AORUS GeForce RTX 3070 MASTER 8G Review

JazzyK

Jan 4, 2021

The GeForce RTX 3070 crossed the spear with the direct Radeon RX 6800 competition. This time it was helped by one of the best examples in its class - Aorus RTX 3070 Master 8G, which is traditionally adorned with great features, one of the best coolers, and consequently, high operating GPU frequencies that result in top performance. Whether that helped the GeForce RTX 3070 win the title of the best in the class of strong "mainstream" models, judge for yourself ... ~~{tocify} $title={Table of Contents}~~

We have the opportunity to get to know the characteristics of the GeForce RTX 3070 gaming graphics card, in the example of the AORUS RTX 3070 MASTER 8G model, which, judging by the nomenclature of motherboards from this manufacturer, is the best in the category of this graphics processor.

We’ll briefly summarize the story of the key enhancements of the latest GeForce series through a few of the most important features. The first concerns performance improvement. In the example of today's RTX 3070 model, this means that it is 60% faster than its direct RTX 2070 predecessor and at the same time practically better than the GeForce RTX 2080 Ti model, one of the best graphics cards of the previous generation!

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A big improvement in terms of speed was achieved by switching to the second generation of Ray Tracing and the third generation of Tenzor cores, but also with the increase in the number of CUDA processors present.

Better and faster hardware combined with DLSS 2.0 software optimization have enabled better performance and a nicer graphics environment in games with Ray Tracing support. Thanks to the above in new games, the GeForce RTX 3000 is twice and several times faster than the current Radeon RX 6800 series when we analyze the performance of the latest Ray Tracing games, precisely because of the aforementioned improvements and DLSS 2.0 optimization!

Other improvements include Reflex technology for a faster response of the entire system, which is very important for competitive "on-line" titles. One of the new and much-anticipated new features is the RTX IO feature that will allow the graphics card to directly access the data of the game it runs, without the intervention of the CPU and thus enables much faster decompression of textures and other necessary data.

The result is no pauses during gameplay to load large maps and textures, and significantly faster starting and loading levels. Microsoft is of course waiting to enable this feature at the level of the currently most popular DirectX gaming API.

In addition to gaming, Nvidia Ampere has brought a shift in performance and quality in the field of applications that use the great power of GPU calculations and thus can significantly speed up some of the jobs that have so far required much more time to run on CPUs.

So many who are engaged in creative work on the computer will feel better in the case of using the new series of GeForce graphics cards.

1. AORUS GeForce RTX 3070 MASTER 8G - Characteristics

This graphics card model is powered by an Nvidia GA104 version of the Ampera processor with 46 SM clusters, which contain no less than 5888 CUDA processors, 184-second generation Tensor cores, and 46 Ray Tracing processors. The chronology is clear, with as many SM units as Ray Tracing processors. The GPU is tuned to 1845 MHz in Boost mode, more than in the case of the reference Nvidia Founders Edition models.

This powerful processor requires fast memory, so the Aorus RTX 3070 Master is equipped with 8 GB of GDDR6 video memory, connected to the GPU via a 256-bit wide bus. VRAM operates at an effective 14 GHz.

It is also important to mention that the graphics card communicates with the rest of the system via a PCIe 4.0 bus-based standard that uses x16 transport paths. According to Nvidia's specifications, the graphics card configured in this way should consume about 220W, which is why this model uses two additional 8-pin PCIe power connectors. It is recommended to use an output power rectifier of the declared 650W.

The image is sent to the monitors via three DIsplay Ports 1.4a specifications, then two HDMI 2.1 and one HDMI 2.0 connectors. It's the one in the middle. An impressive list of connectors allows you to connect and work with four monitors at the same time.

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Gigabyte Aorus graphics cards are known for their excellent coolers and cooling design, which places these graphics cards among those with the best performance. Hence, you should not be surprised that these models are mostly one of the first choices of gamer enthusiasts.

And in the case of the latest Aorus RTX 3080 Master 8G model, Gigabyte has not neglected this very important component of the graphics card. He installed the latest cooling solution, which is designed so that the fans effectively cover the entire surface of the passive cooler with their work.

Therefore, three 10 cm diameter fans with propeller design have been installed, which increase the aerodynamic pressure in the area of the cooling fins. The one in the middle rotates in the opposite direction to prevent turbulence and dust accumulation.

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Since the physical dimensions of the refrigerator and its densely arranged fins, which distribute heat through a system of seven heat pipes, exceed the dimensions of the printed circuit board - it is possible to use the famous window which is an opening at the back of the cooling plate. releases heat into the surrounding space. Gigabyte calls it "Screen Cooling".

The copper heat pipes in question are flattened in the part of the contact with the surface of the graphic processor through one large common copper cooler using which the surface of the video memory chips is also cooled at the same time.

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The cooler is shielded with a plastic body on the back of which is a large LCD Info screen displaying useful information on the status of work and other telemetry data, and the display of which is controlled from the RGB Fusion 2.0 software. Nice and effective, and at the same time very useful. In addition to the mentioned screen, there are two more decorative aRGB moldings on the armor for everyone who enjoys the light effects.

The card has a Dual BIOS option in the form of a microswitch that changes the mode from standard OC mode to "Silent" when the maximum value of the fan speed is limited, which makes the graphics card even quieter. Practically, this is the difference between 36dB and 30 dB with how much is advertised in the "quiet" operating mode. A tribute to this is the increase in the temperature of the GPU processor during intensive work and gaming by approximately 5-7 C.

The Gigabyte Aorus model also uses higher-class electronic components as well as a specially protected printed circuit board that is resistant to corrosion, dust, insects, accidentally dropped screws, but also moisture, and corrosion, thus preventing short-circuiting and damage to the graphics card.

That is why Gigabyte offers an extended warranty of as much as 4 years on this model, and to achieve it, you need to register your graphics card on the official Gigabyte website. Finally, let's mention the already common Aorus Engine software for monitoring and additional frequency tuning of GPU and VRAM subsystems. The graphical interface is completely out of order and ripe for a thorough redesign, which is why we are more inclined to use other available tools for similar purposes.

2. AORUS GeForce RTX 3070 MASTER 8G - Performance

MB:	ASRock X570
CPU:	AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
RAM:	32GB (2x16GB) GSkill 3600 CL16 2R
VGA:	Aorus RTX 3070 Master 8G
HDD:	Seagate Barracuda ST3000 SATA 6Gbps
SSD:	ADATA SU800 2TB
Cooler:	CM Master Liquid 240 RGB
PSU:	Cooler Master V1200 Platinum
Driver:	GeForce Game Ready Driver 460.89
OS:	Windows 10 64-bit 20H2

RTX 3070 MASTER 8G Performance:

In terms of performance, the Aorus GeForce RTX 3070 Master 8G is a gaming graphics card that we primarily recommend for 1080P monitors with high vertical refresh rates (144, 165, and 240 Hz) as well as 1440p models at 144Hz.

In terms of power with the GeForce RTX 2070 Super predecessor, the RTX 3070 Ampere is 30-40% faster on average in DirectX 12 and Ray Tracing titles. The good advantage and stock of frames provide an even better feeling of smooth animation in conjunction with G-Sync dynamic display synchronization on the newer generation of monitors.

If you are lucky, the owner of one of the models with HDR support, the animation in the games is close to the cinematic feel, which is why newer games leave you breathless, especially in the combination of Ray Tracing light effects and mandatory assistance of DLSS 2.0 technology.

Compared to the new generation Radeon RX 6800 model, this RTX 3070 is on average 10% slower, noting that the gap in the Borderlands 3, Far Cry 5, and New Dawn titles are growing by up to 20%.

On the other hand, it is significantly faster in Ray Tracing titles with DLSS 2.0 optimization when the advantage of GeForce RTX 3070 goes from 70 and more percent (Cyberpunk 2077, Control RT, and Fortnite RT).

Without DLSS 2.0 optimization in Ray Tracing titles, as is the case with Battlefield V and Riftbraker games, these two cards are practically equated with a slight advantage in favor of the Radeon model. AMD excels in Godfall Ray Tracing mode with a distinct advantage!

When it comes to GPU accelerated applications that use CUDA technology, Nvidia has an advantage when compared to Radeon OpenCL acceleration by about 18% in Blender and as much as 30% in video rendering operations in the Premiere Pro 2020 application.

3. AORUS GeForce RTX 3070 MASTER 8G - Impressions in Work

During tests at the highest load, such as gaming in 4K resolution at the maximum set graphics details, the temperature of the graphics processor is around the 72nd division of the Celsius scale with an occasionally recorded maximum of 73 0C.

The highest recorded power consumption is higher than the value stated by Nvidia and is almost 270W. One of the reasons is the higher operating frequencies that range from 1935-1980 MHz during gaming. The fans are quite engaged and achieve quite high speeds maintaining as much as 2200 rpm at a constant GPU load.

The noise they produce then remained at the upper limit of 37dB.

4. AORUS GeForce RTX 3070 MASTER 8G - Conclusion

The real question is it worth more than the Radeon RX 6800? The fact is that the NAVI 21 is a well-tailored series of gaming graphics cards that is very successful in terms of performance with the Nvidia Ampere series, we would even be inclined to conclude - unexpectedly good.

The only thing that makes the RTX 3070 better are the games with the aforementioned DLSS 2.0 and Ray Tracing optimization, for everyone else who doesn’t play titles with these special lighting effects, the Radeon RX 6800 is at an advantage. If it still gets optimization similar to DLSS, the situation will be even more unfavorable for GeForce RTX 3070 models.

So, if you are planning to buy a graphics card and want absolutely everything and the best at the moment for your money invested, provided you are willing to set aside money and you are lucky enough to grab one of this card on the market, the Aorus RTX 3070 Master 8G will justify it without the slightest doubt!

See Also: AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT - Review

Advantages:

Ray tracing + DLSS 2.0 performance,
Excellent cooling system
Offer of connectors for connecting screens,
Effective and useful LCD info screen

Disadvantages:

High price,
Consumption and heating compared to the RX 6800 competition

JazzyK

Gaming and Tweaks Tech The Gaming and Tweaks website brings you the latest news on video games, hardware, software, pc gaming, tutorials, windows tutorials, tests, and consoles.