Key takeaways
- DLSS super resolution, including the transformer model added with DLSS 4.
- DLSS frame generation (one generated frame per rendered frame).
- No access to multi frame generation, which is exclusive to RTX 50 cards.
- Nvidia Reflex, the same NVENC encoder generation including AV1.
If you already own an RTX 4070, upgrading to an RTX 4070 Super is not worth it for most people: you gain roughly 15% more performance but keep the same 12 GB of VRAM and the same feature set. If you are buying one of the two fresh, the RTX 4070 Super is the better card at the same $599 launch price, and it is the one to choose unless a plain RTX 4070 is noticeably cheaper.
Both cards use the same Ada Lovelace architecture and the same memory configuration. The Super, released in January 2024, simply enables more of the chip. That makes this an unusually clean comparison: the difference is almost entirely raw shader power and a little more cache.
What Actually Changed
| Spec | RTX 4070 | RTX 4070 Super | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Ada Lovelace | Ada Lovelace | Same |
| Release date | 12 April 2023 | 8 January 2024 | About 9 months later |
| Launch MSRP | $599 | $599 | Same |
| CUDA cores | 5888 | 7168 | +22% |
| Boost clock | 2475 MHz | 2475 MHz | Same |
| Process | 5 nm | 5 nm | Same |
| TDP | 200 W | 220 W | +20 W |
| Memory | 12 GB GDDR6X | 12 GB GDDR6X | Same |
| Bus / bandwidth | 192-bit, 504.2 GB/s | 192-bit, 504.2 GB/s | Same |
| L2 cache | 36 MB | 48 MB | +33% |
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 | Same |
| Power connector | 1x 16-pin | 1x 16-pin | Same |
| Length / width | 240 mm, 2-slot | 267 mm, 2-slot | +27 mm |
| Outputs | 1x HDMI 2.1, 3x DP 1.4a | 1x HDMI 2.1, 3x DP 1.4a | Same |
The upgrade comes from 22% more CUDA cores and a larger L2 cache. Clocks, memory and bandwidth stay the same, so the Super does not scale perfectly with its extra cores, but it gets most of the way there.
Performance Uplift in Numbers
According to TechPowerUp’s review data, the RTX 4070 Super averages about 15% faster than the RTX 4070 at 1440p across its 25-game suite. Other reviews land in the same place: KitGuru measured roughly 13-18% depending on the game, and TechSpot saw 17-20% at 4K in most titles, with outliers ranging from about 4% to 31%. TechPowerUp also found the Super roughly matching the previous-generation RTX 3090 and sitting about 8% behind the RTX 4070 Ti.
What does 15% look like in practice? If your 4070 runs a game at 60 fps, the Super would run it at roughly 69 fps. At 90 fps, you would see about 103-104 fps. That is noticeable on a high-refresh monitor but rarely changes whether a game feels playable. Actual results vary with settings, CPU and game patches.
Ray Tracing, DLSS and Frame Generation
Because they share an architecture, the two cards have identical feature support:
- DLSS super resolution, including the transformer model added with DLSS 4.
- DLSS frame generation (one generated frame per rendered frame).
- No access to multi frame generation, which is exclusive to RTX 50 cards.
- Nvidia Reflex, the same NVENC encoder generation including AV1.
In ray-traced games the Super’s extra cores give it a gain similar to its raster improvement, roughly 15% or so. Path-traced games remain demanding on both; the Super helps but does not move them into a new class.
One practical benefit of the extra headroom is frame generation quality. DLSS frame generation feels best when the base frame rate is already around 50-60 fps, because input latency follows the rendered frames, not the displayed ones. In games where a 4070 sits just under that threshold with ray tracing enabled, the Super’s extra 15% can push the base rate into the comfortable zone. That is a niche benefit, but it is the scenario where the Super feels most different in day-to-day play.
The VRAM Question Stays Unanswered
The main limitation of the RTX 4070, its 12 GB buffer, does not change with the Super. If you are hitting VRAM limits at 1440p with ultra textures and ray tracing or frame generation, or at 4K, the Super will hit the same wall. Upgrading to fix memory problems requires a 16 GB card such as an RTX 4070 Ti Super, RTX 5070 Ti or RX 9070 series card.
As a rough guide for current games at high settings: 1080p uses about 7-10 GB, 1440p about 9-12 GB, and 4K about 11-15 GB. Both cards are comfortable at 1080p, generally fine at 1440p, and constrained at 4K with maximum textures.
Upgrade Math: Is 15% Worth It?
Here is a simple way to evaluate the upgrade. Suppose you buy a used RTX 4070 Super and sell your RTX 4070:
- Used RTX 4070 Super: usually around $450-$520.
- Used RTX 4070 resale: usually around $400-$470.
- Net cost: roughly $50-$100 for about 15% more performance, after the hassle of selling.
That net cost can look reasonable on paper. But compare it with the alternative of keeping your 4070 and putting that money toward a future card: a jump to an RTX 5070 Ti or RX 9070 XT class card typically delivers 35% or more over a 4070, plus 16 GB of memory. A rule of thumb many builders use is to upgrade only when the new card is at least 30-40% faster, because smaller jumps rarely change how games feel.
For new buyers, the math is simpler. At equal $599 launch pricing, the Super gives about 15% more performance per dollar: $599 / 115 is roughly $5.20 per performance point versus about $6.00 for the 4070. A plain 4070 would need to cost around $520 to match the Super on value.
Power, PSU and Fit
The Super draws 20 W more, which is negligible for most systems. Using GPU TDP + CPU + about 150 W headroom with a 125 W CPU:
- RTX 4070: 200 + 125 + 150 = 475 W, so a quality 550 W unit is enough.
- RTX 4070 Super: 220 + 125 + 150 = 495 W, so 550-650 W is comfortable.
Both reference designs use a single 16-pin connector, usually through an adapter from two 8-pin cables on older power supplies. Many partner models of both cards use standard 8-pin plugs instead. Seat a 16-pin connector fully and avoid tight bends right at the plug.
The Super’s reference length is 267 mm versus 240 mm for the 4070, both two slots wide. That 27 mm difference matters in some compact cases, and partner Super models with triple-fan coolers can be longer still, so measure your clearance before ordering.
When the Upgrade Pays Off and When It Does Not
| Your setup | Upgrade to 4070 Super? |
|---|---|
| 1080p gaming with a mid-range CPU | No: CPU limits will eat much of the 15% |
| 1440p at 144 Hz, just short of your target fps | Maybe, if the net cost is under about $80 |
| 1440p with VRAM limits in your games | No: same 12 GB; look at 16 GB cards |
| 4K gaming | No: same memory limit; aim higher |
| Buying new, both cards similar price | Yes: choose the Super |
| Plain 4070 is $80+ cheaper | The 4070 is the better value |
Verdict
The RTX 4070 Super is the better card and was the better buy at launch, since it cost the same as the original 4070 and ran about 15% faster. As an upgrade for current RTX 4070 owners, though, it is a sideways move: the same features, the same 12 GB of VRAM and a performance bump that most people will barely notice outside benchmark charts. Keep your 4070 and save toward a larger jump, ideally to a card with 16 GB of memory, unless you can swap for very little money.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much faster is the RTX 4070 Super than the RTX 4070?
According to TechPowerUp’s review data, about 15% faster on average at 1440p. Other reviews show roughly 13-20% depending on the game and resolution. The gap is slightly larger at 4K.
Does the RTX 4070 Super have more VRAM than the RTX 4070?
No. Both have 12 GB of GDDR6X on a 192-bit bus with 504.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The Super adds more CUDA cores and a larger 48 MB L2 cache. If you need more memory, look at 16 GB cards.
Do I need a bigger PSU for the RTX 4070 Super?
Usually not. The Super is rated at 220 W versus 200 W for the 4070. A quality 550-650 W power supply handles either card with a typical gaming CPU.
Does the RTX 4070 Super support DLSS 4 multi frame generation?
No. Multi frame generation is exclusive to RTX 50 series cards. The 4070 Super supports DLSS frame generation and the DLSS 4 transformer upscaling model, the same as the RTX 4070.
What is a better upgrade from an RTX 4070?
A card with 16 GB of VRAM and at least 30-40% more performance makes a more meaningful upgrade. Current options in that range include the RTX 5070 Ti and the RX 9070 XT. Those add memory headroom for 1440p ultra and 4K that the 4070 Super does not.
