RTX 4070 Super Vs 5070: The Ultimate Buying Guide For 2024
Should you buy the RTX 4070 Super today, or is it smarter to wait for the mythical RTX 5070? This is the burning question for every PC builder and upgrader right now. On one side, you have a thoroughly reviewed, readily available graphics card that delivers exceptional 1440p and competent 4K performance. On the other, you have a product that doesn't officially exist, shrouded in rumors and speculation, promising the allure of next-generation technology. This isn't just a comparison of two GPUs; it's a clash between present value and future potential. Navigating this decision requires cutting through the hype to understand what each option truly offers, who it's for, and the real risks and rewards of waiting. We're diving deep into the specs, performance projections, pricing trends, and user scenarios to give you a definitive answer on whether to buy now or hold off.
The RTX 4070 Super: A Proven Performer (Available Now)
Let's start with the concrete. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Super launched in January 2024 as a refresh of the original Ada Lovelace-based 4070. It wasn't a minor update; it was a significant course correction that addressed the main criticism of the original model by moving the GPU from a cut-down AD104 chip to the full, unlocked AD104. This meant a substantial boost in CUDA Core count—from 5,888 to 7,168—a 22% increase that directly translated into higher rasterization performance. The core and memory clock speeds also received a slight bump, and it maintains the same 12GB of GDDR6X memory on a 192-bit bus. The result is a card that consistently outperforms the original 4070 by 15-20% in gaming benchmarks, often trading blows with the more expensive RTX 4070 Ti from the previous generation, all for the same launch MSRP of $599.
In real-world terms, the 4070 Super is a 1440p gaming monster. At this resolution with maxed-out settings and ray tracing enabled, it delivers smooth 60+ FPS in virtually every modern title, and often exceeds 100 FPS in popular esports and well-optimized games. For 4K gaming, it's a more nuanced picture. With DLSS 3 Frame Generation enabled—a key feature of the Ada Lovelace architecture—it can provide a phenomenal experience in supported games, turning a 40 FPS base into a playable 80+ FPS. Without upscaling, it struggles with native 4K in the most demanding titles, but for many, the quality of DLSS's "Quality" mode is a worthy trade-off. Beyond gaming, its 12GB VRAM and NVENC encoder make it a capable card for 4K video editing and moderate creative workloads in applications like DaVinci Resolve and Blender.
The market reality is also important. Since its launch, the 4070 Super has been readily available at or near its MSRP, with some partner models offering factory overclocks and better cooling for a small premium. There are no supply shortages or chaotic pricing swings. You can buy it today from any major retailer, install it, and immediately enjoy its performance. This certainty and instant gratification is a powerful, often overlooked, value proposition.
The RTX 5070: What We Know (And Don't Know) About NVIDIA's Next Mid-Range GPU
Now, let's venture into the realm of speculation. The RTX 5070 does not exist. NVIDIA has not announced it, shown it, or even hinted at its specifications. All we have are industry rumors, analyst predictions, and historical generational trends. The most credible leaks suggest the entire "GeForce RTX 50-series," codenamed "Blackwell," will launch in late 2024, with the mid-range cards like the 5070 and 5080 likely arriving in Q4 2024 or even Q1 2025. This means a potential wait of 6-12 months or more.
Based on leaks from sources like Kopite7kimi and Moore's Law is Dead, the RTX 5070 is expected to be based on the GB206 GPU. Early rumors point to a significant increase in CUDA Core count, potentially in the 9,000-10,000 range, which would be a 30-40% jump over the 4070 Super. The memory subsystem is the biggest question mark. The 4070 Super's 12GB on a 192-bit bus is already its main limitation for future 4K and high-resolution texture gaming. Will the 5070 finally get a 256-bit bus and 16GB of GDDR7 memory? Most industry analysts believe this is a near-certainty, as GDDR7 offers much higher bandwidth per pin, and 16GB is becoming the new baseline for high-end gaming. Other anticipated upgrades include the next-gen DLSS 4 (though its features are unknown), improved Ray Tracing performance thanks to architectural enhancements, and better power efficiency.
However, it's crucial to remember these are guesses. NVIDIA could change plans. The performance leap might not be as dramatic as some hope, especially if they prioritize efficiency over raw clock speeds. The biggest unknown is price. Will NVIDIA keep the $599 MSRP, or will component cost increases and the move to GDDR7 push the launch price to $649 or even $699? History suggests the latter is more likely, as every new generation sees a price creep. You are buying a promise, not a product, and that promise comes with significant risk.
Head-to-Head: Specs, Performance, and Architecture
To make this tangible, let's compare the confirmed specs of the RTX 4070 Super with the rumored specs for the RTX 5070.
| Feature | RTX 4070 Super (Confirmed) | RTX 5070 (Rumored) | Implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPU Chip | AD104-400 (Full) | GB206 (Rumored) | New architecture, potential major IPC gains. |
| CUDA Cores | 7,168 | ~9,000-10,000 (Est.) | ~30-40% more rasterization horsepower (on paper). |
| Memory | 12GB GDDR6X | 16GB GDDR7 (Rumored) | Vastly superior bandwidth & capacity for future games. |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit | 256-bit (Rumored) | Eliminates a key bottleneck of the 4070 Super. |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 3rd Gen | 4th Gen (Expected) | Noticeably better RT performance, less FPS hit. |
| Tensor Cores | 4th Gen (DLSS 3) | 5th Gen (DLSS 4?) | Potential for more advanced AI upscaling/Frame Gen. |
| Launch MSRP | $599 | $649-$749 (Est.) | Likely $50-$150 more expensive at launch. |
| Availability | Now | Late 2024 / 2025 | 6-12 month wait minimum. |
The architectural leap from Ada Lovelace (40-series) to Blackwell (50-series) will be the primary driver of performance gains, not just raw core count. We expect improvements in shader efficiency, ray tracing pipeline speed, and AI tensor operations. The move to GDDR7 memory is arguably the most impactful rumored change for the 5070. The 4070 Super's 192-bit bus with GDDR6X provides ~504 GB/s of bandwidth. A 256-bit bus with GDDR7 could easily surpass 800+ GB/s, erasing the memory bandwidth limitation that holds back the 4070 Super in some 1440p and most 4K scenarios, especially with high-resolution textures.
Performance Projection: Conservatively, based on past generational jumps (e.g., 3070 to 4070), the RTX 5070 should be 45-60% faster than the RTX 4070 Super at rasterization, with an even larger gap in ray tracing. With DLSS 4, that lead could extend further in supported titles. However, these are best-case scenario projections. The actual gain could be lower if NVIDIA focuses more on efficiency than peak performance.
Pricing, Availability, and Value Proposition
This is the heart of the "buy now vs. wait" dilemma. The RTX 4070 Super offers a clear value proposition: a known performance level for a known price, available immediately. Its value is in the "time value of performance." Every month you use it, you're extracting its utility. For someone building a PC now, that utility is worth the $599 (or less with sales).
The RTX 5070's value is purely speculative and tied to three major unknowns:
- Launch Price: If it launches at $649, that's a $50 premium for what could be a 50% performance uplift—potentially excellent value. If it launches at $749, the value proposition weakens considerably, putting it in direct competition with the current RTX 4070 Ti Super and future 5080.
- Time Value of Money: $599 invested today in a 4070 Super is money you're not investing elsewhere. The "wait cost" is the performance you don't get for the next 6-12 months. For a gamer without a GPU, that's a huge cost.
- Market Dynamics: We are not in a crypto-mining boom. Supply is expected to be stable for the 50-series. However, initial demand could cause short-term price inflation, negating any theoretical MSRP advantage.
Historical Context: Looking at the jump from the RTX 3070 ($499) to the RTX 4070 ($599), we saw a 20% price increase for a similar generational performance leap (when factoring in DLSS 3). The 4070 Super then offered ~15% more performance for the same $599. The trend is clear: performance per dollar for the same tier is increasing, but the absolute price of that tier is also inching up. The 5070 will likely continue this trend.
Who Should Buy Which GPU? Target Audience Breakdown
The right choice is intensely personal. Here’s a breakdown by user profile:
Buy the RTX 4070 Super NOW if you are:
- A 1440p gamer who wants max settings and high refresh rates today. The 4070 Super is a perfect fit and will last 3-4 years at this resolution.
- A budget-conscious 4K gamer who uses DLSS 3 extensively. It provides a fantastic 4K experience in supported titles.
- A content creator on a budget needing 12GB of VRAM for 4K editing and moderate 3D work.
- Someone building a PC immediately who cannot wait 6+ months. The "perfect GPU" is the one you can use today.
- A value seeker who can find the 4070 Super on sale. As the 50-series approaches, retailers and NVIDIA may offer discounts to clear inventory.
Consider WAITING for the RTX 5070 if you are:
- A future-focused 4K/1440p ultrawide gamer who wants 16GB of VRAM for next-gen games with massive texture packs (e.g., Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, upcoming GTA VI).
- A professional or enthusiast who wants the absolute latest in ray tracing and AI-powered upscaling (DLSS 4) for the longest possible relevance.
- A patient builder who already has a functional GPU (even an older one like a 2070 Super or 3060 Ti) and can wait 6-12 months without significant pain.
- Someone targeting 5+ years of use from their GPU. The extra VRAM and next-gen architecture will provide a longer runway before feeling outdated.
- A tech enthusiast for whom having the "latest and greatest" is part of the fun, and budget is secondary.
Future-Proofing: How Long Will Each Card Last?
"Future-proofing" is often overused, but we can analyze it logically. The primary threat to GPU longevity is VRAM capacity. Games like Alan Wake 2 and Avatar already push 12GB at 1440p with max textures. By 2026-2027, 12GB will likely be the minimum for high-end 1440p, making the 4070 Super's main weakness apparent. The rumored 16GB on the 5070 would be a massive leap in longevity.
The second factor is architectural features. The 5070 will support DLSS 4 (whatever form it takes) and have a more advanced RT core. Games will increasingly optimize for these features. A 4070 Super will be stuck on DLSS 3, which will remain supported but will eventually be superseded.
Realistic Lifespan Estimate:
- RTX 4070 Super: A strong 3-year card for high/ultra 1440p. In year 4, you'll likely need to compromise on texture quality or rely heavily on upscaling. For 4K, its lifespan is shorter—2-3 years with heavy DLSS use.
- Rumored RTX 5070: A potential 4-5 year card for high 1440p, and a very good 3-4 year card for 4K with upscaling, thanks to the VRAM headroom and newer features.
If your primary goal is to avoid upgrading for as long as possible, the 5070's rumored specs are compelling. But if you upgrade your GPU every 3-4 years anyway, the 4070 Super's current performance is so strong that the generational gap may not feel enormous by the time you upgrade again.
Making the Decision: Your 2024 GPU Buying Framework
Let's cut through the noise with a simple decision flowchart:
Do you have a working GPU right now?
- No: Can you wait 6-12 months? If yes, wait for the 5070 (or 5080) to maximize your future-proofing. If no, buy the 4070 Super immediately. Having a PC is better than waiting for a theoretical future PC.
- Yes (older GPU, e.g., GTX 1060, RX 580): The performance jump to a 4070 Super is enormous (300%+). It's a transformative upgrade. If you can tolerate your current GPU for another year, waiting for a 5070 is a reasonable gamble for an even bigger leap. If you're frustrated now, the 4070 Super is a phenomenal upgrade.
- Yes (recent GPU, e.g., RTX 3060 Ti, RX 6700 XT): The jump to a 4070 Super is solid (~60-80%), but not revolutionary. Here, waiting is the smarter play. Your current card is still competent. Use this time to save more and get a truly next-gen card in the 5070.
What is your primary resolution and use case?
- Competitive 1080p/1440p (Esports): Neither card is ideal; a cheaper 4060 Ti or 7700 XT is sufficient. If you must choose, the 4070 Super is overkill but will last forever at this tier.
- Single-player 1440p (High/Ultra):4070 Super is perfect today. The 5070 will be better, but the 4070 Super already crushes this.
- Single-player 4K:This is the 5070's prime target. The 4070 Super requires heavy DLSS. If 4K is your non-negotiable goal, waiting for the 5070's rumored 16GB is the logical choice.
What is your budget ceiling?
- Strict $600-$650: Your choice is the RTX 4070 Super (or used 4070 Ti Super). The 5070 will almost certainly start higher.
- Flexible $700+: You are the target for the RTX 5070 at launch. You can also consider the current RTX 4070 Ti Super, which sits in this range and is a monster, but will be superseded.
Conclusion: The Verdict in a Nutshell
The RTX 4070 Super vs. RTX 5070 debate ultimately boils down to a fundamental trade-off: present certainty versus future promise.
The RTX 4070 Super is a finished, exceptional product. It offers 90% of the gaming performance most users will ever need at 1440p, with excellent efficiency and features like DLSS 3. It's available now, at a stable price, and will provide a fantastic experience for years. Buying it is a low-risk, high-reward decision for the immediate term. You trade the theoretical 50% performance boost of a future card for 12 months of guaranteed, top-tier gaming.
The RTX 5070 is a gamble on the future. It promises a larger performance leap, crucial VRAM increases, and next-gen features that will define the second half of the decade. But it comes with the high costs of waiting: months without a new GPU, a likely higher price tag, and the risk that the actual performance gains or features may not meet today's lofty rumors.
Our final recommendation is clear-cut: If you need a GPU now for a new build or a desperately needed upgrade, stop waiting and buy the RTX 4070 Super. It is one of the best-value GPUs on the market and will not disappoint. If you have a serviceable GPU (anything from an RTX 3060 Ti / RX 6700 XT upwards), your current card is still good enough to justify a patient wait for the RTX 5070. Use this time to research, save money, and be among the first to adopt what will likely be the new king of the mid-range. The future is coming, but for many, the present is already incredibly bright with the 4070 Super.