Here’s how the new Nvidia RTX 40 Super GPUs differ from their non-Super counterparts

Nvidia has officially launched the RTX 40-series refresh, introducing three stellar graphics cards — the RTX 4080 Super, RTX 4070 Ti Super, and RTX 4070 Super. Despite all belonging to the RTX 40-series, these GPUs showcase significant specification changes, making them particularly enticing for PC enthusiasts.

The new GPUs replace their existing counterparts, although the RTX 4070 non-Super variant is expected to stick around. While all three cards sit at the upper echelon of specifications and pricing, they each bring distinct attributes to the table. Let’s take a deep dive into what these new GPUs offer and how different they are from their non-Super counterparts.

Specifications and performance

All three GPUs boast slightly improved specifications compared to their predecessors. However, the extent of the upgrade varies. The disparity is most apparent between the RTX 4080 and the RTX 4080 Super, with minimal changes in memory size, CUDA cores, and a mere 50MHz increase in the maximum clock speed. The new RTX 4080 Super is equipped with 10,240 CUDA cores, a 5% increase over the standard RTX 4080. It continues to offer 16GB GDDR6X memory on a 256-bit bus and a similar power draw of 320W. The maximum boost clock speed sees a slight increase to 2,550MHz, while the memory speed receives a bump from 22.4Gbps to 23Gbps.

The RTX 4070 Ti Super, on the other hand, stands out with 8,448 CUDA cores, surpassing the 7,680 of the RTX 4070 Ti. It also offers increased memory at 16GB (compared to 12GB), a wider 256-bit memory bus, and marginal clock speed adjustments.

Lastly, the RTX 4070 Super presents a significant boost in CUDA cores, jumping from 5,888 to 7,168, bringing it closer to the RTX 4070 Ti than the non-Super variant of the RTX 4070. While memory specifications and clock speeds remain constant, the card sees an increase in TGP, adding 20 watts for a total of 220W.

In terms of specifications, the RTX 4080 Super takes the lead, albeit with the smallest upgrade over the existing RTX 4080. The RTX 4070 Ti emerges as a compelling choice, featuring additional VRAM and a broader bus, positioning it as a scaled-down RTX 4080.

Now it is too early to comment about the kind of performance gains one can attain with these new GPUs over their predecessors. What we can talk about is the performance numbers that Nvidia shared for the new GPUs.

Starting with the RTX 4080 Super, Nvidia claims that it is 1.4x faster than the RTX 3080 Ti without any upscaling technologies enabled. Enabling DLSS Frame Generation potentially makes it twice as fast as the 3080 Ti. If we look at the specs, the 4080 Super exhibits only a marginal increase of 5% in CUDA cores compared to its non-Super counterpart. With minor adjustments to the clock speed and no changes to the memory, its overall performance should be very close to the RTX 4080. There is some amount of improvement, but expect a performance uplift of 2% to 5%, which essentially translates to only a few extra frames depending on the games that you are playing.

The RTX 4070 Ti Super represents a more compelling upgrade and is claimed to be 1.6x faster than an RTX 3070 Ti and 2.5x with DLSS 3 enabled. Since it comes with 10% more CUDA cores, a wider memory bus, and an additional 4GB of VRAM it should offer up to 10% faster performance than the existing RTX 4070 Ti, and overall it should be very close to the non-Super RTX 4080. Essentially the 4070 Ti Super is now the best GPU if you want to game at 1440p with maxed-out settings.



As for the RTX 4070 Super, it will be offering about 22% more CUDA cores than the RTX 4070 making it 1.5x faster than the RTX 3090 with DLSS 3 enabled. There isn’t a change in the memory department, or the clock speeds. Despite that, one can expect a performance uplift ranging from 10-15%

Pricing and availability of new RTX 40 Super GPUs

The new lineup of graphics cards is set to roll out on separate dates, with the RTX 4070 hitting stores first on January 17th, followed by the RTX 4070 Ti Super on January 24th, and finally, the RTX 4080 Super on January 31st.

As for pricing, the top-end RTX 4080 Super sees a significant change which is probably due to the unfavorable value proposition of the original RTX 4080. If you remember, Nvidia had launched the RTX 4080 with two memory variants, eventually killing the 12GB variant. Pricing starts at $1,000. In India, the RTX 4080 Super will retail at an MSRP of Rs 1,05,000. Essentially you are paying slightly less than what you would for the non-Super RTX 4080 with a minor bump in performance.

On the other hand, the RTX 4070 Ti Super and the RTX 4070 Super maintain the same price as their non-Super counterparts, standing at $800 and $600, (Rs 84,000 and Rs 63,000). It’s worth noting that models from Nvidia’s board partners like Asus, MSI, Gigabyte, etc. featuring higher clocks and larger cooling systems, may carry additional costs, and initial prices are expected to be inflated until demand stabilises. The Founders Edition variants will only be available for the RTX 4080 Super and the RTX 4070 Super.

Which one should you buy?

Choosing between the RTX 4080 Super, RTX 4070 Ti Super, and RTX 4070 Super is going to depend upon your specific requirements and budget considerations. Out of the three, the RTX 4070 Ti Super stands out for being a substantial upgrade over its predecessor. It should be able to handle games at 1440p resolution with maximum settings with ease and even offer a decent 4K gaming experience with some fine adjustments. If you are planning to buy a top-end 1440p gaming GPU, I would highly recommend skipping the RTX 4070 Ti and waiting for the Super variant.

The RTX 4080 Super seems to offer a similar performance package compared to the RTX 4080. But it is important to note that by reducing the overall cost of the GPU, the new RTX 4080 Super stands as a very robust 4K capable GPU and essentially a solid alternative to the top tier RTX 4090.

For those who are value-conscious, the RTX 4070 Super offers better specifications, and potentially improved performance without witnessing a price increase. The new GPU should make for an excellent choice for gaming at 1080p resolution with maximum settings or 1440p at high settings.

In short, opt for the RTX 4080 Super for peak 4K performance, keeping in mind its higher cost. For seamless 1440p gaming, the RTX 4070 Ti Super is a reliable choice. For optimal value, the RTX 4070 Super emerges as a solid graphics card, delivering 10% to 15% improved performance compared to its predecessor.