The GeForce RTX 4070, having recently launched, has quickly gained a reputation as a high-performing graphics card for gamers. Hardware leaker kopite7kimi suggests that a second iteration of this card might be in the works.

Due to escalating wafer prices, chipmakers are resorting to repurposing silicon to cut costs. For example, Nvidia utilized flawed GA102 silicon to manufacture the GeForce RTX 3070 Ti. Presently, speculation is rife that a second GeForce RTX 4070 variant may be developed using the AD103 silicon, currently employed in the GeForce RTX 4080.

The AD103 silicon is larger than the AD104 die found in the existing GeForce RTX 4070. Consequently, a new version of the card created with AD103 silicon would have just over half of the Streaming Multiprocessors (SMs) disabled. However, it could support 16GB of memory, doubling the capacity of the current model.

Despite facing criticism for providing only 12GB of memory on the GeForce RTX 4070 compared to the 16GB offered by AMD's Radeon graphics cards, it is improbable that Nvidia will release a 16GB version of the GeForce RTX 4070 soon. Such a move would disappoint early adopters, and the extra memory would inflate the card's already steep price.

Nonetheless, Nvidia is anticipated to unveil the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti shortly. While initial listings display only an 8GB version, a 16GB model may also be launched in July. This card will present the most affordable option for gamers seeking a graphics card with 16GB of memory. Nvidia may utilize clamshell mode on the VRAM to place memory on both sides of the PCB, enabling a 16GB configuration with a 128-bit interface.

Whether the rumored 16GB GeForce RTX 4070 variant materializes remains to be seen. In the meantime, gamers can eagerly await the upcoming GeForce RTX 4060 Ti and the prospect of a lower-tier card boasting more VRAM than its higher-tier counterparts.

Potential GeForce RTX 4070 Variant with AD103 Silicon from RTX 4080: 16GB Version Unlikely