Bit Bus: Equipped with 16GB of high‑speed GDDR6 memory running at 20 Gbps, offering ample capacity and bandwidth for modern game textures and creative applications.
This kind of attempt normally requires an open test bench, a specialized GPU pot or cooling block, continuous LN2 replenishment, insulation around the PCB and power-delivery components, and careful control of voltage and power. Condensation is a serious hazard: moisture forming on or around the card can cause shorts and permanent damage.
The report says the team began with air cooling before switching to LN2, but it does not disclose how far the card reached on air. It also does not establish that 4.769 GHz was sustained beyond a brief validation run.
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This was not a gaming benchmark record
Nothing in the available coverage establishes a gaming-FPS record, benchmark-score record, or stable daily-use overclock. A frequency record may last only long enough for a validation screenshot or short test.
The card might not render a game reliably at 4.769 GHz. The result also does not show that the RX 9060 XT outperforms higher-tier graphics cards in real applications. The exact validation workload, benchmark score, voltage, power draw, memory frequency, BIOS, board partner, PCB revision, and duration of the peak clock have not been disclosed in the available report.
Why a mainstream GPU could reach such a high clock
The interesting part of the result is that a relatively mainstream card—not a flagship GPU—reached the reported frequency. That does not mean the RX 9060 XT is the fastest gaming GPU. Frequency capability and total rendering performance are separate attributes.
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- Memory: 16 GB GDDR6
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- Boost Clock Up to 3320 MHz
Several factors likely contributed, although they are not all confirmed details of this specific attempt:
- Subzero temperatures can reduce leakage and improve transistor operating margins.
- The team may have used an unusually strong piece of silicon selected for frequency potential.
- A record attempt can prioritize one brief peak clock rather than sustained performance.
- AMD’s engineering expertise and access to specialized settings may have helped.
- The RX 9060 XT’s smaller GPU configuration does not prevent it from having strong frequency potential.
The available evidence does not confirm a special unreleased BIOS, modified silicon, or engineering sample, so those should not be assumed.
RX 9060 XT context
AMD positions the RDNA 4-based RX 9060 XT as a mainstream 1440p graphics card. The official 8GB specification lists:
| Specification | Published figure |
|---|---|
| Compute units | 32 |
| Game frequency | 2.53 GHz |
| Boost frequency | Up to 3.13 GHz |
| Stream processors | 2,048 |
| Ray accelerators | 32 |
| AI accelerators | 64 |
| Memory | 8GB GDDR6 |
| Memory interface | 128-bit |
| Memory bandwidth | Up to 320 GB/s |
| Typical board power | 150W |
| Recommended minimum PSU | 450W |
AMD launched the 8GB model with a $299 US suggested e-tail price and the 16GB model at $349. Those are launch reference prices from May 20, 2025, not verified current street prices or regional availability. AMD’s launch material gives both capacities the same 2.53 GHz game clock and up-to-3.13 GHz boost clock, while listing the 16GB card at a typical 160W board power.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What it means for RX 9060 XT owners
The record should not be a primary reason to buy an RX 9060 XT. Buyers should instead consider the 8GB-versus-16GB choice, target resolution, current game memory requirements, support for FSR and frame generation, the card’s cooler and noise profile, power-supply capacity, case clearance, warranty terms, and its current price against competing GPUs.
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For conventional overclocking, a retail card under air or standard liquid cooling is constrained by temperature, voltage and board-power limits, silicon quality, VRM and memory temperatures, firmware, case airflow, and workload stability. A useful overclock is one that remains stable through sustained games and benchmarks—not one that briefly displays a spectacular number.
Safer alternatives to record chasing
For most owners, AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition is the practical starting point for tuning and monitoring. Depending on the individual card and workload, sensible options include:
- Apply a mild GPU tune and test it with sustained workloads.
- Try undervolting, which can sometimes improve sustained clocks and noise without increasing power draw.
- Use a custom fan curve while keeping temperatures and acoustics reasonable.
- Test memory tuning separately from core-frequency tuning.
- Enable Smart Access Memory where the platform supports it.
- Use FSR or frame-generation features when their image-quality and latency trade-offs are acceptable.
- Choose a higher-tier GPU if the goal is materially higher FPS rather than an overclocking milestone.
Instability can appear as driver crashes, black screens, application failures, visual artifacts, thermal throttling, excessive fan noise, or silent errors. Higher voltage and heat can also reduce component lifespan. LN2 adds condensation damage and specialized-hardware risks, and modifications or operation outside specifications may affect warranty coverage. It is not an appropriate first overclocking project.
What remains unknown
- Whether the card was the 8GB or 16GB version.
- The board partner, PCB revision, BIOS, voltage, and power limit.
- The memory frequency and exact validation software or workload.
- The benchmark score, if any, associated with the frequency.
- How long the 4.769 GHz clock was maintained.
- The maximum frequency achieved with air or conventional liquid cooling.
- The extent of independent confirmation.
Those gaps do not make the reported feat uninteresting; they define what it proves. It demonstrates an extraordinary peak-frequency capability under LN2, not a repeatable consumer overclock or a corresponding gaming-performance advantage.
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