Introduction
On our test bench today we have the latest entry into ASUS’s TUF Gaming series of GPUs with the ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5070 12GB GDDR7 OC Edition video card. Launched on March 4th, 2025, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 sits just below the GeForce RTX 5070 Ti in the new Blackwell GPU lineup for 2025 and is aimed at the mainstream 1440p gameplay experience range of gaming.
The base reference MSRP of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 FE is $549, but the ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5070 OC Edition is the highest-end model from ASUS in the RTX 5070 GPU series. This video card will carry a price premium, which is currently $739.99 on ASUS’s official eStore pricing. For this price premium, you get a custom partner-developed video card from ASUS based on its TUF Gaming series design with a factory overclock of 2610MHz GPU Boost Clock, Military-grade components, a robust Axial-tech fan cooling design, and thick 3.125-slot design, as well as overclocking with GPU Tweak III and ASUS features.
ASUS offers four different models of GeForce RTX 5070 GPU-based video cards in the US. Two are in the TUF Gaming series, and two are in the PRIME series. The two TUF Gaming models are the highest-end ones offered in the GeForce RTX 5070, with both an OC Edition and a non-OC Edition. We are reviewing the highest-end OC Edition, model TUF-RTX5070-O12G-GAMING, with an MSRP of $739.99. Below that is the non-OC edition of the TUF Gaming RTX 5070 with an MSRP of $719.99. There is also a PRIME series offered in both an OC Edition and non-OC Edition. If you are looking for a card at the $549 MSRP, put your eyeballs toward the ASUS PRIME RTX 5070 non-OC edition, which does have an MSRP of $549.99.
We have a very detailed launch article that discusses all the nitty-gritty of the RTX 5070 GPU itself, and we invite you to give that a good look. Briefly, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 GPU consists of 5 GPCs, 24 TPCs, and 48 SMs with 128 CUDA Cores per SM. When you add all this up, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 has 6,144 CUDA Cores, 192 5th Gen Tensor Cores, 48 4th Gen RT Cores, 80 ROPs, and 192 Texture Units. The L1 Data Cache/Shared memory size is 6144KB, and the L2 cache size is 49152 KB. The GPU Boost Clock is set at 2512MHz. Memory consists of 12GB of GDDR7 on a 192-bit memory bus at 28Gbps, giving it 672GB/s of memory bandwidth. The TGP (Total Graphics Power) is 250W.
We will procede with our standard gaming suite as well as overclock this overclocked video card. Keep in mind that prices are in flux, so be sure to check out our pricing widget for the latest pricing updates, which will potentially change over time for this graphics card.
ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5070 OC Edition
The ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5070 OC Edition is the familiar military-grade model we have come to recognize. ASUS designs these models in a very subdued theme and uses military spec components. There is even a spec sheet included with the video card listing the components and specifications. In addition, this group of cards has a very robust overall design and superior cooling. There is a small RGB icon located on the front edge of the card, but otherwise, the overall look is quite industrial.
Specifically, our ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5070 OC Edition has a factory overclock, as the name implies. The reference Boost Clock is 2512MHz, with our TUF Gaming OC Edition carrying a Boost Clock of 2610MHz and an OC Mode available in software with GPU Tweak III that you can set to 2640MHz with a single button enable. The TUF Gaming OC Edition starts out nearly 100MHz above the reference. ASUS has also upgraded the power adjustment ability, while the video card defaults at the 250W of power, it can be adjusted up to 300W, giving the ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5070 OC Edition a leg up on overclocking and tweaking potential.
Something we really like, and want to point out, ASUS has several manual documents on its website under the support page for this video card. There is an official Recommended PSU Table document to read, an instruction manual on how to install the 16-pin power cable properly, as well as the SpeedSetup and Warranty card. It’s nice to have these documents readily available, especially the recommended PSU table, so that you can pick the right PSU for your use case.
In the ASUS box, the card was well cushioned and placed in a thick antistatic bag. Accessories were in a separate slot in the front of the foam. We received a two-headed 12V-2×6 HPWR adapter, a TUF-branded adjustable video card support, and a velcro strap. The box itself is well-themed to the TUF Gaming aesthetics, and gives it a gamery look straight from unpackaging.
The ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5070 OC Edition, as we discussed above, is made in the TUF theme. It has a uniform gray plastic shroud with a metal top and backplate. The metal top surfacing is cut out to allow the 100mm fans to be slightly raised above the surface. These are “Axial-Tech” fans, double-ball bearing that ASUS claims allow 31% more airflow; there are 11-bladed fans joined at the perimeter. The video card has a metal skeleton that gives it extra strength against bending or the occasional bump and bang of installation. The backplate is a smooth, firm stamped metal with a large logo cut-out at the rear to facilitate airflow.
The heatsink on this video card is a very thick, hefty heat-pipe design that extends the entire length of the card. It is truly massive. ASUS uses phase change thermal pads specifically for the GPU, while other components such as VRM and memory utilize traditional high-quality thermal pads. ASUS ensures a good viscosity balance of those for so that you do not have to replace them in disassembly, and ASUS uses more thermal pads overall than other competitors. Speaking of disassembly, the ASUS thermal solution is a decoupled design, which means you can remove the fan shroud without having to remove the entire heatsink. This allows better cleaning ability and serviciability.
The phase change GPU thermal pad ensures that every gap is filled in between the GPU and heatsink to ensure the best heat dissipation. ASUS also employs its MaxContact Design, which is a manufacturing process that expands the surface area of the heat spreader that sits atop the GPU by 5% compared to other designs. The benefit is improved temperatures by up to 2c.
On board, ASUS utilizes an LED notification for the PCIe power connector. This allows the user to know instantly if you have correctly seated your 12×6 power connector. When the connector is not present or fully seated, there will be an active lit-up LED, once seated, the LED will no longer be on, and this is a great instant way to make sure your power connector is fully in place before powering up. The video card has a dual-BIOS switch next to the power connector. It is set to “Performance” mode by default. The “Quiet “mode adjusts the fan curve only. There is no performance difference in the two BIOS selections.
The ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5070 OC Edition checks all the TUF boxes we have become used to. As we stated in the introduction, there is a card in the box that lists all the “military-grade” components included and their specifications. The Chokes and MOSFETs are certified military-grade for rock-solid power to the GPU with TUF 5K black metallic capacitors. The PCB receives a protective PCB coating to help protect against short circuits caused by moisture, dust, or debris. The entire manufacturing process is done by ASUS’s Auto-Extreme precision automated manufacturing, ensuring higher reliability.
Physically, this is a big card. The measurements: 13 inches X 5 inches x 2 1/2 inches. This is a triple-plus slot video card. Weight is just under 3 pounds 6 ounces. There is a small RGB logo in the right-hand corner that can be adjusted by the ASUS Aura SYNC software. The I/O is unique in that it has three Display Port 2.1b and two HDMI 2.1b slots.
The card is clocked out of the box with a Boost of 2610MHz. (reference being 2512MHz). There are 12GB GDDR7 VRAM on a 192-bit BUS totalling 28Gb/s (clock 1750 MHz). The ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5070 OC Edition supports Gen5 PCIe x 16 and is backward-compatible. The power is listed at 250W TBP, but ASUS does support a maximum adjustment up to 300W of power for enthusiast tweaking, and the recommended PSU is a minimum of 600W. The card is powered by the 12V-2×6 HPWR connector, either adapted or a 600W native PSU connector.
Discussion (9 replies)
Join Discussion →Man I have a ruff time wondering why people would by this over a 9070 or even a 9070xt.
I agree. Now that the 9070XT is out, the choice is obvious, especially if you dont care about ray tracing. But....thats the deal and it is the pinnacle of graphics in the right games. What we dont talk much about though is turning on DLSS4 and jacking up FrameGen to 4x. That is the game changer for the 5070. Yeah....but....its.....fake....frames....I dont care. It takes a game the card cant handle and lets you play it. Ive done it in a bunch of ray traced games and the technology is pretty amazing. Isnt that what we are all about? Improving technology? I mean, overclocking is just brute force DLSS and we all think that is fine and dandy. Circling back...in plain raster, 9070XT at 1440 is the schizzle, hands down.
I have nothing against MFG in games. My problem is while it might be an non issue in a lot of games... and look/work just fine. The latency it introduces to controls for people that don't realize that will hurt them. Sure they will learn... but then enters buyers remorse.
Alternatively... I've seen some interesting tech in use where people are using their ADM card for raster then an NVidia card for MFG on top of it... it's kind of bonkers.... very hit or miss... but would be cool if that could work. high frame rate base game with MFG tacked on could be a great experience all around.
The problem is, it too is expensive, and not at MSRP, with rumors that pricing on the 9070/XT will actually not be MSRP, but higher, in the next couple of months it's all a wash. The prices fluctuating on both ends, is a problem for everyone. It's very uncertain times. So in a perfect world, at MSRP, I might agree with you, but if the 9070/XT is also very inflated on pricing, then, well, /shrug
I dont think thats a fair assumption.
You cant base your purchase on rumors.
I dont care if the two cards cost the same. The new AMD cards are very good and the nvidia cards at the low end arent. About all nvidia has is the improvement in DLSS and everybody has big hate for that, instead of congratulations for pretty amazing technology.
Unfortuntely, all the cards are out of stock right now, so we don't know what the available price actually is for the 9070/XT either. If you look at PC Part Picker, any 9070s showing in stock are above $700, up to $850, and that's just for the 9070 model, ouch.
It is not really an assumption, it's a given right now that AMD's GPUs are not going to be MSRP pricing. They are in fact, marked to go up in pricing; that is pretty much confirmed.
It truly is uncertain on both sides, not great for the consumer sadly. I've said it before, GPU MSRP is a construct, and that is truly the sad state of affairs.
As for features, I would argue NVIDIA has the upper-hand in the DLSS Upscaling department, DLSS 4's Transformer model is amazing for Upscaling quality and beats AMD's FSR 4 implementation in quality, plus DLSS is simply integrated in more games than FSR 4 currently. Frame Generation's usefulness aside, NVIDIA does hold a win in DLSS Upscaling and FG image quality currently.
While AMD has improved in RT performance, our testing does show NVIDIA holds the win in RT performance still as well.
A big advantage red team, though, is the 16GB VRAM buffer on the 9070. The 5070's 12GB is not acceptable.
I agree with everything and if you're doing online video calls off of your gaming box... the broadcast suite offered by Nvidia is also very nice. Though animated backgrounds and AI eye attention being turned on kills 6 gig of vram (work laptop) it does work.
I grabbed the TUF 5070 OV to replace my EVGA 3070FTW and do not regret it.. I probably will 10 months from now but maybe not.
Price was solid around $600 and as much as I should of sprung for the TI model im still happy.
Overall it smashes my old 3070 I used for 3 years and that 3070 gave me countless hours of 1440p gaming. But it would struggle with RT On with higher settings. The 3070 was sliding by with some Vaseline for 4K on my cheap tv.. mostly slow clickers and lighter titles. But it still played Hogwarts and sorts well with low or no RT.
This 5070 is the first time I've ever had a current card and it proved true. As much as I thought about finding a 4070TI or even the 5070TI I thin I will be okay for a bit, much better then I was with the 3070.
I havent even thought about using the Tweak app to OC yet. I am pretty happy with all my favorite and newer games. I'll be playing mostly 1440p unless I find a fun action game or something like GoW Ragnorak with a controller.
Like I said I could regret it a few months down the road but I am tired of seeing items go out of stock and rising prices. Figured grab it now and make the best of it and so far so good.
I like the basic design and this GPU runs a lot cooler and quieter then the 3070. My 3070 would only get loud when pressed but it did get warm around 80c. Those same games and scenarios the 5070 laughs staying fairly cool around 60c, I did see it climb to about 70c after an hour or two of Ragnorak or something.
I am also not used to being able to use native settings as my 3070 was always relying on the DLSS.
Idk about the AMD competition I do know the one model offered more speed and power for possibly cheaper but I've used nvidia for 20+ years and always been happy.
Also my first non EVGA GPU since BFGTech was around. ASUS is my go to for motherboards w the ROGs and this card just looked and felt right.
Need to pour one out for both of those names.