Nvidia’s latest release, the GeForce RTX 5070, made headlines when CEO Jensen Huang boldly claimed at CES 2025 that this new budget-friendly GPU would outperform its formidable predecessor, the RTX 4090, despite a price tag set at a mere $550. This statement set the tech community abuzz, anticipating a new era where top-tier performance could be accessible at a fraction of the cost. However, as reviews poured in, the reality proved quite different, revealing a gap between promise and performance that has not gone unnoticed.
Upon its much-anticipated release, the GeForce RTX 5070 was subjected to intense scrutiny. Tech reviewers quickly dispelled Huang’s claims as overly optimistic, if not misleading. Notably, the tech channel Gamers Nexus criticized the comparison, stating, “To call [the two cards] the same is an absolute flat-out lie,” highlighting the significant performance discrepancy when pitted against the 4090. Similarly, Linus Tech Tips released a review bluntly titled “This is a 4090 Killer… and I’m a Liar,” capturing the sentiment echoed throughout the tech community.
Ars Technica labeled the RTX 5070 “a disappointment,” pointing out that its performance barely surpasses that of the previous year’s 4070 Super, despite Nvidia’s enhancements and increased power consumption. One slight redemption came through the use of Nvidia’s innovative DLSS Multi-Frame Generation technology, which interpolates additional frames to enhance framerate. However, this feature also introduced a sluggish response and visual artifacts in fast-moving games like Cyberpunk 2077, further dampening enthusiasm for the new release.
Market Dynamics: High Demand Despite Criticisms
Despite the critical reviews, the GeForce RTX 5070 is selling out rapidly. The chaotic state of the graphics card market, marked by supply shortages and inflated prices, means that even less-than-stellar products sell quickly. Originally priced at $550, the RTX 5070 quickly saw its price on the secondary market jump to $650 and beyond, with scalpers pushing prices into the thousands.
PC Mag highlighted the swift sell-out of the launch day stock, suggesting that the actual availability of the GPU at its MSRP was questionable from the start. This situation reflects the intense demand driven by gamers and tech enthusiasts eager to upgrade, regardless of whether the product meets its hyped expectations.
The Silver Lining and Looking Forward
Amidst the tumult, AMD’s new Radeon RX 9070 series emerges as a beacon of hope. Garnering positive reviews and slightly easier to find at prices near its MSRP, AMD’s offering provides healthy competition in a market fraught with challenges from trade wars to an ongoing AI technology race.
As the dust settles, it’s clear that Nvidia’s RTX 5070, despite its underwhelming performance relative to its grand promises, still captures a significant market share. This scenario underscores the complexities of consumer behavior and market dynamics where hype, hope, and the harsh realities of technological advancements collide. The unfolding graphics card saga continues to be a testament to the ever-evolving landscape of the tech industry, where competition drives innovation, sometimes at the expense of consumer expectations.
