Review: GALAX GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER EX Gamer

Graphics cards 1049 Page 31 of 31 Published by

teaser

Final words and conclusion


We performed a detailed review GALAX GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER EX Gamer Edition, a more  cost-effective option in the GPU lineup using the Ada Lovelace architecture. This model incorporates a triple-slot, triple-fan cooling system and features a black shroud with functional and aesthetically pleasing indentations and patterns. Its design effectively dissipates heat, supported by a large heatsink connected to a broad copper base covering both the GPU and memory modules. While the performance of the Gamer EX White might not greatly surpass standard specifications, you;ll likely see this product sell at or even under the standard MSRP. GALAX maintains its reputation for producing high-quality, low-noise GPUs with this model. While subjective, the card's design adds to its appeal, as we do like what we see. Additionally, users have the potential to achieve an extra performance boost over the baseline Founder's Edition with simple tweaks. This graphics card is designed with features like ray tracing, DLSS3, and AI-powered assists, targeting gamers looking for optimal performance. It comes equipped with an increased count of 7168 shader cores (up from 5888), 12GB of 21Gbps GDDR6X memory on a 192-bit memory interface, and a maximum bandwidth of 504GB/s. Additionally, the RTX 4070 SUPER includes 56 RT cores, 224 Tensor cores, 224 TMUs, and 80 ROPs. It utilizes the same 35.8 billion transistor counting AD104 silicon as the RTX 4070 Ti, with 56 out of 60 streaming multiprocessors activated. This makes the RTX 4070 SUPER a compelling, more accessible option for those seeking high-end gaming performance. Boasting a powerful architecture, advanced ray tracing capabilities, and enhanced DLSS3 technology, the GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER showcases significant performance improvements compared to it 4070 predecessor. Compared to the Radeon Series the RTX 4070's ray tracing performance has a bit more stamina, making notable advancements in this field. Additionally, with the DLSS3 + Frame generation technology, the GPU can create remarkable visual experiences in games that support it.


Performance

The RTX 4070 SUPER is a graphics card that can create waves in the gaming world due to its rendering quality and gaming performance when combined with DLSS3 frame generation. The RTX 4070 provides a bit more value for the money. It is a well-balanced card that can handle gaming at WQHD and even 4K resolution, although it is targeted towards WQHD. Compared to AMD's offerings, the Nvidia GPU struggles to keep up with the Radeon RX 7900 XT, but has positive aspects like DLSS (3) and ray tracing features, which  work exceptionally well, AMD cannot match Nvidia in this regard. The RTX 4070 SUPER is an excellent option for gamers who play at UWHD, QHD, and even UHD monitor resolutions.

Picture29

 

 
The old rasterizer engine breaks right through the previous limit of extreme performance. The RTX 40 series now has the latest generation of Ray tracing and Tensor cores that are more powerful. So, do not let the specific RT and Tensor core counts fool you; it's all about how much performance one unit offers. Since they are close to the shader engine, they have become more efficient, which shows. Tensor cores are harder to measure, but from what we have seen, everything seems to be in good shape, as DLSS3 shows exciting values. Overall, the GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER makes sense at resolutions as low as 2K / 2560x1440, and sometimes up to 4K (3840x2160). 

Cooling & noise levels

The graphics card, under full-load conditions, has an average power consumption of about 210 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 calmly, producing approximately 37 dBA. When subjected to stress, its temperature can rise to around 65-70°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 SUPER power usage during intensive gaming sessions. This graphics card typically requires about 210 watts of power (Total Board Power) to deliver its gaming performance. This figure will slightly vary with customized models from various manufacturers, which might allow for a higher Total Graphics Power (TGP). We measured peaks to 270W, which is totally withing baseline. 

Coil whine

The presence of coil squeal in any GeForce RTX 4070 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 SUPER, as set by the manufacturer, is $599 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 be priced higher. It is expected that these models will cost an extra $100. Unfortunately, for customers in Europe, this means the price could reach approximately 725 EUR. Wer noticed this product selling at or even under MSRP, $589 is not unexpected.

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 as it is locked, 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 2900-3000 MHz, though this may vary based on the dynamic frequencies in different gaming titles. Additionally, by adjusting the memory speed to ~23.0-23.5 Gbps, a cumulative performance improvement of 4-5% can be expected in intensive GPU scenarios, in comparison to the standard reference performance.


C1

Conclusion

The GALAX GeForce RTX 4070 Super EX Gamer edition graphics card offers an attractive option for gamers, especially if its price remains competitive. It boasts an effective cooling mechanism, although it has a slight factory modification and does not offer adjustable power limits, which may be surprising. The RGB lighting is understated, contributing to its aesthetic without being overwhelming. The card operates quietly, maintains temperatures around 65 degrees Celsius, and features a sleek white design. It is equipped with a standard 8-pin PCIe PEG power connector, three DisplayPort outputs, and one HDMI output, and features a contemporary design on the backplate. Performance overall is a notch above reference, but that's a good place to be. This card is suited for high-resolution gaming and demanding creative tasks, with its 12GB of VRAM being quite satisfactory for most applications. In the competitive landscape, particularly when comparing it to the Radeon RX 7900 XT specific capabilities such as ray tracing and DLSS3, areas are where the RTX 4070 SUPER shows notable strength. Conversely, the Radeon RX 7900 XT boasts a faster rasterizer engine and additional L3 cache, presenting it as a formidable alternative. However, with the RTX 4070 priced $150-200 lower, it may offer better value for some users. The RTX 4070 SUPER seems to align more closely in competition with the Radeon 6800/6900 XT/ 7800 XT rather than the 7900XT. Its performance can be likened to that of the RTX 3080series, varying according to the benchmarks used. Despite the competition from NVIDIA's Founder Edition card, especially at its $599 price point, this card distinguishes itself with its quiet operation, refined design, and similar baseline performance, including mild tweakability options. That Founder Edition counterpart delivers similar performance and operates quietly, but it also includes an adjustable power limiter, a feature absent in the Galax version for reasons unspecified. The EX Gamer edition stands out with its attractive design and adequate cooling capabilities, alongside pleasant acoustics. While the performance increase over the standard reference model is slim, this card still offers significant power for PC gaming and allows for some overclocking. It is recommended and available at a suggested retail price of $599 or lower.

- Hilbert, LOAD"*",8,1.


Guru3d_award_16

Share this content
Twitter Facebook Reddit WhatsApp Email Print