NVIDIA has discreetly launched a new GeForce RTX 4070 variant featuring the slower and more affordable GDDR6 memory. While NVIDIA asserts that the RTX 4070 GDDR6 variant will provide “similar” performance compared to its GDDR6X counterpart, it’s important to note that “similar” doesn’t equate to identical performance. The new variant likely falls within a 5% performance gap compared to the GDDR6X card.
Unfortunately, NVIDIA has not implemented any clear packaging guidelines for AIBs (Add-in Board manufacturers) to inform consumers about the new card’s slower memory. Both the GDDR6 and GDDR6X variants sport the same “GeForce RTX 4070” name, making it challenging for buyers, particularly those unfamiliar with technical jargon, to make informed purchasing decisions, especially given that NVIDIA has priced the GDDR6 variant at the same price point as the GDDR6X variant.
The absence of any special naming like “GDDR6” on the box or a distinct moniker like “SUPER” or “Ti” further complicates matters, leaving consumers with little to differentiate between the two.
In terms of specifications, the new RTX 4070 GDDR6 card mirrors the original in terms of core count (5888 CUDE cores), memory size (12GB), clock speeds, and TDP (200W). The only change lies in the memory technology, with the GDDR6 memory operating at a reduced 20 Gbps compared to the GDDR6X’s 21 Gbps.
It’s worth mentioning that not all AIBs are following NVIDIA’s ambiguous packaging approach. Manli, for instance, has taken the initiative to place a sticker on the boxes of its three new RTX 4070 variants, clearly stating “12GB GDDR6” to inform buyers about the specific memory configuration they are purchasing.
NVIDIA has confirmed the release of the new RTX 4070 variant for next month, though an exact release date or price remains undisclosed. Videocardz reports that NVIDIA will be aiming for the same MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) as the RTX 4070 GDDR6X.
This naming and packaging issue highlights a broader trend in the technology industry, where companies employ convoluted product naming schemes that often lack clear explanations and a logical progression based on performance. NVIDIA is not alone in this practice, as gaming monitors, for example, often utilize model numbers that are meaningless to anyone unfamiliar with the coding system. A typical example is the AW3225QF, where the first two digits typically indicate the display size, in this case, 32 inches. CPUs from both Intel and AMD also suffer from similarly complex and confusing naming structures.
The unfortunate reality is that individuals lacking prior knowledge of these naming conventions may find themselves at risk of making unfavorable purchasing decisions, particularly if they are not diligent in researching their purchases.
