Introduction
SLIM is in the name, and the name of the game, with the new MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Ti GAMING SLIM 12G video card. MSI has improved its cooling design and build and is now offering a slimmer and smaller model of video card based on the GeForce RTX 4070 Ti GPU, which was released in January of 2023. At launch, GeForce RTX 4070 Ti’s were, rather fat, they launched with thicker heatsinks and shrouds that were probably not needed for such a power-efficient GPU. Size adds cost, and if you don’t need it, you don’t need it. Well, MSI has stepped up to the plate and is offering a slimmer and smaller version now in its GAMING SLIM line of video cards, and even in different color options. 
We have previously reviewed the MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPRIM X 12G video card, which does have a thicker and bulkier build. This video card did great in our testing, but it definitely demands a certain requirement of space inside your PC. In MSI’s hierarchy of video card series, the SUPRIM series is at the top, but right under that is its GAMING series, and now you will also find a GAMING SLIM series. The GAMING series has both X and non-X models, with the X models having a factory overclock and the non-X having default frequencies but still the same design and cooling of the GAMING series. Well, the new GAMING SLIM series is similar, it will have the same X or non-X models but the differentiating factor is that these are slimmer and smaller video cards.
If we look specifically at what MSI offers in the GAMING SLIM series for the GeForce RTX 4070 Ti, you will find four distinct models. There are two color options, an all-white build, or the traditional GAMING industrial grey colors. You will also find X and non-X models for each color option as well. The X model has a factory overclock but the non-X runs at NVIDIA default clock speeds. In our review today, we are specifically taking a look at the non-X GeForce RTX 4070 Ti GAMING SLIM video card, which means it will run at the default NVIDIA boost clocks, but it will be able to overclock, and overclock it we will.
MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Ti GAMING SLIM 12G
The MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Ti GAMING SLIM 12G comes in a nicely colored box and displays the card name clearly on the box. On the back, you will find MSI technologies listed, as well as NVIDIA GeForce technologies and sparse specifications. The video card is packaged very well inside, it is very secure, inside the box, MSI offers a manual, a dual 8-pin PCIe adapter to 12VHPRW for the video card, and a video card support bracket.
You should note that MSI does offer a GeForce RTX 4070 Ti GAMING TRIO video card as well, which is the thicker cousin of the new GeForce RTX 4070 Ti GAMING SLIM. For a size difference, the GeForce RTX 4070 Ti GAMING TRIO measures 337x140x62 mm, while the new GAMING SLIM now measures 307x125x51 mm. You can see from the card dimensions that the new GAMING SLIM has been reduced in size in all measurements, it’s a shorter video card in length, width, and height. 
In inches, that means the GAMING SLIM measures 12″ in length, 4.9″ in height, and 2″ in width. This compares to the GAMING TRIO which measures 13.2″ in length, 5.5″ in height, and 2.4″ in width. This makes the GAMING SLIM a 2-slot video card, whereas the GAMING TRIO was a 2.5-slot. Subsequently, weight has been reduced as well. The new MSI RTX 4070 Ti GAMING SLIM weighs 2.3 pounds while the GAMING TRIO weighs 3.5 pounds.
The MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Ti GAMING SLIM runs at the default NVIDIA boost clocks, therefore it has a Boost Clock of 2610MHz and 12GB of GDDR6X VRAM at 21Gbps. For full GeForce RTX 4070 Ti GPU specifications, please read here. MSI does offer an Extreme Performance mode, controlled in MSI Center, which will set the boost clock up to 2625MHz with a push of a button. That is a rather small boost, and you can manually overclock with Afterburner. 
The MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Ti GAMING SLIM 12G features MSI’s TRI FROZR 3 cooling system with TORX FAN 5.0, Core Pipe, and Airflow Control. The TORX FAN 5.0 increases air pressure by using ring arcs that link three sets of fan blades that tilt 22 degrees together, MSI claims airflow is increased by +23% compared to axial fans. They are double-ball-bearing fans. The video card supports ZERO FRORZ to stop the fans. The baseplate of the heatsink is solid nickel-plated copper and makes contact with the GPU and memory. The heatpipes make direct touch contact with the GPU and baseplate to spread heat along the full length. There are Wave Curved 2.0 deflectors in the heatsink to direct the airflow.
In MSI’s new SLIM design, there is a large airflow vent on the backplate that allows exhaust air to pass through directly unrestricted. There is a full metal backplate protecting the video card and adding support. The video card uses DrMOS power stages for greater efficiency and voltage control. MSI uses clay-based thermal pads across the GPU memory and VRMs for cooling. Fuses are built into the custom PCB to provide safeguards against electrical damage. You will find a single 16-pin 12VHPWR power connector and an adapter is included in the box to use 2x 8-pin PCIe power connectors.
The MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Ti GAMING SLIM 12G has 3x DisplayPort 1.4a output ports and 1x HDMI output port. The TDP according to MSI is 285W for this video card and it recommends a 700W power supply. You will find some RGB on the top of the video card, and that plus other features can be controlled in MSI Center software, Afterburner also works for overclocking.