The end of the summer was met with Nvidia’s long-awaited announcements for their new RTX Ampere 30 series GPUs that PC gaming enthusiasts are eager to get their hands on. The least expensive of the three GPUs announced, though still very powerful in regards to its speculated performance, is the RTX 3070. Despite its $499 price tag, this GPU is looking to have an overall performance similar to the flagship RTX 20 series, $1200 priced, GeForce RTX 2080 Ti. It may lack in comparison to the RTX 2080 Ti in regards to VRAM capacity (8 GB vs 11 GB) and memory bandwidth (448 Gbps vs 616 Gbps), but it makes up for it with its 5,888 CUDA cores and 20 TFLOPS of FP32 computing power – a 35% and 49% increase respectively; not to mention the improved Ampere architecture, the new and improved 8nm node, and the next generation ray tracing and tensor cores. The release of the RTX Ampere 3070 will mark a new era, where mid-range GPUs have the power to run next-generation games at 144 Hz on 1440p resolutions, and at maintain least 60 FPS on 4K resolutions consistently. So, if you’re looking to purchase the RTX 3070, now is a good time to compare the aftermarket options that will be available when the GPU releases, sometime in October, so you can choose the option you prefer and get the most bang for your buck. That is why we’ve compiled a list of all recently announced RTX Ampere 3070 models, along with any information that has been released by the manufacturers about their boost clock speeds, cooling, exterior designs, and price range.
- Related: RTX 3080 Aftermarket Card List
- Related: RTX 3090 Aftermarket Card List
- Related: Best CPUs for RTX 3070 Builds
RTX 3070 Aftermarket (AIB) Card List
EVGA RTX 3070 FTW3 & XC3
First up, we have EVGA with the ICX3 series GPUs, set to release for all three announced RTX Ampere 30 series options. Sadly, EVGA has only announced two models for the RTX 3070, versus the five models for the RTX 3090 and four models for the RTX 3080. These two models include the FTW3 and the XC3. The former is EVGA’s premium tri-fan model which includes four ARGB lighted displays: one in the front, one in the back, one lengthwise, and one on the side, opposite to the DP and HMDI ports. These ARGB displays will be customizable via EVGA’s new Precision X1 software, which will also feature in-gaming overclocking, fan controls, and GPU monitoring. The XC3 is almost identical to the FTW3, with the only exception being the lack of all ARGB lighting. Both these models will use asynchronous fans with hydro-dynamic bearings (second only to magnetic levitation bearings in both lifespan and low noise emissions), a heatsink with through-hole fins for better ventilation, a unified copper block that covers both GPU and VRAM, seven heatpipes, an air-through PCB, and a ventilated backplate with two additional micro-thin heatpipes. Price and boost clock speeds are yet to be confirmed, but these models are definitely some of the best in regards to stylish ARGB displays and efficient cooling solutions.
Galax (KFA2) RTX 3070 SG
Another value option in the custom AIB market for the RTX 3070 is Galax’s (KFA2) SG. This aftermarket card will feature a slightly higher boost clock speed of 1,740 MHz, up from the reference boost clock of 1,725 MHz, which can be activated via the 1-click overclock feature of Galax’s Xtreme Tuner software. Another great aspect of this software is that it also comes in the form of a mobile application, so you can overclock your GPU without having to minimize your game. If the GPU is mounted face-forward, the KFA2 SG has a very robust RGB lighting display, as it’s the only RTX 30 series model, so far, with translucent fan blades that utilize RGB lighting. If you prefer to mount it the old fashion way, it does have an RGB lighted quote on its side as well. In terms of cooling, this GPU has three 92mm, 11 bladed, fans (bearings unannounced – “Wings” designed fan blades for optimized static pressure), plenty of ventilation on the sides and through the backplate, and it even comes with an extra 80mm clip-on fan that can be attached on the ventilated area of the backplate in order to assist in expelling hot air from the heatsink. The KFA SG will also include three DP 1.4a and one HDMI 2.1 ports, and will likely cost the baseline reference card price of $499.
Inno3D RTX 3070 iChill X3 & iChill X4
The next contender, Inno3D, is set to release three RTX Ampere 3070 models, two of which are the similarly modeled iChill X3 and iChill X4. Both models feature an extravagant RGB display that covers the front and the side of the GPU, and will be compatible with Aura Sync, Mystic Light, RGB Fusion, and Inno3D’s native TunnelIT. The iChill X3 features additional RGB flare with its optional “tail fins”, which are acrylic modules that can be attached to the RGB side display for extra lighting. Two such tail fins are included, one with the X3 logo, and one blank that can be customized. These tail fins don’t seem to be included with the iChill X4, but it holds an advantage when it comes to the cooling the GPU, and particularly the MOSFETs. It does so with the addition of a fourth, 45mm fan attached to the side of the GPU, on the edge of the RGB display. Other than that, both modules feature three 90mm fans, a 1,881mm long heatsink with ultra-thin cooling fins and a copper base, and a ventilated, studded surface, backplate. Prices and boost clock speeds are yet to be announced by Inno3D.
Inno3D RTX 3070 TWIN X2 OC
A more bare-bones and less costly version of the aforementioned iChill models, Inno3D will also be releasing the Twin X2 OC – named after its two 90mm fans and perhaps higher boost clock speed. This model has no RGB displays, a smaller, 1,517mm lengthwise heatsink, and smaller heatpipe count of seven. Additionally, it appears that the fans on this GPU will not be PWM controlled, as Inno3D mentions that their quality bearings (type unknown) will allow the fans to work 24/7. It is also stated that “Scythe” design fan blades maximize airflow, though it would probably be better if they optimized static pressure. The Twin X2 OC will most likely cost slightly above the base, reference card price of $499.
Palit RTX 3070 Gaming PRO & Gaming PRO OC
Set to release four models (for each of all three announced Nvidia 30 Series GPUs) is Palit. Two of these are the GameRock and GameRock Pro, though nothing has been announced for these models other than that they exist and a few pictures. The pictures show that they are looking to be three-fan GPUs with plenty of RGB lighting on the front face of the card. The models we have a bit more information for is their Gaming Pro and Gaming Pro OC variations – the only difference between the two being that the latter will have an increased boost clock speed that is yet to be announced (most likely 1,740 MHz). These Gaming Pro variants of the RTX Ampere 3070 will feature an ARGB display running across the middle of the three -fan design, across the front plate, that can be customizable through Palit’s ThunderMaster application. The cooling solution includes: double ball bearing fans with PWM controls called “TurboFan 3.0” and IP5X ratings, double-U shaped heatpipes, two aluminum alloy casted plates covering the circuit board, and a ventilated backplate with a honeycomb design. The prices are yet to be announced, but the Palit RTX 3070 Gaming Pro will most likely cost near the baseline $499 price.
PNY RTX 3070 XLR8
PNY has also recently released information about their RTX Ampere 30 Series GPUs, which for now include only the XLR8 Gaming-X RGB GPU. This model will have the reference card boost clock speed of 1,725 MHz, and an RGB display which will be featured solely on the front plate of the GPU (in between the center and the two side fans). Though PNY has given very limited information about this model, they have released some specifications from where we can see that the XLR8 Gaming Epic-X will have three DP 1.4a and one HDMI 2.1 ports, a length of 294mm (compatible with most full-sized GPU SFF cases) and a height of 2.7 slots. More information should be released the closer we get to October, such as details for the cooling solution and the final price.
ZOTAC RTX 3070 Twin Edge
Hailing from Hong Kong, ZOTAC is a quality GPU manufacturer that is also primed to release an RTX Ampere 3070 option: the Twin Edge. This model will have a white LED-lit logo on the side and on the backplate (non-RGB compatible) and will feature a dual-fan layout with its IceStorm 2.0 cooling system. The cooling fans will both have 11 blades, a “FREEZE” PWM mode, and each fan can be controlled independently via ZOTAC’s FireStorm software. The heatsink will be all aluminum, while the heatpipes will be five in count, and copper in material, arranged in a custom layout for more direct GPU contact. The boost clock speed will be identical to the reference card, and the length of the card will be 232mm. Four ports will be included: three DisplayPort 1.4a and one HDMI 2.1. The price for this option is yet to be announced, though it will most likely be similar to the cost of the reference card at $499.
Featured Ampere Builds
