Introduction
In anticipation of the release of the RTX 4070 video cards, we received the MSI GeForce RTX 4070 GAMING X TRIO 12G (912-V513-064) directly from MSI for evaluation. MSI doesn’t need a whole lot of introduction. A well-known producer of numerous enthusiast components, including both NVIDIA and AMD video cards.
In this go-around, MSI has two main models in the GeForce RTX 4070 variety. The GAMING X TRIO is at the top of the stack. MSI is offering two GAMING TRIO models and four VENTUS models.   The GAMING TRIO models are the only ones to have RGB. There are factory-overclocked and non-overclocked models, the GAMING X TRIO is factory overclocked, but the GAMING TRIO is not.   The VENTUS models are interesting in that there are two 2 fan models and two 3 fan models. All VENTUS need only one 8-pin PCIe connector.   Also, this means that the build design of the cards will vary. The GAMING models and three fan VENTUS models are larger than the two fans VENTUS Models. This may be handy in a smaller case build. Regardless, all the RTX 4070 video cards are based on the Ada Lovelace design GPU chip, which is reviewed here.
Our MSI RTX 4070 GAMING X TRIO 12G is the factory overclocked version of the GAMING models. It is equipped with RGB elements along the front and top of the card. In addition, MSI includes their copper baseplate full cover heat pipe heatsink, TRIFROZR3 cooling design, and TORX fans to cool the GPU and PCB components. There is also a vented full-length metal backplate.
The NVIDIA RTX 4070 Founders Edition is clocked at a 1920MHz base and a 2475MHz Boost clock. Our MSI RTX 4070 GAMING X TRIO has a base clock of 1920MHz and a Boost clock of 2610MHz with an optional Extreme Performance setting at 2625MHz. We will of course overclock this card to find out what it can do as we go along. This version of the RTX 4070 comes equipped with 12GB of GDDR6X memory on a 192-bit bus, an overall speed of 504GB/sec.
NVIDIA has released the GeForce RTX 4070 Founders Edition as of 12 April 2023. The MSRP is listed as $599. Our MSI RTX 4070 GAMING X TRIO 12G will be priced at $649. Warranty information was not specified with our sample, but is generally 3-years. We received a full retail boxed model to evaluate.
MSI GeForce RTX 4070 GAMING X TRIO 12G
 This is a full-sized video card in keeping with the prior releases of the RTX 4090, 4080, and 4070 Ti. The MSI RTX 4070 GAMING X TRIO is a three-fan design highlighted by a full-cover plastic top shroud with raised fan cowls. There are subtle chevron RGB elements above and below the center fan and on the top outer-facing edge. The cooling system features a full-length heat pipe system with a copper baseplate and 100mm Torx Fan 5.0 fan design. All of these components aim to keep the card very cool and also enlist ZERO FROZR function where-in the fans don’t spin at lower temperatures.
You can see that the heat sink is full length and the back of the card is covered by a full-cover metal backplate slotted to allow maximum airflow which is directed by a particular slotting pattern in the heatsink fins.
This MSI RTX 4070 GAMING X TRIO measures the same length as its 4080 counterparts, 13 ¼ inches. The card is 2 inches deep and 5 inches wide making it a 2-slot design. The weight of this video card is 2 pounds 10oz, a flyweight compared to the RTX 4090 SUPRIM.  The front I/O panel has one HDMI 2.1a and three Display Port 1.4a outputs. The video card is powered by the 16-pin 12VHPWR connector. There is a two-headed 8-pin PCIe adapter included in the box. Recommended PSU is 650 Watts with a TGP of 215 Watts.
Included with the MSI RTX 4070 GAMING X TRIO are of course the power adapter and a metal support bracket. As was stated, the RGB functions are controlled by the MSI Center download. The MSI Center allows you to enable any number of software add-ons or none at all. The necessity is however to control the lighting you need the Mystic Lighting add-on. We will use MSI Afterburner to control the GPU and memory clocks for overclocking.
