Considering getting an RTX 4070? The graphics cards listed below are your best options.
RTX XX70 cards are a go-to for many gamers each generation, offering a balance between high-end performance and affordability (at least as far as “higher-end” GPUs go.)
Regardless, the 4070 is a brilliant choice for those who want all NVIDIA’s bells and whistles (DLSS 3, anyone?) in the $500-$700 price range.
There are many 4070 add-in board (AIB) models from different manufacturers to choose from, though. In this guide, we’ve narrowed these options down, giving you our best picks for different use cases out of the current RTX 4070 line-up.
These are some of the best RTX 4070 graphics cards on the market right now.
Quick Answer:
- The MSI Gaming X Trio RTX 4070 is the best overclocker
- Palit’s Jetstream RTX 4070 runs the coolest
- The ASUS TUF Gaming OC is the quietest option
- ASUS’ Dual card is the cheapest RTX 4070
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1. MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Gaming X Trio
Best RTX 4070 for Overclocking
The 4070 Gaming X Trio comes in at ~$550 right now, just ~$15 more than the cheapest option, the ASUS Dual. For this extra $15, you get an extra 135MHz boost clock speed, which translates to better out-of-the-box performance. In fact, TechPowerUp found that MSI’s 4070 Gaming X Trio performed better out-of-the-box than any other 4070 they tested.
But apart from being a great overall card, where the Gaming X Trio 4070 really shines is in its overclocking potential. Thanks to its massive 240W maximum power limit, power sliders be damned, this card can clock just as high as you can keep it running cool—which is pretty high.
Again relying on TechPowerUp’s suite of reviews, they found that the 4070 Gaming X Trio achieved a higher overclock than any other 4070 that they tested (3014MHz) and achieved frame rates higher than any other they tested, too.
This is, in part, thanks to the card’s stellar cooling. Out-of-the-box, it should stay much closer to 60c than 70c while gaming, which is cooler than the 4070 FE and many other—but not all, as we’ll now see—4070 AIBs.
2. Palit GeForce RTX 4070 JetStream
Coolest RTX 4070
With a name like JetStream, you’d expect the Palit GeForce RTX 4070 JetStream to keep cool—and you’d be right.
This card doesn’t look out of the ordinary. Far from it, in fact—its jet-black body and triple-fan cooling is very unassuming on the surface—but it’s been designed from the ground-up with thermal efficiency in mind. Its “Gale Hunter Fan” and “Ultra-Wide Copper Base” are key to this card’s success.
ASUS’S TUF Gaming 4070 comes close to matching the JetStream’s thermal performance when you enable its Performance BIOS, but not quite. The JetStream slips ahead, staying a couple degrees shy of 60c while gaming (and about 40c when idle, but this will depend on your ambient room temperature).
It’s also great for power consumption, consuming slightly less power relative to its performance compared to most other 4070 AIBs. Most 4070 cards shouldn’t require a super beefy power supply anyway, but the extra power efficiency doesn’t hurt.
It comes with a stock boost clock of 2475MHz, the same as the 4070 FE and many other 4070 AIBs, and unfortunately a slightly worse VRM (6x 50A power stages for 300A max current) than some others. Its power limit also maxes out at 200W.
This means that, unfortunately, it’s not a great card for overclocking. But if you’re looking for a card with efficient cooling out-of-the-box, and you don’t want to do any clock and voltage tinkering, Palit’s 4070 JetStream is a great choice.
It also comes in at $599 MSRP pricing, just like the 4070 FE. So, if you’re considering the FE but want something that runs a little cooler, the 4070 JetStream might be what you’re looking for.
3. ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 OC
Quietest RTX 4070
The ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 OC is another card that stands out alongside MSI’s 4070 Gaming X Trio.
It has a similarly stellar VRM of 10x 50A power stages for 500A max current, and overclocks nicely. The MSI card, however, has a higher boost clock and a much higher max power limit.
Where the ASUS card wins, however, is in its fan department—these fans are quiet. According to TechPowerUp’s testing, the TUF 4070—which has the same cooling and fan design—stayed significantly quieter than any other 4070 they tested at 23.3dB. The next quietest was 24.2dB, and most others stayed above 30dB.
What’s particularly impressive is that the 4070 TUF OC remains this quiet while maintaining low temperatures while gaming. It should average around about 60c while gaming, give or take a degree or two.
Aesthetically, the TUF OC 4070 sticks to its roots—big, chunky, and blocky, with matte/brushed dark metal. Its single slim yellow-orange LED strip adds a gentle bit of flair, though, as does its diagonally cross-raised face design.
All in all, this GPU offers great out-of-the-box performance and great overclocking performance, all while keeping cool and quiet. The only downside of this card is that it currently costs ~$650 on Amazon, which is over $100 more than the MSI card listed above. So, unless this card comes down in price, or unless you place a lot of value on quietness, there are better value options out there.
4. ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4070
Cheapest RTX 4070
It’s admittedly somewhat redundant to discuss a ‘cheapest’ RTX 4070, because none of them come in under $500. However, the ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4070 is, at the time of writing, selling for very slightly cheaper than the other RTX 4070s out there.
As indicated by its name, the ASUS Dual RTX 4070 uses a dual- rather than triple-fan cooling system. But it should stay below 70c while gaming, and in fact should stay cooler than the 4070 FE and a couple other 4070 AIBs.
It has a better VRM than the FE and some other AIBs, too, with a maximum current of 400A and a max power limit of 216W. It can’t compete with many of the more expensive AIBs for overclocking, but it should be able to handle slight overclocks with ease.
Out-of-the-box performance should be similar to the 4070 FE because it shares the same clock speeds—although it might perform a little better thanks to lower temps allowing for more consistent adaptive boost clocks.
It’s an inch longer than the 4070 FE, but—in this writer’s humble opinion—looks fantastic. Its black-gray blocky aesthetic suits its dual fan design, and its single semi-rounded edge, combined with its face markings, makes for a card that’s understated but interesting enough to catch the eye.
So, this card is a little better than the 4070 FE in several ways and, given its cheap price, is certainly one to keep your eye on for deals and offers.
RTX 4070 Alternatives
The closest comp to the RTX 4070 is AMD’s RX 7800 XT. The two cards go toe-to-toe in most games, with the RX 7800 XT having the slight advantage in pure performance. However, the RTX 4070 will offer better raytracing performance and has the superior upscaling technology (DLSS).
If you’re only looking to game at 1080P and/or you wanted to spend less money, the RTX 4060 Ti and RX 7700 XT are worthy alternatives.
And, if you are willing to stretch your budget, the RX 7900 XT, the RTX 4070 Super, the RTX 4070 Ti, and the RTX 4070 Ti Super are the next logical upgrade options.
