NVIDIA has quietly switched the GeForce RTX 4070 from GDDR6X to GDDR6 memory due to supply chain issues, sparking debate among PC gamers. While NVIDIA claims ‘similar performance,’ some argue the price should have been lowered for the downgraded model. This article explores the impact of the change, examining the performance difference and the price adjustments.
NVIDIA has released a new version of the GeForce RTX 4070 featuring GDDR6 memory, which is slower and cheaper than the original GDDR6X version. While NVIDIA claims similar performance, it might be slightly less than the GDDR6X variant. The lack of clear packaging information makes it difficult for consumers to differentiate between the two versions, leading to potential confusion and potentially unfavorable purchasing decisions.
NVIDIA is reportedly preparing a GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card with 12GB of GDDR6 memory due to a shortage of GDDR6X memory. This new variant, while slightly slower, could alleviate supply constraints and ensure availability of the popular mid-range GPU.
According to a rumor from tipster @Kepler_L2, AMD’s upcoming Radeon RX 8000 RDNA 4 GPUs may utilize slower 18 Gbps GDDR6 memory instead of the faster GDDR6W DRAM. This decision, if accurate, could be surprising as Nvidia is expected to launch its RTX 5000-series cards with 28Gbps GDDR7 memory. AMD has predominantly used 18Gbps memory in its current-generation graphics cards, but its premium offerings feature faster speeds. The use of older memory in the RX 8000 series could aim to maintain affordability and manage power consumption, as next-gen solutions may require more power.
