Introduction: The Excitement of a New GPU
It’s always thrilling when a new graphics card hits the market, especially one that promises groundbreaking performance. NVIDIA’s recent CES 2025 announcement was no exception. CEO Jensen Huang boldly claimed that the new RTX 5070, the smaller sibling of the 5080 and 5090, would deliver "4090 performance at $549." This was a massive promise, given that the RTX 4090 costs $1,599. However, as the RTX 5070 made its way into the hands of tech reviewers and gamers, the reality began to diverge from the hype. TechRadar, for instance, gave the card a tepid three-star review, noting that it offered "almost no improvement over the RTX 4070 Super," a card that was released just last year. This review suggests that the new release feels more like a minor refresh rather than a genuine next-generation upgrade. If NVIDIA had positioned the RTX 5070 as a solid, budget-friendly option, the reception might have been more positive. Instead, the company framed it as a game-changing powerhouse, a claim that, according to multiple reviewers, it simply doesn’t live up to.
Performance: Disappointing Numbers and Comparisons
When it comes to actual performance, the RTX 5070 has failed to meet expectations. TechSpot tested the card with Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p and found that it performed slightly worse than the 4070 Super. The review stated, “The 5070 came in slightly behind the 4070 Super, though the difference was just 2 FPS in terms of average frame rate.” This minor difference is particularly underwhelming when you consider that Cyberpunk 2077 is a five-year-old game. The performance gap is even more pronounced when compared to cards like the 7800 XT, where the 5070 was only 7% faster. These numbers paint a picture of a card that, while still capable, does not represent the significant leap forward that NVIDIA promised. The lack of substantial performance gains raises questions about the value proposition of the 5070, especially for users who are considering an upgrade from last year’s 4070 Super.
NVIDIA’s Promised 4090 Performance: A Closer Look
NVIDIA’s claim of RTX 4090-level performance is a crucial part of the 5070’s marketing, but the reality is far more nuanced. In certain scenarios, the 5070 can achieve performance levels similar to the 4090, but this is primarily due to the company’s new DLSS Multi-Frame Generation (MFG) technology. This AI-powered upscaling technique generates three extra frames for every real frame rendered, significantly boosting framerates. However, this boost comes at a cost. Input latency and responsiveness are negatively affected, and in some cases, visual artifacts are noticeable. Gamers Nexus was particularly critical, stating in a recent video that “NVIDIA is selling lies” after demonstrating direct comparisons of PC latency between the 5070 and 4090 in Cyberpunk 2077. The results showed significant lag and stuttering issues, making it clear that the 5070 does not offer the same smooth and responsive experience as the 4090, despite the impressive frame rate numbers.
Pricing and Availability: A Market Struggle
The pricing of the RTX 5070 is another area of concern. While NVIDIA lists the card at $549, finding it at that price in the current market is a challenge. The graphics card market remains volatile due to ongoing supply chain issues, and with limited stock, actual street prices are likely to be much higher. Some retailers have even implemented purchase limits, restricting buyers to one card per household, in anticipation of high demand. This situation exacerbates the disappointment for consumers who were hoping to find a budget-friendly option that delivers on the hype. The pricing disparity and availability issues further undermine the value proposition of the 5070, making it less appealing to potential buyers.
Expectations vs. Reality: The Impact of Overpromising
The reception of the RTX 5070 could have been significantly different if expectations were set more realistically. Even without the lofty claims, the card would still be a reasonable, albeit uninspiring, step forward from last year’s 4070 Super. For users coming from older cards, it still represents an upgrade. However, NVIDIA’s aggressive marketing and promises of a "Game Changer" have set the bar impossibly high. The company’s charts, which showed the 5070 doubling performance in games like Black Myth: Wukong and Alan Wake 2, further contributed to the high expectations. When the reality falls short, the sense of disappointment is magnified. In the highly competitive world of PC gaming hardware, overpromising and underdelivering can have serious ramifications for brand trust and consumer loyalty.
Conclusion: A Disappointing Release
Ultimately, the RTX 5070 is not a disaster, but it is far from the revolution NVIDIA made it out to be. For anyone hoping for 4090 power at a budget price, this card is a clear letdown. The reaction from the tech community and gaming enthusiasts suggests that NVIDIA may have overpromised and underdelivered. In the high-stakes world of PC gaming hardware, where consumer trust is paramount, this misalignment between expectations and reality is a significant issue. The RTX 5070 serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of hype and the importance of setting realistic expectations. While it may still find a place in the market for those looking for a budget-friendly upgrade, it falls short of the groundbreaking innovation that NVIDIA’s marketing suggested.
