The Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti was a peculiar graphics card. Positioned between the RTX 4070 and 4080, its price and performance made it a difficult recommendation. The RTX 4070 Ti Super aims to rectify the shortcomings of its predecessor, but it, too, finds itself in a somewhat awkward position. This review explores the performance and value proposition of the RTX 4070 Ti Super, analyzing its strengths and weaknesses in the competitive GPU market.
Power adapter on the RTX 4070 Ti Super graphics card.Alt text: Close-up of the power adapter connection on an Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti Super graphics card, highlighting its power requirements.
Specifications and Architecture: A Cut-Down RTX 4080?
The RTX 4070 Ti Super boasts more significant upgrades than a simple refresh. While the 10% increase in core count compared to the RTX 4070 Ti may seem modest, the underlying architecture tells a different story. Transitioning to the AD103 GPU, the same found in the RTX 4080, and adopting a 256-bit memory bus with 16GB of GDDR6X memory, the RTX 4070 Ti Super resembles a trimmed-down RTX 4080 rather than a boosted 4070 Ti. However, with 13% fewer cores than the RTX 4080 and nearly 18% fewer than the forthcoming RTX 4080 Super, its placement in the product stack remains a point of contention.
| Feature | RTX 4070 Ti Super | RTX 4070 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| GPU | AD103 | AD104 |
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| CUDA Cores | 8,448 | 7,680 |
| Boost Clock | 2.61GHz | 2.61GHz |
| Memory | 16GB GDDR6X | 12GB GDDR6X |
| Memory Speed | 21 Gbps | 21 Gbps |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit | 192-bit |
| TDP | 285W | 285W |
Synthetic Benchmarks: A Modest Improvement
RTX 4070 Ti Super performance in 3DMark Time Spy.Alt text: Graph comparing the 3DMark Time Spy benchmark scores of the RTX 4070 Ti Super against other GPUs, illustrating its relative performance.
3DMark Time Spy places the RTX 4070 Ti Super approximately 6% ahead of the base model, a marginal gain. More interestingly, it trails the RTX 4080 by around 12%. The AMD RX 7900 XT, often priced similarly or even lower, performs around 5% faster in this benchmark.
Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti Super performance in 3DMark Port Royal.Alt text: Graph showcasing the RTX 4070 Ti Super’s performance in the 3DMark Port Royal ray tracing benchmark, compared to other high-end GPUs.
However, in the ray tracing focused 3DMark Port Royal benchmark, the RTX 4070 Ti Super demonstrates its strength, surpassing the RX 7900 XT by a significant 13% and trailing only the RTX 4080 and 4090.
Gaming Performance: 4K, 1440p, and 1080p Analysis
Average RTX 4070 Ti Super performance at 4K.Alt text: Chart depicting the average frame rates of the RTX 4070 Ti Super across various games at 4K resolution, highlighting its overall gaming performance.
At 4K, the RTX 4070 Ti Super delivers roughly an 11% performance increase over the base model. However, it struggles to consistently maintain 60 fps in demanding titles like The Last of Us Part One and Cyberpunk 2077, where both the RX 7900 XT and RTX 4080 perform better. In less demanding games like Horizon Zero Dawn and Red Dead Redemption 2, the RTX 4070 Ti Super performs admirably, outpacing the RX 7900 XT by a respectable margin.
Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti Super performance at 1440p.Alt text: Chart illustrating the average frame rates of the RTX 4070 Ti Super at 1440p resolution, showcasing its performance at a popular gaming resolution.
The RTX 4070 Ti Super shines at 1440p, consistently exceeding the RX 7900 XT and offering a solid 10% improvement over the base RTX 4070 Ti. While it still lags behind the RTX 4080, the performance gap narrows considerably. At this resolution, the RTX 4070 Ti Super offers excellent value, especially with the falling prices of the RX 7900 XT.
Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti Super performance at 1080p.Alt text: Chart displaying the average frame rates of the RTX 4070 Ti Super at 1080p resolution, demonstrating its performance, though less relevant for its price point.
At 1080p, the RTX 4070 Ti Super is overkill, with its performance advantages being less significant due to CPU bottlenecks. While it outperforms both the base model and the RX 7900 XT, more affordable GPUs are better suited for this resolution.
Ray Tracing and DLSS 3.5: Nvidia’s Advantage
The RTX 4070 Ti Super’s ray tracing performance significantly outpaces the RX 7900 XT. DLSS 3.5 further enhances its capabilities, allowing for playable frame rates at 4K with maximum ray tracing settings in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077. However, in less demanding ray tracing scenarios, the RX 7900 XT remains competitive.
Conclusion: A Strong Performer, But Where Does It Fit?
The backs of two RTX 4070 Ti Super graphics cards.Alt text: Image showing the rear side of two Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti Super graphics cards, highlighting their design and connectivity options.
The RTX 4070 Ti Super delivers a tangible performance boost over its predecessor at the same price. Its enhanced memory interface contributes to noticeable improvements in certain titles. However, it still faces stiff competition from the RX 7900 XT in rasterized performance, particularly at 4K. The impending arrival of the RTX 4080 Super further complicates its position, potentially offering a more compelling value proposition for 4K gamers. While the RTX 4070 Ti Super is a capable graphics card, its awkward placement within Nvidia’s lineup and the competitive landscape makes it a challenging recommendation for those seeking the best possible 4K gaming experience.
