Buying Guide
The Best RTX 4070 Graphics Cards
Four RTX 4070 cards compared on memory type, cooler and power guidance, including the GDDR6 variant.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
The RTX 4070 has 12GB of memory and targets 1440p. Most versions use GDDR6X, but MSI's Ventus 3X E1 uses GDDR6, which NVIDIA offered as a variant.
We compared listed specifications from the card makers and retailer listings; we did not benchmark these cards.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price at Writing
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 WINDFORCE OC 12G
The least expensive RTX 4070 here at the time of writing, with dual BIOS.
Best for: Budget 1440p builds.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 WINDFORCE OC 12G (opens in a new tab)
Best Triple-Fan Value
MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Ventus 3X E1 12G OC
A triple-fan Ventus cooler at a price close to the Windforce at the time of writing.
Best for: Quieter cooling for little extra.
Our take Check price for MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Ventus 3X E1 12G OC (opens in a new tab)
Best Compact Dual-Fan
MSI GeForce RTX 4070 12GB Ventus 2X OC
A dual-fan Ventus cooler with three DisplayPort outputs.
Best for: Smaller cases and multi-monitor desks.
Our take Check price for MSI GeForce RTX 4070 12GB Ventus 2X OC (opens in a new tab)
Clearest Power Guidance
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 WINDFORCE OC 12GB
A stated 650W recommended power supply.
Best for: Checking an existing PSU.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 WINDFORCE OC 12GB (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The least expensive RTX 4070 here at the time of writing, with dual BIOS. | Budget 1440p builds. | Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 WINDFORCE OC 12G (opens in a new tab) |
| A triple-fan Ventus cooler at a price close to the Windforce at the time of writing. | Quieter cooling for little extra. | Check price for MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Ventus 3X E1 12G OC (opens in a new tab) |
| A dual-fan Ventus cooler with three DisplayPort outputs. | Smaller cases and multi-monitor desks. | Check price for MSI GeForce RTX 4070 12GB Ventus 2X OC (opens in a new tab) |
| A stated 650W recommended power supply. | Checking an existing PSU. | Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 WINDFORCE OC 12GB (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price at Writing1 of 4
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 WINDFORCE OC 12G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
This Gigabyte Windforce OC RTX 4070 adds a dual BIOS switch and an anti-sag bracket, and it was the least expensive RTX 4070 here at the time of writing.
Best for
- Budget 1440p builds.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
It supports DLSS 3 frame generation, and third-generation RT cores give up to twice the ray tracing performance. It shares GDDR6X memory with the MSI 4070 Ventus 2X and Gigabyte 4070 Windforce OC; the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 goes with GDDR6 memory. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce with the maker. It undercut the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4070
- VRAM: 12GB
- Memory: GDDR6X
Pros
- 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- Dual BIOS switch
- Anti-sag bracket in the box
- The least expensive RTX 4070 here at the time of writing, with dual BIOS
Best Triple-Fan Value2 of 4
MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Ventus 3X E1 12G OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
MSI's Ventus 3X E1 is a triple-fan RTX 4070 that uses GDDR6 memory rather than the GDDR6X on the other 4070 cards here, with a 2520MHz boost.
Best for
- Quieter cooling for little extra.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It has three DisplayPort 1.4a outputs and one HDMI 2.1a on a 192-bit memory interface. It uses the GeForce RTX 4070 chip with MSI's three-fan cooler. No dimensions are published for the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 with the maker. Another plus is 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards. It was priced above the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce and below the MSI 4070 Ventus 2X at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4070
- VRAM: 12GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Boost clock: 2520MHz
- Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1 x HDMI 2.1a
Pros
- 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- Triple-fan Ventus cooler
- GDDR6 memory rather than the GDDR6X on other 4070 cards
- A triple-fan Ventus cooler at a price close to the Windforce at the time of writing
Cons
- Costs more than the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce at the time of writing
Best Compact Dual-Fan3 of 4
MSI GeForce RTX 4070 12GB Ventus 2X OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
MSI's Ventus 2X OC is a dual-fan RTX 4070 with three DisplayPort outputs and one HDMI 2.1.
Best for
- Smaller cases and multi-monitor desks.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It supports up to 7,680 by 4,320 digital output on a 192-bit interface. It shares GDDR6X memory with the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce and Gigabyte 4070 Windforce OC; the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 goes with GDDR6 memory. No dimensions are published for the MSI 4070 Ventus 2X; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the MSI 4070 Ventus 2X with the maker. Another plus is 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards. Its price falls between the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 and the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce OC, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4070
- VRAM: 12GB
- Memory: GDDR6X
- Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1 x HDMI 2.1
Pros
- 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- Dual-fan Ventus cooler
- Three DisplayPort outputs
Cons
- Costs more than the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce at the time of writing
Clearest Power Guidance4 of 4
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 WINDFORCE OC 12GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
This Gigabyte Windforce OC listing states a 2490MHz boost and a 650W recommended power supply for the RTX 4070.
Best for
- Checking an existing PSU.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It shares GDDR6X memory with the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce and MSI 4070 Ventus 2X; the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 goes with GDDR6 memory. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce OC; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Gigabyte 4070 Windforce OC: the maker suggests a PSU of 650W or more.
It was the highest-priced of the 4 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the MSI 4070 Ventus 2X and the rest. The trade-off is video memory; for more, the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce offers 12GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4070
- VRAM: 12GB
- Memory: GDDR6X
- Recommended PSU: 650W
- Boost clock: 2490MHz
Pros
- 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- 650W recommended PSU
- WINDFORCE cooler
- A stated 650W recommended power supply
Cons
- Costs more than the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce at the time of writing
How We Chose These RTX 4070 Cards
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- GPU and memory
- We compared the chip, video memory capacity and memory type stated in each listing.
- Price tier
- We grouped picks by price at the time of writing rather than by listed clock speed.
- Fit
- We recorded length and slot thickness where the maker lists them, plus low-profile and SFF-Ready status.
- Cooling and extras
- We checked cooler design, fan-stop modes, dual BIOS, support brackets and display outputs.
What to Look for in an RTX 4070 Card
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Treat 8GB of VRAM as the floor
Some recent games already push past 8GB at high texture settings. Cards with 12GB or 16GB give more room, especially at 1440p and above.
Two versions of the same chip can differ only in memory; check the capacity in the exact model name.
Check length and thickness
Partner cards of the same GPU can differ by several centimetres. Compare the card's length with the case's GPU clearance, allowing for front fans or a radiator, and check how many slots it covers.
Cooler size affects noise
Larger triple-fan coolers usually run quieter under load than compact dual-fan designs. A 0dB mode stops the fans at light load.
Count the display outputs
Most cards offer three DisplayPort outputs and one HDMI, but some swap that balance. Check that the ports match your monitors, TV or VR headset.
Plan the power connector and PSU
Cards use one or two 8-pin PCIe plugs or a single 16-pin 12V-2x6 plug. Confirm your power supply has the right cables and meets the maker's recommended wattage.
Pair it with a balanced CPU
A fast card with an old CPU can stall at high frame rates, especially at 1080p. At 4K the GPU does most of the work, so the CPU matters less.
How to Choose an RTX 4070 Card
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget 1440p builds | Gigabyte 4070 Windforce | The least expensive RTX 4070 here at the time of writing, with dual BIOS |
| Quieter cooling for little extra | MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 | A triple-fan Ventus cooler at a price close to the Windforce at the time of writing |
| Smaller cases and multi-monitor desks | MSI 4070 Ventus 2X | A dual-fan Ventus cooler with three DisplayPort outputs |
| Checking an existing PSU | Gigabyte 4070 Windforce OC | A stated 650W recommended power supply |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Boost clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gigabyte 4070 Windforce | RTX 4070 | 12GB | GDDR6X | Not listed |
| MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 | RTX 4070 | 12GB | GDDR6 | 2520MHz |
| MSI 4070 Ventus 2X | RTX 4070 | 12GB | GDDR6X | Not listed |
| Gigabyte 4070 Windforce OC | RTX 4070 | 12GB | GDDR6X | 2490MHz |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big a power supply do I need?
Use the maker's recommendation for your exact card, then add headroom if you run a high-power CPU. Also check the connectors, not just the wattage.
Do partner cards of the same GPU perform differently?
Only slightly. Factory overclocks add a few percent at most; cooling, noise, size and price differ more.
Is an 8GB graphics card still enough?
For 1080p with tuned texture settings, often yes. For 1440p or high textures in new games, 12GB or 16GB is safer.
Do I need a GPU support bracket?
Long, heavy cards can sag and stress the slot. Some come with a support stand or bracket; otherwise one is inexpensive to add.
Should I choose AMD or NVIDIA?
Compare price and memory at your budget first, then features such as DLSS or FSR support in your games and hardware encoding if you stream.
Will a PCIe 5.0 card work in a PCIe 4.0 or 3.0 slot?
Yes, the interface is backward compatible. Cards with a narrow x8 link can lose some performance on PCIe 3.0 boards.
Bottom Line
Gigabyte's Windforce OC with dual BIOS was the best-priced RTX 4070 here at the time of writing. MSI's Ventus 3X E1 adds a third fan but uses GDDR6, and the Ventus 2X suits smaller cases.