NVIDIA Unveils Next-Generation RTX 40 Series “Super” GPUs

NVIDIA made waves at CES 2024 by announcing refreshed “Super” variants of its cutting-edge GeForce RTX 40 Series graphics cards, delivering even more performance at slightly lower prices compared to the original models.

Overview of Announcement

The new Super lineup includes the RTX 4060 Super, RTX 4070 Ti Super, and RTX 4080 Super, slotting in below the ultra high-end RTX 4090 flagship. They utilize the same Ada Lovelace architecture and advanced features like hardware-accelerated ray tracing and AI, but at more affordable pricing.

According to NVIDIA, the RTX 4080 Super offers up to 25% higher performance than the standard RTX 4080 for $100 less at an MSRP of $799. Similarly, the RTX 4070 Ti Super bests the RTX 4070 Ti by 15-20% for $100 savings at $799 as well. The RTX 4060 Super even manages to edge out the RTX 4070 for $499.

This essentially shifts the entire product stack down a tier, delivering better value. And based on unofficial leaks, ample supply could help avoid the shortages faced with the launch RTX 40 models.

Technology Powering the RTX 40 Series

The GeForce RTX 40 Series represents NVIDIA’s most advanced graphics chips ever thanks to TSMC’s cutting-edge 4N process technology enabling much greater power efficiency and transistor density compared to prior nodes.

This allows packing in more cores and cache on the large Ada Lovelace GPUs, with 76 billion transistors on the 4090 for example. RTX 4080 Super has 9,728 CUDA cores, 304 Tensor cores for AI, and 76 RT cores for ray tracing.

Bandwidth has also taken a huge leap to over 1TB/s using super fast GDDR6X memory on a wide 384-bit bus. These upgrades provide the raw horsepower needed to push bleeding-edge gaming performance as well as cutting-edge professional applications.

Super Affordability with Faster Performance

While the RTX 4090, 4080 and 4070 Ti cater more to enthusiasts and early adopters, the new “Super” releases aim for a more mainstream audience. The small price cuts coupled with meaningfully faster speeds make them much better values.

Based on leaks, the RTX 4070 Super is around 15% quicker than the standard RTX 4070 for the same $799 MSRP. That allows playing games at higher settings and frame rates.

The RTX 4080 Super likewise outpaces its namesake by over 20% despite having a $100 discount. For under $1000 it can now provide a true no-compromise 4K gaming experience with all the bells and whistles maxed out.

Even the entry-level RTX 4060 Super beats its RTX 4070 rival that costs $300 more. This opens up higher fidelity 1080p and 1440p gaming to budget-minded system builders.

Fallout from Short Supply of Launch Cards

When the GeForce RTX 4090, 4080, and 4070 Ti first released in late 2022, pent up demand completely overwhelmed stock. Scalping was rampant with cards selling massively above MSRP. Clearly supply failed to meet buyer interest.

Cryptocurrency mining demand has also subsided significantly, freeing up production capacity for graphics cards meant for gaming rigs rather than mining farms.

Using a different 4N node compared to the compute-oriented 5N chip in data center products should also let TSMC dedicate more wafer starts for GeForce GPUs. Sufficient supply this time around would let gamers readily purchase Super cards instead of having to pay exorbitant gray market pricing.

Super Availability and AIB Partner Designs

Based on supply chain chatter, NVIDIA seems to have prepared larger volumes of Super GPUs to avoid inventory running dry instantly like what happened with the RTX 4080 and 4090 last November.

While reference boards will be sold as usual, NVIDIA’s partners also get their chance to differentiate with custom coolers, PCBs, and overclocks. Colorful models already spotted include MSI’s RTX 4070 Super Gaming X Trio dressed in a bold red and black scheme.

ASUS offers a premium take with its liquid-cooled Republic of Gamers RTX 4080 Super MATRIX. It touts an integrated all-in-one cooling block for low noise and high, sustained boost clocks.

For small form factor fans, Gigabyte’s compact RTX 4060 Super EAGLE OC sticks to just 197mm long for fitting in compact cases, while still packing a decent triple-fan arrangement.

Next-Generation Gaming Powerhouses

The GeForce RTX 40 Super family provides a tantalizing glimpse at the future of gaming. Titles built using Unreal Engine 5 fully leverage these GPU’s advanced capabilities, transforming virtual worlds into breathtaking photorealistic environments, filled with incredible detail.

NVIDIA promises RTX 40 users can enjoy 4K resolution gaming with all settings maxed out including ray tracing and DLSS 3 frame generation. This allows playing the latest and upcoming AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 4 with an unmatched level of immersion.

For competitive gamers, features like NVIDIA Reflex cut down system latency to new lows. This gives an edge in fast-paced multiplayer titles including classics like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive all the way up to futuristic offerings like Overwatch 2.

And with HDMI 2.1 support, high refresh 4K monitors can finally stretch their legs for fantastically smooth gameplay.

Driving Progress in AI and Robotics

While gaming remains the primary focus, NVIDIA’s GPU advances also benefit professional fields. The powerful Tensor AI cores in GeForce RTX GPUs speed up computational tasks using deep learning.

Autonomous vehicle researchers can leverage cards like the RTX 4070 Super for perception networks. Robotics engineers are deploying groundbreaking generative AI to automatically generate realistic 3D simulations. This allows testing computer vision models using a wide range of synthesized environments and scenarios.

NVIDIA announced collaborations with industry leaders across automotive, robotics, and graphics. For example Volvo leverages RTX-accelerated AI training and in-vehicle inference for next-gen automated driving functions. And the Isaac robotics platform taps into GPU muscle for processing sensor inputs.

The Road Ahead

While the GeForce RTX 40 Super family just released, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang provided a sneak peek even further into the future. Codenamed “Celestial”, next-generation Hopper architecture GPUs are already deep in development, bringing groundbreaking efficiency, performance, and AI leadership well into 2025 and beyond.

With Moore’s Law slowing, NVIDIA innovates through architectural improvements and software to push computing forward. And Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company continues perfecting cutting-edge silicon fabrication allowing packing in more complexity per chip.

Thanks to huge investments in research and close collaboration between both industry leaders, the future remains bright for PC enthusiasts eagerly awaiting what new heights high performance graphics will reach next.

So in summary, NVIDIA’s launch of the GeForce RTX 40 Series Super GPUs delivers meaningful generational performance leaps in graphics and AI at more palatable prices compared to the early adopter models released last Fall. Clearly Huang learned from the severe supply shortages last round and announced refreshed variants with production already ramped up. This should get incredibly powerful graphics cards into the hands of many more gamers and professionals needing next-generation visual computing horsepower.

AiBot

Author

AiBot scans breaking news and distills multiple news articles into a concise, easy-to-understand summary which reads just like a news story, saving users time while keeping them well-informed.

To err is human, but AI does it too. Whilst factual data is used in the production of these articles, the content is written entirely by AI. Double check any facts you intend to rely on with another source.