Excitement reverberated through the tech community as Nvidia unveiled its latest innovation at CES 2024 - the GeForce RTX 4070 Super. Priced at a competitive $599, this graphics powerhouse promises a leap in performance that challenges the boundaries of its predecessor.
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super Founders Edition arrives with a sleek new matte finish, signaling a departure from the conventional design. As the curtain lifted on this groundbreaking GPU, enthusiasts were eager to dissect the improvements and advancements it brought to the gaming and graphics landscape.
Key Specifications and Enhancements
The RTX 4070 Super (AD104-350) boasts a remarkable ~22% surge in CUDA cores, with an impressive count of 7,168 compared to its non-Super counterpart's 5,888. This augmentation translates into a potential 36 TFLOPs of FP32 performance, dwarfing the 20 TFLOPs of the RTX 3070. Additionally, the inclusion of 224 4th gen Tensor cores (up from 184) and 56 3rd gen RT cores (up from 46) showcases Nvidia's commitment to pushing the boundaries of graphical capabilities.
While the memory subsystem remains unchanged, featuring a 192-bit 12 GB GDDR6X VRAM running at 21 Gbps, the RTX 4070 Super introduces a slight bump in the base clock, now at 1,980 MHz. The boost clock, however, maintains parity with the regular RTX 4070 at 2,475 MHz.
Nvidia claims that the RTX 4070 Super, operating at a 220 W TGP, can outperform the power-hungry 350 W RTX 3090 when DLSS 3 is enabled. This assertion opens up new possibilities for gamers seeking top-tier performance without compromising on power efficiency. The RTX 4070 Super's ability to deliver over 2x the performance of the RTX 3070 further solidifies its position as a game-changer in the GPU market.
Performance Metrics and Power Consumption
According to Nvidia's detailed breakdown, the RTX 4070 Super is not just about raw power; it's about intelligent performance optimization. The GPU is slated to consume a mere 11 W in idle mode, showcasing an efficient power management strategy. During AV1 video playback, the power consumption increases slightly to 16 W, ensuring a smooth multimedia experience.
When it comes to gaming, the RTX 4070 Super flexes its muscles, drawing an average of 200 W of power. This balance between performance and power efficiency is a testament to Nvidia's dedication to creating high-performance GPUs that cater to the diverse needs of users.
Nvidia also presented a compelling comparison between the RTX 4070 Super with DLSS 3 Frame Gen and the RTX 3070 and RTX 2070. While it's essential to note that frame gen is exclusive to Ada Lovelace cards, the RTX 4070 Super still exhibits significant frame rate gains over the RTX 3070 in non-frame gen enabled games. This underlines the GPU's prowess in delivering an immersive gaming experience.
Availability and Pricing
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super will hit the shelves on January 17, and enthusiasts can get their hands on the Founders Edition, featuring the all-new matte finish. Additionally, the GPU will be available through add-in board (AiB) partner cards, ensuring a variety of options for consumers.
Remarkably, Nvidia has maintained the same MSRP of $599 for the RTX 4070 Super as its non-Super predecessor. This competitive pricing strategy is a pleasant surprise considering the significant hardware improvements and enhanced performance the Super variant brings to the table. It positions the RTX 4070 Super as an attractive choice for gamers looking to upgrade without breaking the bank.
Pros and Cons
As we delve into the features and specifications of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super, it's essential to highlight the pros and cons that potential buyers should consider before making a decision.
Pros:
- Significant increase in CUDA, Tensor, and RT cores, resulting in enhanced performance.
- Efficient power management, with low power consumption during idle and multimedia playback.
- Competitive pricing, offering remarkable hardware improvements at the same MSRP as the non-Super variant.
- Sleek new matte finish on the Founders Edition adds a touch of sophistication to the design.
Cons:
- While the GPU is priced competitively, $599 might still be a significant investment for budget-conscious gamers.
- Availability might be a concern initially due to high demand, potentially leading to supply constraints.
- DLSS 3 Frame Gen is exclusive to Ada Lovelace cards, limiting the full utilization of this feature for existing users.
Despite the cons, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super emerges as a formidable player in the GPU market, redefining expectations and setting a new standard for performance and value.
