The RTX 2070 Super is quite a bit more powerful than the normal RTX 2070, which is more akin to an RTX 2060 Super than an RTX 2070 Super. The power draw of the card is also moderate, being rated at 215 W maximum according to the TDP numbers. By the by, it is important to note the differences between TDP, TGP, and TBP when it comes to graphics cards. This amount of thermal output means that it should be worthwhile to spend a little bit extra on your graphics card in order to get a decent variant because the RTX 2070 Super does have a tendency to run a bit hot under full load. Therefore it makes sense to invest in one of the best RTX 2070 Super variants to keep your graphics card running cool and quiet.
Our Picks for the Best RTX 2070 SUPER Graphics Card
It should come as no surprise that the ASUS ROG lineup is at the top of our list once again with the ASUS ROG Strix RTX 2070 Super Gaming OC graphics card. The ROG Strix line is filled with premium products with excellent build quality and amazing performance, and the ROG Strix RTX 2070 Super is certainly no exception to this rule.
The ASUS ROG Strix 2070 Super delivers exceptional thermal performance as well thanks to its massive 3-slot heatsink design with several heatpipes that dissipate the heat effectively. The massive fin array increases the surface area of the metal which improves the rate of heat dissipation. The shroud is rather long so case compatibility in mini-ITX cases or even some micro-ATX cases may be an issue. Three Axial Tech fans are installed in the shroud which focus the airflow straight through the heatsink with pressure, therefore efficiently cooling the internal components. The fans turn off when the card is under light load in order to improve acoustics and to increase the longevity of the fans themselves. When it comes to aesthetics, there are few cards that are as good-looking as the ASUS ROG Strix RTX 2070 Super. The massive fan shroud and 3-slot design carry a certain personality that is amplified due to its industrial design language. The RGB implementation is ample but tasteful, and it can be controlled easily via the Aura Sync software. This card is ideal for those who are looking for a stunning centerpiece for their showcase builds. Related Read: Best RTX 2060 SUPER Graphics Cards All in all, the ASUS ROG Strix RTX 2070 Super is a premium variant of the RTX 2070 Super GPU. It combines excellent build quality, premium components, and impressive thermal performance with an attractive design, but it all comes at a hefty price premium. It is up to the potential buyer to judge whether or not that price premium is worth it for them. Nonetheless, the Strix is definitely one of the very top options for RTX 2070 Super variants out there. MSI’s high-end variant for the RTX 2070 Super is the MSI Gaming Z Trio RTX 2070 Super, and it is also one of the best variants for this particular GPU on the market. Not only does it have great build quality and some excellent internal components, but it also performs really well in terms of both thermals and acoustics. It might also be the best looking RTX 2070 Super out there, in our subjective opinion. We would be glossing over some of the highlights of this card today, but if you want the full rundown of this variant, check out our detailed review of the MSI Gaming X Trio RTX 2080, which is an identical design.
The MSI Gaming Z Trio is a massive graphics card with a really extensive heatsink array. The fins of the heatsink are uniquely curved which increases the surface area of the metal exponentially, and thus helps in heat dissipation. Several heatpipes carry the heat away from the heat-generating components such as the GPU, the VRM components, and the memory modules via a large base plate. MSI has included 3 fans in this implementation of the Gaming Z, which really improves the thermals of the card while delivering excellent acoustic performance as well. MSI has opted for a really aggressive design language with the Gaming Z RTX 2070 Super, and this concept really shines through. The fan shroud is covered in tight, angular lines which make the card look very exotic and gaming-centric. Plenty of RGB lighting is also present on the card which can help you personalize the look of the card exactly to your liking. Of course, the lighting can be controlled by using Mystic Light. The Gaming Z Trio is also a contender for vertical mounting as the fan shroud of the card is rather attractive, but you might need a riser cable to do that. A similar variant from MSI was also included in our roundup of the best RTX 3070 graphics cards, which is also a worthy read for you. If you are looking for a premium variant of the RTX 2070 Super but are not quite willing to part with a large price premium such as that demanded by the ROG Strix variant, then the MSI Gaming Z might be the card for you. It is still an expensive variant, but it is slightly more competitive than the ROG Strix or the EVGA FTW3. The EVGA FTW3 Ultra has always been one of their most high-end and most expensive variants for any graphics card, and this is certainly the case for the RTX 2070 Super edition as well. We also went with an EVGA variant in our recommendations for the best RTX 2080 Ti graphics cards, but the choice is a little different here. The EVGA FTW3 Ultra RTX 2070 Super is unapologetically EVGA in every sense of the word, and that is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it is one of the best variants of the RTX 2070 Super currently available.
Packing an extensive 3-slot cooler, the EVGA FTW3 Ultra makes no compromises when it comes to its thermal performance. The highlight of the FTW3 Ultra RTX 2080 is its extraordinary GPU Overclocking capability, coupled with an excellent thermal management system. The heat-generating components make direct contact with a large base plate that is connected to the main heatsink array via several heatpipes. The expansive surface area of the heatsink helps dissipate the heat effectively and quickly, especially when aided by the fans. Three very quiet, high-quality fans are integrated into the card which provide excellent acoustic performance even under significant loads. Despite being a really high-end variant of an expensive graphics card, the EVGA FTW3 Ultra does not quite have the looks to back it up. It looks quite plain and understated thanks to its rather dull design. The fan shroud is mostly black with nothing interesting on it apart from some branding, and the backplate of the card is also rather plain and uninspiring. The card also lacks any sort of lighting on the shroud which can be a deal-breaker for those who are looking for a customizable look from their graphics card to fit a particular theme. The EVGA FTW3 Ultra RTX 2070 Super is rather lacking in this department. You may be interested in our picks for the best RTX 2080 Graphics Cards as well. Looks aside, the FTW3 Ultra is a really excellent graphics card and one that is among the best RTX 2070 Super cards when it comes to overclocking. It offers top-of-the-line performance in both thermals and acoustics, and also has a high power budget and robust internal components. If looks do not matter to you and you’re looking for the renowned EVGA reliability, then this one might just be the one for you. The Gigabyte Gaming OC RTX 2070 Super 3X is our pick if you are looking for a reasonable, mid-range variant of the RTX 2070 Super. The Gaming OC offers nothing special in terms of features or aesthetics, but it covers all the fundamentals really well and offers a good value proposition, therefore it is one that should be considered by all potential buyers. Gigabyte’s WindForce cooler also made an appearance in our roundup of the best RTX 3060 graphics cards, which is also a helpful read.
Under the fan shroud, Gigabyte has provided a decent heatsink array that is more than capable of keeping the RTX 2070 Super in check when it comes to thermals. The Gigabyte Gaming OC is not going to win any awards for its cooling performance, but it is more than satisfactory given the price point. Gigabyte has also offered three WindForce fans for this particular variant, thus the name. These fans are also reasonably quiet and perform their function well, especially under low-to-moderate loads, but do tend to get a bit loud under heavy loads. Aesthetically, there is nothing special to offer from the Gigabyte Gaming OC. This is not the card you want to buy if you’re looking for a showpiece unit. The Gaming OC has a decent, plain design that is not gaudy or offensive in any way. The overall design language of the card is modern, albeit quite reserved and tame at the same time. There is no lighting present on the shroud anywhere, so that is a point of consideration when making your purchase decision as well. Related Review: Palit Gaming Pro RTX 3070 Review The Gaming OC RTX 2070 Super 3X is a variant that offers maximum value because it is often priced at or near MSRP. At that price point, it is an almost unbeatable deal due to its decent thermal and acoustic performance. This makes it the best value RTX 2070 Super graphics card you can buy right now. If you are looking for a budget-oriented RTX 2070 Super variant, then the Zotac GeForce RTX 2070 Super Twin Fan might just be the ideal card for you. It is one of the best budget RTX 2070 Super offerings on the market right now. A similar Zotac variant was also included in our roundup of the best RTX 3090 graphics cards, which you should definitely check out. This is a more budget-friendly offering from Zotac as opposed to some of their AMP and AMP Extreme variants that are more focused towards performance.
The Zotac GeForce RTX 2070 Super Twin Fan is acceptable when it comes to thermals and acoustics. It certainly does not top any charts in these categories, but the performance it delivers is certainly justified at this price point. This card is also aimed at MSRP in order to maximize value, so it shouldn’t be held to the same standard as some of the more premium offerings on our list. Zotac has included two fans in this variant, hence the name, and that might be a bit of a downside when it comes to the acoustic performance under heavy load. Still, there is not a lot to complain about in this department. If you are looking for a card that is really attractive in its appearance, then you might also be disappointed with this choice. The Zotac RTX 2070 Twin Fan is not ugly or unappealing by any means, but it does not offer anything special in this department either. The small amount of RGB lighting can be controlled using Zotac’s software, of course. The fan shroud is decent and plain with minimal lighting, concentrated mainly in the Zotac branding on the side of the card. This card is well-suited to those gamers who are looking to maximize their bang-for-the-buck when hunting for an RTX 2070 Super. Overall, the RTX 2070 Super Twin Fan edition from Zotac is a great budget-oriented option for a 2070 Super. It does not have the lowest temperatures or the highest boost clocks, but it delivers on core aspects while also maintaining a low price point relative to the other cards. If maximizing the value is your preference, then this might be the affordable RTX 2070 Super for you. Want something better than RTX 2070 Super? Head over to our RTX 3080 buying guide.
Factors To Consider While Buying
The RTX 2070S is a higher mid-range card by many Nvidia. Buying a graphics card these days is more complicated than it used to be. There used to be a lack of options, making it easy for an average gamer to decide on a GPU for future builds. These days we have options from many AIB’s with different features and price points. Sadly, many gamers ignore aspects such as build quality, thermal performance, and power delivery reviewed by our tech specialists at appuals.com. Many newbies and amateur gamers get carried away with the marketing jargon on the box. Every product has its pros and cons hence constructing many puzzling choices. It is critical to understand the differences between all RTX 2070S GPU variants. To get the best RTX 2070S card for your necessity, we recommend you to consider the factors as shown below.
Thermal Performance
Being a fairly power-hungry card, the RTX 2070S operates with over 175 watts of power. It is necessary for GPUs with such high power consumption to be capable of pulling heat out of major components to maintain performance and lifespan throughout their usage. Many companies strive to use the best cooling solutions to pull heat from critical components such as VRMs, memory modules, and the chip itself. One simple way of judging thermal performance is by checking the heatsink design and fans. Theoretically heavy heatsinks with high count ventilation fins and cooling fans have acceptable cooling. Proper use of Thermal Interface Materials (TIM), good quality thermal pads, and pastes maintain contact with the surface area which results in efficient heat transfer. In contrast to this, manufacturers are also designing special 0db fans to target minimal acoustics that remains off during idling. GPUs with good cooling headroom can overclock for high performance without breaking a sweat. Especially since the advent of technologies such as GPU Boost, a self-boosting algorithm, the temperature now has a direct impact on performance. Undoubtedly, we have a handful of bad apples on the market that have a reputation for notoriously bad thermal performance. It’s simple to avoid products like these if you stay up to date with the PCMR and many other tech communities. We recommend the EVGA FTW and the MSI Gaming Z trio for the top RTX 2070 Super options when it comes to acoustics and thermals.
Aesthetics
Who doesn’t want a good-looking graphics card? The looks and design language of a GPU matter. While everyone has a different opinion on their aesthetic tastes, you will commonly notice the use of cleverly designed fan casing, backplates, and the occasional use of RGB lighting to give your build a unique and immersive look. Keep in mind, however, you should be ready to throw more cash for cards with cool design language. We also suggest considering vertical GPU mounts that expose more details of your cool-looking graphics card, enhancing your PC build style. You can check out our vertical GPU mounting guide to learn how. If looks matter to you, consider the Asus Strix ROG or the Zotac Super Twin Fan. And here concludes our roundup of the RTX 2070 Super graphics cards Buying Guide. Keep in mind that these 5 variants will definitely not be the best choice for each and every gamer out there, but still, they offer a general idea of the kind of quality you can expect from the 2070 Super variants on the market. Be sure to let us know in the comments which variant of the RTX 2070 Super you prefer the most.
FFXV Benchmarks Of AMD Radeon RX 5700, 5700XT and RTX 2070 SUPER Leaked: Battle…Best RTX 2070 Graphics CardsBest RTX 2080 Super Graphics CardsNvidia To Launch ‘SUPER’ Refreshes of RTX 3000 Series Cards Next Year? Recent…
