Is the RTX 4070 futureproof?

We answer the all-important question – is the RTX 4070 futureproof?

The RTX 4070 is joining Nvidia’s latest generation of graphics cards boasting Ada Lovelace architecture. With that in mind, we can confirm that the RTX 4070 is a solid graphics card for anyone looking to futureproof their PC setup.

First, let’s establish what we mean by futureproof. To be clear, it’s impossible for a graphics card to be ‘futureproof’ forever. With technology and games constantly evolving, graphics card manufacturers like Nvidia and AMD will always be building new graphics cards to meet the demands of modern, AAA gaming.

When we ask whether a graphics card is futureproof, what we’re really asking is whether it will handle new games and software for the next several years. Generally speaking, graphics cards with ray tracing and DLSS will stand you in good stead. Similarly, the more VRAM your GPU has the better, especially in 4K.

The specs for the RTX 4070 are certainly promising, other than the 12GB RAM that could cause issues for some. Belonging to the generation of graphics cards including the RTX 4070 Ti, 4080 and 4090, the RTX 4070 stands in a good position for future set-ups. With that in mind, if that’s a GPU you’re looking to buy here’s where you can find them.

Amazon US

• Amazon US
• PNY GeForce RTX 4070 12GB XLR8 Gaming VERTO EPIC-X RGB
• Gigabyte AORUS GeForce RTX 4070 Master 12G Graphics Card
• PNY GeForce RTX 4070 12GB Verto Dual Fan Graphics Card DLSS 3

Best Buy

• Best Buy
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 12GB GDDR6X
• ASUS Nvidia RTX 4070 12GB GDDR6X
• GIGABYTE – NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 WINDFORCE OC 12G GDDR6X
• MSI – NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 12GB VENTUS 3X 12GB DDR6X PCI Express 4.0 Graphics Card
• ASUS – NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Overclock 12GB GDDR6X PCI Express 4.0 Graphics Card
• ASUS – NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Overclock 12GB GDDR6X PCI Express 4.0 Graphics Card
• GIGABYTE – NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 EAGLE OC 12G GDDR6X PCI Express 4.0 Graphics Card – Black
• MSI – NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 12GB VENTUS 3X OC 12GB DDR6X PCI Express 4.0 Graphics Card
• GIGABYTE – NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GAMING OC 12G GDDR6X PCI Express 4.0 Graphics Card – Black

Newegg

• Newegg (in stock)

Is the Nvidia RTX 4070 a futureproof graphics card?

Overall, we think that the RTX 4070 is futureproof, with a few caveats depending on your personal needs.

The RTX 4070 will be incredibly versatile in a variety of graphics settings while maintaining playable frame rates. We’re expecting decent frame rates per second in 1080p and 1440p. Whether or not it’s the best choice card for 4K gaming is another question.

4K gaming and VR

4K will be a big consideration for some. Since the introduction of more affordable 4K monitors and 4K support in games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Resident Evil 4, whether or not a GPU can support 4K is a good indication of whether it’s futureproof.

The 4070’s Lovelace architecture will bring Fourth-Generation Tensor Cores, enabling DLSS and DLSS 3, allowing for AI upscaling of lower resolutions without damaging the frame rate. This suggests that the 4070 will stand itself in pretty good stead for years to come.

With the rise of VR, whether or not a graphics card can cope with the demands of VR gaming is a good indicator of how futureproof it is. For the time being, the 5,888 of CUDA Cores combined with its high clock speeds stands it in good stead for VR headsets.

VRAM

However, we should potentially be weary of the RTX 4070’s potentially low VRAM of 12GB. If you’re planning on gaming in 1080p or 1440p, 12GB is probably enough. However, it might struggle to maintain consistent frame rates at 4K. We’ve had a look at whether 8GB VRAM is good enough for gaming, and come to a similar conclusion.

Overall, the RTX 4070 will certainly stand you in good stead for years to come. However, we would recommend checking out some independent reviews before committing to the card. Its potentially low VRAM could be what holds it back, particularly when it comes to 4K gaming.