ASUS Prime GeForce RTX™ 5070 GDDR7 12GB Graphics Card (PCIe 5.0, HDMI, Display 2.1, 2.5 Slot, Axial Fans, SFF-Ready)

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Founders Edition represents a significant advancement in the mid-range GPU market, offering notable improvements over its predecessor, the RTX 4070. Priced at a suggested retail price of $549, the RTX 5070 delivers approximately 20% higher performance, making it an attractive option for gamers seeking enhanced capabilities without venturing into the high-end price bracket.

Design and Build

The RTX 5070 Founders Edition maintains a dual-slot form factor, measuring 243mm in length, 109mm in width, and 33mm in thickness. It features two 90mm fans, smaller than those on higher-tier models like the RTX 5080 and 5090, yet sufficient for its 250W Total Graphics Power (TGP). The card's design includes a flow-through cooling system, with the rear fan expelling air through the card's backplate and the front fan directing airflow out of the I/O bracket. This configuration ensures efficient thermal management while maintaining a compact and aesthetically pleasing design.

Performance

In gaming benchmarks, the RTX 5070 demonstrates a substantial performance uplift compared to the RTX 4070, particularly at higher resolutions. At 1440p, it outperforms the RTX 4070 by 19%, and at 4K, the lead extends to 22%. However, at 1080p, the performance gains are less pronounced, with improvements of 14-16%, likely due to CPU bottlenecks. When compared to the RTX 5070 Ti, the 5070 is approximately 20% slower at 1440p and 24% slower at 4K, highlighting the Ti variant's superior capabilities.

Features and Capabilities

The RTX 5070 incorporates Nvidia's latest technologies, including DLSS 4 with Transformer-based AI enhancements and Multi-Frame Generation (MFG), which contribute to improved frame rates and visual fidelity. These features, combined with the card's 12GB of GDDR7 memory, provide a robust platform for both gaming and content creation tasks. However, the 12GB VRAM may be a limiting factor for future-proofing, especially as games and applications demand more memory.

Market Considerations

While the RTX 5070 offers impressive performance at its MSRP, availability issues have led to inflated retail prices, with listings ranging from $609.99 to over $950. This scarcity mirrors previous launches in the RTX 50-series, where demand outpaced supply, leading to market price surges. ​

Conclusion

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Founders Edition stands out as a compelling choice for gamers seeking a balance between performance and cost. Its advancements over the RTX 4070, coupled with the integration of cutting-edge features, make it a noteworthy contender in the mid-range GPU segment. However, potential buyers should be mindful of current market conditions, as limited availability may impact pricing and accessibility. For those able to secure the card at or near its MSRP, the RTX 5070 offers substantial value and performance.

Source: Tom's Hardware, TechPowerUp, PCGamesN.