NVIDIA, the industry giant, made waves at CES by officially announcing the launch of three new graphics cards: the RTX 4070 Super, RTX 4070 Ti Super, and RTX 4080 Super.
This article dives into the details of these latest additions, exploring their release dates, pricing, specifications, and the anticipated impact on the simracing market for all those who want to upgrade their graphics cards in 2024.
Pricing and Availability
Launch Dates
The rollout of the RTX 4000 Super Series is scheduled to be swift. The RTX 4070 Super hits the market on January 17, followed by the RTX 4070 Ti Super on January 24, and finally, the RTX 4080 Super on January 31. NVIDIA’s decision to release three powerful graphics cards within a span of two weeks is a noteworthy move, showcasing their commitment to innovation.
Price Comparison with Previous Models
In terms of pricing, early indicators suggest a competitive strategy from NVIDIA. The RTX 4070 Super maintains a price tag similar to its predecessor, the 4070, while the RTX 4070 Ti Super and RTX 4080 Super are positioned within the price range of the 4070 Ti and 4080, respectively. However, European pricing variations may play a role in how these GPUs are received in the market.
European Pricing Estimates
For European simracers, the expected prices are approximately €600 for the RTX 4070 Super, around €900 for the RTX 4070 Ti Super, and an estimated €1000 for the RTX 4080 S. These figures are based on the baseline prices from the more economical assemblies of each brand and NVIDIA’s Founders Editions, accounting for taxes and currency fluctuations.
Speculations on Market Impact
The market response to NVIDIA’s pricing strategy and the rapid succession of releases remains to be seen. As consumers weigh the potential performance gains against the cost, the RTX 4000 Super Series could redefine the expectations for high-end graphics cards. It also raises questions about the fate of the models they aim to replace, specifically the 4070 Ti and 4080.
Specifications and Improvements
RTX 4070 Super
The RTX 4070 Super brings a 20% increase in CUDA cores, now totaling 7160. While the CUDA core count is a significant improvement, it’s essential to note the continuation of the 104 chip architecture, aligning it with the 4070 and 4070 Ti. The 12GB VRAM and 192-bit memory bus maintain consistency with its predecessors. The aesthetics, marked by a dark and elegant design, are subjective and invite opinions on its appeal.
Key Features:
- 20% more CUDA cores.
- Identical VRAM and memory bus as the 4070.
- Power consumption reduced to 220W, a noteworthy improvement.
You can buy it here:
RTX 4070 Ti Super
The RTX 4070 Ti Super aims to strike a balance between the 4070 Super and the higher-end 4080 S. With 8448 CUDA cores, it represents a substantial boost, albeit slightly lower than the 4070 Super’s improvement. The most significant enhancement comes in the form of a memory upgrade, featuring 16GB of VRAM on a widened 256-bit bus. This leap in memory not only enhances gaming performance but also addresses potential bottlenecks at higher resolutions.
Key Features:
- 99.5% more CUDA cores than the 4070.
- Impressive 16GB VRAM on a 256-bit bus.
- Improved power efficiency, consuming around 230W during gameplay.
You can buy it here:
RTX 4080 Super
The RTX 4080 S, while maintaining the 103 chip architecture, introduces a modest increase in CUDA cores to 10,240. The VRAM stays consistent at 16GB, yet the memory speed sees a slight boost to 23 GB per second. This subtle improvement, combined with a power consumption of 250W during gaming, places the 4080 S as a refined version of the original 4080, offering a balance of power and efficiency.
Key Features:
- Incremental CUDA core upgrade.
- Slight improvement in memory speed.
- Maintains power consumption at 250W during gameplay.
Market Impact and Future Implications
NVIDIA’s Approach to Discontinued Models
NVIDIA’s decision to discontinue the 4070 Ti and 4080 raises questions about the fate of these GPUs once the existing stock depletes. The lack of an official solution from NVIDIA leaves it in the hands of manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers to determine the pricing and availability of these outgoing models.
Potential Pricing Disparities
The absence of a clear directive from NVIDIA regarding the pricing of the outgoing models poses a challenge. It opens the door for potential pricing disparities, making it crucial for consumers to carefully consider whether the improvements in the new Super Series justify the cost difference.
Competition with AMD’s GPU Lineup
The launch of the RTX 4000 Super Series intensifies the competition in the GPU market, particularly in the price range between €900 and €1000. AMD, with its successful RX 7800 XT, now faces stronger competition, and users in this bracket will have more options to consider when upgrading their graphics cards.
Expectations
The success of NVIDIA’s Super Series will be measured not only by its technical specifications but also by how well it aligns with the demands and preferences of the gaming/simracing community in differents sims.
Share your thoughts on this groundbreaking release in the comments below, and stay tuned as we delve into the detailed reviews of each GPU in the coming weeks!
See you on the track!
