Verdict and Conclusion
With less CUDA cores and a lower clock rate, as well as a reduced memory bandwidth … you’re probably thinking this card isn’t worth considering. Well let me tell you something … you’re wrong. Zotac has done a great job with their GeForce GTX 1070 AMP Edition. It’s correctly positioned between the bleeding-edge enthusiasts (GTX 1080 buyers) and the mid-range/mid-level gamers. In other words, it’s an extremely decent graphics card that offer high performance and will suit not only the hardcore gamers, but also enthusiasts who wants to overclock the GPU.
When it comes to Zotac’s AMP edition and their higher-end AMP Extreme, you know you won’t be getting an ordinary graphics card. Zotac is known for producing graphic cards with pre-overclocked GPUs, or you could say GPUs that run slightly higher than Nivida’s own reference cards. In the case of the Zotac GeForce GTX 1070 AMP Edition … the GPU runs at 1607MHz (reference default is 1506MHz). Furthermore, if you want even more performance, you can always use the Zotac’s FireStorm utility to overclock the card even further … upto 1797MHz or higher!
Hence, this is why you need the extra cooling. Zotac includes their Ice-Storm cooling system with 5 heatpipes and dual fans, as well as the Exoarmor backplate. All of this helps, especially when you overclock the card.
During my tests, I got some very good scores for our DX 11 benchmarks. For 3DMark 11: X8441, for 3DMark v2 – Firestrike: 15,328 and Monster Hunter Online: 20,207. For DX12 benchmarks I used 3DMark v2 – Time Spy: 5,936 and DOOM: average 159 fps. If you look at the graphs between the GTX 1080 and the GTX 1070, there’s a performance difference of around 16-17%. Now the question is … does that really warrant the huge price difference?
Update: We’re updated our test rig, which now consists of an ASRock X99 motherboard, along with an Intel Core i7-6800K Broadwell processor and 32GB of ADATA DDR4-2400 ram in quad channel mode.
You can get the Zotac GeForce GTX 1070 AMP Edition for around USD $439, which I think is correctly priced. The performance is extremely good, and you do get a pre-overclocked GPU with all the extras such as Ice-Storm cooling sytem, Freeze Tech, Exoarmor and Spectra. Remember, this card is selling for USD $439 vs USD $879 for the GTX 1080 AMP Extreme! You’re litterly saving yourself over $400 for graphics card that’s only 16-17% faster. Buy now at Amazon – https://goo.gl/HOr1rK
Now that we’ve compared the GeForce GTX 1080 and the GTX 1070, the only other thing left to do is to check out the GTX 1060, which apparently offers the best price/performance ratio and also the best bang for you buck! Let’s found out in our next outing.
Pros:
- Great performance
- VR-Ready
- Pre-overclocked at 1607MHz
- Can be overclocked further to 1797MHz or higher
- FireStorm application for tuning and overclocking
- 1920 CUDA cores
- 8GB of GDDR5 video memory
- 256-bit memory bus
- Spectra lighting system
- EKO fans and Ice-Storm cooling
- Exoarmor backplate
Cons:
- Nothing worth mentioning
Final Words:
Yes, we all know the GeForce GTX 1080 is a very expensive graphics card, and yes … we all would like to have one. But the reality is … this ain’t going to happen. So, whats the alternative? You’re reading about it right now! The Zotac GeForce GTX 1070 AMP Edition at $439 is extremely attractive and cheaper alternative to the GTX 1080 AMP Extreme at $879 (which is only 16-17% faster). You might think that figure is quite a lot, but is it worth $400+ just for that extra 16-17% performance?
At the end of the day … The Zotac GeForce GTX 1070 AMP Edition is an extremely good graphics card that offers very good performance. It’s definitely powerful enough, to satisfy the demands of even the most hardcore of gamers … at a price that’s more attainable with the wider public.
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3 comments
“you can further increase the clock speeds to a blistering 1797MHz or even higher! That’s almost the same speed as their GeForce GTX 1080 AMP Extreme Edition! … potentially saving you over USD $400!”
Just… wow. Did you just state that there are no differences to the gtx1080 apart from the clock speed? How about the fact that the 1070 core is cut down by 25% and will thus offer exactly 25% less performace clock-to-clock.
Also, when you disect a card, why not study the vrm closer? It’s literally the only thing that tells this card apart from the others (more phases, less strain, less possibily for coil whine, better regulation, better over clock).
And while we’re at it, could you explain why 2*8pin power is absolutely necessary? The base card is rated at 150Watts and this card will never, ever need the 375W (2*150W+75W) that you are insist on. To be fair, 225W (1*8-pin/2*6pin) might not be enough with heavy overclocking, but 6+8 is plenty.
You know as well as I do … the GTX 1080 performance in REAL life gaming will only give you ~10% performance over a GTX 1070. So what we’re are saying is … why pay $400 more for ~10% performance increase? Not worth it. For most games at 1920×1080 with max settings .. .the GTX 1070 offers the BEST price/performance ratio. Period. If you run at 4K resolution than the GTX 1080 is the one to go for.
Pushed mine to 2114 mhz on core and 8300mhz on memory. 53 degrees gpu after 5 hours of forza horizon 3