Final words and conclusion
The Panther series graphics cards are equipped with a cooling system that includes three fans and occupies three slots. They feature a black shroud, decorated with functional patterns and indents that contribute to the card's aesthetic. The design of these cards not only looks good but also facilitates effective temperature management. They are built with a large heatsink connected to an expansive copper base, covering both the GPU and memory components comprehensively. A protective plate is also incorporated to prevent the card from sagging. In terms of performance, the Gainward Panther Edition will not surpass the reference MSRP price which is an excellent choice and seen as justifiable, it's still 799 USD of cash though. End-users have the option to further boost the Panther card's performance by around 5% through a simple manual tweak. The card's design, which some may find particularly attractive, adds to its overall appeal.
- CUDA Cores: 8448
- Memory: 16GB GDDR6X
- TGP: 285W
- Power Consumption: Approx. 226W during gameplay, 12W in idle
- Notable Feature: Enhanced memory for improved performance
When the original GeForce 4070 Ti was released we had a big remark, it's by far not as powerful as the 4080 with an offset of approximately 25%. This is now corrected with the SUPER edition of this card, as you're merely a few % away from that 4080. Its raw shader performance notably surpasses previous generation. The card also boasts significant advancements in ray tracing speed and capabilities. NVIDIA is increasingly leaning on DLSS3, with its enhanced Tensor cores supporting RT DLSS 3.5. NVIDIA anticipates a 3x to 4x performance boost in future titles with proper implementation, although there's ongoing debate about the actual benefits of frame injections beyond higher frame rates. Ultimately, the visual appeal on the monitor is key, and the 4070 Ti SUPER does not disappoint in this regard. High-end NVIDIA graphics cards, however, face two major challenges. Firstly, pricing is a significant barrier; with a starting price of $799, these cards remain unaffordable or unattainable for many. The increasing cost of PC gaming is driving consumers to seek alternative solutions. Secondly, the 12V power connector still raises concerns. The issue isn't the connector's safety, but rather the risk posed by bending the cable too close to the connector, especially if it's of poor quality. It's recommended to bend the cable 3-4cm from the connector and ensure it's securely and deeply plugged in. In our tests with all cards using FLIR imaging to check the connector level, we have not found any issues.
Performance
The data speaks for itself, key factors here are gaming performance and rendering quality. Indeed, the RTX 4070 Ti SUPER offers better value for money compared to the 4080. This card is approaching the raw performance required for gaming at 4K resolution. It caters specifically to enthusiast gamers who typically use monitors with UWHD, QHD, or UHD resolutions, making it an ideal choice for that demographic.
The rasterizer engine in the RTX 40 series significantly surpasses the performance capabilities of its predecessors. This series introduces a new generation of more potent Ray tracing and Tensor cores. Raw counts of RT and Tensor cores are not the sole indicators of performance; rather, the effectiveness of each unit is key. These cores are positioned near the shader engine, enhancing their efficiency, a fact that is evident in their performance. While Tensor cores' impact is more challenging to quantify, the impressive results observed, especially with DLSS3, indicate their robust performance. The GeForce RTX 4070 Ti demonstrates its strength across various resolutions, performing effectively from 2K (2560x1440) to 4K (3840x2160).
Cooling & noise levels
The graphics card, under full-load conditions, has a power consumption of 280 watts. This consumption is directly related to the heat generation of the GPU, which is located inside a sealed enclosure. In terms of noise, the card operates quietly, producing approximately 36-37 dBA. When subjected to stress, its temperature can rise to around 65°C, although this can vary depending on the airflow efficiency in the computer case. FLIR imaging does not indicate any thermal issues.
Energy consumption
In a previous chapter, we analyzed the GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER power usage during intensive gaming sessions. This graphics card typically requires about 250-300 watts of power (Total Board Power) to deliver its gaming performance. However, during actual gameplay, the power consumption tends to stabilize near 250 watts. This figure will vary slightly with customized models from various manufacturers, which might allow for a higher Total Graphics Power (TGP). Averaged and measured out over 6 games we note down 262 Watts.
Coil whine
The presence of coil squeal in any GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER graphics card can vary, depending on the degree of the issue. It becomes audible when reaching high framerates, but typically remains at a manageable level. Within an enclosed case, this sound is likely to blend into the background noise. In our experience with this specific card, the coil squeal has been hardly noticeable
Pricing
The suggested retail price for the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER, as set by the manufacturer, is $799 for the MSRP products. This price point is relatively high, especially when considering that the ideal cost for a graphics card should be lower than that of a current gaming console. Add-in Board (AIB) versions, which are more advanced, will often be priced higher. It is expected that these models will cost an extra $50-100. The Panther OC model however will remain tagged at MSRP.
Tweaking
By adjusting the clock frequency and memory speed of your GPU, you can achieve a performance improvement. We have not been able to increase the power limiter, normally allowing for enhanced performance within the card's existing power budget. This enhancement enables an increase in clock frequency, typically in the range of +150-200 MHz. As a result, the GPU boost clock frequency is expected to reach approximately 3000 MHz, though this may vary based on the dynamic frequencies in different gaming titles. Additionally, by adjusting the memory speed to 23 Gbps, a cumulative performance improvement of 6% can be expected in intensive GPU scenarios, in comparison to the standard reference performance.
Conclusion
The Gainward Panther Edition graphics card stands out as an attractive option, especially when priced competitively. It includes an efficient cooling system and features a modest factory overclocking with adjustable power limits. While it lacks RGB lighting, the card compensates with its low noise levels, effective temperature control, and a sleek black design. It offers a range of video outputs, including three DisplayPort connections and one HDMI port, and is further enhanced by a modern and aesthetically pleasing backplate design. With 16GB of VRAM, this card is well-suited for high-resolution gaming and intensive creative tasks. In comparison to its competitors, like the Radeon RX 7900 XT, the RTX 4070 Ti SUPER particularly excels in areas such as ray tracing and DLSS3, highlighting its strengths in the competitive market.
Overall the GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER delivers a robust gaming experience, and when comparing it directly to similar GPUs, it surpasses the performance range of the 3090 Ti and is close to the RTX 4080, with some variability. In a broader context, when comparing it to other GPUs like the Radeon RX 6950 XT and 7900 XT/XTX, a complex decision-making process ensues. The choice between the 4070 Ti SUPER and 7900 XTX hinges on several factors. The RTX 4070 Ti SUPER excels in ray tracing performance and boasts the added benefit of DLSS3/3.5 and at many levels is on par with more than 3090 cards. Looking at team red the 7900 XT exhibits a slight advantage in rasterizer engine performance, supported by its additional L3 cache. The 16GB of VRAM offered by the 4070 Ti SUPER is sufficient for most current titles, especially when playing at Ultra HD resolutions. Powered by the ADA GPU architecture, this card delivers precision and competence in gaming. The substantial increase in shader cores translates to nearly 1.5 times the raw shader performance, resulting in faster ray tracing and improved Tensor core performance. Underlying technologies such as Shader Execution Reordering (SER) and DLSS 3 contribute to the excellence of the new product and the Series 4000 overall. In conclusion, the GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER leaves a notable impression and is sure to please gamers, but it comes at a considerable cost. Despite its commendable performance-per-watt ratio, its energy consumption levels remain relatively high. What the PC gaming market truly needs are more budget-friendly graphics cards, and the 4070 Ti SUPER seems to be priced more optimal.
The Gainward Panther OC is a competitive choice in the graphics card market. It is closing in at the performance of the founder edition RTX 4080 and maintains low noise levels. The Panther shines as both a WQHD and UHD graphics card, supporting ray-tracing and DLSS3. It offers moderate overclocking potential, meeting the expectations for a high-performance enthusiast-grade graphics card. What distinguishes the Panther are its cooling and acoustic capabilities, contributing to its design appeal. It is particularly appealing for users who prioritize a quiet operation and aesthetic value in their PC gaming setup. The product as tested today is an MSRP product, meaning it should cost $799 in retail.
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