The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090's underwhelming generational leap over the RTX 4090, coupled with its higher price, left many wanting. However, the RTX 5070 Ti offers a more compelling proposition. While not drastically faster than its predecessor, its more affordable price point makes it the most sensible Blackwell-architecture card for most consumers, especially those without limitless budgets.
Priced at $749, the GeForce RTX 5070 Ti excels as a 4K graphics card, effectively overshadowing the more expensive RTX 5080. It's crucial to note, however, that my review unit—an MSI aftermarket model—cost $1,099, exceeding the RTX 5080's $999 price. Therefore, the RTX 5070 Ti's value proposition hinges significantly on finding it at its base price. At $749, it's arguably the best graphics card for most gamers, particularly those aiming for 4K gaming.
Purchasing Guide
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti launched February 20, 2025, with a starting price of $749. Remember, this is just the base price; expect significant price variations across different models. While excellent value at $749, its appeal diminishes as the price approaches that of the RTX 5080.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti – Photos
Specs and Features
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti is the third graphics card utilizing Nvidia's Blackwell architecture. Initially designed for supercomputers powering AI models like ChatGPT, Nvidia has adapted it for gaming GPUs, retaining a strong AI focus.
Sharing the GB203 GPU with the RTX 5080, the RTX 5070 Ti has 70 Streaming Multiprocessors (SMs), resulting in 8,960 CUDA cores, 70 RT cores, and 280 Tensor Cores (14 SMs are disabled compared to the 5080). It also boasts 16GB of GDDR7 RAM, albeit slightly slower than the RTX 5080. The Tensor Cores, however, are key. While the CUDA cores are more powerful than those in the RTX 4070 Ti, Nvidia leverages AI upscaling and frame generation to maximize performance.
Blackwell introduces a new AI Management Processor (AMP), offloading workload traditionally handled by the CPU. This significantly improves efficiency for processes like DLSS and frame generation. DLSS 4 utilizes a Transformer model instead of a CNN, enhancing image quality and reducing artifacts. DLSS 4 also includes Multi-Frame Generation (MFG), generating up to three frames from each rendered frame, potentially increasing frame rates significantly. Increased latency is a tradeoff, though Nvidia's Reflex technology can mitigate this.
With a 300W Total Board Power (TBP), the RTX 5070 Ti's power consumption is comparable to the RTX 4070 Ti and RTX 4070 Ti Super. Nvidia recommends a 750W power supply; however, an 850W PSU is advisable, especially with high-end models like the MSI Vanguard Edition.
DLSS 4 – Is It Worth It?
While faster than its predecessor, the RTX 5070 Ti's main selling point is DLSS 4, particularly MFG. For high-refresh-rate monitors, this technology optimizes performance. However, don't expect dramatic latency improvements. MFG analyzes rendered frames and motion vectors to predict subsequent frames, generating additional frames. While the underlying technology isn't new, the scale of MFG—generating up to three frames per rendered frame—is a significant advancement. This can theoretically increase frame rates up to 4x, but in practice, it's rarely a linear increase.
In *Cyberpunk 2077* (Ray Tracing Overdrive, DLSS Performance), frame rates increased from 46 fps to 88 fps (2x frame gen) and 157 fps (4x frame gen), but latency also increased from 43ms to 49ms and 55ms respectively, even with Reflex enabled. *Star Wars Outlaws* showed a different result; 2x frame gen increased fps from 67 to 111 with *lower* latency (47ms to 34ms), but 4x frame gen increased latency slightly (37ms).
While MFG improves smoothness on high-refresh displays, responsiveness isn't significantly enhanced. Latency increases are minimal with high frame rates, as the algorithm has more data to work with. Low frame rates, however, can lead to noticeable lag and artifacts. The RTX 5070 Ti, however, performs well at 4K, mitigating this concern.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti – Benchmarks
Performance
At 4K, the RTX 5070 Ti is approximately 11% faster than the RTX 4070 Ti Super and 21% faster than the RTX 4070 Ti, a better generational improvement than the RTX 5080, making it the best value card in its generation. It consistently exceeded 60 fps at 4K in demanding titles like *Black Myth: Wukong* and *Cyberpunk 2077*.
Test System: CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D; Motherboard: Asus ROG Crosshair X870E Hero; RAM: 32GB G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo @ 6,000MHz; SSD: 4TB Samsung 990 Pro; CPU Cooler: Asus ROG Ryujin III 360. The review unit was tested at stock settings.
Testing included the latest game versions and drivers (Game Ready Driver 572.42 for Nvidia cards except the 5070 Ti, which used a prerelease driver; Adrenalin 24.12.1 for AMD cards). Frame generation and upscaling (DLSS/FSR) were used appropriately for each card.
In 3DMark Speed Way and Port Royal, the RTX 5070 Ti showed significant improvements over the RTX 4070 Ti and RTX 4070 Ti Super. Game performance showed varied results. *Call of Duty: Black Ops 6* showed only a 5% improvement, while *Cyberpunk 2077* showed a more significant improvement. *Metro Exodus: Enhanced Edition* (tested without upscaling) showed a smaller, but still noticeable, improvement. *Red Dead Redemption 2* was an outlier, showing a slight performance decrease. *Total War: Warhammer 3* (tested without ray tracing or upscaling) showed a considerable improvement. *Assassin's Creed Mirage* showed a good improvement, and *Black Myth: Wukong* showed a 10% improvement over the RTX 4070 Ti Super. *Forza Horizon 5* showed a significant improvement, even outperforming the Radeon RX 7900 XT.
Even mid-range cards are now capable of 4K gaming. At its $749 price point, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti provides exceptional value, particularly for 4K displays. It offers a substantial upgrade over its predecessor at a lower price than the RTX 4070 Ti.
