Nvidia’s new GPU variant aims for cost efficiency but sacrifices speed.
Reports have emerged that there will be versions of the GeForce RTX 4070 utilizing slower GDDR6 memory instead of the faster GDDR6X. This information has been confirmed by the graphics card manufacturer Galax, according to VideoCardz. While the performance difference is expected to be minimal, this change does mark a downgrade in the graphics card’s specifications.
5% Slower with GDDR6 Compared to GDDR6X
The new RTX 4070 variant equipped with GDDR6 memory is set to operate at 20 Gbps, slightly slower than the current model’s GDDR6X memory at 21 Gbps. This results in a theoretical memory bandwidth reduction of about 5%. Given that the memory interface of the AD104 GPU remains unchanged at 192 bits wide, the overall memory bandwidth will decrease from 504 GB/s to 480 GB/s. However, this slight reduction in performance is unlikely to be noticeable during gaming.
Lack of Clear Labeling
Despite the minimal impact on performance, the change is not without its complications. Buyers will need to be diligent in checking whether they are purchasing a GeForce RTX 4070 with GDDR6X or GDDR6 memory. The Galax RTX 4070 OC 2X with GDDR6 is expected to look identical to the existing GDDR6X model and will come in the same packaging. Therefore, it will be crucial to examine the product specifications closely.
It remains uncertain whether there will be any changes to the circuit board. Although the GPU will carry a different identifier (AD251 instead of AD250), the configuration will still include 5,888 active shader units and the same 192-bit memory interface. The amount of memory will also stay at 12 GB.
Uncertain Market Availability
It is not yet clear which markets will receive the RTX 4070 with GDDR6. VideoCardz has listed the numerous variants of the graphics card and criticized the increasing confusion among consumers. The switch to GDDR6 is expected to reduce costs, with potential slight improvements in power consumption. There have also been rumors about supply shortages of the GDDR6X memory, which is exclusively manufactured by Micron.
RTX 5000 to Use GDDR7
Looking ahead, Nvidia’s next-generation graphics cards, the GeForce RTX 5000 series, are anticipated to feature GDDR7 memory. Similar to AMD’s upcoming Radeon RX 8000 series, these new GPUs are expected to launch next year.
