Hey folks, you’re probably wondering what the new 4070 RTX is all about, right? Is it really as good as everyone says? Today, we’re going to take a close look at what this graphics card can do, how it compares, and whether it might be just the thing for your computer. Stay tuned, it’s going to be exciting!
Key Takeaways
- The 4070 RTX uses the AD104 chip, but with fewer processing units than the Ti version, but still delivers strong performance.
- When gaming without ray tracing, the 4070 RTX does really well, and with ray tracing, it’s a real “game changer” thanks to DLSS 3.
- The 4070 RTX is quite economical in terms of power consumption and remains pleasantly quiet, even when it’s really working hard.
- The Founders Edition of the 4070 RTX impresses with a good design and clever connections.
- Whether the 4070 RTX is worth the money depends on what you need and how it stacks up against older cards and the competition.
What’s Inside the 4070 RTX?
The Technology of the 4070 RTX in Detail
Okay, let’s take a look under the hood! The 4070 RTX, just like the 4070 Ti, is based on the AD104 chip. But don’t worry, we won’t get too technical. Imagine the AD104 is like an engine, and the 4070 just has a few fewer cylinders than the Ti version. More specifically, the 4070 has fewer Streaming Multiprocessors (SMs). This means it has fewer processing units that do the actual work. But hey, sometimes less is more, right?
The AD104 Chip: Heart of the 4070 RTX
The AD104 is really the heart of the 4070 RTX. It’s the chip that keeps everything running. Compared to the RTX 3070, a lot has changed here. The 4070 doesn’t use the full configuration of the AD104, but the architecture is significantly more efficient. This means that despite having fewer units, it still delivers decent performance. Remember, it’s not just about the size, but also how you use it. The RTX 4070 family is a good example of how to get more out of less with clever design.
Fewer Shaders, Still Top Performance
Yes, the 4070 RTX has fewer shaders than the Ti version. To be exact, it has 5,888 ALUs instead of 7,680. That sounds like a big difference at first, but don’t panic! Nvidia has used a few tricks here. First, the architecture of the Ada Lovelace generation is much more efficient. Second, the 4070 has a larger L2 cache than the previous generations. This helps to retrieve data faster and avoid bottlenecks. Here’s a little comparison:
- RTX 3070: 4 MB L2 Cache
- RTX 4070: 36 MB L2 Cache
- RTX 4070 Ti: 48 MB L2 Cache
That’s a huge leap! The larger cache ensures that the 4070 still delivers super performance in many games despite having fewer shaders. And thanks to DLSS 3, it can even improve further. So, don’t worry, you’re still getting a lot for your money!
Performance of the 4070 RTX in Check
Let’s get down to business: How does the RTX 4070 perform in practice? We’ve put the card through various benchmarks to give you a clear picture of its performance. We’ve done both classic rasterization benchmarks and ray tracing tests. And of course, DLSS 3 couldn’t be missing, because that feature can give the performance another decent boost.
Benchmarks Without Ray Tracing
Without ray tracing, the RTX 4070 shows what it’s made of. In many current games, it delivers buttery smooth frame rates in WQHD (1440p). So you can enjoy most titles with high to maximum details. In Full HD (1080p), the card is often a bit underchallenged, so very high refresh rates are possible here, perfect for monitors with a high frequency. In 4K, it gets a bit more demanding, but even here many games are playable if you are willing to reduce the details a bit. The GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU is a good choice for gamers.
- Cyberpunk 2077: Here you may have to tweak the settings a bit in 4K.
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Still runs very smoothly even in 4K.
- Spider-Man: Miles Morales: Visually a highlight and still performant.
Ray Tracing Performance of the 4070 RTX
Ray tracing is of course the crux of the matter. This is where it shows how good a graphics card really is. The RTX 4070 does well here, but you have to be honest: Without DLSS, it gets tight in some games with maximum ray tracing settings. Ray tracing is a demanding technology. With ray tracing effects enabled, frame rates drop noticeably, but the visual quality increases enormously. Reflections, shadows and global lighting simply look fantastic.
Ray tracing is cool, but it also eats up a lot of performance. Think carefully about whether you really need the additional visual effects, or whether a higher frame rate is more important to you.
DLSS 3: A Game Changer for the 4070 RTX
DLSS 3 is Nvidia’s upscaling technology, which was developed specifically for the RTX 4000 series. And it’s really a game changer! DLSS 3 generates additional frames, which significantly increases performance. This is especially beneficial in games with ray tracing, as it brings the frame rates back into a playable range. DLSS 3 is not perfect, it can lead to artifacts in some cases, but overall it is a very effective way to improve the performance of the RTX 4070. DLSS 3 is an important factor for the RTX 4070.
Efficiency and Consumption of the 4070 RTX
Sure, performance is important, but what good is the best graphics card if it drives up your electricity bill and sounds like a jet engine taking off? Let’s take a look at how the 4070 RTX performs in terms of efficiency and consumption. After all, you want to play games and not heat your house, right?
Power Consumption in Detail
Okay, let’s get specific. The 4070 RTX is really clever when it comes to power consumption. Compared to older cards or even some competitors, it draws significantly less from the socket. This not only means less cost for you, but also less heat generation in the case. Nvidia specifies a maximum consumption of around 200 watts. That’s a good value considering what the card does. But be careful: Depending on the custom design and overclocking, the consumption can of course be somewhat higher.
Volume Under Load
Nobody likes a loud graphics card that ruins the gaming experience. The good news is that the 4070 RTX remains pleasantly quiet in most cases. The Founders Edition and many custom designs are equipped with efficient coolers that keep the card well under control even under full load. Of course, there are differences between the manufacturers, but in general you can assume that the volume of the 4070 RTX will not become a problem. But if you want a particularly quiet system, you should take a close look at the tests of the various custom designs.
Efficiency Compared to the Competition
How does the 4070 RTX compare to the competition? Well, this is where it often scores. AMD also has strong cards, but in terms of efficiency, the 4070 RTX is often ahead. This means more performance per watt, which has a positive effect on your electricity bill and heat generation.
Imagine you’re driving a car. The 4070 RTX is like a fuel-efficient hybrid: it gets you to your destination quickly, but uses significantly less fuel than an old sports car. That’s good for your wallet and the environment.
To illustrate this, here is a small table:
| Graphics card | Average consumption |
|---|---|
| RTX 4070 | approx. 200 watts |
| RTX 3070 | approx. 220 watts |
| RX 6800 XT | approx. 300 watts |
As you can see, the 4070 RTX is really top in terms of efficiency! And that’s something, isn’t it?
The 4070 RTX Founders Edition
Design and Cooling
Okay, let’s talk about the Founders Edition of the 4070 RTX! Compared to some other cards on the market, it’s almost tiny. It’s significantly smaller and lighter than the 4080 FE, making it a good option for cases where space is at a premium. The design is simple and elegant, in the style of the Founders Editions.
Connections and Features
As for the connections, you get the usual: DisplayPort 1.4a and HDMI 2.1. This means you are well equipped for current monitors and televisions. As far as features are concerned, the 4070 RTX naturally supports ray tracing and DLSS 3. DLSS 3 is a real game changer that can give you a decent performance boost in many games.
Why the Founders Edition?
Why should you choose the Founders Edition? Well, it offers a solid overall package. It is well made, has an appealing design and offers good cooling performance. In addition, you usually get it at Nvidia’s MSRP, which often makes it one of the cheaper options. However, you should keep in mind that custom designs can often offer a little more performance or better cooling. So it depends on what is important to you. Here is a small overview:
- Solid design
- Good cooling performance for the price
- Often available at MSRP
The Founders Edition is a good choice if you are looking for a reliable and inexpensive 4070 RTX. But if you are looking for the absolute maximum in performance or special features such as particularly quiet cooling, you should also take a look at the custom designs.
Price-Performance Ratio of the 4070 RTX
Is the 4070 RTX Worth Your Money?
Okay, let’s be honest: Is the RTX 4070 really worth the money? That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? It used to feel like you could get high-end for around 300 euros, think of the Geforce GTX 970. But those days are over. Now we’re scratching at the 700 euro mark.
- The performance is solid, no question.
- It offers ray tracing and DLSS 3.
- The power consumption is really good compared to the previous generation.
But is that enough to justify the price? It really depends on what you expect from your graphics card and how deep your pockets are. If you absolutely want to play the latest games in maximum detail, then the 4070 might be just the thing for you. But there are also cheaper alternatives that still deliver good performance.
Comparison with Older Models
Let’s compare the 4070 with older models. The RTX 3070 used to be the holy grail, but the 4070 easily passes it. It’s faster, more efficient and has DLSS 3 on board. But what about the RTX 3080? It’s still faster in some benchmarks, but it also costs more and consumes significantly more power. Here is a small overview:
| Model | Performance (approximate) | Price (approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| RTX 3070 | 100% | €500 |
| RTX 4070 | 120% | €650 |
| RTX 3080 | 130% | €800 |
You see, the 4070 is a good compromise between performance and price. But whether it’s the best deal for you personally is something you have to decide for yourself.
The 4070 RTX in the Current Market
How does the 4070 perform in the current market? There are many competitors, both from Nvidia itself and from AMD. AMD has strong cards on offer with the RX 6800 XT and RX 6900 XT, which can keep up in some areas. But Nvidia counters with DLSS 3 and ray tracing performance.
Currently there is also the RTX-4070 availability:
- Nvidia: Better ray tracing performance, DLSS 3
- AMD: Often cheaper, good rasterization performance
- Intel: Just entering the market, not really a competitor yet
Ultimately, it depends on which games you play and which features are important to you. If you’re into ray tracing, the 4070 is a good choice. If you’re just looking for a cheap card with a lot of power, you should also take a look at the AMD cards. And don’t forget, prices are constantly changing, so keep your eyes open for deals!
Custom Designs of the 4070 RTX
Sure, the Founders Edition is chic, but the custom designs of the 4070 RTX also have a lot to offer. There’s a huge selection, and there’s something for every taste. Let’s take a look at what they’re all about.
Variety of Manufacturers
Every manufacturer, from ASUS to MSI to Zotac, releases its own version of the 4070 RTX. This means: different coolers, clock rates, designs and of course prices. The variety is huge, and that’s good for you as a buyer. This way you can find exactly the model that best suits your setup and your needs.
- ASUS often offers models with very good cooling and quiet volume.
- MSI is known for its gaming models with RGB lighting.
- Zotac often has more compact cards that fit well in smaller cases.
Overclocking and Undervolting
Many custom designs offer you the possibility to overclock the card to squeeze out even more performance. But be careful: This can also increase power consumption and temperature. On the other hand, you can also undervolt to reduce power consumption without losing much performance. This is especially interesting if you value an efficient graphics card.
Remember that overclocking and undervolting are always at your own risk. Get well informed before you start and keep an eye on the temperatures.
Which Custom Design Suits You?
The choice of the right custom design depends on various factors:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend?
- Cooling: How important is quiet cooling to you?
- Design: Should the card look good and have RGB lighting?
Check out tests and reviews, compare the different models and then decide which custom design suits you best. And don’t forget: Sometimes there are good deals, so keep your eyes open!
Conclusion: Is the RTX 4070 Worth It for You?
So, what’s the bottom line? The RTX 4070 is an interesting piece of technology. It gives you really good performance, especially if you don’t want to spend all your savings on a high-end card right away. Sure, it’s not the absolute queen of graphics cards, but for many of us who just want to play smoothly or work creatively, it’s a great choice. Remember, it’s not always just about raw power, but also about how well the card fits into your system and what you plan to do with it. Think about what’s important to you: Would you rather spend a little less and still get top results? Then the 4070 might be just the thing for you. In the end, you decide whether it fits into your setup and meets your expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is so special about the chip of the RTX 4070?
The RTX 4070 uses the AD104 chip, but with fewer processing units than the 4070 Ti. Imagine it’s the same engine, but a few cylinders have been turned off to make it more economical. Still, it’s super fast!
Can the RTX 4070 display ray tracing well?
Yes, definitely! Especially with DLSS 3, a clever technology from Nvidia that makes games even smoother without losing performance. You’ll be amazed at how good ray tracing looks.
What about the power consumption of the RTX 4070?
The RTX 4070 is very efficient. It needs less power than many older cards that offer similar performance. This means your electricity meter doesn’t spin so fast and your PC stays quieter.
What is the Founders Edition of the RTX 4070?
The Founders Edition is Nvidia’s own version of the card. It has a great design and good cooling. It is often a good choice because it comes directly from Nvidia and is of high quality.
Is it really worth buying the RTX 4070?
The RTX 4070 offers you a lot of performance for your money, especially compared to older models. It’s a good investment if you want to play smoothly and use modern technology.
Are there different versions of the RTX 4070 from other companies?
Many manufacturers offer their own versions of the RTX 4070. These custom designs can differ in cooling, volume and overclocking capabilities. It’s best to take a look at a few to find the perfect model for you!
