Nvidia’s 40-Series Super GPUs: A Game-Changing Upgrade for Gamers
Hey there, fellow gamers! You know how every few years, we get a new generation of graphics cards that promise to take our gaming experience to the next level? Well, Nvidia’s 40-series of GPUs did just that, with its cutting-edge features like ray tracing and AI. However, the hefty price tag left many of us scratching our heads.
A Mid-Generation Refresh to Address Concerns
But fear not, my gaming comrades! Nvidia has heard our pleas and has come up with a mid-generation refresh for the 40 series that aims to fix all the issues. Leading the charge is the RTX 4070 Super, a GPU that surpasses its predecessor in performance without replacing it entirely.
The original 4070, launched last year at $600, will still be available on the market but at a reduced price of $550. On the other hand, the 4070 Super will be launched at the old $600 price point. This means that gamers who are looking to upgrade their graphics card at that budget have a new option from Nvidia that offers 20% more cores and significantly improved performance for the same price they would have paid just nine months ago. Now, that’s what I call a good deal!
Now, let’s dive into the details and see how the 4070 Super truly shines.
Real-World Performance: A Gamer’s Dream
When put to the test in a wide range of PC titles, the 4070 Super proved to be a game-changer. Compared to the vanilla 4070, it offers a 10-15% uplift in performance. While it may lag behind the 4070 Ti in some titles, with improvements of up to 20%, the 4070 Super still holds its ground. But here’s the real kicker: for gamers who skipped a generation or two due to the perceived lack of value, the 4070 Super is a genuinely impressive upgrade.
Let’s take a look at some real-world examples. When running Forza Horizon 5 on maxed settings at a target resolution of 1440p, the 4070 Super showed a significant improvement of around 50% compared to the RTX 3070. That’s a massive leap in performance! And remember, this is without the support of DLSS3.
And it doesn’t stop there! Take Cyberpunk 2077, for example. Even without the AI-generated assistance, the 4070 Super delivers a significant boost in performance. With ray tracing but without DLSS, the game jumps from just scraping 30fps on the RTX 3070 to a smooth 50fps on the 4070 Super. But when you enable DLSS, the previous-generation GPU falls short at just under 60fps, while the 4070 Super manages well over 85fps. That’s the kind of performance that will truly immerse you in Night City.
Now, let’s talk about the competition. When comparing Nvidia to AMD, things get a bit more complicated, especially when it comes to features like supersampling and ray tracing. Nvidia continues to have the edge in these areas, offering a more refined experience.
However, when we look at raw rasterization performance, the comparison between Nvidia’s 40 series and equivalent AMD cards becomes much closer. In terms of value for money, AMD often comes out on top. But when you factor in Nvidia’s additional technologies like DLSS, Nvidia once again takes the lead. So, if you’re a gamer who values ray tracing, the extra investment in the 4070 Super will be a no-brainer.
The Perfect Resolution: 1440p
Now, let’s talk resolution. While you can certainly boost your gaming experience to 4K, the original 4070 was designed as a 1440p card, and that sweet spot remains unchanged with the 4070 Super. Nvidia has made it clear that the ’70’ series is tailored towards 1440p gaming, and in terms of performance, that’s where this upgrade truly shines. Of course, if you’re aiming for higher resolutions or have splurged on a 4K PC monitor, you might want to consider one of the higher-end cards.
Affordability and Value: The Full Picture
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: pricing. When compared to its peers, the 4070 Super holds its own in terms of performance and value. However, things get a bit more complicated when you consider the pricing of older-generation cards. Although you can no longer buy these cards, it’s worth noting that the RTX 3070, which had similar specs to the 4070 Super, was priced significantly lower back in 2020. This highlights the direction of the price-to-performance ratio in the GPU segment, especially for Nvidia cards.
In conclusion, the 4070 Super is the graphics card that I believe most gamers looking for an upgrade in this generation will end up with. It offers impressive performance, especially at the popular 1440p resolution. While the pricing may not be as enticing as it once was, this upgrade is a natural-feeling and decent-value option for those with three-year-old cards or older. And remember, this is just the beginning! The full picture will emerge as the rest of the Super cards are tested.
So, fellow gamers, it