I was genuinely excited about the potential of the RTX 4070 Ti Super, especially after being impressed by the RTX 4070 Super earlier this month. Nvidia's inaugural RTX 40-series Super card delivered notable performance enhancements at both 4K and 1440p—approximately 15 percent and 17 percent, respectively. However, my enthusiasm was quickly dampened by the underwhelming performance of the RTX 4070 Ti Super.
The Disappointing Performance
Despite maintaining the same $799 price tag as its predecessor, the RTX 4070 Ti Super failed to deliver the promised performance boost. At 1440p, I observed a meager 3 percent improvement over the original RTX 4070 Ti and only a 5 percent gain at 4K. Nvidia had initially pledged a 10 percent increase, highlighting a clear discrepancy.
Last-Minute Issues and Updates
In a surprising turn of events, Nvidia detected performance issues with the MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER 16G Ventus 3X GPUs, prompting a VBIOS update. However, even with the update, the performance did not meet the anticipated 10 percent improvement. Nvidia acknowledged ongoing efforts by MSI to address the situation, but the update's impact was not substantial. Due to time constraints and limited access to alternative RTX 4070 Ti Super cards, this review is based on the current experience with the MSI model. Additional performance information will be added once more tests are conducted.
MSI RTX 4070 Ti Super: The Good and the Bad
The Good
- 16GB of VRAM
- DLSS 3 enhances 4K gaming
The Bad
- Minimal performance improvement at 1440p or 4K
- Unfavorable chunky power adapter design
Hardware Overview
It is disappointing that Nvidia opted not to introduce a Founders Edition card for this revamped GPU. Testing involved a third-party card from MSI, which showcased a triple-fan layout with a copper baseplate and heat pipes for efficient heat dissipation. The RTX 4070 Ti Super maintains the triple-fan design seen in many third-party cards, providing standard connectivity with three 1.4 DisplayPorts and a single HDMI 2.1 port. Despite its size, the inclusion of 16GB of VRAM, an upgrade from the original 12GB on the RTX 4070 Ti, bodes well for futureproofing and 4K gaming.
Nvidia has kept power requirements consistent, with the RTX 4070 Ti Super drawing up to 285 watts, 35 watts less than an RTX 4080. However, the recommendation of a 750-watt power supply comes with a caveat—the chunky power adapter included in the box. Consider opting for a native support ATX 3.0 PSU with a PCIe 5.0 12VHPWR connector or a third-party cable to avoid the cumbersome power adapter.
1440p Benchmarks
Testing the RTX 4070 Ti Super at 1440p, paired with AMD's Ryzen 7 7800X3D processor and Samsung's 32-inch G7 monitor, revealed consistent performance across various AAA games. While all games achieved 100fps or above on average, the RTX 4070 Ti Super's marginal improvement over its predecessor was evident, raising concerns about the promised 10 percent boost.
RTX 4070 Ti Super Benchmarks (1440p)
| Benchmark | RTX 4070 Ti Super | RTX 4070 Ti | RTX 4080 | ... | RX 7900 XTX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 210 | 199 | 246 | ... | 235 |
| Forza Horizon 5 Extreme | 158 | 155 | 177 | ... | 193 |
| Gears 5 | 167 | 167 | 199 | ... | 173 |
The RTX 4070 Ti Super's meager 3 percent improvement over the RTX 4070 Ti at 1440p, coupled with the substantial 16GB of VRAM, leaves much to be desired. Potential improvements through VBIOS updates remain uncertain, with the MSI model showcasing limited progress. Expectations for third-party cards from other OEMs hitting the 10 percent mark persist.
Test Machine Specifications
- CPU cooler: Corsair H150i Elite LCD
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
- Motherboard: MSI Meg X670E Ace
- RAM: 32GB G.Skill DDR5 6000
In specific titles like Returnal and Gears 5, frame rate averages remained identical, showing no improvement. Before the VBIOS update, the Gigabyte RTX 4070 Ti Super Eagle averaged 144fps in Forza Horizon 5 Extreme. However, post-update, the MSI model maintained a slightly higher 158fps. Although the performance increase is notable, it falls short of the anticipated 10 percent improvement and raises concerns about the consistency of enhancements across different third-party cards.
4K Benchmarks
Pushing the RTX 4070 Ti Super to 4K, testing included popular titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Battlefield 2042. The goal was to evaluate the card's performance in demanding scenarios and its capability to handle 4K gaming, given the DLSS 3 technology.
RTX 4070 Ti Super Benchmarks (4K)
| Benchmark | RTX 4070 Ti Super | RTX 4070 Ti | RTX 4080 | ... | RX 7900 XTX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 72 | 69 | 81 | ... | 63 |
| Battlefield 2042 | 88 | 85 | 99 | ... | 79 |
| Assassin's Creed Valhalla | 79 | 76 | 88 | ... | 72 |
The RTX 4070 Ti Super exhibited a 5 percent improvement at 4K over its predecessor, showcasing its potential in handling higher resolutions. DLSS 3 technology played a crucial role in enhancing performance in Cyberpunk 2077 and Battlefield 2042, maintaining playable frame rates. However, the observed improvement still falls short of the promised 10 percent boost.
DLSS 3 Impact
One redeeming aspect of the RTX 4070 Ti Super is the implementation of DLSS 3 technology, which significantly improves performance in 4K gaming. DLSS 3 utilizes artificial intelligence to upscale lower-resolution images, providing a visually pleasing experience without compromising frame rates. Cyberpunk 2077, in particular, benefited from DLSS 3, achieving a frame rate of 72fps at 4K, a notable improvement over the RTX 4070 Ti's 69fps.
Power Consumption and Thermals
The RTX 4070 Ti Super maintained reasonable temperatures under load, with the MSI model peaking at 75 degrees Celsius during prolonged gaming sessions. The triple-fan design effectively managed heat dissipation, and the copper baseplate contributed to efficient cooling. However, power consumption remained relatively high, with the card drawing up to 285 watts, requiring a robust power supply unit.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti Super, while offering a commendable 16GB of VRAM and the benefits of DLSS 3 technology, falls short of delivering the promised 10 percent performance boost. The minimal improvement at both 1440p and 4K, coupled with concerns about VBIOS updates and inconsistent enhancements across third-party cards, makes it a less compelling choice than the RTX 4070 Super. Gamers seeking a substantial performance upgrade may find better options within Nvidia's lineup or consider waiting for potential improvements through firmware updates.
It is essential to keep in mind that this review is based on the MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER 16G Ventus 3X, and performance may vary with other third-party models. Nvidia and its partners are actively working on addressing the performance concerns, and users are advised to stay updated on VBIOS updates and firmware patches. As the situation evolves, the RTX 4070 Ti Super may become a more attractive option with improved performance and stability. Until then, prospective buyers should carefully weigh their options and consider the overall gaming experience they seek before investing in the RTX 4070 Ti Super.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the "Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti Super Review: Unimpressive Super Edition" article:
- Is the Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti Super worth the upgrade from the previous version?
- Answer: The decision to upgrade depends on individual needs. Assess the performance improvements and new features to determine if it aligns with your requirements.
- What sets the "Super Edition" apart from the standard RTX 4070 Ti?
- Answer: The Super Edition typically offers enhanced performance and additional features. Explore the specific improvements to understand the advantages it brings to your gaming or professional tasks.
- How does the Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti Super perform in terms of gaming capabilities?
- Answer: Dive into the gaming benchmarks and performance metrics in the review to gauge how well the RTX 4070 Ti Super handles the latest titles and graphics-intensive tasks.
- Are there any notable drawbacks or limitations mentioned in the review?
- Answer: Be aware of any potential downsides highlighted in the review, such as thermal issues, power consumption, or compatibility concerns, to make an informed purchasing decision.
- What target audience is the Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti Super designed for?
- Answer: Understand the intended user base of the RTX 4070 Ti Super. Whether it caters to gamers, content creators, or professionals will influence its suitability for your specific needs