One of the two go-to cards for 1440p with room to grow.
Assessing the “Super” editions of Nvidia’s GeForce gaming GPUs is quite simple. These variants are optimized to achieve a specific level of performance beyond their predecessor cards. In the case of the RTX 4070 Super, it offers a notable improvement over the RTX 4070, typically boasting around a 15% enhancement in DLSS and a gaming and graphics improvement ranging from 10 to 20%. Much like the RTX 4070, the RTX 4070 Super emerges as a well-balanced choice for gaming. Its performance spans from high-quality 1080p to entry-level 4K gaming and video editing, covering the 1440p range in between.
Providing a recommendation becomes a bit nuanced in this context, given that the RTX 4070 remains in the market, priced nominally $50 lower than the $600 Super. Despite the Super outperforming the RTX 4070, our observations made just 10 months ago about the latter still hold true, emphasizing its cost-effectiveness in achieving comparable performance.
While the newer card boasts a 20% increase in cores and other computational elements, such as Tensor (AI) cores, RT cores, and streaming multiprocessors, the overall characteristics remain largely unchanged from the previous generation. The Founders Edition card I assessed exhibits a slightly altered finish, with increased reflectivity that enhances its compatibility with the colors in my system. This is particularly advantageous considering the absence of built-in illumination on the card. Similar to before, its dimensions and power requirements continue to make it well-suited for midsize systems.
On the contrary, the RTX 4070 Ti exhibits a more pronounced performance lead over the 4070 Super, especially in 4K. Anticipating the upcoming release of the 4070 Ti Super, I anticipate that the performance gap between them will widen further, thanks to enhanced features. However, the difference in price is also considerably larger, with the Ti costing at least $200 more than the Super.
Despite the imminent launch of the 4070 Ti Super next week, it’s likely that the original 4070 Ti will still be available for some time. Nevertheless, the GPU variant it is based on will cease production. If you can secure the older version for $650 or less, it might be a sensible choice. Both options surpass the 4060 Ti, unless your system or budget constraints make them unsuitable.
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Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super Founders Edition
| Memory | 12GB GDDR6X |
|---|---|
| Memory bandwidth (GBps) | 504 |
| Memory clock (GHz) | 10.5 |
| GPU clock (GHz, base/boost) | 1.98/2.475 |
| Memory data rate/Interface | 21Gbps/192 bits |
| RT cores | 56 |
| CUDA cores | 7,168 |
| Texture mapping units | 224 |
| Streaming multiprocessors | 56 |
| Tensor cores | 224 |
| Process | 4nm |
| TGP/min PSU (watts) | 220/650 |
| Max thermal (degrees) | 194F/90C |
| Bus | PCIe 4.0×16 |
| Size | 2 slots |
| Launch price | $600 |
| Ship date | Jan. 17, 2024 |
While the 4070 Ti is only slightly wider than the 4070/Super, it occupies an entire additional slot on many motherboards, potentially causing fit issues in smaller systems. Compatibility also hinges on the user’s existing graphics card, with the 40-series offering notable speed improvements over RTX 20-series or older models. The 4070 Super competes closely with and occasionally outperforms the RTX 3080 Ti at 1440p, though the latter remains superior at 4K.
In comparison to its AMD counterpart, the Radeon RX 7800 XT, which is $50 to $100 cheaper, provides similar performance, particularly surpassing the older RTX 4070. However, the RX 7800 XT lags behind in ray tracing quality, albeit still outperforming the 4060 Ti. The RTX 4070 Super excels in AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution, surpassing the RX 7800 XT, with the RTX 4070 performing slightly better.
To install the RTX 4070 Super, users must either use the included 8-to-12-pin adapter or possess PCIe 5 power connectors, which may require a power supply upgrade. While not exceptionally tall, caution is necessary with the adapter to avoid undue pressure.
In the upcoming weeks, shipments of the new RTX 4070 Ti Super and RTX 4080 Super will commence, though their impact on the 1440p buying decision seems limited. Nvidia’s roadmap suggests a new consumer/gaming architecture won’t be unveiled until 2025, and even then, top-of-the-line GPUs may precede mainstream replacements. Considering this, potential buyers might opt to delay their purchase until significant sales events occur.