Review – ASUS TUF GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER

Just when we thought the “SUPER” moniker was a one-off experiment limited to the GeForce RTX 20 series, NVIDIA surprised us by reviving the variant for the GeForce RTX 40 series—a move few saw coming. This unexpected addition shakes up the lineup and introduces fresh options for gamers and creators alike.

Today’s spotlight is on the ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER, a robust upgrade from its predecessor. We’ll examine its performance closely, comparing it against the RTX 4070 Ti and RTX 4080. The goal is to determine how much of a leap forward it offers over the standard RTX 4070 Ti and where it stands in NVIDIA’s competitive hierarchy.

Specifications

Overview

The TUF GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER comes in the familiar ASUS packaging, maintaining the brand’s understated aesthetic. The rear of the box provides a detailed overview of the card’s specifications and features. Inside, you’ll find the GPU itself, a sturdy support bracket to prevent sagging, a 12VHPWR adapter for compatibility with modern power supplies, and a set of TUF Gaming velcro straps for neat cable management.

True to the TUF series’ reputation for durability, the RTX 4070 Ti SUPER boasts a solid triple-slot, triple-fan design with an aluminum shroud that reinforces its structural integrity. Measuring over 11.5 inches in length, this card requires ample room in your PC chassis, so it’s ideal for builders with mid to large-sized cases. Its rugged, industrial design is subtly complemented by RGB lighting accents that enhance its aesthetic appeal without being overly flashy.

As NVIDIA continues to enforce the use of the 12VHPWR connector on its latest graphics cards, users will need to adapt accordingly. You can either rely on the included 2x PCIe 8-pin to 12VHPWR adapter or invest in a modern power supply that comes equipped with a dedicated 12VHPWR cable for seamless compatibility.

According to NVIDIA’s official specifications, the RTX 4070 Ti SUPER has a Total Graphics Power (TGP) rated at 285W. NVIDIA recommends a minimum 700W power supply for this card to ensure stable operation. However, as is common with board partners, ASUS advises a slightly higher threshold, suggesting a 750W power supply for the TUF RTX 4070 Ti SUPER.

The TUF GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER offers a versatile display output configuration. In addition to the standard three DisplayPort ports and one HDMI port, ASUS has included an extra HDMI port, catering to users who prefer HDMI connections for their monitors or TVs. This thoughtful addition enhances the card’s flexibility and compatibility with a wider range of display setups.

Test System Setup

To evaluate the RTX 4070 Ti SUPER’s performance, we compared it to the RTX 4070 Ti and RTX 4080. We ran a series of AAA game benchmarks at maximum settings in an ambient temperature of 28°C to provide a clear understanding of its capabilities.

Games Benchmark – Raster Performance

Despite its primary focus on 1440p as what NVIDIA has intended, the card still demonstrates considerable power in 4K gaming, running many AAA titles smoothly at over 60 FPS. However, it does encounter limitations with graphically demanding games such as Alan Wake 2 and Cyberpunk 2077.

When downscaling to 1440p, the TUF RTX 4070 Ti SUPER showcases expected performance gain, narrowing the gap with the RTX 4080 in titles like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Horizon Zero Dawn, F1 22, and Metro Exodus. Across most benchmarks, it outperforms the RTX 4070 Ti, except in exceptionally taxing games where the difference is less pronounced.

At 1080p, the performance of all tested GPUs levels out as expected, with minimal distinction between models. Given the GPU’s capabilities, gaming at this resolution may not fully utilize its potential. Overall, the TUF RTX 4070 Ti SUPER delivers approximately 14-16% better performance than the RTX 4070 Ti across tested scenarios.

Ray Tracing Performance

In ray tracing benchmarks, DLSS 3 was excluded to assess the raw ray tracing capabilities of the RTX 4070 Ti SUPER without the benefit of frame generation. At 4K, most titles achieved playable frame rates of 60 FPS or higher. However, the card struggled with demanding games like Alan Wake 2, Cyberpunk 2077, and Metro Exodus. The TUF RTX 4070 Ti SUPER consistently outperformed the base RTX 4070 Ti model, delivering notably better results.

Although some hoped the RTX 4070 Ti SUPER would rival the RTX 4080 in performance, it falls short of that expectation. However, it performs significantly better than the non-SUPER variant, showing a clear 15% improvement in ray tracing benchmarks—mirroring the gains observed in rasterization performance.

Performance at 1440p and 1080p follows a similar trend. The TUF RTX 4070 Ti SUPER reasonable gains compared to its standard counterpart, though it remains firmly positioned as a mid-to-high-tier GPU rather than a flagship alternative.

Thermals and Power Draw

When it comes to thermal performance, the RTX 4070 Ti SUPER maintains reasonable temperatures under load. The GPU core temperature peaks at 68.6°C during heavy usage, which is much expected albeit impressive. The memory junction and GPU hotspot temperatures are also fairly reasonable, reaching maximum values of 86°C and 84°C respectively, even under sustained workloads.

During testing, an interesting observation was made regarding the power draw. While NVIDIA rates the RTX 4070 Ti SUPER with a Total Graphics Power (TGP) of 285W, the power draw can be seen peaked at 342W on heavier loads, as measured using PCAT. This suggests the card may draw additional power in certain conditions, although no tangible performance improvements were observed in subsequent tests.

In typical gaming scenarios, particularly with demanding AAA titles like Alan Wake 2 and Cyberpunk 2077, the power draw only averaged around 280W. This aligns closely with the rated TGP, indicating efficient power utilization during real-world use cases.

Final Thoughts

The ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER firmly positions itself as a high-performance contender in 4K gaming, delivering results that closely approach the anticipated levels of the RTX 4080. Based on testing, it outpaces the standard RTX 4070 Ti by an average of 15% in gaming scenarios, providing a tangible performance uplift. While the 16GB of GDDR6X VRAM often goes underutilized at resolutions of 1440p and below, it remains a welcome addition for users with memory-intensive workloads, such as video rendering or large texture applications.

On the cooling front, the RTX 4070 Ti SUPER exhibits slightly elevated load temperatures compared to its predecessor, the RTX 4070 Ti, which is understandable given its improved performance. However, ASUS’s cooling solution is robust enough to handle the extra thermal output effectively. There’s room for optimization here: the fan curves appear conservative, potentially leaving some cooling headroom untapped. ASUS could consider a more aggressive fan profile to maximize the potential of their premium cooler design. A bolder approach would likely make this card an even stronger competitor in its category.

Retailing at RM 4,899, the TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER sits at a premium price point compared to some competitors. However, it justifies the cost with its impressive build quality, reliable cooling system, and superior performance. The added 16GB of VRAM is particularly valuable for users in creative fields or those working with high-resolution assets.

For gamers or creators upgrading from older hardware—anything prior to the RTX 30 series or Radeon RX 6000 series—the ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER is a worthwhile investment, offering a balanced combination of performance, durability, and aesthetic appeal. It embodies the “get what you pay for” philosophy, especially for those seeking long-term reliability and high-end gaming capabilities.