Choosing the right graphics card for your gaming rig is crucial as it can significantly influence your gaming experience, affecting everything from visual quality to gaming speed.
Among the latest entries in the GPU market are the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super and the Radeon RX 7800 XT, both touting state-of-the-art technology and a commitment to delivering top-notch 1440p gaming experiences. With a plethora of impressive GPU options available in 2024, it becomes imperative for enthusiasts and gamers alike to conduct a thorough comparison between these two powerhouse GPUs to make an informed choice.
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Pricing and availability
Both the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super and AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT are readily available in India from major PC component retailers. Nvidia is selling the founder’s edition of the card for Rs 63,000, but it is important to note that this particular model is available via limited sellers. As for third-party board partners, you can grab the 4070 Super from brands like ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, Zotac, Galax and more. The cheapest option on the market right now is the Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 Super Windforce OC 12G which is retailing for Rs 58,500. 
Specifications
Now we can’t have an apples-to-apples comparison when it comes to the core specifications of these two graphics cards. The reason is pretty simple, both Nvidia and AMD have distinct architectural designs and their own methods of defining their core count and how they interact with their respective clock speeds.
| AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super | |
| GPU | Navi 32 | AD104 |
| Cores | 3,840 | 7,168 |
| Boost clock speeds | 2,430MHz | 2,475MHz |
| Memory | 16GB GDDR6 | 12GB GDDR6X |
| Memory speed | 19.5 Gbps | 21 Gbps |
| Memory bus | 256-bit | 192-bit |
| TGP | 263W | 220W |
| Price | Starting at Rs 50,800 | Starting at Rs 58,500 |
The RTX 4070 Super is based on Nvidia’s Ada Lovelace architecture that offers all the latest AI-powered tech including frame generation and ray tracing capabilities. The RX 7800 XT makes use of AMD’s RDNA 3 architecture, which is an update to the outgoing RDNA 2 architecture. Notably, both use different manufacturing processes. While the RTX 4070 Super uses TSMC’s 4nm N4 process, the Radeon RX 7800 XT has a refined 5nm process. What that means is the smaller process node of the RTX 4070 Super should allow for increased transistor density and comparatively better power efficiency.
However, the two factors that we should actually consider are power consumption and memory. Nvidia’s 40-series GPUs have an upper hand in terms of power consumption. The RTX 4070 Super has a Total Graphics Power (TGP) of 220 watts, compared to 263W on the RX 7800 XT. What that means is that the RTX 4070 Super is going to draw less power thus putting less stress on your power supply.Another important point to note is that AMD uses traditional 8-pin power connectors while most RTX 4070 Super models use a single 12VHPWR 16-pin connector. Essentially you are either going to need an ATX 3.0 power supply or use an adapter with most RTX 4070 Super GPU models.
The biggest differentiator between these two GPUs is the dedicated video memory. The RTX 4070 Super comes with 12GB of GDDR6X memory on a 192-bit bus alongside 48MB of L2 cache. The RX 7800 XT features 16GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus along with 64MB of Infinity Cache. As you can see, the AMD card offers a better memory package and should be able to meet the high VRAM demands of newer gaming titles with ease, especially if you are planning to play on higher resolutions. Having said that, both the GPUs should work pretty well as the RTX 4070 Super’s 12GB memory should be quite adequate on its own.
Performance
In comparing the RTX 4070 Super with the RX 7800 XT, it’s crucial to consider various aspects. The RTX 4070 Super boasts a higher number of CUDA cores (7,168) than the Radeon RX 7800 XT’s stream processors (3,840), theoretically giving it an edge in graphics processing power. As mentioned above, both offer architectures and memory configurations. While the 12GB VRAM on the RTX 4070 Super maybe less, it utilises GDDR6X which is faster than the 16GB GDDR6 memory on the RX 7800 XT.
Referring gaming benchmark tests done by reliable and popular PC reviewer Gamers Nexus, the RTX 4070 Super performs much better than the RX 7800 XT. In almost every game tested, the RTX 4070 maintains a lead in 1440p although the margins are smaller when the resolution is increased 4K. There are going to be certain gaming titles that are better optomised for AMD, but overall it’s a clear win for Nvidia.
Additionally, the RTX 4070 Super stands out when it comes to ray tracing performance thanks to its dedicated RT cores. Essentially you can expect more immersive and lifelike lighting effects without a significant drop in average frame rates. Moreover, Nvidia’s DLSS 3.0 technology enhances performance in ray-traced games, providing a substantial boost which is something that AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) cannot match. Therefore, for gamers aiming for top-notch ray tracing experiences and performance improvements via AI-driven upscaling, the RTX 4070 Super is clearly superior to the Radeon RX 7800 XT.
Which one should I buy?
Deciding between the GeForce RTX 4070 Super and the Radeon RX 7800 XT depends on your specific needs and budget. Although the card comes with a higher price tag, Nvidia compensates for it by offering superior overall performance, as well as DLSS and improved ray tracing capabilities. The RTX 4070 Super stands out as the preferable option due to its exceptional performance and efficiency across various applications. If your main goal is to achieve the best gaming experience possible and you are open to investing in a high-end GPU, then the RTX 4070 Super is unquestionably the superior choice.
The RX 7800 XT isn’t necessarily a bad GPU for its current value, especially if you care about rasterization. However, AMD lacks in terms of DLSS and ray tracing, and while these features can be overlooked when choosing a budget-friendly graphics card, they definitely become a priority when you are spending upwards of Rs 50,000.
