Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU made for slick 1440p gaming and creators

Nvidia’s latest graphics card, the GeForce RTX 4070, is here to bolster gaming PCs and content creation workstations alike. While it’s not cheap by any means, at least you won’t need to take out a second mortgage to buy one.

Compared to previous models, the RTX 4070 is more powerful and power efficient. In Nvidia’s announcement, the company provided comparisons to the RTX 3070 Ti, 3070, and 2070 Super graphics cards to illustrate just how much of a step up the new model is.

Nvidia claims the 4070 uses 23% less power than the 3070 Ti while producing 1.7 times the speed. That’s an impressive step up for a card not that much more expensive. Computer components retailer Mwave lists several 3070 Ti models for just under $1,000, only slightly cheaper than the $1,100 mark seen for the new hardware.

Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU improvements explained

Much of the gains seen in this graphics card come from Nvidia’s Ada Lovelace architecture. Announced last year as part of the RTX 40 series cards, like the RTX 4080 we reviewed, this technology consists of up to 76 billion transistors and significantly greater streaming multiprocessor output. Essentially, it all contributes to more power while needing less energy.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 GPU – a cool and quiet 4K gaming monster (review)

Another big driver of performance and higher frame rates while gaming is the RTX 40 series’ 4th generation Tensor Cores. These power the AI technology known as deep learning super sampling (DLSS) that upscales lower resolution frames to maximise a game’s refresh rate. The RTX 4070 benefits from DLSS 3, meaning compatible games get an even bigger frame rate boost.

All the messaging surrounding the RTX 4070 launch makes it clear it’s targeted at people who want to get high-level performance on 1440p resolution displays. Nvidia provided a chart showing the decent range of games capable of reaching 100 frames per second on max settings using the GPU, including Forza Horizon 5, Spider-Man Miles Morales, and CyberPunk 2077.

RTX 4070 game frame rates — Several high-profile games benefit from even higher frame rates than previous GPUs allowed. Source: Nvidia.

RTX 4070 improvements — Several high-profile games benefit from even higher frame rates than previous GPUs allowed. Source: Nvidia.

Not just gamers, content creators and creative professionals also benefit from the technology housed within the RTX 4070. Using live streaming software OBS, creators can stream to YouTube using the AV1 codec, enabling 4K resolution at 60fps alongside better compression and less distortion. Plus, high-load software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Blender, and Unreal Engine gain better performance and export speeds.

Availability and pricing

Out now, the RTX 4070 hovers around the $1,100 mark depending on the manufacturer. Overseas, it has a recommended retail price of US$599, so we haven’t been hit too hard by the cost of bringing it to Australia. Mwave has various models up for order on its website, including the below:

Now with the RTX 4070 out, there’s a more affordable 40 series graphics card to choose from. The existing 4070 Ti, 4080, and 4090 cards range from $1,500 to an eye-watering $3,000 and above. As a sweetener, if you purchase an eligible card between now and 8 May 2023, you also get the Overwatch 2 Ultimate Battle Pass Bundle and some in-game currency as a bonus.